New Dinosaur Exhibit Coming To The Schiele Museum In Gastonia
- Melissa McCauley
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Get ready to go prehistoric. On September 26, 2026, The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia will unveil its new Elizabeth Williams Robinson Hall of Dinosaurs, giving dinosaur lovers a new reason to make the trip to Gaston County.
Spanning 4,200 square feet, the new dinosaur exhibit will take visitors millions of years back in time with authentic fossils, full-bodied dinosaur casts and interactive experiences that explore the creatures that once ruled the Earth.
Whether you're a lifelong dinosaur fan, fascinated by fossils or simply looking for an unforgettable museum experience, the new Hall of Dinosaurs is one to put on your list.
Get Tickets Now For Opening Weekend!
Your Prehistoric Journey Begins at the Door
Your journey back in time begins before you even enter the Hall of Dinosaurs.
At the museum's front entrance, Quetzalcoatlus, one of the largest flying animals known to have ever lived, sets the scene. Instead of simply standing on display, this enormous prehistoric flyer is captured in a moment of life: a mother coming in to land at her nest to feed her young.
It's an introduction to what makes this dinosaur experience different.
Throughout the exhibit, the dinosaurs aren't presented as static skeletons. Their poses and interactions help tell stories about how these animals may have lived, moved, hunted and cared for their young.
As you continue into the hall, the prehistoric world unfolds around you.
Step Into the Age of Dinosaurs
The new Hall of Dinosaurs invites you to walk among some of the most spectacular creatures of the prehistoric world.
Come face-to-face with full-bodied casts of T. rex, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus and more. The scale of these prehistoric giants offers a perspective that's hard to get from a book, movie or screen—you'll actually be standing alongside them.
But the exhibit goes beyond the dinosaurs everyone knows.
Discover Appalachiosaurus, a dinosaur from the eastern United States sometimes called the East Coast T. rex, and explore authentic fossils that provide clues about how dinosaurs lived and interacted with their environments.
One particularly fascinating specimen is an Edmontosaurus fossil with healed wounds from a T. rex attack. Evidence like this gives paleontologists a rare glimpse into what happened when these prehistoric animals crossed paths.
And if you've visited The Schiele before, there's something familiar waiting for you, too: the museum's iconic T. rex is returning in a whole new display.
Real Fossils. Giant Dinosaurs. Hands-On Discovery.
The Hall of Dinosaurs is designed to make paleontology accessible, engaging and exciting.
As you explore the exhibit, you'll discover how scientists use fossils to reconstruct ancient ecosystems and piece together the story of life millions of years ago.
Authentic specimens connect visitors with the actual evidence left behind by prehistoric life, while interactive experiences help bring the science to life.
It's more than looking at dinosaur skeletons. It's an opportunity to ask questions, uncover clues and imagine what the world looked like when dinosaurs walked across the planet.
And for dinosaur lovers visiting from around the Charlotte region or beyond, the new exhibit offers something especially interesting: a closer look at the prehistoric Southeast.
Keep the Dinosaur Adventure Going
The new Hall of Dinosaurs isn't the only place at The Schiele where you can encounter prehistoric creatures.
Dino Safari takes visitors on another journey through the Mesozoic Era. Walk among full-bodied dinosaur models, face off against a charging Triceratops and watch a Deinonychus stalk its prey.
You'll encounter some of your favorite dinosaurs along with species you may be seeing for the first time. Actual dinosaur fossils and casts from The Schiele's collection help connect the larger-than-life models with the science of paleontology.
And don't miss the Dinosaur Theater, sponsored by Bank of America, where you can sit back and enjoy clips from dinosaur documentaries.
With the new Hall of Dinosaurs and Dino Safari, there's plenty to explore for anyone who can't get enough of the prehistoric world.
And That's Just the Beginning at The Schiele
The dinosaurs may be the newest reason to visit, but they're far from the only reason to stay awhile.
Once you've explored the Mesozoic Era, discover another kind of predator in Cats Untamed, which explores the remarkable evolution and adaptations of the world's wild cats.
At Explorer's Outpost, visitors of all ages can get hands-on with the natural world through activities, investigations and live animal interactions.
Then head outdoors to explore The Farm and the Nature Trail, where a 0.7-mile trail winds through Piedmont forests, ponds and streams. Along the way, you'll find experiences including Natural aMAZEment, the Stone Age Heritage Site and the Memorial Wildlife Garden.
Inside the museum, explore the Hall of North American Wildlife, Hall of North Carolina Natural History and Hall of North American Habitats, or discover the stories and collections of the Henry Hall of the American Indian.
And when you've explored Earth from prehistoric times to the present, look to the stars at the James H. Lynn Planetarium.
Make Plans to See the New Dinosaur Exhibit
The new Elizabeth Williams Robinson Hall of Dinosaurs opens September 26, 2026, bringing a major new dinosaur experience to The Schiele Museum and giving visitors another reason to explore Gastonia.
Located just west of Charlotte, The Schiele is an easy addition to a trip to the Charlotte region—and with dinosaurs, fossils, wildlife, science, history and outdoor experiences all in one place, it's a destination worth making time for.
Come September 26, the dinosaurs are waiting.
Plan your visit to The Schiele Museum and get ready to step into the Age of Dinosaurs.
