about us
OPEN WEDNESDAY - SATURDAY 11:00AM TO 4:00PM
ADMISSION IS $9 - 12 and up,
$7 : 4-11 YEARS.
CHILDREN 3 and UNDER GET IN FREE!
Earth Experience is the first natural history museum in middle Tennessee —
we exhibit archeological relics from as far away as Antarctica and Madagascar and as close as right outside our own front door. In addition to rocks, fossils, gems, minerals, dinosaur bones and unique archeological relics from around the world, you’ll see particular samples from our own state of Tennessee.
This is not a typical natural history museum! Earth Experience offers an interactive, dynamic experience for visitors — you’ll see ongoing research and activities, and you’ll view relics and exhibits that reflect the ground you walk on and the environment where you live. When you leave, you’ll have a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural history of Tennessee, parts of the United States and the greater world, from the beginning of time through today.
》You’ll see a working paleontology laboratory where real dinosaur bones are cleaned and repaired.
》You’ll see a molding and casting operation creating dinosaur displays and souvenirs for sale in the gift shop.
》You’ll touch dinosaur bones, petrified wood, rocks and minerals.
》You’ll see the dinosaur finds we uncover every summer through our active dig program in Montana.
》You’ll meet Frank, our 38-foot-long T. Rex skeleton!
Nine years ago, we opened Earth Experience in Murfreesboro. Today, we have amassed thousands of relics that could fill more than five times the space you’ll see, and we’re planning a much larger space for the museum in the future. Earth Experience is just the first step to creating one of the top Natural History Museums in the world.
bring the family and friends
for a visit to the days of the dinosaurs
meet our founders
ALAN BROWN // Executive Director
As a young boy growing up in central Illinois, Alan Brown especially remembers frequent trips to visit museums in Chicago, and the love of history those trips created in him. His favorite was the Field Museum of Natural History, especially the archeology displays (not the dinosaurs!). When Brown went to college and became a Geology major, his interest was rekindled. He received a Bachelor's of Science in Geology from Illinois State University, taking all of the classes available in Paleontology, and earning a Master's of Science in Hydrogeology. Brown then began a career in environmental consulting, requiring him to travel throughout the U.S. In his travels, he visited many Natural History museums and began collecting fossils. More than 15 years ago, he began teaching Earth Science at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and volunteering at MTSU’s mineral museum. Brown also joined the Middle Tennessee Gem and Mineral society where he met Earth Experience co-founder Lewis Elrod. The two often talked about their dream of opening a Natural History Museum in middle Tennessee. Brown also began making trips to Montana to dig dinosaur bones, and his collection began to grow. The first trip to Montana was a pivotal time for Brown, and he promised himself he would return to Montana every year for the rest of his life. In 2012 Brown and Lewis began making firm plans to open Earth Experience, and in 2014 Earth Experience – The Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History, opened its doors.
LEWIS ELROD
[1938-2016] +
ANNA ELROD //
CoFounders
Lewis Elrod's lifelong passion for collecting minerals and fossils was matched only by his enthusiasm for sharing that interest with others. Anna, his wife, supported Lewis in his collecting of minerals for more than 40 years.
Lewis was eight years old when he first began his collection with crinoid stems (Indian money) that he found while visiting relatives in Oklahoma. In college, Lewis enrolled in a craft class in which he cut and polished a blue tiger-eye gemstone and other pieces he collected. After he and Anna married, Lewis began making jewelry for her and, with her help, began acquiring interesting and unusual minerals found locally and worldwide. The couple’s collection gradually grew from a few crinoid fossils in a small coffee can to a barn full of boxes of minerals. In 1978, Lewis founded the Mid-Tennessee Gem and Mineral Society in Murfreesboro and served as the club's first president. While looking for ways to build public interest in the club, he became aware of the beautiful minerals found at the Elmwood Mine in Carthage. He contacted the mine operator and was loaned several nice specimens to show at club meetings. He was fascinated by these beautiful minerals and began extensive research about them. He also began acquiring many specimens from Elmwood to add to his personal collection. Some of Lewis’ Elmwood and other specimens are on display here in the museum. Lewis had always dreamed of starting a natural history museum. His dream took shape in 2012 when he and Alan Brown founded Earth Experience the Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History. Shortly after the museum moved into its current facility in early 2014, Lewis and Anna purchased an unassembled cast of the Fort Peck T. rex dinosaur skeleton. The museum opened to the public in September 2014 and the T. rex dinosaur went on display in October 2015. Lewis was the first president and chairman of the board of the Earth Experience - Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History. He passed away in 2016. The museum's "Hall of Minerals" is named after Lewis and Anna in honor of their dedication to and passion for sharing their love of natural history with the people of Middle Tennessee.