DINOSAURS!

The long-awaited DINOSAURS! exhibit (200 million years to be exact) arrives at the Reading Public Museum May 23 and runs through September 23, 2003. The DINOSAURS! exhibit spans from the Permian Period (preceding the age of the dinosaurs) through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods and features these amazing creatures in skeleton and fleshed out versions. Also included in DINOSAURS! is an authentic dinosaur egg and egg nest display featuring several species of eggs, plus other authentic bones, teeth and fossils which will add scientific value to the numerous hands-on or "touch-me gently" stations.

Regular Museum admission is $5 adults and $3 children 4 to 17, but from May 23 - September 23, admission will be $7 adults and $5 children 4 to 17 due to the blockbuster DINOSAURS! exhibit. Members and children under 4 are always free. Museum hours are Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday 11am to 5pm, Wednesday 11am to 8pm and Sunday noon to 5pm.

As visitors enter the Atrium of the Reading Public Museum, they will be greeted by a skeleton casting - one of five in the world today - of the largest predator to ever walk the earth - the Giganotosaurus, meaning "giant southern lizard." The Giganotosaurus at 46-ft. long is even bigger than the T-Rex! The original Giganotosaurus was found in Argentina and was more than 3/4 complete. When measured up against the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex ever found the "Giga" weighed two tons more and was five feet longer! Visitors will be able to make comparisons between claws, teeth and skulls of these two awesome dinosaurs. Other dinosaurs visitors will encounter among authentic diorama settings are the Allosaurus who preyed on herbivores, the Chasmosaurus with his mighty frill, a Pteranodon defending its nest full of eggs and Pachycephalosaurus, the dome-headed head butting dinosaur and many more! Murals, painted by students from Kutztown University, create a backdrop for the dinosaurs and will add the final touch to make visitors feel as if they stepped back into Prehistoric times.

Children will have a blast assembling and disassembling the new wooden vertical dinosaur shaped puzzles - of course mom and dad are encouraged to help! Children will also be able to explore many hands-on stations and Triceratops photo spot. In one area, kids can compare the size of their foot to a T-Rex or try to identify their favorite dinosaur while looking at just its skull. Or they can touch a 6-ft. tall vertebra from an Argentinosaurus or make pictures of dinosaurs on the Dinosaur Rub Station.

Related Programming for DINOSAURS!:
Dinosaur Day - June 1 from Noon to 5pm. All day opening reception of DINOSAURS! Join us for a fun-filled family day. Free with Admission.

Dinosaur Family Nights - June 11 and July 9 from 7pm to 8pm. Crafts and activities for children 7 & under.

Breakfast with the Dinosaurs - June 14, July 19, August 16, and September 13 from 8:30am to 11am. Enjoy a continental breakfast in the Atrium under the 46-ft. Giganotosaurus, tour the exhibit, see the Planetarium show "Dinosaurs," receive a photo with a dinosaur and take home a bag of "dino" goodies. Call 610-371.5850 x241. Member-$15/adult, $10/child. Non-members- $30/adult, $25/child.

Discovery Talk - "The Dinosaur Hunter" - with Michael Szanja - June 22 at 1pm. Free with Admission.

Museum "Dino" Camp - July and August dates available for children ages 6 to 8, and 9 to 11. Call 610-371-5850 x 229 to register or for more information.

Discovery Talk - "Mass Extinctions, Asteroid Impacts, Giant Volcanic Eruptions - The Beginning and End of the Age of Dinosaurs" - with Dr. Paul Olsen - July 20 at 1pm. Free with Admission.

Planetarium Show - "Dinosaurs" - Sundays May 25 - September 21, 2003 at 2pm and 3pm. This Planetarium Show will explore the wonder and magnificence of dinosaurs and answer such questions as, How did they die?, What were the dinosaurs?, and much more!

"Bookasaurus" Sponsored by the Berks County Public Libraries - June 1, July 13 and August 3 from 1pm to 3pm AND July 23 and August 13 from 6pm to 8pm. This bookmobile service will visit the Reading Public Museum and entertain children ages 3 to 5 with stories about dinosaurs!