Sea Monsters Unearthed

Coming Summer 2026
The story of prehistoric ocean life that emerged in the South Atlantic Ocean between the Americas and Africa 87-72 million years ago is explored in “Sea Monsters Unearthed.” The Smithsonian exhibition will be on view at the Mayborn Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, from May 30, 2026 to August 30, 2026.

“Sea Monsters Unearthed” showcases fossils from the earliest invasion of the South Atlantic by marine lizards and sea turtles and an extraordinary excavation site in Angola that fills in a missing chapter in Earth's history. The exhibition features a full skeleton of a 23-foot mosasaur and other mosasaur species. Photomurals and video vignettes will transport visitors to field sites along Angola’s modern rugged coast, where scientists unearthed the fossil remains from this lost world.

An international group of scientists, including Angolan, American, Portuguese and Dutch researchers excavated these fossils, which were then prepared for the exhibition by a team of scientists and students at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

In collaboration with SMU, the Mayborn Museum will feature additional fossils from the SMU collection alongside the Smithsonian one to showcase the fascinating marine reptiles that once swam the ancient seas of Texas. These fossils give us a new perspective on this ancient world, providing fresh evidence to understand how our Earth has changed over time.

“Sea Monsters Unearthed” was created by the National Museum of Natural History and organized for travel by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. The exhibition was made possible by ISEM at Southern Methodist University, with thanks to Projecto PaleoAngola.

Attack of the Bloodsuckers!

Coming Fall 2026
Learn about mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, leeches, and other bloodsucking parasites in this skin-crawling exhibition. Learn the what, why, who, and when of how parasites live, work, and play. At Attack of the Bloodsuckers! visitors can look a real leech in the mouth, receive a big hug from a giant, inflating tick, get itchy and knotty with the life-size game of “Twitcher”—a buggy variation on Twister™, watch mosquito larvae perform their little water ballet, measure the invisible carbon dioxide gas in their breath to learn how mosquitoes follow this gas trail to locate a target, and so much more! 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Spring 2027

Mickey Mouse and his friends inspire us to work together to practice empathy and use our unique skills to overcome challenges, solve problems, and help those around us.

 Through hands-on interactives, children will enhance physical, cognitive, and social/emotional skills

• Help Minnie frost the cupcakes Square footage
• Help Daisy decorate Pluto's doghouse
• Help Donald work the Bubble Machine 
•  Help Goofy distract Pluto
• Celebrate a job well done with the Hot Dog Dance