Dinosaur Hall
Exhibit
Please note that this exhibit is now closed.
Credit: Ramon Torres/ANS
Measuring up to 42 feet long and weighing in at an estimated 7.5 tons, Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the largest predators to ever walk the earth. It’s one of the first things you will see when you enter the Academy of Natural Sciences.
This impressive animal is one of many dinosaurs and other Mesozoic creatures you’ll encounter in Dinosaur Hall. More than 30 species are represented, about half of which are full skeletal mounts, including Avaceratops, Chasmosaurus, Corythosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus and Tylosaurus.
In addition to the skeletal mounts, visitors can view fossils, including a Torosaurus skull, an Ichthyosaurus slab, dinosaur eggs, a touchable Tyrannosaurus rex bone fragment and a dinosaur footprint. The gallery also features sculptures, life-size models, murals, paleontologist tools and a green-screen video studio where guests can virtually transport themselves into a world full of dinosaurs.
Exhibition Highlights
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New to Dino Hall: Hadrosaurus foulkii
Ramon Torres/ANS
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Chasmosaurus belli
Ramon Torres/ANS
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Corythosaurus casuarius
Ramon Torres/ANS
Welcome Back, Hadrosaurus foulkii
The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia made remarkable contributions to U.S. paleontological research in the early emergence of the field as a scientific discipline. In 1868, the Academy became the first institution in the world to publicly display an articulated dinosaur mount - Hadrosaurus foulkii. Affectionately referred to as Haddy, the dinosaur returned to display several times at ANS before taking up permanent residence in the Academy’s Dinosaur Hall in summer 2025.
Hadrosaurus foulkii was excavated from the Late Cretaceous Woodbury Formation of Haddonfield, New Jersey, in 1858 by lawyer and historian William Parker Foulke and his farmer friend, John Hopkins, who lived on the lands of the excavation site. Edward Drinker Cope of the Academy of Natural Sciences created the name Hadrosauridae in 1869. Hadrosaurids get their nickname as the “duck-billed” dinosaurs from their wide and flat snouts.
Hadrosaurus foulkii likely lived 81–79 million years ago in the Campanian, Late Cretaceous Period in the forested, coastal regions of what is now New Jersey, when sea levels were higher than they are today. After the animal died, its remains were washed out to sea and sank to the seabed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Default LAC Description
Planning Your Visit
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Dinosaur Hall is a permanent exhibit at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia. Visitors can explore more than 30 species of dinosaurs and other Mesozoic creatures through full skeletal mounts, fossils, interactive displays, models, murals and hands-on learning experiences.
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Yes. Dinosaur Hall is included with general admission to the Academy of Natural Sciences. Visitors can access the exhibit during regular museum hours without purchasing an additional ticket.
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Most visitors spend between 30 minutes and 1 hour exploring Dinosaur Hall, depending on how much time they spend viewing exhibits, reading interpretive displays and participating in interactive activities.
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Photography is generally permitted for personal use throughout the museum. Visitors should check current museum policies before their visit for any exhibit-specific restrictions.
Exhibit
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The exhibit features numerous dinosaur species, including Tyrannosaurus rex, Hadrosaurus foulkii, Avaceratops, Chasmosaurus, Corythosaurus and Pachycephalosaurus. About half of the species are displayed as full skeletal mounts.
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Yes. Dinosaur Hall includes authentic fossils such as dinosaur eggs, a Torosaurus skull, an Ichthyosaurus slab and other paleontological specimens alongside skeletal reconstructions and casts.
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Hadrosaurus foulkii, often called "Haddy," was discovered in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and became the first dinosaur ever mounted and displayed to the public in 1868. The Academy played a major role in this historic achievement, and the dinosaur is now featured in Dinosaur Hall.
