Durham, North Carolina: Old Brontosaurus, New Dino Trail
A big brontosaurus, decapitated and then repaired, is near the new Dino Trail at the Museum of Life and Science.
Museum of Life and Science
- Address:
- 433 W. Murray Ave., Durham, NC
- Directions:
- Museum of Life and Science. North of I-85, take US Hwy 501 for about a mile, left on Murray Ave.
- Hours:
- Tu-Sa 1-5 pm, Su 12-5 pm. (Call to verify)
- Phone:
- 919-220-5429
- Admission:
- $9.50-$12.50 museum/dino trail; free brontosaurus statue across street.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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Brontosaurus Statue: A number of tipsters have reported that Durham, NC's old statue of a brontosaurus was decapitated. [06/03/2009] Complete Story...
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Dinosaur Trail In addition to having his severed head reattached, the vandalized brontosaurus across the street from the Museum of Life and Science has had a new fence installed around him. Fund raising continues in hopes of giving the statue a new coat of paint.
In the meantime, the new Dinosaur Trail on the grounds of the Museum of Life and Science, originally slated for 2008, opened this past July. There are eight separate dinosaur installations, with what looks like one more left to come. They range in size from a couple of small bird-like dinos up to the giant alamosaurus, who looks to be at least as big as the old brontosaurus, and maybe even bigger.
[Dean Jeffrey, 11/05/2009]
Dinosaur - Head Restored The NC Dinosaur is looking better than it has in years! The head has been replaced (or rebuilt, I'm not sure which) and various holes in the body have been patched up. Repairs are still ongoing, with many spots of unpainted fiberglass visible.
A museum employee happened by and we chatted briefly. He mentioned a few years ago a homeless person had taken up residence inside the dino and had lived inside through an entire winter.
[Greg Brown, 08/05/2009]The new dino trail is opening Summer of 2009!
[Lauren, 07/04/2008]
Dinosaur Statue The 40 year-old Brontosaurus was part of the Museum of Life and Sciences' now-defunct dinosaur walk. The 30 foot structure is the only remaining part of the trail, and some debate has been made about whether to restore it. It sits behind a fence near the entrance of Rock Quarry Park on the southside of Murray Avenue in North Durham, and is visible from the street.
[Cindy Whitt, 01/25/2007]Page of 2 [Next 1 items]
Nearby Offbeat Places
- Mercury-Redstone Rocket Replica, Durham, NC - < 1 mi.
- Tobacco Museum: Farmer Robot, Durham, NC - 1 mi.
- Rainbow Scissors, Durham, NC - 2 mi.
- Giant Sundial, Chapel Hill, NC - 12 mi.
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June 2009: The dinosaur was decapitated in what police described as a "prank." The head and neck have been recovered, although museum officials aren't yet sure if they can be stuck back onto the body.