The Royal Tyrrell Museum is on track for another banner year, with visitation continuing to rise.
As of September 15, the Tyrrell has welcomed close to 415,000 visitors in 2024, which is up about half a percent from last year to date. While the increase is modest, they are on track for another breaking year.
Executive Director for the Royal Tyrrell Museum Lisa Making, tells the Mail, the museum has a broad attraction.
“The Museum continues to be an affordable family destination that offers a little something for visitors of all ages, she said, noting that other events and attractions may play a role.
“Add to that experience, some of what may be driving more people to the museum is the diversity of additional activities and services in the Valley – the museums, historic sites, adventure parks, cafes, restaurants, etc. all help encourage people to view Drumheller as a complete package. You can visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum, rent a bike and explore the riverside, grab lunch, take in another attraction, and camp overnight," said Making.
With the rising numbers, they have adapted to make sure it has the capacity to serve everyone.
“When the Museum opened in 1985, it offered free admission, it wasn’t designed to accommodate admission desks, kiosks, queues, etc. So, on busy days (which we are experiencing more frequently), our lobby can be exceptionally crowded,” she said. “One of our strategies, which we adopted while navigating attendance restrictions during the pandemic, was to implement timed ticketing. This allows us to manage the visitor flow a lot more effectively. Eventually, I would love to expand and redesign our front entrance and some of the key gallery spaces; this will allow for a more comfortable visitor experience and share more of our collection.”
For almost 40 years, the museum has continued to be an attraction that hosts the province and the world.
“Alberta has some of the richest fossil deposits in the world – ranking alongside Mongolia, China, Argentina, and the U.S. Then I would add in our landscape. When people talk about their visit to the museum, their story often begins with “dropping into the valley…” Seeing the stratigraphic layers, which create an other-worldly landscape, adds a unique element that just can’t be duplicated anywhere else,” she said.
Another factor is that the museum is not just an attraction but a centre for research.
“Of course, being an active research facility is also a huge factor. When we have a significant discovery, we often see an uptick in our attendance, especially if the specimen is on display. That brings me to our dynamic exhibits. Our galleries are what drive half a million visitors through our doors, so we strive to ensure there is always something new for visitors to experience and learn."
