Project Overview

The world’s most extensive evolutionary botanic gardens, as well as the planned expansion of the College of Eastern Utah Prehistoric Museum, has officially found a site to call home.

Entrepreneur Marc Bingham pledged nearly 20 acres of prime real estate to the College of Eastern Utah.

Thanks to this generous donation, the first phase of CEU Prehistoric Museum’s ambitious expansion will begin in 2007.

Construction of the new facilities begins with the Mesozoic Gardens, a half-acre botanical conservatory complete with living plants having a direct link to the Age of Dinosaurs. Living fossil plants will be housed within a stunning glass pyramid design including associated research laboratories. The Bingham family donation provides the space for the creation of a complete tourist destination and an added bonus of high visibility from US Highway 6, the main thoroughfare from Salt Lake City.

The success of the CEU Prehistoric Museum since its inception in 1961 has resulted in spectacular growth – so much that it has outgrown its current site in downtown Price. The new site will provide much needed space to display new discoveries and more interpretive exhibits.

The location will become “a centerpiece attraction that will serve to focus attention on the area,” according to Barrick. Eastern Utah boasts thousands of significant prehistoric and archaeological sites within a 60-mile radius of Price.

This facility will be used as an outstanding educational tool attracting students for hands-on botanical, paleobotanical, paleontological and ecological experiences. The College of Eastern Utah plans to provide students with outstanding opportunities in these fields. Containing over 600 living plant and animal directly related to fossils found in Western North America, the Gardens will provide a locus for international research as well in fields ranging from conservation genetics to paleoclimatic research.

The “prehistoric dream” is soon to become a modern reality: projected opening for the Mesozoic Gardens is slated for spring 2009, with the completion of museum expansion expected in 2012.