Tate Geological Museum
Step into the Tate Geological Museum and explore fascinating exhibits of fossils, minerals and prehistoric life. Experience hands-on learning for all ages.
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The Tate Geological Museum at Casper College provides educational resources to the community, researchers and visitors. Our position as a regional Earth Science Education Center is maintained by exhibits, educational programs, active collecting and collections preservation.
The Tate Geological Museum was founded in 1980 through a gift from Marion and Inez Tate. It was originally designated as the Tate Earth Science Center and Mineralogical Museum. Because ‘geological’ encompasses earth science, mineralogy and paleontology, the name was changed to the Tate Geological Museum in 2001.
Located on the Casper College campus, the museum is a great resource to the community. Many local schools and groups come to the museum to add to their students’ learning experience.
One of a minute number of geology and paleontology museums in Wyoming, the Tate houses a collection of over 6000 fossil and mineral specimens. Museum staff are always on hand to answer questions, help identify items visitors bring in, and make your visit to the museum an enjoyable experience. The Tate is certainly a great addition to anyone’s list of ‘must see sites’ when traveling through Wyoming.
From guest lectures and fossil-prep demonstrations to family days, field trips, and special exhibit unveilings, there’s always something inspiring on the horizon. Check back often for updates, RSVP details, and highlights from recent happenings, and join our community of students, educators, and rock-hounds celebrating Wyoming’s extraordinary geologic story.
All members receive the bi-monthly Tate Geology Museum newsletter, the Tate Museum Geological Times, invitations to Members Only outings and a 10% discount at the museum gift shop. We offer Individual and Family level memberships.
Donating to the Tate Geological Museum at Casper College helps preserve Wyoming’s rich paleontological heritage while inspiring future scientists. Your gift supports hands-on educational programs, care and conservation of fossils and minerals, and engaging exhibits that connect visitors of all ages to Earth’s deep history. Whether you give in honor of a loved one or simply to support science education, every contribution makes a lasting impact on students, researchers, and the broader community.
Teachers – the museum is a perfect place for your students to learn about earth sciences, species adaptation, and mineralogy. We welcome your classroom free of charge and will provide a tour of the exhibits focusing on your common core needs. It is best to schedule your tour or classroom visit as far in advance as possible to ensure you get the day and time that best fits your schedule. Virtual tours are available if transportation to the museum is difficult.
We can also bring the museum to you! Tate staff can bring rocks, fossils, minerals and dinosaurs into your classroom and present on whatever topic best fits your curriculum. Museum staff arrive with a number of materials, from fossil casts to the real thing, and always have plenty of hands-on items to be passed around the room. Our Education Specialist can also accompany you on a variety of field trips including guided trips to Casper Mountain, Alcova and other geology or fossil focused destinations.
It is best to schedule your tour or classroom visit as far in advance as possible to ensure you get the day and time that best fits your schedule.
Volunteers often represent a large portion of any museum’s work force. Here at the Tate Geological Museum, we offer a variety of activities for volunteers.
Many of our current volunteers assist with exhibit development, in the gift shop, giving tours, and in the fossil preparation lab–just to name a few. Come on up and see if the Tate might be the place for you.
Fill out your Tate Museum Application for Volunteer Service here. (This is a printable form for you to bring in to the museum. It does not automatically come to us).
The Tate Gift Shop has a variety of souvenirs for all ages, whether one enjoys dinosaurs, rocks and minerals, fossils, or all of the above. Our mission is for the learning experience to continue, even when you are all done touring the museum.
A Tate Museum Membership will afford you 10% off of every purchase at the Gift Shop!
The avid reader can find the perfect book, no matter what reading level.
Director
307-268-3026
Education Specialist
307-268-2890
Collections Manager/ Field Operations & Prep Lab Manager
307-268-3008
Exhibits Designer
307-268-2017
