Fossil Discovery: Engaging Exhibit Blending Nature & History

The Fossil Discovery Center in Big Bend is renowned for housing one of the world's most complete fossil records. Spanning an impressive 100 million years, this collection includes a staggering 35 million years of the Age of Reptiles, seamlessly transitioning into the Age of Mammals. What makes this collection truly exceptional is the presence of several iconic fossils that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

To enhance the visitor experience at this remote location within the park, a collaborative effort between Big Bend Conservancy, Big Bend National Park, Lake Flato Architects, and EDX Exhibits was undertaken. The challenge was to create an engaging interpretive experience that seamlessly blended into the landscape, required minimal maintenance, and did not rely on staff. This was no small feat, but with the input of park paleontologists, interpreters, and the architectural team, EDX was able to shape the layout and design of the Fossil Discovery Exhibit to seamlessly integrate with and support the captivating interpretive story it aimed to tell.

The completed exhibit, unveiled in 2017, provides visitors with a unique opportunity to view reproductions of iconic fossils in close proximity to the geological formations in which they were discovered. The exhibit is designed as an open-air pavilion divided into four distinct spaces, each representing a different geological era and environment. These areas are adorned with large, iconic fossils that serve as representatives of their respective eras. Moreover, a custom mural depicting the environment and representative species contextualizes the fossils, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the narrative.

At the heart of the exhibit lies a vast central space that opens up to the surrounding landscape, providing visitors with a tranquil spot for rest and reflection on the captivating story being told. To further enrich the experience, viewing scopes are strategically placed to connect visitors with relevant geological formations. The aim is to ensure that visitors of all ages and backgrounds can rediscover their inner dinosaur-loving child and personally engage with the story in a manner that enhances their enjoyment and understanding of the park and its unique paleontology.

The Fossil Discovery Exhibit's commitment to programmatic accessibility deserves special recognition. The inclusion of tactile animal outlines, touchable bronze reproductions, and other strategies has made the content come alive for visitors with low vision and blindness, hearing impairments, and cognitive differences. This inclusive approach has been widely praised and earned the exhibit an Excellence in Exhibition Award from the American Alliance of Museums. The award acknowledges the seamless integration of the building, story, and landscape, affirming the success of the collaborative design efforts that shaped this remarkable exhibit.

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