By Mark Caracciolo
The Palm Beach Museum of Natural History is a unique area attraction located in the Mall at Wellington Green. If you head straight from the entrance near the food court, through the Grand Court to the other side without making any turns, you’ll find the museum.
The museum’s director, Rudolph F. Pascucci Jr., is a paleontologist with a long list of achievements, such as being the president of the Broward County Archaeological Society from 1997 to 1999, being designated the Graves Assistant Director of Science and Education in July 2002, and being featured in an April 2019 issue of New York magazine with Dr. Robert DePalma, who is also a current staff member at the museum.
“Robert DePalma and Rudolph Pascucci were very good friends, and they went to South Dakota and excavated the triceratops, Cheryll,” said Kirsten Smith, the program coordinator for the museum. “We kept getting donations, and that was the foundation of the museum.”
The museum features a variety of fun and fascinating activities and displays, such as an excavation pit where children can find real fossilized shark teeth that can be taken home, an archaeological exhibit showcasing a range of artifacts and replicas of Paleoindian origin, and, of course, fossils.
The museum hosts many events and classes for all ages.
“We want people to know that we are not only a legitimate collection of fossils, but we are also a teaching institution. We have classes for adults and kids as well,” Smith said.
For example, on Saturday, Aug. 2, the museum will be hosting Paleo Art and Design, where participants will make ceremonial clay masks and other activities, with a $10 fee. It will be a hands-on educational experience for the whole family.
On Sunday, Aug. 3, the museum will host “Night at the Museum” from 4 to 6 p.m., with a museum presentation, popcorn and a movie screening. You can sit down, get comfortable, munch on snacks and enjoy a night of cinema. The cost is $10.
Costing $15, every third Friday of the month, the museum feature Dino-Nite from 5 to 7 p.m. There, kids can eat pizza, play games and draw art. It is full of fun activities for kids, and perhaps could be a nice, relaxing, two-hour reprieve for adults.
The museum also has classes for adults. From 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, participants can view the museum’s collection of pottery and artifacts. With hands-on teaching techniques, students will be allowed to take home their clay creations. The program costs $15 per person.
For all of these events, admission must be paid to enter, although a museum membership will waive most of the fees. Space is limited, and reservations are required. To learn more about the museum, or any upcoming events, visit www.pbmnh.org.
