Love Blooms at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum: Join Us for an Unforgettable Fossils & Flowers Valentine’s Event!

Last Thursday, love was in full bloom at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum. Couples and friends gathered for a special event called Fossils & Flowers, mixing romance with a touch of education.

This unique pre-Valentine’s celebration allowed visitors to dive into the world of prehistoric love while exploring the museum after hours. Attendees participated in fun activities like printing Valentine cards and even holding a cockroach! This event was the first of its kind since the museum reopened in the fall of 2023.

“We wanted to offer something different,” said Ashley Simmel, an events associate at the museum. “We thought it would be fun to celebrate Valentine’s Day with activities that also educate.” Guests could build their own flower bouquets and take part in other themed activities.

One quirky activity let visitors name bugs from the UT entomology collection. Inspired by other museums, Simmel said they wanted to put a positive spin on this by letting people name a cockroach after an ex while also allowing them to name a butterfly after their loved one. “It’s about mixing a bit of fun with romance,” she added.

Guests also used a Kelsey Excelsior printing press from the UT’s Harry Ransom Center to create valentines featuring a 305 million-year-old fossil from the museum. Liam Norris, a paleontologist and doctoral student at the Jackson School of Geoscience, shared fascinating insights about the connections between science and love, talking about how romance has been a part of life for millions of years.

“Many behaviors seen in animals today go back to prehistoric times,” Norris explained. For example, he noted how the Triceratops used its colorful frill to attract mates, much like modern peacocks flaunt their feathers.

Norris also highlighted male Triceratops engaging in horn-pushing matches to impress potential mates, drawing a humorous parallel to social dynamics today. “It’s much like what you might see on Sixth Street,” he said, referring to a popular nightlife area.

Students Eva MacDonald and Brodie Surles found Norris’ talk especially engaging. Despite the unconventional theme for a date night, they enjoyed the blend of science and fun. “Science isn’t traditionally romantic,” MacDonald noted. “But when you add a personal touch, it becomes something special.”