Fossil exhibit opens at The Sherman Museum with rare specimens

A new fossil exhibit called “Fields of Stone/Oceans of Stone” is on display now at The Sherman Museum in Sherman, Texas, through Labor Day weekend. The show features dinosaur and marine fossils, including specimens never before seen in public, and highlights AAPS’s outreach mission.

Why it matters: - The exhibit gives visitors in Sherman and North Texas access to rare fossil displays without traveling to a major city. - The show pairs education with public access to specimens that have not been displayed before. - The exhibit is part of the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences’ effort to expand interest in paleontology.

What happened: - “Fields of Stone/Oceans of Stone” is on display now at The Sherman Museum in Sherman, Texas. - The exhibit was specially curated for the museum. - Fields of Stone features dinosaur, land and air fossils, including a Tyrannosaurus rex. - Oceans of Stone features marine fossils including ammonites, trilobites, stromatolites, echinoids and shells. - The exhibit is scheduled to remain on view through Labor Day weekend. - The Sherman Museum is located at 301 S. Walnut Street in Sherman. - Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm. - Visitors can find directions, parking and admission details at more information.

The details: - The exhibit was co-curated and co-designed by Geoffrey Notkin, current AAPS president; Tracie Bennitt, past president and former board member; and John Bennitt, longtime AAPS professional member. - AAPS was organized in 1978. - AAPS was created to unite professional fossil dealers, collectors, enthusiasts and academic paleontologists. - AAPS promotes ethical collecting practices and cooperation with researchers, instructors, curators and exhibit managers. - Notkin said regional museums help smaller communities access in-person learning experiences. - Notkin said the exhibit is both informative and fun. - Many specimens in the exhibit come from private collections and have never been seen in public. - Informational displays cover fossil formation, ancient environments and the history of paleontological discovery. - The museum is housed in a former Carnegie Library building. - The museum is an easy day trip from Dallas. - AAPS also promotes interest and education in paleontology for people of all ages. - More information about AAPS is available at the AAPS website.

Between the lines: - The exhibit leans on rarity and variety to broaden appeal beyond fossil hobbyists. - The use of a historic local museum suggests a strategy to make paleontology feel accessible and community-based. - The private-collection specimens signal that the show is built around items the public does not usually get to see.

What's next: - Museum visitors can view the exhibit until the end of Labor Day weekend. - AAPS is likely to continue using public exhibits to support its education and outreach mission.

The bottom line: - Sherman is hosting a rare fossil show that combines museum access, private collections and paleontology education in one local exhibit.