More than two centuries later, Founding Fossils at The Peale revisits this pivotal moment in American science through a contemporary lens. Conceived by archaeologist and accessibility consultant Dr. Cheryl Fogle-Hatch, the exhibition brings together history, art, and cutting-edge technology to create a multisensory, touch-accessible experience for sighted and blind visitors alike.

The exhibition features 3D-printed replicas of mastodon fossils originally collected by the Peales and early American leaders. These objects—scanned by Dr. Bernard Means and the Virtual Curator Laboratory at Virginia Commonwealth University—are paired with sculptural and graphic elements inspired by Founding Monsters, an award-winning comic series that explores how science, politics, and archaeology intersected at the dawn of the United States.

By blending tactile objects, graphic storytelling, and historical narrative, Founding Fossils invites visitors to experience early American science in new ways—and to reflect on how knowledge is created, shared, and preserved.