El Quartelejo Museum and Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection - El Quartelejo Museum and Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection

Temporary Gallery

Western K.S. (Kris Super) Fossil Lab

Fossil Lab has Grand Opening

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The Western K.S. Fossil Lab held its GRAND OPENING on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Kris Super cut the ribbon on the exhibit and working lab featuring the Elasmosaur he found in 2021. Two years in the making, Kris was able to free the near 1,000 lb. chalk and body of this rare fossil last summer and with some strong community help, it made its way to El Quartelejo Museum.

Making this specimen more rare is the skull of the animal. Thanks to the Scott County Hospital and Mark Burnett, the skull block was placed in their state-of-the-art CT-scanner. What was revealed is a stunning find! Few skulls of an elasmosaur have been found and fewer with their body, but this one is in amazing condition inside the Smoky Hill Chalk making it one of the most complete finds of an elasmosaur in Kansas and possibly beyond.

The lab is under the direction of Kris Super, local SCHS Science Teacher whose degree specialty is in Geology and Paleontology from Kansas University and Fort Hays State University where he has worked and contributed to their natural history museums including the Sternberg Museum. Kris has made many other unique and incredible fossil finds that have led to study and publication. You can learn more about Kris by visiting the lab!

Kris will be in throughout the summer working on the fossil, hosting workshops, and educating guests about this enormous project.

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Vintage Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Temporary Gallery has a LOVE-ly display of Vintage Valentines and Chocolate Boxes.

Be sure to see these unique and beautiful Valentines before they leave the end of March!

Celebrating the All-School Reunion

Our temporary gallery is full of great memories of all things SCHS!