|
 ETSU received a federal
grant totaling $8 million for a visitor's center at the Gray Fossil
Site in September 2002.
ETSU President Stanton says, "ETSU is entrusted with a rare
opportunity and an important responsibility to teach generations
of students and visitors lessons about the earth and its inhabitants
firsthand. The potential for regional tourism and worldwide recognition
for the work going on at Gray is tremendous."
 Paleontologist and chief researcher Dr. Steve Wallace says the
Gray Fossil site "provides a unique opportunity to bring national
recognition to ETSU through research and scholarly activity."
The fossil site was uncovered in 2000 by highway contractors
working on
State Route 75. Investigations later determined the deposit to be
late Miocene in age (between 7-4.5 million years ago). This is the
only Miocene site in Appalachia.
 The proposed,
33,000-square-foot visitor's center will be adjacent
to State Route 75 less than two miles from I-26 in an area that
does not intrude on the dig site. The location of the visitors
center provides easy access to the site for travelers from the
region.
"The entire project will enhance the traveling experience of every
interested motorist and tourist that passes through the area,"
former Governor Don Sundquist said.
|
