Texas Through Time Museum in Hillsboro TX

[JamieLynn]

The Paleontological Society of Austin took a trip to the Museum for this months Field Trip. Collecting in August is not much fun unless you get out WAY early, so a nice Air Conditioned Museum sounded like a good idea! So we went to a small museum that has been open for only a couple of years, but has a really nice collection of Texas fossil (and a few other places, but primarily Texas). They are known for their work in the Permian Red Beds, so much of the focus is on that time period, but a nice selection of other eras as well. We were fortunate to get a "behind the museum" tour too, of their working labs! But I I was not allowed to show the pics of what they were working on! Top secret..... 

 

The museum itself is housed in a historic Car Garage that has it's own interesting story! 

 

Obligatory Selfie with the Dino out front:

 

 

Their "window dressing" - a Dimetradon from the Permian Red Beds near Archer Tx.

 

I LOVE the amphibians of the Permian. Diplocaulus is my favorite. This one was found near Seymour Tx....hence the name.

 

 

 

 

And of course you need to have a nice Theropod Skull on hand:

 

This little Mosasaur is from North Texas:

 

Another of their major dig sites is in Brewster County in West Texas. The Aguja Formation. These are Hadrosaur Leg bones and a Dental battery on the far left:

 

And my favorite, the Echinoid Collection!:

 

These are from a possibly new species of Ankylosaur (also from West Texas)

 

A really really amazing full Ptychodus Shark. Even it's gill structure is preserved. From North Texas.

 

Some Oreodont and other skulls from the Miocene (I think?) 

 

Texas Petrified Wood

 

And the working labs!:

 

They had another exhibit across the street at their second space, but I wasn't able to go see it. But it is apparently REALLY fantastic. This was all part of their basic exhibit which is free! If you are ever North/Central Texas, I highly recommend you go check it out! 

 

 

 

[Jared C]

That Ptychodus was INSANE

[Tidgy's Dad]

Love all the amphibians in particular.

Looks like a great place to visit.

Thanks for sharing. 

[ChristineR]

Thanks for a great report. You inspired several google searches. So much to learn!

[Troodon]

Thanks for the tour, a place I have wanted to visit.  Andre typically has a room at the Tucson show and has exhibited that Dimetrodon.  So for the folks going next year check out his room, no need to buy anything, just gawk at all his goodies.

[jpc]

so, is the name of the museum "Texas Through Time"?  

 

Thanks for the tour.  Gotta love that old vertebrate stuff.  

[JamieLynn]

3 hours ago, jpc said:

so, is the name of the museum "Texas Through Time"?  

 

Thanks for the tour.  Gotta love that old vertebrate stuff.  

 Yes, that is the name!