Famed Paleontologist to Speak at Dinosaur State Park

ROCKY HILL, CT — World-renowned paleontologist, Dr. Robert Bakker will give two lectures at Dinosaur State Park on November 19 -- one at 11:00 a.m. and another at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Baker will speak about how Connecticut is the real Jurassic Park and the important role that this area played in the early history of the study of dinosaurs. He will also discuss his experience as a student when the tracks were first discovered in Rocky Hill. Several of Dr. Bakker’s books, including his novel “Raptor Red” and children’s book “The Big Golden Book of Dinosaurs,” will be on sale in the Park Bookshop and he will be signing copies for visitors.

Space is limited to 100 guests at each lecture. Tickets are available with admission at 9:00 a.m. on November 19. This special program has been made possible by the Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum (FDPA). It is recommended for elementary children to adults.

Bakker is probably most famous for his book, “The Dinosaur Heresies,” published in 1986. He helped reshape modern theories about dinosaurs, particularly by adding support to the theory that some dinosaurs were endothermic (warm-blooded). He earned a B.A. from Yale University and a Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Along with his mentor at Yale, John Ostrom, Bakker was responsible for initiating the ongoing “dinosaur renaissance” in paleontological studies, beginning with Bakker’s article “Dinosaur Renaissance” in the April 1975 issue of Scientific American.His special field is the ecological context and behavior of dinosaurs. Bakker has been a major proponent of the theory that dinosaurs were active, intelligent and adaptable.

This event is also be a “First 50” day. Free gifts will be given to the first 50 families (one gift per household) that pay admission on that day. “First 50” is also sponsored by Dinosaur State Park’s Friends group and has been part of the year-long 50th anniversary celebration of the discovery of the tracks. The final First 50 date will be December 17.

Dinosaur State Park is located at 400 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT. The park is the site of a discovery of 2,000 early Jurassic dinosaur footprints. Five hundred of these footprints are on display inside the museum along with related exhibits, a Discovery Room and a bookstore.

There are also 2.5 miles of hiking trails and a picnic area on the grounds of Dinosaur State Park. The museum is open Thursday – Sunday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Admission to the museum is $6 for adults 13+, $2 for youth 6-12 and children 5 and under are free.

The tracks were discovered 50 years ago in 1966 and Bakker’s lectures are part of a year-long celebration of the discovery. In addition, we will have a giveaway on the date of the lecture of 50 free prizes to the first 50 families that pay admission on that day. Please note only one gift per household. For more information about this special event contact Meg Enkler at (860) 529-5816 orMargaret.enkler@ct.gov or visit the websites www.ct.gov/deep/dinosaurstatepark orwww.dinosaurstatepark.org.

Photo Credit: Dinosaurstatepark.org