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The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre houses the largest collection of marine vertebrates in Canada. This large collection leads the museum to a continuous need for expansion.

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Pembina Hills Art Gallery
1980
Town of Morden, Manitoba, Canada

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In 1969 a committee was formed and began the organization of the Morden and District Museum (now named the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre). The museum, originally located on the second floor of the old Post Office Building, bore a historical theme. Individuals canvassed the town for artifacts to house as part of its collection.

The Morden and District Museum was officially incorporated and opened in 1971 during the Corn and Apple Festival. The ribbon was cut by Jack Murta, MP of Lisgar at the time.

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Plesiosaur skeleton
1979
Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Morden, Manitoba, Canada

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In the summer of 1972 word spread from miners that fossils were found in the Pembina Hills. Local residents Henry Isaak and Don Bell took the initiative to venture out and see if the tales were true. Indeed they were! Henry Isaak soon became the museum' curator, acquiring grants for summer students to help and, over the next 2 years, excavated 30 mosasaur and 20 plesiosaur specimens.

The image shows, in its original display, one of the more complete specimens excavated.

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Morden and District Museum
2002
Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Morden, Manitoba, Canada

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Originally, the fossil finds were stored in the basement of the former Post Office Building. But each year more and more fossils were discovered with the help of professionals and volunteers from across Canada. The paleontological collection was rapidly growing and in need of a new venue to display the different specimens.

In 1979 the museum moved to its present day location, the Morden Recreation Centre. The official opening was in May of 1979 but the paleontological displays were not completed until 1982.

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Construction of the Morden and District Museum (now know as the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre)
4 January 1978
Morden-Miami area, Manitoba, Canada

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The work crew beginning work on the new home of the Morden and District Museum (now named the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre), in the basement of the Morden Recreation Centre. (January 4, 1978)

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Entrance to the museum
1982
Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Morden, Manitoba, Canada

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This image is the entrance into the museum. It depicts the rock layers and provides a brief introduction to this unique museum. The museum has expanded and bears exhibits featuring some of the original specimens found in the early 1970's. Our most fascinating exhibit features the largest mosasaur in Canada. It is approximately 43 feet long and was discovered in 1974.

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First admission
19 May 1979
Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Morden, Manitoba, Canada

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The first admission into the Morden and District Museum (now named the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre) on May 19, 1979. The paleontological portion of the museum was not completed until 1982.

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Lieutenant Govenor Pearl McGonigal
1 September 1982
Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Morden, Manitoba, Canada