The Besser Museum Upgrades Fossil Exhibit with Help from Holcim

The Besser Museum has revamped their fossil exhibit, providing more opportunity to find evidence of ancient life.

However, according to Executive Director Christine Witulski, you might have to get your hands dirty. “I always advise people you have to get close to the ground so you can actually see the fossils because, if you’re just standing up, you’re not going to find anything,” she said.

Inside the exhibit, you’ll find fossils that date back to the Devonian period. “Roughly about 350 million years ago, when our earth was young and our continent was called pangea, we were located by the equator and this was teeming with shallow warm ocean,” said Witulski. “All of the marine life was where we’re standing today.”

In just one day, Witulski was able to pull out some pretty cool finds including chain coral, a brachiopod, and horn coral.

Holcim, the local cement manufacturer formerly known as Lafarge, recently brought over tons of rocks to the exhibit to help improve the already popular attraction. “Tourists come from all over,” Witulski said. “We’ve had people from all over the country coming, specifically to Alpena and to the Besser museum, to hunt for Devonian fossils.”

In October, the museum will hold their Fall Harvest Fossil Fest, but that’s not all. “This year we will be offering bus tours from the museum to the Holcim quarry,” said Witulski. “So if you haven’t had an opportunity to go into the quarry and see what their operation is all about, this is your opportunity.

The tour will take place Saturday, October 7, from noon to 4 p.m. More information can be found on the Besser Museum website.