MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES
BOZEMAN – Museum of the Rockies will honor the career and achievements of Dr. Jack Horner during Jack Horner Family Day on Saturday, May 21 from 2-5 p.m. at the museum.
After 33 years in the field with MOR and Montana State University, the museum’s curator of paleontology will retire on June 30. Horner’s remarkable lifetime of scientific research and many of his most famous discoveries will be celebrated during the event.
The public is invited to participate and the Jack Horner Family Day event is included with museum admission.
Since 1982, Horner has expanded the museum’s three-specimen dinosaur fossil collection to an internationally recognized, scientifically significant collection containing more than 35,000 specimens.
“It’s astounding to think of all the things Jack did for MOR, the university, our community and even the state of Montana,” said Mark Robinson, the museum’s director of marketing and engagement.
During his career, Horner also built the largest paleontology field program in the U.S., sending out as many as nine field crews during one season. His former students and postdoctoral fellows are now leading paleontology programs throughout the world, including Mongolia, France, England, Canada and Argentina.
Horner is also well known for his role as the scientific advisor for all of the Jurassic Park films, including the franchise’s most recent “Jurassic World.”
Visitors will be able to see the heavy-duty trucks and vehicles used at Horner’s dig sites, as well as meet members of Horner’s former field crews, and participate in hands-on activities that highlight his discoveries.
The world-renowned paleontologist will also be present at the event to sign autographs and speak personally with visitors young and old.
“Jack Horner Family Day is one way all of us at Museum of the Rockies can say thank you to Jack for his countless contributions to our success,” said Robinson.
Museum of the Rockies is both a college-level division of Montana State University and an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit institution. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, MOR is one of just 776 museums to hold this distinction from the more than 17,500 museums nationwide. The museum is also a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and a federal repository for fossils.
