After hearing the dismaying proposal to close Sternberg Museum, I wanted to share my ideas and solution for saving the museum.
My father, Jerry, studied paleontology and worked in fossil preparation at FHSU and Sternberg in the 1970s under George Sternberg’s leading protégés. My grandparents were long-time donors and supporters, and my uncle donated the world class mineral collection still on display there. My family has been a part of Sternberg for decades, and I grew up fossil collecting through most of my life. It is a large part of who we are.
The museum must be preserved—not only because it houses globally significant fossils, but because it is one of Hays’ most iconic institutions, recognized internationally. I believe there is a viable path to saving the museum that does not rely solely on traditional donor funding.
For more than 20 years, I believe the museum has been somewhat stagnant and missing enormous potential. Hays is world famous for fossils, yet the university and museum are not promoting new fossil collection or preparation.
Surrounding our city are some of the richest fossil beds on Earth, which are renown worldwide. George Sternberg understood this. He advanced science while also funding the museum by selling duplicate or lesser specimens to institutions worldwide including the Royal Ontario Museum and London’s Natural History Museum. Without financial sustainability, there is NO museum and NO scientific progress. This is a fact.
Proposed solution to preserve Sternberg Museum
• Revitalize Paleontology at FHSU — Invest in and promote a strong paleontology program firmly partnered with Sternberg. Shift from passively relying on century old collections to actively encouraging new fossil discovery, preparation and global student recruitment. This grows tuition revenue, expands scientific output, and increases worldwide interest in both FHSU and the museum. This grows both science and revenue at the same time.
• Offer year-round fossil camps — Hays sits beside world-class fossil quarries, yet fossil collection is barely promoted. Fossil camps would attract students, families and international visitors, generating significant revenue while inspiring future scientists and strengthening the museum’s role in the community. This is a huge opportunity to encourage science and generate substantial revenue which can support our museum and community.
• Teach collection, preparation and also responsible fossil sales — The global fossil market is worth millions. Anyone who has visited a fossil or rock shop can see these large prices. Students could collect and prepare specimens first and foremost for academic and scientific progress, but also can potentially sell duplicate or lesser specimens to collectors or others, with a portion of these sales supporting both FHSU and Sternberg. After all, this solution mirrors Sternberg’s own model: academic work paired with entrepreneurial funding to sustain scientific discovery. This is exactly how he supported the growth of the Sternberg collection and the academic/scientific progress, which put Hays, Kansas, and Sternberg on the map globally. We need to return to this model if we are to move forward.
By promoting active fossil collection and expanding paleontology, FHSU can grow enrollment, increase global visibility, and generate new financial support for Sternberg. The museum has relied too long on passive historic discoveries; it’s time to build new ones. This approach strengthens science, secures funding,and preserves one of Hays’ most iconic institutions.
If you agree with this, please feel free to share this post with the university and other leaders in our community as a solution for our future.
— Daniel Green