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The Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller has announced events for its 40th anniversary in 2025. (Photo: Royal Tyrrell Museum)
By David Opinko

GPPL to host ‘pop-up’ Royal Tyrrell exhibit for 40th anniversary

Aug 5, 2025 | 10:54 AM

Southern Alberta’s dinosaur museum and paleontology lab is celebrating a major milestone in 2025, and a series of special events will take place across the province.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology turns 40 years old on September 25, having first opened its doors in 1985.

Lisa Making, the museum’s executive director, says they are reflecting on four decades of scientific discoveries, public engagement, and a shared passion for Alberta’s prehistoric heritage.

“This milestone is a tribute to the dedication of our staff, the strength of our partnerships and the millions of visitors who have joined us in exploring the ancient past. We look forward to building on this legacy for generations to come,” says Making.

A series of pop-up exhibits will be on display at libraries across Alberta, including the Grande Prairie Public Library.

The pop-ups will launch in September and remain for one year, promising exciting opportunities for communities to engage with the wonders of paleontology.

The full list of locations is:

  • Medicine Hat Public Library
  • Lethbridge Public Library
  • Calgary Public Library (Central Library)
  • Red Deer Public Library (downtown branch)
  • Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner Library)
  • Lloydminster Public Library
  • Hinton Municipal Library
  • Grande Prairie Public Library
  • Wood Buffalo Regional Library (Fort McMurray)
  • High Level Municipal Library

The Royal Tyrrell will also open a new exhibit, called Breakthroughs.

It will showcase five “extremely rare” fossils that have been discovered in Alberta, telling the stories of how they transformed our understanding of ancient animals, their evolution and their behaviors.

“This exhibit showcases fossils that are the best-preserved, most complete, first of their kind or the only known specimens of their kind,” reads a news release from the Royal Tyrrell Museum.

The final part of the anniversary celebrations at the Drumheller-based museum is the Back in Time Silent Disco, taking place on October 18.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology has welcomed more than 16 million visitors since opening 40 years ago, with over 520,000 guests every year.

Learn more at TyrrellMuseum.com

by David Opinko