The Hamburg Natural History Society (HNHS) was incorporated in 1993, received IRS nonprofit 501(c)3 status in 1994, and in January 1995 acquired a portion of the former Pennsylvania-Dixie Cement Quarry in Hamburg, New York. Follow our three decade journey here.
1990: Community organizes to preserve fossils
Drive seeks to preserve fossil site: Hamburg quarry considered valuable by Matt Gryta and Tom Ernst
Buffalo News 3/4/1990
Hamburg should act to preserve fossil site by Elizabeth Gonsiorek
Buffalo News 10/7/1990
1993: HNHS incorporated by all-volunteer group
Group plans preservation of quarry site by Barbara O’Brien and Michael Levy
Buffalo News 5/19/1993
Group seeking to preserve quarry launches campaign by Staff
Buffalo News 5/21/1993
1995: Town of Hamburg purchases former Penn Dixie Cement quarry
Hamburg OKs buying fossil quarry site by Gene Warner and Tom Ernst
Buffalo News 2/27/1995
Town board, natural history society on quest to save Hamburg fossil trove by Carolyn Raeke and Tom Ernst
Buffalo News 8/18/1995
1996: Hamburg deeds 32.5 acres to HNHS; First cleanups held
Volunteer cleanup set May 11 at Penn Dixie Quarry Site by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 5/1/1996
Experience proves out-of-this-world by Gerry Rising
Buffalo News 5/6/1996
Fossils draw international crowd
Hamburg Sun 10/10/1996
1997: Development consultant hired to grow organization
Quarry’s popularity spurs need for guides by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 4/18/1997
Can you dig it? Hamburg quarry was old when dinos were young by Tim O’Shei
Buffalo Business First 6/30/1997
1998: Entrance road and gate constructed; First Earth Science Day held
Quarry’s popularity overwhelming tour guides by Staff
Buffalo News 12/8/1998
2000: Registration shelter built; Display panels installed; First staff hired
2001: Ronald McDonald House Charities and Baird Foundation fund outdoor classroom
Digging into the past at Hamburg quarry by Mike Vogel
Buffalo News 12/1/2001
2002: Paved trails installed with grant from East Hill Foundation
2003: Oishei Foundation funds hiring of first executive director
2004: Wendt Foundation supports hiring of first education director
Hoffa’s skeletal remains found in Penn Dixie site by Felice Krycia
Hamburg Sun 4/1/2004
2005: Erie County budget crisis eliminates funding, forces staff cuts
East Hill backs expansion of Penn Dixie Site
Buffalo Business First 1/13/2005
2006: National Science Foundation grant at UB supports summer intern hiring
2007: HNHS receives land purchase grants from Ravenwood Associates and East Hill Foundation
Penn Dixie raises $100k-plus in expansion quest by David Bertola
Buffalo Business First 12/28/2007
Cavalcoli leaves Hamburg post after leading charge by Elmer Ploetz and Gene Warner
Buffalo News 12/30/2007
2008: Wendt Foundation and private donations support purchase of additional former quarry land for planned visitor center
2010: Erie County funding restored
2011: Additional trails and shelters constructed with public and private donations
Forum to discuss natural gas drilling by David Bertola
Buffalo Business First 2/28/2011
A step back in time by Jack Foran
Artvoice 6/2/2011
2012: Eagle Scout candidate constructs bat boxes
Penn Dixie quarry thriving year-round by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 12/15/2012
Learning open air by Catherine Colmerauer
Buffalo Business First 9/7/2012
Hands-on science is Penn Dixie goal by Catherine Colmerauer
Buffalo Law Journal 9/17/2012
2013: Eagle scout candidates plant trees, build trails, and install fences
They’ll never run out of fossils at Penn Dixie by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 10/13/2013
2014: Wendt Foundation funds renewed education director position
2015: 20th Anniversary Celebration
Thousands of fossils are ready for the taking! by Matt Bove
WKBW 5/13/2015
Penn Dixie funding restored in 2015 budget by Legislator Lynne Dixon
Erie County Legislative Brief
2016: University of Arizona geologist Dr. Phil Stokes hired as executive director
Looking to the heavens for Earth Day by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 4/8/2016
Dig paleontology? Come ‘Dig with the Experts’ at Penn Dixie Site
Buffalo News 4/27/2016
Experts in town to dig for fossils by Lauren Hall
News 4 Wake Up 5/20/2016
Penn Dixie cruise will provide unique take on Buffalo by Will Elliott
Buffalo News 6/3/2016
Dig for fossils at Aquarium of Niagara by Staff
Buffalo News 6/13/2016
Aquarium of Niagara, Penn Dixie team up by Staff
Niagara Frontier Publications 6/24/2016
Five places to celebrate your child’s summer birthday by Mary Friona-Celani
Buffalo News 6/24/2016
Penn Dixie invites public to view ‘The Classical Planets of Antiquity’ by Frank Parlato
Artvoice 7/21/2016
Letter: Cultural institutions inspire us all to learn by Dr. Phil Stokes
Buffalo News 7/27/2016
Blasdell’s Penn Dixie will partner with new Himalayan fossil park in Kashmir; Fossils there will record the ‘Great Dying’ by Frank Parlato
Artvoice 7/28/2016
From Hamburg to Kashmir, connections through fossils by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 7/29/2016
Business – On the Record: Aug. 6, 2016
Buffalo News 8/6/2016
Visitors to Penn Dixie Site in Hamburg make an economic impact by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 8/19/2016
Fossil Hunters as Tourists? Report: Penn Dixie’s ‘Annual Dig’ for fossils has $32k local impact by Frank Parlato
Artvoice 8/25/2016
Autumn is here: get out and enjoy these fun, free activities by Samantha Christmann
Buffalo News 9/25/2016
2017: Rebranding and a partial solar eclipse
Community comes together to clean up vandalized Orchard Park playground by Breanna Fuss
TCW News 2/28/2017
Penn Dixie designs new logo and shortens its name by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 3/8/2017
Fossil Friday is coming to Penn Dixie Fossil Park by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 6/16/2017
See the Ring Nebula, 2280 light years away, at Penn Dixie by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 7/12/2017
Penn Dixie extends hours for Fossil Fridays by Izzy Graziano
Bee Group Newspapers 7/19/2017
Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve by Mark Mulville
Buffalo News 8/2/2017
Free eclipse glasses offered at Penn Dixie by Fatima Bangura
WKBW 8/8/2017
Penn Dixie giving away eclipse glasses by Kaley Lynch
WIVB 8/8/2017
Free solar viewing glasses available at Penn Dixie by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 8/10/2017
Where to watch the eclipse in Western New York by T.J. Pignataro
Buffalo News 8/11/2017
Watching the eclipse safely by Tom Puckett
WBEN 8/14/2017
Where to watch eclipse in WNY, why you should by Joshua Robinson
WGRZ 8/18/2017
As eclipse passes through Buffalo, many agree it’s worth the hype by T.J. Pignataro
Buffalo News 8/21/2017
100 Plus Things: Discover at Penn Dixie Fossil Park by Mary Kunz Goldman
Buffalo News 8/25/2017
2017: Your space odyssey in Western New York by Mary Kunz Goldman
Buffalo News 9/21/2017
How Western New York can see the stars come out by Mary Kunz Goldman
Buffalo News 9/21/2017
The 10: Ellicottville Fall Fest, Iron Works Oktoberfest by Ben Tsujimoto
Buffalo News Gusto 10/5/2017
Fossil park hosts 20th annual WNY Earth Science Day by Khalid Terrell
WBFO 10/6/2017
Hamburg Natural History fundraiser will focus on Penn Dixie by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 10/22/2017
2018: Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds awarded for design of visitor center; Penn Dixie hosts the World’s Largest Fossil Dig; Penn Dixie receives VIP visitor from Kashmir and solidifies international partnership; Hamburg, NY declared ‘Home of Trilobites’
Waco Mammoth National Monument and city of Waco launch fossil kit program for science classrooms by Caroline Sutton
Central Texas News Now 1/30/2018
Boom Days Buffalo 2018 by queenseyes
Buffalo Rising 3/28/2018
Outbound: Fossil Hunting at Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve by queenseyes
Buffalo Rising 3/29/2018
Penn Dixie Fossil Park opens Earth Day weekend by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 3/31/2018
Experience This: Have a ball at Boom Days by Mary Kunz Goldman
Buffalo News 4/5/2018
New book explore’s Buffalo’s hidden gems by Breanna Fuss
Spectrum News Buffalo 4/7/2018
Looking for ideas on what to do in Buffalo? by Ashley Ziomek
The Record 4/23/2018
Here are some of the coolest day camps in WNY for your kids this summer by Brett Alan
County 106.5 WYRK 5/9/2018
Kevin O’Neill Visits Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve by WGRZ
Clip 1 – Clip 2 7/5/2018
55 local groups receive Wilson legacy grants by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 7/11/2018
Celebrating Penn Dixie’s Heroes: Eileen Eich, Liz Gonsiorek, and Sheila Kelly by Elizabeth Schiavoni
Penn Dixie Blog 7/13/2018
Get outside and active with the kids at these fun spots by Christopher Schobert
Buffalo News 7/23/2018
Trilobites declared “official fossil” of Town of Hamburg by Kaley Lynch
WIVB 7/24/2018
Hamburg is officially the ‘home of trilobites’ by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 7/25/2018
Natural History Written In Stone by Terry Belke
WGRZ 2 The Outdoors 8/18/2018
8/18 Buffalo Means Business w/ Penn Dixie by Randy Bushover
WBEN 8/18/2018
Penn Dixie looking for world record Saturday by Barb O’Brien
Buffalo News 8/22/2018
Help Set the Record for the World’s Largest Fossil Dig @ Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Preserve by Staff
Buffalo Rising 8/22/2018
“World’s Largest Fossil Dig” happening in Hamburg on Saturday by Rebecca Thornburg
WKBW 8/24/2018
Penn Dixie attempting world record for largest fossil dig by Francesca Bond
WBFO 8/24/2018
Penn Dixie tries to set record for world’s largest fossil dig by Kaylee Wendt
WIVB 8/25/2018
Penn Dixie Attempts World Record for Largest Fossil Dig by Staff
WGRZ 8/25/2018
How To Find a Fossil by Jeff Klein
At Buffalo 9/30/2018
The Penn Dixie Board of Directors has confirmed “ Kashmir Triassic Fossil Park” as one of the World’s geological treasures
Kashmir Pen 10/13/2018
Kashmir’s 250 million year-old fossil site receives global recognition
Ziraat Times News 10/14/2018
Kashmir’s 2 million old fossil site gets global recognition
Greater Kashmir 10/14/2018
Pampore site to be developed as world’s second ‘Fossil Park’ by Firdous Hassan
The Kashmir Monitor 10/15/2018
Fossil park in Kashmir Valley tagged ‘World’s Geological Treasure’ by Ishfaq-ul-Hassan
DNA India 10/16/2018
How you can watch the rare eclipse in Western New York
WKBW 12/27/2018
Total Lunar Eclipse viewing on January 20 at the Gateway Building by queenseyes
Buffalo Rising 12/28/2018
2019: Growth continues with new programs
Triassic fossils: Capitalize on these rich resources to integrate them into economy by Sajad Bazaz
Greater Kashmir 1/11/2019
Penn Dixie To Host Offsite Eclipse Viewing
Artvoice 1/12/2019
Are you ready to see the ‘Super Blood Wolf Moon?’ by Ed Reilly
WKBW 1/18/2019
Outbound: Tales of Mastodons Science Talk by Buffalo Rising
Buffalo Rising 2/5/2019
Penn Dixie Fossil Park opens for the season on Saturday by Kaley Lynch
WIVB 4/23/2019
Penn Dixie Fossil Park opens for the season by Barb O’Brien
Buffalo News 4/28/2019
Penn Dixie to teach teachers about fossils by Barb O’Brien
Buffalo News 5/2/2019
Indeterminacy Festival 2019 links to PastFuture/FuturePast by queenseyes
Buffalo Rising 5/5/2019
Indeterminacy Festival explores connections among past, present and future by Bert Gambini
UBNow 5/6/2019
Indeterminacy Festival: PASTFUTURE/FUTUREPAST by Alexis Oltmer
The Public 5/10/2019
Kids really dig this summer camp by Madison Elliott
Spectrum News Buffalo 5/13/2019
Indeterminacy Festival explores connections among past, present and future
Bee Group News 5/15/2019
NY science teachers say fossil field trip will boost lessons
Associated Press 8/4/2019
Here’s what drew a bunch of teachers from New York City to Western New York for a few days by Rebecca Thornburg
WKBW [also Yahoo News] 8/6/2019
Penn Dixie on WNY Living by Staff
WGRZ 8/10/2019
Teams to search for ‘golden fossil’ at Penn Dixie by Barb O’Brien
Buffalo News 8/22/2019
Saturday is free at Penn Dixie for Earth Science Day by Barb O’Brien
Buffalo News 10/3/2019
2020: Anniversary season affected by pandemic
Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Preserve opens to members next week by Ala Errebhi
WKBW 5/27/2020
We’re open: 9 family attractions you can visit now by Janelle Harb
Buffalo News 7/15/2020
It’s Fossil Friday by Melanie Camp/AM Buffalo
WKBW 7/17/2020
Letter: County elected officials come through for culturals by Dr. Phil Stokes
Buffalo News 7/23/2020
Mel learns to hunt for fossils by Melanie Camp/AM Buffalo
WKBW 7/24/2020
Buffalo author is transforming Penn Dixie into a poetry drive-in by Staff
Niagara Frontier Publications 7/25/2020
Shakespeare in Delaware Park presents socially distant ‘greatest hits’ performances in place of 45th anniversary season by Lauren Hall
WGRZ 7/28/2020
‘ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE’ Shakespeare in Delaware Park by Emily Stoll
Orchard Park Bee 7/30/2020
Mel hunts for fossils and gets dad jokes/Fossil Friday fun by Melanie Camp/AM Buffalo
WKBW 7/31/2020
13 Family Attractions to Visit Right Now by Karen Fashana
Visit Buffalo Niagara 8/1/2020
Earth’s Elements: Aerial and Dance at Penn Dixie by queenseyes
Buffalo Rising 8/4/2020
Niagara Falls Poet launches book at Penn Dixie by Melanie Camp/AM Buffalo
WKBW 8/6/2020
Mel looks for something different at Penn Dixie by Melanie Camp/AM Buffalo
WKBW 8/6/2020
How does a fossil become a fossil by Melanie Camp/AM Buffalo
WKBW 8/14/2020
Shakespeare in Fossil Park by Melanie Camp/AM Buffalo
WKBW 8/21/2020
Digging up fun and fossils at Penn Dixie Fossil Park by Toni Roberto
Buffalo News 8/24/2020
Mel meets fossil collectors at Penn Dixie by Melanie Camp/AM Buffalo
WKBW 8/28/2020
Penn Dixie Fossil Park, Nature Reserve introduces ‘Self-Guided Science’ by Staff
WGRZ 9/7/2020
2 the Outdoors: Self-guided science at Penn Dixie by Terry Belke
WGRZ 9/20/2020
Blasdell’s Penn Dixie Offering Lessons Away from the Computer by Breanna Fuss
Spectrum News Buffalo 10/7/2020
Simulated Soiree by Dale Anderson
Buffalo News Reporters’ Notebook 10/11/2020
2021: Return to normal-ish operations
Penn Dixie offering free private tours for ‘health care heroes’ by Staff
WGRZ 6/6/2021
Fossil Fridays at Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve by Melanie Camp/AM Buffalo
WKBW 6/18/2021
From animals to fossils, 7 places to visit with the kids by Janelle Harb
Buffalo News 6/25/2021
Help raise money for new signs for Penn Dixie by Melanie Camp/AM Buffalo
WKBW 7/2/2021
Stargazing @ Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve by queenseyes
Buffalo Rising 7/4/2021
Digging history: Penn Dixie recognized for world’s largest fossil dig by Staff
WGRZ 7/17/2021
Penn Dixie officially holds Guinness World Record for “World’s Largest Fossil Dig” by Patrick Ryan
WIVB 7/17/2021
Penn Dixie Fossil Park Sets Guinness Record by Staff
WBEN 7/18/2021
Penn Dixie Fossil Park sets new Guinness World Record by Staff
Spectrum News 7/18/2021
Penn Dixie Fossil Park sets new Guinness World Record by Marian Hetherly
WBFO 7/19/2021
Local Western New York business now in Guinness Book of World Records by Dave Fields
WYRK 7/19/2021
EarthEd Institute brings teachers to UB, Penn Dixie and other sites by Charlotte Hsu
University at Buffalo News 7/22/2021
2 the Outdoors: Stargazing at Penn Dixie Fossil Park by Terry Belke
WGRZ 7/25/2021
20 essential Buffalo things to do with visitors by Gusto Editor
Buffalo News 7/27/2021
Fossil Friday – The Wally’s visit Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve by Emily Lampa/AM Buffalo
WKBW 8/13/2021
Fossil Friday – Visit the nature reserve at Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve by Emily Lampa/AM Buffalo
WKBW 8/27/2021
Tree walk and artifact talk at Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve by Melanie Camp/AM Buffalo
WKBW 9/22/2021
40 Under 40: Philip Stokes, executive director, Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve by Michelle Cioci Adams
Buffalo Business First 11/19/2021
2022: Construction begins for new entrance, parking lot
Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve becomes Charter Member of NY State Geological Trail by queenseyes
Buffalo Rising 1/14/2022
Penn Dixie fossil park is growing and adapting by Barb O’Brien
Buffalo News 3/12/2022
Penn Dixie Fossil Park reopening on April 30 by Staff
WGRZ 4/20/2022
Summer Guide: Kid-friendly events, attractions by Toni Ruberto
WGRZ 5/25/2022
One Tank Trip back in to pre-historic times in Hamburg by Taylor Epps
WKBW 7/22/2022
Erie County Earth Science Day Returns to Penn Dixie by queenseyes
Buffalo Rising 8/24/2022
Amateur rock hounds collect treasure all over New York by Rebecca Rafferty
Buffalo Rising 9/23/2022
Penn Dixie to get $350K in funding for improvements by Evan Antsey
WIVB 11/2/2022
Penn Dixie Fossil Park receives state funding for upgrades by Rebecca Rafferty
WBEN 11/2/2022
Penn Dixie Fossil Park announces funding for new amenities and facilities by queenseyes
Buffalo Rising 11/4/2022
2023: Major discovery rocks national headlines
Coming to WNY in April 2024: The total eclipse of the sun by Ben Tsujimoto
Buffalo News 3/21/2023
Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve to open for the season this weekend by Revathi Janaswamy
Spectrum News 4/26/2023
Most Buffalo: ‘Penn Dixie Fossil Park’ by Kate Welshofer
WGRZ 6/15/2023
Ghosts Unearthed: Rare ‘Lazarus Taxon’ Uncovered at Penn Dixie by queenseyes
Buffalo Rising 6/20/2023
They were looking for fossils at Penn Dixie. What they found has shocked the paleontology world by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 6/20/2023
Uncovering the Fossil Wonders: Exploring Penn Dixie in Buffalo by AM Buffalo
WKBW 6/20/2023
Researchers unearth rare carpoid fossil dating to the Devonian by Editor
Phys.org 7/10/2023
UB student makes rare fossil discovery by Tom Dinki
UBNow 7/13/2023
Hallan restos de animal misterioso y extremadamente raro ‘Carpoide’ en NY by AJEM
InsurgentePress 7/18/2023
If you find it, they will come: Rare ‘Lazarus’ fossils bring travelers to Penn Dixie from around the world by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 8/3/2023
UB student makes fossil history by Victoria Hill
Orchard Park Bee 8/3/2023
Fundraiser for Penn Dixie Fossil Park rocks Ilio Di-Paolo’s by Staff
WGRZ 11/17/2023
2024: Funding secured for bathrooms
Penn Dixie Fossil Park hosting informational meetings ahead of eclipse by Staff
WIVB 1/26/2024
Penn Dixie’s largest grant takes care of No. 1 request of visitors: A permanent bathroom by Barbara O’Brien
Buffalo News 1/29/2024
Get ready for the eclipse with these free programs, special events by Toni Ruberto
Buffalo News 2/12/2024
Penn Dixie to offer free eclipse glasses at upcoming Plantasia show by Harold McNeil
Buffalo News 3/7/2024
Free eclipse programming continues through Penn-Dixie, Reinstein Woods and more by Toni Ruberto
Buffalo News 3/20/2024
Talking moon, Klingon translation lead April Fools’ Day in Buffalo, 2024 by Ben Tsujimoto
Buffalo News 4/1/2024
Penn Dixie offering discount for recycled eclipse glasses by Adam Duke
WIVB 4/9/2024
Things to Do: Openings at AKG, Penn Dixie, Desiderio’s and 2nd Gen by Toni Ruberto
Buffalo News 4/24/2024
29th season of Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve starts this Saturday by Scott Patterson/Staff
WIVB 4/25/2024
Till extinction do us part: Couple engaged at Penn Dixie Fossil Park by Justin O’Connor
Buffalo News 6/28/2024
2025:
Penn Dixie Fossil Park seasonal hours begin by Staff
WGRZ 6/19/2025
My View: Saul Elkin inspired all who heard him by Philip J. Stokes
Buffalo News 7/24/2025
Did You Know: The #1 Fossil Park in the US is Less Than 20 Minutes From Buffalo! by SOB Creative
Step Out Buffalo 7/25/2025
2026:
Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve breaks ground on new amenities by Kelly Dudzik
WGRZ 5/22/2026
Penn Dixie breaks ground on new amenities and park expansion by BTPM Staff
Buffalo Toronto Public Media 5/22/2026
Buffalo Brief: Penn Dixie Fossil Park Changes by Dave Greber and Kelsey Anderson
WIVB 6/4/2026
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