The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro, Oregon, houses a world-class collection recognized as the finest in the Pacific Northwest and one of the finest in the United States. Richard and Helen Rice constructed the building that would become the museum as their family home in 1952. The Museum building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its unique architectural style, natural stonework, and the extraordinary native Oregon woodwork found throughout the building. One of the rooms houses the Fossil Gallery. Included in the displays are ammonites and crinoids.
Ammonites
Ammonites are marine invertebrates. They are closely related to today’s squid and octopi. They first appeared in the fossil record about 400 million years ago.
Crinoids
Crinoids are marine animals. The class Crinoidea is part of the phylum Echinodermata, which includes starfish, brittle stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers.
More Paleontology
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Paleontology 101: The Mesozoic--The Age of Dinosaurs (Photo Diary)
Paleontology 101: The Cenozoic--The Age of Mammals (Photo Diary)
Paleontology 101: Some Ancient Horses
Paleontology 101: The Dire Wolf (Photo Diary)
Paleontology 101: Sloths at La Brea Tar Pits