Wow! That Oughta Be In a Museum!

The Thrill of the Hunt

They enjoy stalking and capturing their prey, then displaying the trophy after the chase is over.

George Sternberg came from a family of fossil hunters. He was a famous collector by the time Fort Hays State University asked him to build its collection of specimens into a proper museum.

Sternberg had a knack for locating world-class fossils on his collecting trips throughout the Midwest. The best fossils always were kept for the Hays museum, while lesser examples were sold to institutions all over the world. In this way Sternberg financed his continued work in western Kansas.

Today the Sternberg Museum has an international reputation. Its 3.5 million specimens are used for research, educational programs and exhibits.

Pictured above, Jerry Choate, director, with a plesiosaur specimen collected for the Sternberg Museum in Hays.

Continue the virtual tour.