By: Madeline Helmbrecht, Follow South Jersey Intern
MANTUA, N.J. – Travel through time to an era when creatures ruled the Earth with an iron claw. Set the time machine back 66 million years and follow Mosasaur Way to the next destination. There, amid the quarry and lake, the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum is waiting.
Located in Mantua, NJ, right off Route 55, the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum has already been attracting interest in the local community.
“I can’t wait for the museum to open,” Delaney Marks, who grew up hearing local legends about the quarry, said. “I know my family is really excited to visit too.”
Sneaking a glimpse at the construction of Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum has become a part of a shopping tradition for many. The museum entrance sits at the intersection between the Mantua Target and Lowe’s. Its presence has caused a great deal of curiosity to brew.
As the community anticipated, there is much to be excited about. The Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum boasts a remarkable display of fossils and models. Included in the displays is a 30-foot-long Mosasaur hanging from the ceiling of the “Monstrous Seas” exhibit. The cutting-edge displays are supported by informative descriptions. The museum exemplifies the ideals of education. Since the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum is affiliated with Rowan University, education for the public is at the forefront of its design.
Purchased by Rowan University in 2015, researchers and visitors have already found over 100,000 fossils in the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum’s quarry.
The rapidly growing local university now has an additional marvel with this newly built museum that will inspire students and visitors.
With beautiful visual displays and interactive exhibits, the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum is built on strong foundations. The stunning interior allows museum guests ample opportunity to observe the quarry, from which the original Mosasaur was unearthed. From May to October, the quarry will open its gates for guests and allow them to hunt for their own fossils.
Not only are there opportunities for guests to experience the thrill of a dig, but there are plenty of activities for entertaining young paleontologists. As one drives up Mosasaur Way, one should take notice of the on-theme playground located on the property. There are also many captivating interactive exhibits to play around with and a live-animal exhibit aptly named “Critter Cove.”
Heralded as one of the top ten anticipated museums in the world by Smithsonian Magazine, the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum will make a momentous impact in the community.
The Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum is not an experience anyone will want to miss. Explorers of the past can buy their tickets on the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum website here. The museum will open its doors to the public on March 29, 2025. Join the fun and participate in a world-class museum “66 million years in the making.”
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