Edelman Fossil Park & Museum Nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best New Museum

Voting for EFM as America’s #1 new museum is open from November 24 to December 22.

Mantua Township, NJ - (November 24, 2025) - Less than a year after opening its doors, Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University (EFM) has been nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best New Museum, placing it among the top emerging cultural institutions in the country and a must-see attraction. The prestigious national recognition honors innovation, excellence, and impact within the museum and cultural landscape.

“From the very beginning, our goal has been to create a place where science and inspiration come together, and to see that resonating on a national scale is deeply meaningful to our team and community,” said Dr. Kenneth Lacovara, founding executive director of the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum. “We are honored to be recognized as one of the best museums, and we will continue to commit to growing and making fossil discoveries fun and accessible for all future generations.”

Blending science, discovery, and imagination, EFM transports guests 66 million years back in time, connecting the ancient past to urgent conversations about our planet’s future. Set on 123 acres overlooking a 4-acre fossil-rich quarry, this one-of-a-kind fossil park and museum features full-scale dinosaur reconstructions, live animal exhibits, an interactive fossil scavenger hunt, free-roaming virtual reality, and hands-on adventures at every turn.

At the heart of the experience is the museum’s active research quarry, the only one of its kind east of the Mississippi River where visitors can dig for real fossils. More than 100,000 fossils from over 100 species, including mosasaurs, marine crocodiles, sharks, and sea turtles, have been uncovered at the site, offering unparalleled scientific insight into the last moments of the dinosaurs. These discoveries not only deepen our understanding of ancient life in a unique experience but also serve as a foundation for EFM’s mission to connect visitors with our planet's story, inspiring them to discover the past and protect our future.

Voting is now open from November 24 to December 22, and supporters can cast their vote once per day. If you have enjoyed your time at EFM this year, you can vote for us https://10best.usatoday.com/qr/55278.

ABOUT EDELMAN FOSSIL PARK & MUSEUM:

Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University is an immersive museum experience that brings awe and wonder to young explorers and lifelong learners. The one-of-a-kind fossil park and museum features full-scale dinosaurs, live animal encounters, an interactive fossil scavenger hunt, free-roaming virtual reality, a unique fossil-digging experience in an active research quarry, and much more. At EFM, guests are transported 66 million years back in time to discover a world once lost, now found: the world of the dinosaurs.

Discover the Past. Protect the Future. For more information, visit www.efm.org.