Longtime fossil collector Barry Norbeck donated thousands of shells and other invertebrate fossils to the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Md., on Jan. 9, 2026. Museum officials described the donation as the largest and most scientifically significant local fossil shell collection the institution has ever received.
The collection’s value stems from several factors. Norbeck meticulously documented the exact collection location for each specimen, included both common and rare small shells, and preserved material from sites now inaccessible due to shoreline armoring, erosion control structures, or residential and commercial development along the Calvert County coast. These practices make the assemblage particularly useful for researchers studying the Miocene fossil record of the Chesapeake Bay region.
The Calvert Marine Museum, located on the Patuxent River in Solomons, maintains one of the most extensive collections of Miocene marine fossils in the world, with more than 500 species of mollusks, sharks, whales, and other organisms documented from the Calvert Formation. The formation, exposed along the Calvert Cliffs, spans roughly 10 million years of geologic time and is considered a global reference section for the middle Miocene. Norbeck’s donation significantly expands the museum’s holdings of well-provenanced invertebrate material.
“The Calvert Marine Museum gratefully acknowledges the generosity of Barry Norbeck in donating this collection,” museum officials stated. “There is much to be learned from this world-class assemblage, and museum staff look forward to sharing its stories with the public.”
Plans are underway to display highlights of the Norbeck fossil shell collection during a special public event scheduled for mid-June 2026. Additional details, including the exact date, time, and programming, will be announced in the coming months.
Calvert County, located in Southern Maryland, is internationally recognized for its fossil-rich cliffs and beaches. The Calvert Marine Museum serves as the primary institution for interpreting and preserving this paleontological heritage. Each year, thousands of visitors participate in guided fossil hunts, beach walks, and educational programs focused on the Miocene ecosystem that once covered the region.
The donation aligns with ongoing efforts to document and protect the county’s natural history before additional shoreline sites are lost. Development pressures, sea-level rise, and coastal protection measures continue to limit access to fossil-bearing exposures. Museum paleontologists have emphasized the importance of citizen science contributions, such as Norbeck’s, in building comprehensive scientific collections.
The Calvert Marine Museum operates under the Calvert County government and receives support from the Calvert Marine Museum Society. Its permanent exhibits include the Drum Point Lighthouse, the J.C. Lore Oyster House, and extensive fossil galleries showcasing Miocene marine life. The museum also maintains an active research program and collaborates with universities and other institutions studying the Chesapeake Bay’s geologic past.