BARKSDALE, LISA. Stonerose Interpretive Center, Republic, WA 99166. - Utilization of amateurs in the development of the Stonerose Museum fossil collection.
The Stonerose Fossil Site in Republic, Washington with its wide
variety of Eocene flora and its more limited Eocene fauna is often the
scene of hectic but purposeful activity. Students of all ages,
tourists, scientists, families, and rock hounds search for that
perfect example of that rare or not-so-rare fossil. The curator and
her assistants maintain a careful watchon the activities on the site
and control over the removal of the fossils. Visitors are limited to
three fossils per day. Unidentified or exceptional specimens of
fossils are kept for scientific analyses or added to the Stonerose
collection. In the last ten (10) years 70,000 visitors have found
thousands of fossils and have taken great pride in their contribution
to science, and they feel particularly rewarded if their
"treasure" has been retained for further study. One of the
major functions of the Center is to educate the visitors of the
importance of science and scientific methodology. On all levels
amateurs contribute to the success of Stonerose. From the Board of
Directors to those who are participating in a stratigraphic study to
sophisticated "amateurs" who have contributed their
collections to the Center, Stonerose is the beneficiary of amateur
activity. Funding is a community effort involving county, city, and
private resources, as well as the activities of the Stonerose Center
itself. Although the curator works closely with the State of
Washington's Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture and museums
and scientists throughout the world own and study Republic fossils, it
is amateurs who provide the "fire" for the engine that makes
Stonerose run.
Key words: amateur collectors, Eocene, fossils, Republic, Washington