CATALYST

For generations, Museum guests have lovingly come to know us as “the dinosaur museum.” And honestly, we get it. When people think of the Museum, many picture a moment of awe from their childhood — standing beneath towering skeletons or marveling at the fascinating life forms that once roamed the Earth. And arguably, no exhibition fully captures the feeling of wonder for our ancient world better than Prehistoric Journey — that’s why we were so excited to celebrate its 30-year anniversary this year! 

Since its debut in late 1995, Prehistoric Journey has taken millions of visitors on an awe-inspiring exploration through billions of years spanning the entire history of life on Earth — from single-celled organisms through the age of dinosaurs to the rise of mammals and the first humans to walk the Earth. Yet the creation of this landmark exhibition was far from predetermined.  

By the late 1980s, paleontology at the Museum had fallen rather quiet. Once a vibrant area of research, it had taken a backseat while other departments grew. In 1989, Dr. Richard Stucky was hired as Curator of Paleontology with a clear mission: to revitalize the Museum’s paleontology program and reimagine its aging fossil exhibitions, the Dinosaur Hall and the Fossil Mammal Hall. Dr. Stucky envisioned an entirely new kind of fossil exhibition — one that would tell the sweeping story of life on Earth through the lens of Colorado and the American West’s rich fossil record. His goal was not just to display spectacular skeletons, but to immerse visitors in the dynamic processes of evolution, extinction and discovery itself.

To bring this vision to life, Stucky drafted his paleontology team leads: paleontologist and expert preparator Dr. Kennenth Carpenter and paleobotanist and artist Dr. Kirk Johnson. Carpenter’s expertise in fossil articulation gave the skeletal displays a dynamic new energy, replacing static mounts with lifelike scenes that captured movement and behavior. Johnson contributed both his scientific knowledge of ancient plants and his artistic eye, helping to weave paleobotany into the exhibition’s larger narrative of life and landscapes through time. The development of Prehistoric Journey became a major in-house collaboration that gave an equal voice to the museum’s science, education, and exhibit departments.

Read more: Celebrating the Legacy of Kenneth Carpenter, an Innovative Paleontologist and Fossil Preparator 

Another groundbreaking addition was the Schlessman Family Foundation Laboratory of Earth Sciences — visible to Museum guests through large glass windows — where preparators could be seen cleaning and studying fossils in real time. This “science in action” element quickly became one of Prehistoric Journey’s signature experiences, offering a rare glimpse behind the scenes of paleontological research. 

The project also rekindled interest in long-held specimens and inspired new fieldwork that brought fresh discoveries into the museum’s collections. Treasured fossils such as the Museum’s Diplodocus were thoughtfully reimagined alongside newly acquired specimens, including the 1992 Stegosaurus skeleton discovered in Garden Park — bridging the Museum’s rich paleontology collections legacy with its evolving future.  

Read more: Museum Scientists Discover a Complete Triceratops Skull 

Even today, we continue to evolve and expand our vision for Prehistoric Journey. Last year, we were excited to deploy a new lighting system at Cretaceous Creek that simulates an entire day — from sunrise to starlight — into just three and a half minutes. Additionally, we refreshed the fossil dig pit for young explorers, and added a new display featuring fossils from the Snowmass Ice Age Discovery across from the Paleo Lab.

When Prehistoric Journey finally opened in 1995, it did so with great fanfare — a ribbon-cutting ceremony accompanied by grand opening party and parade, a gala celebration, and the release of the companion book “Prehistoric Journey: The History of Life on Earth.” The exhibition hall quickly became a cherished favorite, and even earned national acclaim, winning the American Association of Museums Curators’ Committee Exhibit Competition in 1996. 

Thirty years later, Prehistoric Journey remains a cornerstone of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Visitors who first experienced it as children now return with families of their own, sharing memories of the towering dinosaurs, immersive dioramas and mesmerizing lab activity that first sparked their own curiosity. The exhibition’s enduring impact is still felt today — and not just in visitor stories, but in the number of research requests we receive in Archives from community members eager to revisit photos and film documenting those early years of Prehistoric Journey. 

As we celebrate three decades of Prehistoric Journey, we also celebrate the vision, creativity and collaboration that made it possible. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science Archives preserves extensive records documenting every stage of its planning, development, and execution. These materials are available for researchers and the public to explore. You can browse additional Prehistoric Journey photographs in the DMNS Digital Collections or submit a reference request to the DMNS Archives team. 

Read more: Museum Launches a New Way to Discover our Digital Collections