Edelman Fossil Park & Museum receives USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice award for Best New Museum

Less than a year after opening, the Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University has been named one of the “Best New Museums” in USA TODAY’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards competition. The accolade positions EFM among the country’s most exciting emerging cultural institutions, reinforcing its status as a must-see destination for families, science enthusiasts and travelers alike.

Blending science, discovery and imagination, EFM transports guests 66 million years back in time, connecting the ancient past to urgent conversations about the planet’s future. Set on 123 acres overlooking a four-acre fossil-rich quarry, this one-of-a-kind fossil park and museum features full-scale dinosaur reconstructions, live animal encounters, an interactive fossil scavenger hunt, free-roaming virtual reality, and hands-on adventures.

“I am immensely proud of our dedicated staff, whose passion and hard work bring this place to life every single day,” said Dr. Kenneth Lacovara, founding executive director of EFM. “We set out to create a museum that sparks curiosity, joy and a sense of connection to our planet’s story. To see people across the country embrace that mission is profoundly meaningful to all of us. We are deeply grateful for this recognition and for everyone who helped make it possible.”

At the heart of the experience is the museum’s active research quarry, the only one of its kind east of the Mississippi River, where visitors can dig for real fossils. More than 100,000 fossils from over 100 species, including mosasaurs, marine crocodiles, sharks and sea turtles have been uncovered at the site, offering unparalleled scientific insight into the last moments of the dinosaurs. These discoveries serve as a foundation for EFM’s mission to connect visitors with the story of our planet, inspiring them to discover the past and protect the future.

EFM is honored and proud of all the milestones the museum has achieved in its first year of operation, as well as those to come. EFM is thankful to its local community, which voted and supported EFM’s mission every step of the way. The museum will continue to preserve fossils, learning, and sharing new discoveries with the world, while maintaining its fun and interactive environment.

For more information, visit www.efm.org.