The Leslie F. Mohns Center is the home of the Sheridan College Museum of Discovery, located south of the Whitney Center and north of the Science Center.
Overview
Recent remodeling and improvements have enhanced the building’s features, including a larger archeology lab, as well as enlarged areas for stone, gem, and jewelry displays. “Paul” the triceratops is in the center of the building entrance so he can greet all visitors. Additionally, several display cases are near the classrooms so students and visitors can view dinosaur bones from the Sheridan College quarry near Buffalo and learn more about the Jurassic dinosaur period.
Community Resources
The Division of Student Affairs provides opportunities to engage students in learning outside the classroom through student employment, student organizations, recreation activities and intercollegiate athletics.
Meet Caesar, the Allosaurus
Even though Caesar lives in the Edward A. Whitney Academic Center, he was discovered by students and worked on originally in the Mohns Center. Caesar is a 12’6” mounted skeletal replica of an allosaurus.
The original Caesar was first discovered at a dinosaur quarry located near the former Poison Creek dinosaur quarry south of Buffalo. The quarry was originally a teaching site until the discovery of teeth in 1993. That discovery began the excavation of what is now known as the allosaurus site. William Matteson, Sheridan College Geology Museum volunteer, was a Sheridan College student who worked at the site in the late 90s. “I was fortunate to be a part of the class in 1996 that discovered the first skull material,” Matteson said. “It was exciting, and I helped during the next few summers to excavate additional pieces.”
Beginning in 1999, Matteson began reconstructing the skull, which was nearly complete. The fossil itself was well preserved, Matteson said. “We found 40 percent of the skeleton. It is possible parts of it never fossilized or eroded away long ago.”
No one knows if Caesar was male or female or why the dinosaur died, but it is clear the animal wasn’t fully grown when it died. Caesar lived during the Jurassic period – 150 million years ago, when allosaurus were the dominant carnivore. Caesar’s bones fossilized in the sandy deposits of an ancient north-trending river about the size of the present-day Yellowstone River.
First Federal Savings Bank, the S. K. Johnston Family Foundation, and the Nickerson Family Foundation made significant contributions to this project.
Map & Directions
Sheridan College is located on the south end of town in Sheridan, Wyoming. The Mohns Center is located next to the main Whitney building. For more information, and to print the campus map please see below.
