About Us:
The Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology was established in 1936 and its present building was constructed in 1968. Since its inception, the museum has been dedicated to serving the public as well as The Webb Schools community. The museum has two large circular exhibition floors: the Hall of Life and the Hall of Footprints.
The Hall of Life traces the history of life on earth through exhibits spanning the first cells through human civilization. A few highlights include:
- Specimens that represent some of the oldest known single-celled and multicellular organisms
- Fossil invertebrates, including beautifully preserved trilobites and crinoids
- Casts or models of the dinosaurs Monoclonius, Allosaurus, T. rex and Velociraptor
- Dinosaur eggs from China and Mongolia
- A giant fossil alligator skull from the Amazon
- A large collection of fossil mammals from North America
The Hall of Footprints is the largest, most diverse collection of animal footprints on display in North America. Dozens of trackways are on exhibit that represent ancient camels, dinosaurs, spiders, reptiles, and other animals. Also on display is a skeletal cast of the giant bear-dog, Amphicyon, mounted directly above its trackway. This and other unique fossil footprint specimens make the museum's collection of tracks its most significant scientific asset. Newly renovated in 2002, the Hall of Footprints now includes many informative and interactive exhibits, including a children's activity area. It is one of the most spectacular fossil footprint exhibits in the world.
