Visitors will soon get a life-size prehistoric welcome when they arrive at Fernbank Museum of Natural History. The Museum is nearing completion on its iconic new Entrance Plaza, which features a family of bronze dinosaurs poised to greet visitors-many of them families as well-as they arrive.

The pedestrian-friendly outdoor plaza also surrounds the museum entrance with elements of the natural world by converting part of the original driveway into expanded green space that includes lush plants, trees and flowers. The entrance plaza will provide an open atmosphere for outdoor enjoyment while instantly connecting visitors to nature and the prehistoric world, a journey that continues inside the museum as exhibitions, IMAX films and programs explore archaeology, paleontology, ecology, world cultures, and more.

The plaza, which will officially open on May 30, is the culmination of a major initiative to add more opportunities for visitors to engage with nature and further expand exhibition space beyond the walls of the museum. The forthcoming addition of an amphitheatre and a stage will help Fernbank meet the growing demand for outdoor programming, including performances and presentations. 

"Fernbank Museum is the cornerstone of an environmental legacy that began over 100 years ago. The entrance plaza connects visitors with the beauty of the natural world as soon as they arrive," said Fernbank Museum's President & CEO, Susan Neugent. "The scenery of the plaza also provides a natural setting for our new dinosaur family, which will welcome the families of visitors to Fernbank as they embark on a captivating exploration of nature, prehistory and culture."

Fernbank Museum is the first to reconstruct Lophorhothon atopus using the most current science to bring the fossils to life through a family of three bronze dinosaurs pausing for a drink in a streambed.

"This plaza is an exciting addition to the Museum, both for its beauty and for its ability to expand Fernbank's exhibitions and learning outdoors," said Fernbank's Vice President of Education, Christine Bean. "Fernbank's exhibition design team did a remarkable job highlighting two of our key areas of focus-the environment and paleontology-which maintains Fernbank's commitment to the newest research. We can already tell what a hit the plaza will be by the number of visitors who take photographs in front of the fountain, even though the dinosaurs have yet to arrive."

On May 30, Fernbank Museum will celebrate the grand opening of the Entrance Plaza with a "Dinosaur Block Party" welcoming the family of dinosaurs back to Georgia, where they roamed 72-86 million years ago. The dinosaurs are a species of hadrosaur and are part of an outdoor exhibition, which includes details about the dinosaurs, their prehistoric environment, and their deduced behaviors, including that they may have cared for their young.

All "Dinosaur Block Party" activities, which include puppet making, games and more, are included with Museum admission, which is $15 for adults, $14 for students and seniors, $13 for children ages 3-12, and free for members and children ages 2 and younger.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta.  For tickets and more information, visit fernbankmuseum.org or call 404.929.6400.

Fernbank's "Dinosaur Block Party," held on May 30 in conjunction with Fernbank's summer-long series 90 Days of Dinosaurs, will include:

• Dinosaur Egg Balancing Game 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Front Plaza
• Balloon Animals 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Front Plaza
• Café Concession Stand 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Front Plaza
• Puppet Factory, courtesy of the Center for Puppetry Arts 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Great Hall. Make your very own dinosaur puppet using a variety of recycled materials.
• Dinosaur Face Painting 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Great Hall
• Dinosaur Lab 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Naturalist Center (Upper Level) Learn more about dinosaurs during a special session of Weekend Wonders.

Press Contact: Brandi Berry-404.929.6339 or brandi.berry@fernbankmuseum.org