Home Lifestyle Fossil Day features fun finds at Rankin Museum

Fossil Day features fun finds at Rankin Museum

Kids sift for fossils at Rankin Museum's flume on Oct. 14. See more photos below. Photos by Tatum Gallops

ELLERBE — Despite the drizzle on Saturday, families made it out to Rankin Museum of American Heritage for the annual Fossil Day.

“Fossil day started as a way to get children interested in history, to draw them in and give them something interactive to do with their hands to take home and learn from,” says Karen Brewer, treasurer of the museum’s board of directors.

The addition of the flume to the museum in 2017 made this mission easier, with charts to help participants identify their finds; children calling out confidently what they had found.

A rare find was made by Annabeth, who quickly held an amber piece high for all to see. Drawing in a crowd to take a look at her discovery, Brewer takes a closer inspection and confirms Annabeth’s find as a rather big chunk of amber.

Despite the weather, staff of the Rankin Museum were determined to hold fossil day.

“So long as one child comes and is happy with their experience, it makes it all worth it” said Brett Webb, museum board president.

As more families come in to enjoy fossil day and begin their dig an enthusiastic young man named Elijah is more than happy to share his love for finding shark teeth. Showing off his own pearly whites with a big smile and pride in each discovery.

Advertisements

A favorite find of board member Beth Bryant’s however would have to be the sea biscuit. While rare to get, there was a fair share seen Saturday.

“Vinegar and water is the best way to clean a sea biscuit,” said Bryant.

Staff continuously showed their passion for history and teaching the younger generations of the past, teaching not only about what is found during the dig but of the history inside the museum as well — from ancient bones to more recent discoveries, such as a cache of arrowheads in a display case, found in a local backyard. Bryant recalls the story of the arrowhead find in detail. A story you’ll have to visit the museum to hear straight from the source.

The Rankin plans to host a gem and rock event in June.



Previous articleMan charged with murder in Ellerbe shooting
Next articleOPINION: Postcards From a Police State: 22 years of blowback from the USA Patriot Act