Visitors are pouring into the Las Cruces Museum of Natural History, located in the Mesilla Valley Mall, to see the traveling exhibit “Hatching the Past: Dinosaur Nests, Eggs and Young,” which gives a glimpse into the lives of young dinosaurs. A combination of hands-on exhibits, educational panels and models of dinosaurs is enough to make any dinosaur-loving kid - or adult - quite satisfied. Beautiful illustrations give details about what dinosaur life may have been like.
The exhibit opened in May with over 2,000 visitors attending the first Saturday. Since then, there has been a steady stream of people coming to explore the lives of dinosaurs. It stays in Las Cruces until September 12, so you have time to visit more than once.
Only part of the museum is dedicated to the “Hatching the Past” exhibit. The permanent exhibit on the Chihuahuan Desert is always available for viewing, featuring everything from a rattlesnake to a vinegaroon, or whipscorpion. A variety of turtles, reptiles, and insects make interesting subjects for study. You never know what you might discover. On a recent Sunday, Naturalist Richard Quick showed visitors a Double-tailed Swallowtail Butterfly that had hatched the previous night, before setting it free on the Desert Willow trees just outside the museum.
The museum offers a number of fascinating programs. If your little naturalists want the opportunity to learn more about science, they can attend the Saturday Science program July 10 at 11 a.m. to learn about rockets or Animal Encounters July 31 at 4 p.m., when guests can meet the animals of the desert. For adults and kids, Descubra el Desierto on July 20 at 7 p.m. shares topics about natural history while the Sky Safari on July 17 at 9 p.m. at La Llorona Park (where Picacho crosses the Rio Grande) gives the chance to explore the night sky with telescopes under the expert guidance of the NMSU Astronomy Department. Science Cafe, July 29 at 5:30 p.m., is the opportunity to discuss topics of current scientific interest with experts. The NMSU chapter of Sigma Xi and the museum partner to provide these monthly science round table discussions.
The Museum of Natural History is open Monday through Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Museum admission is free, as are these programs. For additional information, go to www.las-cruces.org/museums and click on the Natural History button. Call the museum at (575) 522-3120.
If you want to support the four museums operated by the City of Las Cruces, consider becoming a Friend of the museums. You can find more information on our blog, which is accessible from the museum website by clicking on Foundation.
