Unearthing History at the Redhill Fossil Museum, Pennsylvania

Welcome back to our travel series, where we continue to follow the fascinating adventures of David and Aleysha McGrath as they explore the wonders of natural history in the United States. In this instalment, we join them on their journey from the bustling streets of New York City to the serene countryside of Pennsylvania, where they uncover hidden treasures at the Redhill Fossil Museum.

A Journey Through Pennsylvania's Hills

After leaving the vibrant energy of New York City, David and Aleysha set their sights on the Redhill Fossil Museum in Pennsylvania, known for its collection of rocks and fossils from the same era as those found at the Canowindra dig site.

“We left New York City to seek out Redhill Fossil Museum, Pennsylvania, which reportedly contains rocks and fossils of the same age as those at Canowindra,” said David.

Their journey led them to Chapman Township, a small town nestled in the hilly countryside, surrounded by steep river valleys. Upon arriving, they discovered the municipal building housing the fossils was closed, with no available information for visitors.

The Kindness of Strangers

The McGraths faced a moment of uncertainty after their long journey, but the local community quickly came to their aid. A friendly postal officer went above and beyond to assist them, making several phone calls to track down the curator of the collection.

“After such a long journey, this was inconvenient, but a very friendly postal officer began a ring around, to assist. After a couple of calls, he communicated to Doug Rowe, the curator of the collection and the drive behind the fossil discoveries, that people from Australia were eager to look at the fossils,” David recounted.

Thanks to the postal officer’s efforts, Doug Rowe, the passionate curator behind the fossil discoveries, welcomed them into the building. They were soon immersed in a world of incredible fossils, strikingly similar to those in Canowindra.

Meeting a Kindred Spirit

Doug Rowe's enthusiasm and knowledge reminded the McGraths of Bruce Loomes, a self-taught expert in palaeontology. Doug has dedicated decades to exploring the Redhill roadside cutting, uncovering fossils that have drawn attention from palaeontologists worldwide.

“Doug reminded us of our very own Bruce Loomes, full of self-learned information and enthusiasm. Doug has been exploring the Redhill roadside cutting for decades. We soon learned that our very own Australian fish palaeontologists John Long and Gavin Young had visited and were held in high regard,” David shared.

A Deeper Understanding

The visit to the Redhill Fossil Museum was more than just a tour; it was an enlightening experience that deepened the McGraths’ understanding of the Devonian chapter in Earth's history. This newfound knowledge and inspiration have further solidified their vision for the fossil site in Canowindra, pushing their project forward for the benefit of their local community and the broader region of NSW.

“Aleysha, Casey, and I came away with a clearer understanding of the Devonian chapter in the history of Earth. Our vision for the fossil site consolidated, moving the project forward for the benefit of Canowindra and regional NSW,” David concluded.

What's Next?

As we continue to follow David and Aleysha McGrath’s adventures, stay tuned for more exciting discoveries and insights from their travels. Their next destination promises to be just as captivating, with more stories of remarkable finds and the passionate individuals dedicated to preserving our planet’s history.

If you have any travel stories or museum recommendations, we’d love to hear from you! Join us next time as we explore more incredible sites and uncover the wonders of natural history from around the world.