Florida Museum to open famous ‘T. rex Named Sue’ exhibit Jan. 24, 2015
Dec. 16, 2014
Editors: Press materials are available at www.flmnh.ufl.edu/pressroom/a-t-rex-namedsue/
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Darcie MacMahon, 352-273-2053, dmacmahon@flmnh.ufl.edu
With photos
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The world’s dinosaur “Sue”-perstar returns to the Florida
Museum of Natural History on Jan. 24, 2015, in the featured exhibition “A T. rex Named
Sue.”
This bilingual exhibit presents the story of “Sue,” the largest, most complete and
best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever unearthed. It features a life-size, 42-foot-long
cast of the dinosaur and family-friendly interactive components exploring the
paleontology that has helped scientists reconstruct Sue’s life and legacy.
In 2002, the Florida Museum was the state’s first venue to host the traveling
exhibit, which has been seen by more than 20 million visitors worldwide.
“A whole generation of kids has been born since ‘Sue’ was last here, and the
science around dinosaurs is more and more amazing,” said Darcie MacMahon, Florida
Museum exhibits and public program director. “The exhibit gives us a great platform for
engaging people in a really compelling way while exploring current science.”
One of the largest flesh-eaters to have ever inhabited the Earth, Sue roamed North
America about 67 million years ago. The T. rex is named for Sue Hendrickson, who
discovered the dinosaur in 1990 near Faith, South Dakota.
Only a few partial T. rex specimens had previously been discovered, and none
were more than 60 percent complete. At 90 percent complete and extremely wellpreserved, Sue is the most celebrated representative of its species, allowing new
detailed studies of the biology, growth and behavior of T. rex.
“A T. rex Named Sue” follows the dinosaur’s extraordinary journey from the
Cretaceous period and sedimentary rocks of South Dakota to the U.S. courts and finally
the world. The exhibit explores T. rex’s interactions with its Cretaceous environment,
Sue’s instrumental role in unlocking many secrets of the species and the often creative
methods of fossil preparation and study.
Museum visitors can come face-to-face with the largest T. rex ever discovered,
touch casts of Sue’s bones, uncover fossils in a dig pit and learn about Sue’s
movement, vision and sense of smell. The exhibit brings Sue to life in a visceral
experience that combines sensory activities with fascinating educational content.
The museum will host opening day activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring
paleontologists and a variety of real fossils.
While opening day activities are free, admission to “A T. rex Named Sue” is $7.50
for adults ($6.50 for Florida residents, seniors and college students); $4.50 for ages 317 and free to museum members and University of Florida students with a valid Gator 1
card.
The Florida Museum will display the exhibit through Sept. 13, 2015.
This exhibition was created by The Field Museum, Chicago, and made possible
through the generosity of McDonald’s Corporation.
For more information, visit http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/exhibits.
-30The Florida Museum of Natural History inspires people to value the biological richness and
cultural heritage of our diverse world and make a positive difference in its future. The museum is
located at 3215 Hull Road just east of Southwest 34th Street in the University of Florida Cultural
Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m.
Sunday. The museum’s current featured exhibit, “Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived,”
tells the story of this 60-foot-long ancient creature. Visitors walk through the full-scale jaw of a
megalodon sculpture to learn about its biology, relatives, neighbors, evolution, extinction and
new science that continues to reveal its fascinating tale. For more information, including
directions, parking and ticket prices, visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu or call 352-846-2000.
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Writer: Katina Prokos, kprokos@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Darcie MacMahon, 352-273-2053, dmacmahon@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu