RALEIGH, N.C.–The preserved skeletons of two well-known dinosaur species acquired by the Friends of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences will soon have a new home at the SECU DinoLab.
A groundbreaking ceremony held at the Museum’s Nature Research Center in downtown Raleigh kicked off the construction of the paleontology conservation lab for the Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit featuring a Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. During the event, SECU Foundation announced its support for the initiative with a $2 million challenge grant to the Friends of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences.
“The Dueling Dinosaur fossils were found buried together in Montana, frozen in time as they battled for survival,” SECU said. “They are among the most complete skeletons ever discovered of the two dinosaurs. The fossils will be professionally restored and conserved in the SECU DinoLab, a glass-walled laboratory to be located on the first floor of the Museum’s Nature Research Center adjacent to the SECU Daily Planet. Visitors will witness the gradual uncovering of the skeletal remains in real time with discovery details and interactive educational resources shared online and broadcast to the world.”
“SECU Foundation is no stranger to the innovative educational initiatives that have brought the Museum and our state to the forefront,” said Jo Anne Sanford, SECU Foundation Board Chair. “The Foundation’s initial support for the Friends of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences came in 2009 with a $4 million grant for the iconic silver globe – the SECU Daily Planet, which opened in 2012. Like the SECU Daily Planet, the SECU DinoLab will provide exciting educational benefits as well as significant, positive economic impacts. Dueling Dinosaurs will be a new icon for our state and will undoubtedly expand interest in the field of paleontology for educators and students in North Carolina and beyond.”