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Adopt-a-Bone

Leave your name on the first Brontosaurus!

In 1874 in Como Bluff, Wyoming, American paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh came across a fossil he had never seen before. It wasn’t until he and his team finished excavating this mostly complete, but headless, skeleton in 1879 that the species was given a name: Brontosaurus excelsus.

This original Brontosaurus has been a centerpiece of the Peabody since the Museum first opened over 150 years ago. It has ignited the imaginations of kids aged 1-100+, inspiring many to become scientists and pursue the mysteries of our planet’s history for themselves.

The new Peabody seeks to offer a space for the scientists of today and tomorrow to grow and explore. To do this, we need to scale our programs and operations to meet increased need and demand in our community. For the duration of the Peabody’s 2026 fiscal year, we are inviting those of you that love dinosaurs as much as we do to be part of this on-of-a-kind display by adopting a bone in the brontosaurus.

Details

Adopting a bone allows you to celebrate yourself or a loved one. Bone adopters will be recognized in association with their adopted bone for the duration of the Peabody’s 2026 fiscal year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). During this year, you or your loved one may be recognized on our website, lobby screen, and other areas.

Only bones that are real—not casts—are up for adoption. That means that when you adopt a bone, you are taking part in the stewardship of more than 100 million years of history.

To learn more and to adopt-a-bone, please contact:

Peabody Development
+1 203 432 8233 peabody.development@yale.edu

Bones to Adopt

Brontosaurus graphic
Areas of the skeleton marked in grey are real bone, while those marked in white are casts.

The following is a list of bones currently eligible for adoption, the cost of adoption, and the number of each type:

  • Pelvis (1)
  • Femur (2)
  • Scapula (2)
  • Coracoid (2)
  • Humerus (2)
  • Sternal Plate (2)
  • Foot (1)
  • Tibia (2)
    • adopted in Memory of Arnold Alderman, for being the foundation of our family's legacy.
  • Fibula (2)
    • adopted in Memory of Lucille Alderman, for being the foundation of our family's legacy.
  • Rib (13)
  • Tarsals (2)
  • Dorsal and Cervical vertebrae (26)
    • adopted in Honor of Jaden Buxbaum, for becoming the future backbone of our family.
    • adopted in Honor of Alexa Buxbaum, for becoming the future backbone of our family.
    • adopted in Honor of Ella Buxbaum, for becoming the future backbone of our family.
    • adopted in Honor of Max Stringer, for becoming the future backbone of our family.
    • adopted in Honor of Miles Stringer, for becoming the future backbone of our family.
    • adopted in Honor of Graye Myers, for becoming the future backbone of our family.
    • adopted in Honor of Bridger Myers, for becoming the future backbone of our family.
    • adopted in Honor of Remington Myers, for becoming he future backbone of our family.
  • Tail vertebrae (16)
    • adopted in Honor of Vivienne Pryor
  • Intercostal Clavicle (1)