Adopt-a-Bone

Leave your name on the first Brontosaurus!

In 1874 in Como Bluff, Wyoming, American paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh came across a fossil he had never seen before. It wasn’t until he and his team finished excavating this mostly complete, but headless, skeleton in 1879 that the species was given a name: Brontosaurus excelsus.

This original Brontosaurus has been a centerpiece of the Peabody since the Museum first opened over 150 years ago. It has ignited the imaginations of kids aged 1-100+, inspiring many to become scientists and pursue the mysteries of our planet’s history for themselves.

The new Peabody seeks to offer a space for the scientists of today and tomorrow to grow and explore. To do this, we need to scale our programs and operations to meet increased need and demand in our community. For the duration of the new Peabody’s inaugural year, we are inviting those of you that love dinosaurs as much as we do to be part of this on-of-a-kind display by adopting a bone in the brontosaurus.

Adopting a bone allows you to celebrate yourself or a loved one. Bone adopters will be recognized in association with their adopted bone for the duration of the new Peabody’s first fiscal year (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025). During this year, you or your loved one may be recognized on our website, lobby screen, and other areas.

Only bones that are real—not casts—are up for adoption. That means that when you adopt a bone, you are taking part in the stewardship of more than 100 million years of history.

To learn more and to adopt-a-bone, please contact:

The following is a list of bones currently eligible for adoption, the cost of adoption, and the number of each type: