Museum Of The Rockies Hosts Wankel T.rex Send-Off Friday

In June of last year, Museum of the Rockies announced the 50-year loan of the Wankel T.rex to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Originally scheduled to leave for the Smithsonian October 11, 2013, its departure was postponed due to the government shutdown.
Having reached agreement with the Smithsonian on a new departure date, MOR is pleased to announce that on Friday, April 11, 2014, from 11:30am to 1:30pm, it will host a special event as it sends the Wankel T.rex to its new home in Washington, D.C.

"This is a remarkable moment for all of Montana." said Sheldon McKamey, Executive Director of Museum of the Rockies. "The Wankel T. Rex will become the most viewed T.rex skeleton in the world, and that's something everyone in the state can be proud of."

In 2001, the Wankel T.rex was cast in bronze and placed near Museum of the Rockies' front entrance where the skeleton, nicknamed "Big Mike," became a popular photo opportunity for tourists. The bronze cast skeleton will remain at MOR.

The Museum's send-off event will include MOR's Rocky Rex mascot, a hot dog picnic and children's events. Kathy Wankel and family, dignitaries from the Smithsonian and the USACE, and many of the original excavation site field crew members will also be in attendance. The event is free and open to the public.