
Springfield Museums, Exhibits
May 24 - July 6

Here Be Dragons
Step into a world where myth meets science, where creatures of legend crawl, slither, and roar to life!
Here Be Dragons is a one-of-a-kind immersive exhibition that brings visitors face-to-face with live reptiles and paleontological discoveries that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Explore the real-life animals—past and present—that may have inspired myths and fantasy. Gaze at a gargoyle gecko, linger by a legless lizard, and bond with a bearded dragon. Explore fossils and reconstructions of ancient creatures that were real dragons trapped in stone. Feel the texture of scaled skin and fossilized bones with life-like models and replica fossils designed for hands-on learning. From prehistoric flying reptiles to their modern relatives, this exhibition combines education, interaction, and a touch of magic.
Live Reptiles
Get up close with modern “dragons:” the rare Egyptian Uromastyx, the sheltopusik (commonly known as a legless lizard), the semi-aquatic Australian water dragon, the spiny-tailed Ackie monitor, and the ever-popular bearded dragon.
Paleontology Showcase
Fossils and reconstructions of ancient creatures that were real dragons trapped in stone. Upon entering the exhibit gallery, visitors are greeted by a life-size reproduction of a Quetzalcoatlus skeleton. This towering flying reptile lived during the Late Cretaceous period in North America.
Interactive Touch Zones & Reading Corner
Feel the texture of scaled skin and fossilized bones with life-like models and replica fossils designed for hands-on exploration. Young visitors who want to dig deeper into the creatures in the exhibition can settle into dragon egg-shaped chairs and read up on myths and legends from around the world.