SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri Institute of Natural Science will be able to double its size after receiving an anonymous local donation.
The Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/1vCcqRF) reports that the donation will cover a significant portion of the museum's expansion, which will cost about $170,000. Bob Lawrie, a museum board member, said that the expansion will include a lower-level bone preparation room where visitors can see fossils being readied for display, an observation deck and a gift shop with fossils for sale.
The expansion will provide room for hundreds of fossils, including the famous triceratops known as Henry.
Recently, a South Dakota fossil collector donated two truckloads of prehistoric fish, crocodiles, mammal skulls and teeth, according to executive museum director Matt Forir.
"A friend of mine who I helped dig up T-rex, triceratops and hadrosaur fossils called me up and said he was getting out of the fossil business," Forir said. "I knew what he had, but there are a few surprises."
Forir said a lot of the fossils are from the Oligocene era, a time when dinosaurs were dying out and mammals were taking their place.
"We want to tell the story of these fossils here at the Missouri Institute of Natural Science, to inspire interest in science," he said.
The museum is not disclosing the amount of the donation, but Lawrie says they still need donations from the public.