Welcome

Julie and I are grateful to have you here visiting. Many of you have traveled far and near to visit us, thank you. We hope you take away new friends and great memories.

When you visit, you will be introduced to some creatures that haven’t seen the light of day for 70 million years. You’ll also see the exhibits through the lens of the 21st century. Instagrammable, understandable, and fun. We want you to come face-to-face with the past.

What comes to an end as we open the Indiana Dinosaur Museum is the dream and the difficulty experienced that made this aspiration a reality. Like any great adventure, there were starts, stops, unforeseens, deep misgivings, setbacks, and disappointments. These fears now seem minor. We had a community that answered a call, a state that stood by us, and a nation of 340 million Americans at our side. Without them, without you - this dream would be just that - not a transformative development for South Bend and Indiana. Thank you.

We honestly can’t thank you enough. God bless every day, God bless this city and God bless our great state. It’s with a deep sense of gratitude we open this museum.

Mark and Julie Tarner

Visit

One visit to the Indiana Dinosaur Museum overwhelmingly demonstrates that there is not really a new museum in the area, but an unequaled museum in the country. The Indiana Dinosaur Museum breathes life into the past - entertaining, educating, and enlightening - all while playing in the dirt like a happy, cheerful child. The Indiana Dinosaur Museum is 501c3 registered in Indiana. The founders, Mark and Julie Tarner, are looking to create both a lasting area attraction and provides a sense of community.

FEATURING:

1.9 Billion years of history on display
One of America's largest dinosaur collection

43 Dinosaur sculptures
30 Dinosaur skeletons
Research Library and working laboratory

Juliet unveiled-see real dinosaur skin
T-Rex Gift Shop
Avian Dinosaur Nursery

Our museum is designed both to entertain and educate.

Our goal is to up-end how museums interact with the public.

Geography

The topography of this site is unique within the Midwest. 15,000 years ago the last retreating glacier left its mark. The site is wooded and hilly more like Southwestern Michigan than Indiana. Some of our area’s highest elevations are found here. It’s high, overlooking Notre Dame, the South Bend Airport, and greater South Bend.

Nature

The Continental Divide winds through the grounds. Our Hoosier State separates the St. Lawrence Seaway from the Mississippi Watershed right here in South Bend.

This special landscape will be highlighted by a trail system where a guest can hike to the Continental Divide or walk to the Notre Dame Overlook and see the Golden Dome in the distance.

Current Dig

In 2018, Mark and the IDM discovered and began excavating an Edmontosaurus from Bridger, MT. The dig site is operated during the months of June to September.

Join The Dig

Discovery

In 2013, Mark and the IDM discovered and began excavating an Edmontosaurus from Baker, MT. Incredibly, this unique Cretaceous dinosaur was found with preserved skin.

Such a specimen is incredibly rare. Any museum in the world would treasure it.

DONATE

Each summer, Mark Tarner and a group of organized volunteers gather in Montana to see what more there is to explore. Enquire below to see how you can donate to the dig or keep up with what’s going on.

LEARN MORE