"Unearthing Texas' Monumental Fossil Dream"

Andre LuJan, a commercial paleontologist, aims to open a public museum in Texas dedicated to displaying the state's rich paleontological treasures. LuJan, who manages the fossil collection on the Ox Ranch, hopes to create an institution known as the "Smithsonian of Texas" that will showcase fossils found on private lands and ensure they are accessible to the broader public. Texas has a diverse range of ancient fossils, including dinosaurs, crocodiles, pterosaurs, and ancient mammals, but currently lacks a public museum solely dedicated to its fossil heritage. LuJan's existing museum, Texas Through Time, has been well-received, and he plans to expand it into an educational facility for the Texas Hill Country.