News
Autumn Break at The Ohio State University will be Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16. On these days, the Orton Museum will be open 10:00 am-2 pm.
Construction of Ohio Stadium was completed in 1922. At the time, it was touted as the largest poured concrete building in the world. However, some of the foundation and facing stone was limestone…
As Ohio State returns to Autumn Semester classes on Tuesday, August 25, the Orton Museum will return to normal academic year hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 am-4:00 pm.
However, during this year…
On the morning of March 17, 2026, a bolide was observed streaking across Lake Erie toward northeastern Ohio. Sonic booms were heard in the Cleveland area, and doorbell cameras captured images of…
The Orton Geological Museum, in collaboration with the Ohio Statehouse Museum and the ODNR Division of Geological Survey, is celebrating America 250 with a Fossil Fest at the Ohio Statehouse. The…
In 2025, much of the historic 19th century geological collection reposited at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, was transferred to the Orton Geological Museum for long-term safekeeping…
Worms play important roles in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems but rarely make the news. This is especially true for fossil worms. However, earlier this month, a new fossil worm described…
"Jeff," the giant ground sloth skeleton in the Orton Geological Museum, continues to inspire awe among museum visitors and curiosity from scientists. With support from the Battelle Engineering,…
WestFest 2025 took place on Saturday, October 25th from 11:00-3:00 pm on the West Campus quad (open space between Scott, Bevis, Rightmire and Pressey Halls). The Orton Geological Museum was…
October 12–18, 2025 is Earth Science Week, and Wednesday, October 15 is National Fossil Day!
In celebration of National Fossil Day, the…
In July, Dale Gnidovec, the Orton Museum' Curator, was awarded the Cardinal Award from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which recognizes "individuals and organizations that demonstrate…
The Ohio State Alumni Magazine staff has made its pick of ten of the coolest pieces in the Orton Museum. Check out what they liked best!
Central Ohio has a new magazine that brings awareness of nature, science, and sustainability. Ribbit! launched in Autumn 2024, and publishes quarterly. The…
Join the Orton Geological Museum and many other exhibitors at WestFest again this year!
WestFest is a free, family-friendly event highlighting STEM learning and sustainability. It will be…
In celebration of Earth Science Week 2024, October 13-19, the Orton Geological Museum presents a new Digital Exhibit, Stones with Stories 2024.
National…
A new exhibition, Fossils and Halos, will open at the Richard M. Ross Art Museum at Ohio Wesleyan University on October 15, 2024. This exhibition, which features new work by members of…
The Orton Geological Museum, Ohio’s first natural history museum, opened to the public in August 1874. With the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, the museum enters its 150th year of operation…
The Association of Midwest Museums held its annual conference in Columbus, Ohio, July 31-August 3. Among the many events, the conference gala, "A Night at The Ohio State University," was held on…
Columbus City School teachers participated in STEAMM Rising, an Ohio State collaboration with the City of Columbus, Columbus City Schools, and Columbus State Community College to…
Once again, the Orton Geological Museum will take part in the Central Ohio Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show, which will be held Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, 2024 at the Ohio…
For 225 years, confusion and controversy have surrounded the spelling and/or authorship of Megalonyx, a giant ground sloth from North America. In a review of the earliest paleontology…
With its beautiful, iconic architecture, Orton Hall is an Ohio State landmark. Completed in 1893, it was constructed to house Ohio’s first natural history museum and the original University…
That which we call a shark by any other name would still be just as formidable and interesting. (With apologies to Mr. Shakespeare.)
Orthacanthus, a fascinating Paleozoic freshwater…
Our Orton Geological Museum& School of Earth Sciences family is strongly represented at this year's Geological Society of America meeting. Use the dropdowns below to view abstracts and make your…
In celebration of Earth Science Week, October 8-14, 2023, the Orton Geological Museum presents a new Digital Exhibit, Stones with Stories 2023.
Join us each day on the Museum’s…
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, Dale Gnidovec will join with two ODNR Division of Geological Survey geologists, Mark Peter and Charles Salmons, to lead a public tour of the fossils exposed in the…
The imposing skeleton of the great Jurassic theropod dinosaur Cryolophosaurus from Antarctica was installed in the atrium of Orton Hall five years ago, and we're…
The Orton Geological Museum is proud to announce that it now participates in the Museums for All initiative, sponsored by the Institute of Museums and Library Services.
Columbus, Ohio, is a…
On Saturday, April 22, 2023, Dale Gnidovec will join with ODNR paleontologist Mark Peter to lead a public tour of the fossils exposed in the Devonian-age Columbus Limestone in the Ohio Statehouse…
Grace Ann Stewart was a pioneering Ohio State scientist. She was the first Canadian woman to earn a Ph.D. in the geosciences. When she arrived at Ohio State in 1923, she became one of the first…
February is Black History Month, and this month we are highlighting the life of Washington Townsend, a man who escaped from slavery in Tennessee in 1860. He joined The Ohio State…
With its beautiful architecture, historic Orton Hall is an OSU landmark. Completed in 1893, it was constructed to house Ohio's first natural history museum and the University Library. You…
“Jeff,” the informal name of the giant ground sloth skeleton in the Orton Geological Museum, is one of Ohio State’s most distinctive and recognizable images. Viewed by >30,000 visitors annually,…
The School of Earth Sciences is once again hosting a Coffee Social Hour for students, staff, and faculty! The Coffee Social Hour is held on Thursdays, 10:00-11:00 am, beginning November 3. On…
October 9-15 is Earth Science Week 2022! The Orton Geological Museum is celebrating with a new Digital Exhibit, "Stones with Stories 2022." We will add a new stone, each with a fascinating story,…
Looking for something to do this season? Why not go on an adventure through Ohio State's great museums, collections, and archives? The University has a bewildering number of them, with something…