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The fossil addition to the Maryland Science Center's dinosaur exhibit should be on display beginning sometime this month. Tom Lipka generously donated an ASTRODON tooth to provide a thin section showing the famous starburst pattern.
The previously mentioned fossil sites in this heading are now as is typical no longer in existence. If you are aware of new locations, please contact us at dinosaurfund@juno.com
The Traveling Dinosaur Exhibit will not be going to the Columbia Pike Library Branch as expected. We are now hoping to move it to an Annapolis location for the 2002 session of the Maryland Legislature.
Dinosaur Camp will have at least two week-long sessions this spring, the weeks of March 26, 2002 and April 1, 2002.
The Central Avenue and I-495 fossil site is no more. However, the Marlboro-Richie Road site is still open. Moreover, the work or the extension of the Metro from Addison Road has exposed fossils along the route. It should be productive for many months to come.
Send-a-Letter is going to be on the Dinosaur Fund Web Site (www.dinosaurfund.org) beginning in October, 2001. There will be two initial letters. One in support of the annexation of the fossil area north of Dinosaur Park. The other in support of the acquisition and development of the Emmitsburg track quarry.
To send a letter of support all that will be required is for the web site visitor to fill in his/her name, address and email and click to send. We urge anyone who can to Send-a-Letter as it is an important link in the process of achieving our goals.
Metro's extension of the Addison Road Line in Prince George's County has begun the clearing process. With luck, we will soon begin to see abundant fossil production from the excavation on the cleared trackways.
The fossil sites at Central Avenue and Richie-Marlboro Road are still open. In addition, new construction in the College Park/University of Maryland area hold promise for some new Lower Cretaceous exposures.
The exhibit of new fossils from dinosaur times may be installed by the end of October, 2001. At present, they are looking for an Astrodon tooth for use in the exhibit. If you know anyone who would be willing to loan one on a semi-permanent basis, please contact Bill Hass at (410)545-5904.
The Traveling Dinosaur Exhibit should have moved to the Columbia Pike Branch of the Arlington Public Library in early September, 2001. This has now been rescheduled for early October, 2001.
Barbara Bergman has been running dinosaur digs at Fountain Rock Nature Center on Saturdays, weather permitting. The future dates are: October 6, 13, 20, November 3, 17, and December 1, 2001. They are free and open to the public.
Dr. Kranz will run a fossil excursion and dig program on Saturday, October 13th beginning at 9:30AM at the Park.
The Dinosaur Fund Web Site: www.dinosaurfund.org, has a new feature appearing in October, 2001. Dr. Kranz' Most Wanted List. It is a catalogue of missing items and bones, known to have existed but whose present whereabouts are unknown. Please search for them.
The fossil sites on Marlboro-Richie Road and Central Avenue are still open and producing.
On September 1 a training session open to the public will take place at Fountain Rock Nature Center in Walkersville, Maryland (Frederick County). We will be searching for dinosaur fossils. Several more sessions will occur throughout the fall of 2001.
In early September, the segment of the Traveling Dinosaur Exhibit at the Beltsville Library will move to the Columbia Pike Library in Arlington, Virginia. Programs for adults and children will be held in conjunction with the exhibit.
Richard Swann Lull, a Yale professor who worked on Eastern Dinosaurs for more than fifty years, also wrote the section on dinosaurs for the Maryland Geological Survey's LOWER CRETACEOUS volume. While all his papers and correspondence have not yet been catalogued and collated, Dr. Kranz was kindly sent copies of that which is by the folks at the Peabody Museum.
No startling revelations, have resulted as yet. However, some points of interest have come from the papers. First, Lull did correspond with most of the important figures in Maryland dinosaur studies who were alive in 1909-1911, including Arthur Bibbins and William Bullock Clark. Second, Edward Berry sent him a photograph of nearly three foot long dinosaur limb bone found in the mines of Charles Coffin (1895). The whereabouts of this bone is unknown. It had a Women's College number 3121 and was last known to be at Johns Hopkins in June, 1909.
If you have seen this bone, please contact the Dinosaur Fund at (202) 547-3326 or dinosaurfund@juno.com. See Dinosaur Fund web site (soon) for photo. www.dinosaurfund.org
During July the Boy Scouts of Carroll County Maryland screened and sorted dinosaur-bearing clay. To date no significant finds have been reported.
Despite a brisk business, there are still openings for Dinosaur Camp the weeks of August 13 and 20th. If you would like to attend contact the DinosaurFund at (202) 547-3326 or dinosaurfund@juno.com
The Traveling Dinosaur Exhibit will be traveling once more. It will be moving to a DC or Northern Virginia venue. It will remain in the Beltsville Library during August 2001. If you are in the region and would like to see it get there before September 1, 2001. The exhibit can be viewed during normal library hours.
Two large fragments of a petrified tree were recovered from the Longwood site. They may be become part of the display at the Maryland Science Center.
The July 9, August 13 and August 20 summer camps run by the Dinosaur Fund are all still on and spaces are still available. Contact the Dinosaur Fund at (202) 547-3326 or dinosaurfund@juno.com to register.
Rob Weems of the US Geological has identified the turtle shell neural plate as "Trionx" halophila according to his information. This represents only the second reported occurrence from Maryland.
Dinosaur-bearing clay was delivered to Fountain Rock Nature Center in Frederick County. It is to be hoped that programs may start as early as this summer.
"Maryland Clay Products", the site of many dinosaur finds closed its brick making operation on June 29 after almost a century in business. Cherokee-Sanford, the owners, plan to sell the property for an industry park. The Dinosaur Fund is seeking a way to preserve the few dinosaur producing acres as part of the Dinosaur Park. If you think you can help contact us at (202)547-3326 or dinosaurfund@juno.com.
The Carroll County Scout Camp held the week of July 16 at the Bear Branch Nature Center in Westminster will also conduct a dinosaur dig with Dr. Kranz.
Preliminary work on two clay samples taken at Longwood show similar pollen samples but different heavy minerals. Rob Weems, Norrie Robbins and Peter Kranz will collaborate on an effort to determine if these differences truly represent a change in the source area and drainage in the mid Cretaceous of Maryland.
The boy scouts will be sifting dinosaur bearing clay at their camps this June and July. There is still time for your scouts to get with the program. Contact the Dinosaur Fund at (202)547-3326 or dinosaurfund@juno.com.
Recent research by Dr. Kranz has confirmed that the ASTRODON femur found at the McMillan Reservoir in 1942 was recovered during the construction of the South Cell at Channing Street West of First Street NW.
Washington Parks and People is working on the cleanup of stream beds in Northeast DC. On May 19th they spoke with Dr. Kranz and were eager to look for dinosaur fossils during their cleanups. They will meet from 10-12 noon on Saturday, June 2nd at 2437 15th St. NW, Wash. DC or contact them at (202)462-7275.
Metro has announced that it will extend the Blue Line two stations beyond Addison Road to LargoTown Center. The route cuts through many miles of Late Cretaceous marine sediments which have produced a great variety of fossils. We look forward to many new finds and much new knowledge.
Sewer construction at Marlboro-Ritchie Road and I495, the Beltway, has produced large spoil heaps with abundant fossils.
The June 18 and August 13 and 20 weeks are still open for signups but the July 9th week is no longer available. If you wish to sign up for the camp program, contact the Dinosaurfund at: (202) 547-3326 or dinosaurfund@juno.com
The construction work is progressing rapidly at Longwood. It is being monitored on a daily basis.
The "Titanic" exhibit has been installed and is a great success, which has allowed some time to be devoted to the development of "Dinosaur Hall" and the existing dinosaur exhibit. Designs are being worked on for "Dinosaur Hall." As for the current exhibit, plans included adding some new elements and fossils possibly by June 2001.
State Rep. Steve Maitland is crafting the State Dinosaur Bill for Pennsylvania. It will name Atreipus the state dinosaur.
At least three scout camps will be doing dinosaur activities with the DinosaurFund in June and July. If you have not yet mentioned this program to the scouts you know, there is still time. Contact the DinosaurFund at (202) 547-3326 or dinosaurfund@juno.com
The Mt. St. Mary's Archives will be doing some programs on James Mitchell and the Emmitsburg footprints on May 19th and June 2nd.
Franklin and Marshall College Alumni Association is sponsoring two dinosaur hunting field trips in June. The Washington, D.C. trip is scheduled for Saturday, June 9 and Baltimore for Saturday, June 2. For more information contact (717) 291-4330.
A rare fossil turtle specimen has been found in Ft. Washington Maryland. Robert Weems of the US Geological Survey is currently attempting to get a precise identification.
More than 10,000 people visited the exhibit during its five week stay at Mount St. Mary's College. Many of them were early elementary school children. The exhibit was featured in Frederick Magazine's March 2001 issue.
The exhibit is still available for bookings. Contact the Dinosaur Fund at (202) 547-3326 or DinosaurFund@juno.com.
A part of an Astrodon rib was recovered from the fossil bearing clay which was stockpiled from the Longwood development site. Unfortunately, the stock piles were recently destroyed through misadventure.
This summer the theme for many local Boy Scout pack's summer camps is the "Age of Dinosaurs". Several packs and camps are already working with the Dinosaur Fund. If yours is not yet in touch or aware they may contact the Dinosaur Fund at (202) 547-3326 or Dinosaurfund@juno.com. Remember, the best way one can learn about the local dinosaurs is to find one yourself.
Mindy Maitland, wife of Steve Maitland (a Pennsylvania State Representative from Gettysburg), has convinced her husband to introduce a State Dinosaur Bill in the Pennsylvania legislature. The proposed dinosaur is the fossil track Atreipus from a small plant eating ornithischian dinosaur about 3-5 feet long. It may be consistent with the only known body fossil from Pennsylvania, the teeth of Galtonia gibbidens. Greg Paul is kindly lending his support to the campaign by allowing the use of his painting of the hypothetical track maker which brings the creatures to life.
The photograph makes the location from which the tracks have come completely and unquestionably clear. It also shows that tracks must still remain in the quarry.
A reexamination by Peter Kranz of the Mount St. Mary's slab has shown that small "hand" prints are also to be seen as on the other known slab currently on display at the Maryland Science Center.
The exhibit "Before the Bone Wars: Dinosaur of the National Capital Region" will be leaving Mt. St. Mary's College after March 11, 2001. The Maryland Science Center and elsewhere are probable future destinations. Look for openings soon.
During February Dr. Kranz led a dinosaur dig at St. John the Evangelist School in Clinton, Maryland (Brrrr!) The results of the dig were featured at the "Dinosaur Museum" held at the school the weekend of February 24/25. Hundreds of people attended. It is also reported that hundreds attended the Prehistoric Party at Clearwater Nature Center which featured an appearance of paleontologist Martin Tillett.
Capitalsaurus Day (Annually January 28th) was celebrated this year with a proclamation (as always) and the opening of a new dinosaur exhibit (See New Items).
The Upper Cretaceous sites mentioned last summer have finally begun to produce limited vertebrate and invertebrate material of a marine nature. More is coming, we hope.
The student research at Mt. St. Mary's College (so far) has turned up the fact that James Mitchell had descendent, sons, Alfred and Roger and Roger's daughter, Helene. This brings us a step closer to finding any personal papers which may still exist.
Also of some historical interest was the discovery, thanks to Prof. Emeritus Wm. Merideth, that there were remains of Mitchell's collection. When Peter Kranz and Merope Moonstone sorted these remains in January 2001, they were found to contain mostly unremarkable fossils, some artifacts and few labels. A sample of the fossils will be included in the new exhibit.
Before the Bone Wars: Dinosaurs of the National Capital Region, a variant of the exhibit assembled by the Dinosaur Fund for Dinofest 2000, has become a traveling exhibit. The exhibit features three types of displays: paintings and art created by professional artists and children, interactive activities, and fossils from the holdings of the Laurel Museum, Mount St. Mary's College, the Maryland Science Center and private collections.
If you wish to arrange a "Before the Bone War: Dinosaurs of the National Capital Region" exhibit to come to your location or if you wish to sponsor the exhibit in any way, please contact the Dinosaur Fund at (202) 547-3326.
The first stop for the exhibit was Knott Auditorium at Mt. St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The exhibit opened informally on January 29, 2001 as part of the Capitalsaurus Day celebrations.
The exhibit will run through March 11, 2001 and the admission is free. School tours can be arranged by calling George Gelles at 1-301-447-5330. For other information about the exhibit call Nancy Poss at 1-301-447-5366.
In addition to school trips, the College and the Dinosaur Fund are sponsoring two lectures and two field trips in conjunction with the exhibit.
February 13, 2001 Prof. Wm. Merideth will speak on "James Mitchell and the early days of Science at Mt. St. Mary's."
February 20, 2001, Dr. Peter Kranz will speak on the "Dinosaurs of Maryland".
Both lectures will be held at 7:30PM in Knott Auditorium at Mt. St. Mary's College.
February 24, 2001, Dr. Peter Kranz leads a tour at Dinosaur Hall in Washington, DC. Call for details (202) 547-3326.
March 11, 2001, Dr Peter Kranz leads Dinosaur Hunt. Call George Gelles at 1-301-447-5330.
Family Dinosaur Camp is an innovation beginning this year. Children and adults will be able to attend a week-long dinosaur camp lead by the Dinosaur Fund. At the program participants will learn how we know what we know about dinosaurs and go on dinosaur digs. No children may attend at anytime without a responsible, supervising adult present. (There will no exceptions - period!)
Don't forget Capitalsauraus Day is January 28 as always.
When Dinofest 2000 wraps up the DinosaurFund's portion "Before the Bone Wars: Dinosaurs of the National Capital Region" is expected to return to Washington, D.C. There has been a great deal of interest that it should be displayed locally. More the half a dozen organizations have expressed an interest in displaying the exhibit. There are also at least two dozen other potential sponsors who may wish to display the exhibit. With so much support it is likely that the exhibit will reopen locally some time in January 2001. If you or your organization would like to sponsor the exhibit you should contact the DinosaurFund at (202) 547-3326 or email Dinosaurfund@juno.com. Pictures of the exhibit and a list of its current contents can be seen on the DinosaurFund's web site
There continues to be an ambiguity about nature of the dinosaur deposits of the "Arundel Formation." New discoveries at Longwood have helped to resolve at least one aspect of the debate. In early December of 2000 while sewer pipe was being laid a fossil-bearing clay unit, which would be defined as "Arundel Formation," was intersected. This unit was distinct and separate from the similar lithology encountered in late October 2000 at the same site. The new unit is located at the northern part of the site and at about 230 feet above sea level. The earlier discovered unit is more in the middle of the site and at about 270 feet above sea level. Samples have been sent for pollen analysis. Similar separations were noticed at the Arbutus site. (For more in depth discussion see the DinosaurFund's web site at http://www.dinosaurfund.org/current/arundel.html