Welcome!

History

The North Carolina Fossil Club (NCFC) is a non profit corporation founded in 1977 and is based in Raleigh, NC. We have over 300 members, with about two thirds from North Carolina and the rest from 15 other states including Canada. Amateurs and professionals of all ages comprise our membership.

Dinosaurs Rock 2012
Dinosaurs Rock 2012
Fossil Fair 2011 - Museum of Forestry
Fossil Fair 2011 - Museum of Forestry
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Marine Mammal Day 2012 - NCMLS
Marine Mammal Day 2012 - NCMLS
Dinosaurs Rock 2012 - Looking for Fossils
Dinosaurs Rock 2012 - Looking for Fossils
Durham Montessori School Program
Durham Montessori School Program
Durham Montessori School Program
Durham Montessori School Program
Durham Montessori School Program
Durham Montessori School Program
Aurora Fossil Festival - 2011
Aurora Fossil Festival - 2011
Castle Hayne 2011
Castle Hayne 2011
Castle Hayne 2011
Castle Hayne 2011
Castle Hayne 2011
Castle Hayne 2011
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Marine Mammal Days 2012
Marine Mammal Days 2012
Marine Mammal Day 2012 - NCFC Display
Marine Mammal Day 2012 - NCFC Display
NCFC Meeting - May 2012
NCFC Meeting - May 2012
NCFC Meeting - January 2012
NCFC Meeting - January 2012
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Rankin Fossil Fair 2012
Rankin Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair
Fossil Fair
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Texas
Texas
Texas
Texas
NCFC Meeting - March 2013
NCFC Meeting - March 2013
NCFC Meeting - March 2013
NCFC Meeting - March 2013
NCFC Meeting - March 2013
NCFC Meeting - March 2013
NCFC Meeting - March 2013
NCFC Meeting - March 2013
Neuse River Collecting
Neuse River Collecting
Neuse River Collecting
Neuse River Collecting
Old Dock - Collecting
Old Dock - Collecting
Old Dock - Collecting
Old Dock - Collecting
Old Dock - Collecting
Old Dock - Collecting
Old Dock - Collecting
Old Dock - Collecting

The NCFC was formed to engage in and support the study, enjoyment, and collection of fossils. We conduct a number of field trips each year, both in North Carolina and out of state. The NCFC is a member of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. and an affiliate of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, NC where our meetings usually are held the third Sunday of every other month.

 

Outreach Activities and Events

The North Carolina Fossil Club organizes, facilitates, and encourages educational outreach by members to schools, museums, and public events.

Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Dino Egg Hunt
Dino Egg Hunt
Dino Egg Hunt - Museum of Life and Science
Dino Egg Hunt - Museum of Life and Science
Dino Egg Hunt - Museum of Life and Science
Dino Egg Hunt - Museum of Life and Science

During the spring and fall some members lead school groups into coastal quarries to collect fossils and learn about the conditions under which those fossils formed. Members also give presentations to scouting and civic groups.

Other members take programs to schools, providing hands-on opportunities to find fossils and learn about geologic history. Many club members regularly display at a number of events in North Carolina:

  • Dino Days at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC
  • Schiele Museum Fossil Fair in Gastonia, NC
  • Marine Mammal and Darwin Days at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, NC
  • Norwood Arbor Day and Fossil Fair in Norwood, NC

The NCFC arranges speakers and provides member displays at the Aurora Fossil Festival in Aurora, NC held each year on Memorial Day weekend.

The NCFC Annual Fossil Fair is held on the first Saturday of November in collaboration with different state museums on a rotating basis, including the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh every third year.

Aurora Fossil Festival 2011 - Smithsonian Experts
Aurora Fossil Festival 2011 - Smithsonian Experts
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012 - Smithsonian Experts
Aurora Fossil Festival 2012 - Smithsonian Experts
Fossil Fair 2011 - Smithsonian Experts
Fossil Fair 2011 - Smithsonian Experts
Fossil Fair 2011 - Smithsonian ID
Fossil Fair 2011 - Smithsonian ID
NC Fossil Club Book Selection
NC Fossil Club Book Selection
Welcome to the NC Fossil Club!
Welcome to the NC Fossil Club!
Aurora Fossil Festival 2011 - Smithsonian Experts
Aurora Fossil Festival 2011 - Smithsonian Experts
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2011 - Membership Information
Fossil Fair 2011 - Membership Information
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2011
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Creekside Elementary Outreach
Creekside Elementary Outreach
Fossil Fair 2012
Fossil Fair 2012
Texas
Texas
Texas
Texas
Texas
Texas
Texas
Texas
NCFC Meeting January 2013
NCFC Meeting January 2013
NCFC Meeting January 2013
NCFC Meeting January 2013
Creekside Elementary Outreach
Creekside Elementary Outreach
Creekside Elementary Outreach
Creekside Elementary Outreach
Creekside Elementary Outreach
Creekside Elementary Outreach
Dino Egg Hunt - Museum of Life and Science
Dino Egg Hunt - Museum of Life and Science
Montessori School - Durham
Montessori School - Durham
Montessori School - Durham
Montessori School - Durham
Montessori School - Durham
Montessori School - Durham

The exhibition of fossils from members' private collections is free and open to the public. Staff from the Smithsonian Institution provide fossil identification and education to club members and the public, while in turn, the visiting experts gain information on fossils discovered in NC. Educational speakers make presentations on topics of interest throughout the day.

All of these events and activities are lots of fun for all ages! The public is encouraged to attend.

Education and Research Support

The NCFC supports fossil related projects at North Carolina state museums and colleges, similar programs at other museums, and also student research.

See our Publications section to see the three books authored by members and sold by the club. These are very helpful for identifying fossil specimens.

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