Dinosaur on display

There's a bit of excitement in Marble Hill today. At 1 p.m. a full-sized replica of what is being called the Missouri dinosaur is scheduled to be unveiled at the Bollinger County Museum of Natural History.

The 30-foot replica of Hypsibema missouriense, a duck-billed dinosaur, is based on fossils found by Dan Stewart in 1942 near Glenallen in Bollinger County. To make the life-size model took Guy Darrough of Lost World Studios two years. Lost world, based in Arnold, Mo., specializes in creating prehistoric exhibits.

In 2004, the Missouri Legislature designated Hypsibema missouriense, a herbivore that roamed Southeast Missouri in the Late Cretaceous Period at least 65 million years ago, as the state's official dinosaur.

Visitors who have been to the Bollinger County Museum of Natural History say it is an interesting experience -- one that will be immensely expanded with the new dinosaur exhibit. The museum is in the old Mayfield College building, a familiar landmark.

House Speaker Rod Jetton of Marble Hill and state Sen. Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau are slated to make remarks during the dinosaur unveiling today. The event is open to the public.

To experience a bit of Southeast Missouri's prehistory, take time for a visit to Marble Hill and the museum of natural history.