- Attraction: Earth Experience Museum of Natural History
- Location: 816 Old Salem Rd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
- Industry: Museum
- Website: https://www.earthexperience.org/
Right off Old Salem Road sits a warehouse-style building that barely hints at the prehistoric treasures waiting inside.
When Alan Brown returned from his first Montana dinosaur dig years ago, he knew his collection needed a home where others could experience the same excitement he felt holding a fossilized bone from millions of years past.
In 2014, he and co-founder Lewis Elrod opened Earth Experience to become Middle Tennessee’s only natural history museum, transforming their shared passion into an interactive space where you can actually touch the ancient world.
This museum breaks every stuffy museum rule you can imagine. You’re not just looking at displays behind glass—you’re handling genuine dinosaur bones, watching paleontologists clean fossils in real time, and wandering through collections so extensive they could fill five times the current space.
Whether you’re bringing young dino enthusiasts or you’re secretly still obsessed with prehistoric creatures yourself, Earth Experience delivers an experience that feels more like visiting a working laboratory than a traditional museum.
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Keep Exploring →The Star Attraction & Dinosaur Discoveries
Frank the T-Rex: Standing at 38 feet long, Frank dominates the museum floor and delivers that jaw-dropping moment everyone hopes for.
This full skeleton commands attention, and unlike many museums where dinosaurs feel distant, you can get remarkably close to appreciate the sheer scale of these ancient predators. The skeleton serves as the grand finale of your visit, and it genuinely lives up to the hype.
Real Fossil Specimens: The museum proudly displays authentic dinosaur bones from species like Triceratops alongside the casts. You’ll find complete specimens that showcase incredible preservation, giving you a genuine sense of these creatures’ anatomy.
The collection includes a Triceratops skull currently being restored—visible right in the museum—which offers a fascinating glimpse into paleontological work.
Hands-On Fossil Interaction: Unlike most museums, you can actually touch dinosaur bones here. Petrified wood, rocks, minerals, and select fossils are available for handling, creating an incredibly tactile learning experience. Kids love this feature, but honestly, adults find themselves equally captivated by the chance to hold something millions of years old.
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Discover MoreThe Working Paleontology Lab: Through open doors and windows, you’ll watch scientists cleaning and preparing fossils brought back from Montana digs. Lab workers are approachable and willing to explain their techniques, show off their specialized tools, and discuss the challenges of fossil preparation.
This transparency turns the museum into a living workspace rather than a static collection.
Gems, Minerals & Geological Wonders
Extensive Rock Collection: Beyond the dinosaurs, you’ll discover an impressive array of minerals and gemstones that captivate geology enthusiasts. The collection includes specimens from Tennessee’s Elmwood Mine alongside pieces from around the globe, showcasing incredible colors, formations, and crystalline structures that feel almost otherworldly.
The Glow Room: One of the most memorable experiences involves stepping into a darkened space where minerals reveal their fluorescent properties under UV light. Watching rocks transform into glowing, vibrant displays creates a magical moment that surprises visitors of all ages.
Tennessee Treasures: The museum places special emphasis on local finds, giving you context about the geological history right beneath your feet. From crinoid fossils to regional minerals, you’ll gain appreciation for Middle Tennessee’s surprisingly rich paleontological and geological significance.
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Keep Exploring →Jewelry-Making Workshops: The Mid-Tennessee Gem and Mineral Society hosts jewelry-making workshops right in the museum, where artisans transform raw minerals into wearable pieces. You can watch this creative process during your visit, and the gift shop offers handcrafted items if you want to take home something unique.
Interactive Learning & Special Features
Montana Dig Program: Earth Experience runs the only active dinosaur dig program in the South, heading to Montana each summer to excavate new specimens. The fossils displayed here aren’t just purchased—many were personally discovered and excavated by the museum team, adding authenticity and passion to every exhibit.
Mobile App Enhancement: Download the museum’s app to access augmented reality features and additional information about exhibits. The app brings static displays to life with 3D visualizations and deeper context about the specimens you’re viewing.
Free Fossils on Exit: Before leaving, you’ll find a box of small fossils available for visitors to take home. While technically intended for children, these genuine prehistoric souvenirs prove irresistible to guests of all ages.
Gift Shop Casts: The museum creates hand-poured casts from their actual fossil collection, available for purchase in the gift shop. These aren’t generic replicas—they’re molds made from the real specimens you just viewed, offering an affordable way to own a piece of paleontological history.
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Discover MoreSabertooth Connection: The museum houses the actual sabertooth tiger fossil discovered in Nashville that inspired the Nashville Predators hockey team mascot. This piece of local sports history adds an unexpected Tennessee connection to the prehistoric collection.
Atmosphere & Layout
Compact but Packed: The museum occupies a relatively small footprint, but you’ll find it absolutely crammed with fascinating specimens. Every available space holds displays, creating an immersive environment where you’re constantly discovering new items. The dense layout means you can thoroughly explore everything in about an hour to 90 minutes.
Warehouse Setting: Housed in an industrial building, the museum embraces a no-frills aesthetic that puts full focus on the collections. The utilitarian space actually enhances the working laboratory feel, making it clear that preserving and sharing these specimens matters more than fancy architecture.
Open Workshop Areas: The museum’s transparent approach means lab spaces remain visible and accessible throughout your visit. Doors stay open, inviting conversation and questions, which creates an unexpectedly personal and educational experience.
Visitor Considerations
Exceptional Value: At $12 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-11 (with kids under 4 free), the admission price ranks as remarkably affordable. The collection’s caliber exceeds what you’d expect at this price point, making this an excellent educational outing that won’t strain your wallet.
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Keep Exploring →Family-Friendly Appeal: The museum works beautifully for families with children of all ages. Toddlers enjoy the touchable elements and large dinosaur displays, while older kids and teens appreciate the scientific aspects and rare opportunity to interact with real fossils. The hands-on nature keeps young visitors engaged throughout.
Convenient Parking: Ample on-site parking eliminates the stress of finding a spot, making arrival straightforward. The industrial location means you won’t deal with crowded tourist areas or parking complications.
Limited Hours: The museum operates Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM, so plan accordingly. The compact schedule reflects the volunteer-driven nature of this nonprofit organization.
Unassuming Location: The warehouse exterior in an industrial area might not look like much from the outside, but don’t let that deter you. Once inside, the extensive collections and interactive experiences quickly prove this destination worth seeking out.
Educational Enhancement: Teachers and homeschooling families find the museum particularly valuable for bringing textbook concepts to life. The hands-on approach and accessible format make complex scientific ideas tangible and exciting for young learners.
Earth Experience Museum of Natural History
📍 816 Old Salem Rd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
