Capital Campaign
The Wild West Dino Den (WWDD) is building a world-class fossil collection right here in Big Horn County, including museum-quality full-body dinosaur casts, rare dinosaur eggs, and a baby sauropod skeleton, all excavated from our own backyard. Our collection has been offered as a long-term loan to the Town of Greybull, which is running a capital campaign to create a permanent display space. We're raising $400,000 for fossils and reproductions, plus $500,000–$1,000,000 for construction of the exhibits.
4 of 5
Feature Fossils Funded
+$400k
Generously Raised
+$600k
Remaining Funds Needed
Our Goals
Keep Big Horn County's dinosaur legacy in Big Horn County. Bringing world-class paleontology home to the community that produced it.
Big Al - $100,00 (100% Funded)
Sarah/Sophie - $100,000 (100% Funded)
Diplodocid - $150,000 (33% Funded)
Baby Toni - $25,000 (100% Funded)
Reconstructed Allosaurus Eggs (Donated)
Displays - $500,000+ (7.2% Funded)
Big Al Is Coming Home.
The world's most famous Allosaurus returns to the land he once roamed.
The Wild West Dino Den has partnered with the Historic Red Shell School to open a small museum in Shell's recently restored historic building. The first step toward bringing Big Horn County's dinosaur legacy back where it belongs.
What You'll See
Big Al
Fully mounted cast of the world's most complete Allosaurus, collected from the Howe-Stephens Quarry just north of Shell.
Baby Toni
The world's most complete baby sauropod skeleton (just over a meter long) from the same quarry.
The Allosaurus Nest
A reconstructed nest based on the only one ever found in the world, with eggs given to us by the Smithsonian Institution.
The Howe Quarry Story
A photographic history of the legendary Howe Dinosaur Quarry from the 1930s through the early 2000s.
Wild West Dino Den Temporary Museum
At the Historic Red Shell School, Shell, WY
After only 1.5 years of fundraising, the community and national support we have received is humbling. Thank you for helping bring our heritage home.
Open through the summer — hours TBD.
Behind the Scenes
Big Al's Journey Home
From Research Casting International in Trenton, Ontario — to Shell, Wyoming. Here's a look at the craftsmanship behind Big Al's mount before it made the trip home.
A Big Thank You!
A Huge thank you to Myron Cook and his incredible following!
Thank you to all of you who helped us meet a $10,000 Myron Cook dollar-for-dollar matching grant. Myron fans can still acknowledge Myron's incredible YouTube educational videos by typing "MYRON" in the comment box.
