Explore prehistoric culture in Western Massachusetts
The Hitchcock Ichnology Collection at the Beneski | Photo by Lynne Graves
Did you know some of the earliest dinosaur tracks found in North America were discovered right here in Western Massachusetts? This spring, explore our prehistoric past at museums, in the great outdoors, or even on stage!
In a show for families and children ages 6 and up, Erth’s DINOSAUR ZOO LiveTM comes to the UMass Fine Arts Center on Sunday, April 13. Erth takes audiences on a tour through prehistoric Australia, bringing an eye-popping array of ancient creatures to life on stage. Audiences will observe these extraordinarily lifelike creatures, just like those that inhabited the Southern Hemisphere millions of years ago. Ticket-holders are also invited to Family Fest, a free pre-show party in the lobby featuring local organizations from 3 to 4 p.m.
In you're interested in tracks, the Nash Dinosaur Track Site and Rock Shop in South Hadley, you can see many different tracks and other dinosaur-related treasures (open April 1 through December 1, or later, if no snow on the ground) and The Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College has the largest collection of preserved tracks in the world. Not far from the bustling downtown of Northampton is the Trustees of the Reservation Dinosaur Footprints site right along the windy Connecitcut River.
The Beneski also has skeletons (full and partial) and several jurassic diorama exhibits.