By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
The halls of the Eastern Prehistoric Museum were packed to the brim with paleontology enthusiasts on Wednesday, March 26, as the institution gave the public a chance to see the newly renovated Jamison Paleontology lab.
A product of community donations, both large and small, as well as grant funding, the new lab space brings several quality-of-life improvements. Dr. Josh Lively, curator of paleontology at the museum, explained that of the $60,000 raised through donations, approximately $10,000 came from small-dollar donors.
“This renovation project was made possible by significant donations from Paul Jamison, Castle Gate Engineering, one anonymous donor, and many other generous private donations to an AggieFunded campaign through USU in 2024 and 2025,” shared the museum in a social media post.
The USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum is one of four natural history museums accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in Utah – and the only one located in rural Utah – as such, it is one of the premier locations for fossil research in the state.
The renovations include new tables, dust collection, and air filtration, among other improvements in the space. In the old space, the work tables were wall-mounted and set to a fixed height, a design that caused discomfort during long fossil projects. The new space features load-bearing, adjustable height tables, allowing paleontologists to work with less strain.
Many of the renovations were performed by Paleontology Lab and Collections Manager Matthew Mers, who was given a “blank slate” to redesign the space as he saw fit. In a press release from the institution, Mers shared,” I wanted to make it a safer, cleaner, and more modern, accommodating paleontology lab. When Josh (Lively) told me to treat it like a blank slate, I did.”
Other additions include a new fume hood, allowing paleontologists to work with harsher chemicals during fossil prep. Another is a new sink, which the staff jokingly shared was their favorite addition from the renovations.
Although the lab is typically closed to the public, windows into the space give museum patrons a glimpse into the various projects underway in the space. Additionally, the museum occasionally hosts livestreams that provide a look into the lab and its day-to-day operations.
Though the renovations, although the lab work was put on pause, field work did not stop, creating a backlog of projects for the paleontologists to tackle. As a result, the museum is hoping to bring in a mix of interns and volunteers to help clear the backlog. Those interested in volunteering can apply online here.