SOLOMONS, MD – The Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) will debut its highly anticipated “Out of the Vault” exhibit this Friday, November 1, 2024. Curated by the museum’s Paleontology and Exhibits Departments, the display offers visitors a unique look at some of the Chesapeake Bay region’s rarest and most scientifically significant fossils. The exhibit features approximately 30 extraordinary specimens, each with a fascinating backstory linked to the region’s ancient past.
Notable pieces in the “Out of the Vault” exhibit include fossilized shrimp burrows, a collection of teeth from a prehistoric great white shark ancestor, and skull fragments of now-extinct dolphin species. Additionally, visitors can view parts of a giant leatherback turtle shell, teeth from Miocene elephants, and an impressive associated set of megalodon teeth. Among the more captivating items on display are Miocene hermit crab fossils, showcasing unique insights into survival strategies and adaptation patterns from millions of years ago.
“This exhibit represents the extraordinary richness of our fossil collection,” said Dr. Stephen Godfrey, the Calvert Marine Museum’s Curator of Paleontology. “Each fossil carries a story that highlights the diversity of life that existed in this region between 18 and 8 million years ago.”
The “Out of the Vault” exhibit is just a small showcase of the museum’s vast fossil collection, which houses over 150,000 specimens. The Chesapeake Bay region’s abundant and accessible Miocene-era deposits have long drawn the interest of renowned paleontologists, adding to the scientific community’s understanding of prehistoric life along the Atlantic coast. For the museum, the exhibit marks a celebration of both national heritage and the ongoing process of discovery in paleontology.
Funding for the “Out of the Vault” exhibit has been made possible by a seed grant from The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area. Additional financial support has come from the tourism departments of Calvert County, Charles County, Visit St. Mary’s, and generous contributions from Christine and Jim Burris, as well as the Citizens of Calvert County and the Calvert County Commissioners.
In a statement accompanying the exhibit’s launch, the museum stressed that none of the fossils in “Out of the Vault” were collected from Calvert Cliffs State Park, where fossil excavation is strictly prohibited. Visitors who come across significant fossil finds are encouraged to contact the Calvert Marine Museum at (410) 326-2042 to report their discoveries.
The Calvert Marine Museum invites all fossil enthusiasts, families, and history buffs to visit the Mezzanine Gallery and explore the remarkable treasures “Out of the Vault.” The exhibit promises to be an educational experience that connects visitors to the region’s ancient ecological past and celebrates the diversity of prehistoric life that once thrived here.
