Missouri-Ozark Dinosaur Project
Welcome to the Missouri-Ozark Dinosaur Project – Discover the Wonders of Missouri’s Prehistoric Past
Step into a world where the rolling hills of the Missouri Ozarks whisper secrets from the Late Cretaceous period. At the Missouri-Ozark Dinosaur Project (MODP), we are unearthing and preserving the incredible story of the dinosaurs that once roamed our state. Our mission is to advance paleontological research, educate the public, and safeguard Missouri’s dinosaur heritage for generations to come. We are proud stewards of the site where Parrosaurus missouriensis—now one of Missouri’s official state symbols—was first revealed to the world.
The original discovery was made by accident in 1942, when the Chronister family unearthed fossils while digging a cistern. Decades later, geologist Dr. Bruce Stinchcomb, intrigued by a 1940s manuscript, hypothesized there would be more fossils in the site. He eventually purchased the property and secured the site for scientific excavation. In collaboration with the New Jersey State Museum, a test pit and the original area were excavated, uncovering additional dinosaur remains.
Over the next three decades, with the guidance of Guy Darrough, a team of dedicated volunteers meticulously uncovered fossils not only of Parrosaurus but of many other animals that once inhabited this ancient environment. This ecosystem, once situated along the shoreline of the Western Interior Seaway, represents a rare window into the Late Cretaceous in what is now Missouri. To protect the site, a large greenhouse was installed over the dig area. Harsh winter ice storms destroyed two earlier structures, and we are now on our third greenhouse installation. Remarkably, all work at the Chronister Site has been carried out by volunteers and funded almost entirely out-of-pocket until recently.
We’re grateful for supporters like Missouri Secretary of State for recognition of Parrosaurus missouriensis as an official state symbol of Missouri and to Guy Darrough and Mike Fix, whose dedication has sustained this work through the years. There are also many key volunteers that have helped keep our mission alive. Today, MODP proudly partners with esteemed institutions including the Field Museum in Chicago and the University of Minnesota.
MODP is more than a project—it’s a bridge between yesterday’s thunderous footsteps and tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
Ready to roar? Join us today and help keep Missouri’s prehistoric pulse beating strong. Take part in our adventure. Dive into our latest research on Cretaceous ecosystems and experience the thrill of connecting with Missouri’s prehistoric past.
The Missouri-Ozark Dinosaur Project is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable oranization. All donations fuel our mission to excavate, educate, and inspire. Please Donate Today.
