Albert, the dinosaur who spent much of the past year on display at Resurgo Place in Moncton, is trading city life for the rural breezes of Cape Hopewell.
Lawren Campbell, Resurgo Place’s heritage and culture coordinator, packaged the resin cast of the prehistoric apex predator and delivered it to the Albert County Museum.
It took Campbell about three hours to piece together the dinosaur for which Alberta is named, which roamed the earth 65 million years ago and is nearly identical to its cousin Tyrannosaurus rex.
An adult Albertosaurus discovered in the Alberta Badlands weighed 2,000 to 3,000 kilograms, was more than three meters long and seven to nine meters long.
WATCH | Life finds a way. Here’s how the museum reunited Albert with his new home:
After spending time with Albert at Resurgo Place last year, dinosaur-loving Campbell knows what kind of reaction his colleagues at the Albert County Museum are about to witness.
“There were audible gasps from children as people came to the corner of the exhibit space and saw a full-size Albert – with his big head and big teeth – almost touching the ceiling,” he said.
“And it’s amazing how much kids know about dinosaurs…kids still love dinosaurs.”
Lawren Campbell, heritage and culture coordinator at Resurgo Place in Moncton, said Albert the dinosaur was three meters tall, 5.5 meters long and weighed about 70 kilograms. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
Dinosaur opens a new door
Albert is the centerpiece of a new natural history exhibit at the Albert County Museum, which will open June 15 and be on display through the end of October.
Janet Clouston, general manager of the museum, said Albert’s arrival created excitement in the community.
“It’s inviting, it’s exciting, and we’re finding that it really engages people,” he said. “I guess it’ll be a short drive to see Albert.”
Albertosaurus, a serrated-toothed carnivore, roamed Alberta millions of years ago. (Dinopedia)
Clouston said the museum focuses on the history of settlers, newcomers and industry, but until now had not had the opportunity to delve into natural history.
This summer’s exhibition will also include fossils found in Albert County from its own collections and the New Brunswick Museum.
“We hope we can continue the natural history exhibit even after Albert is gone,” he said.
Starring since 1985
Albert first appeared in New Brunswick in 1985 as part of the Royal Ontario Museum’s traveling exhibition.
It returned again in 2023 as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Resurgo Place in Moncton, and Campbell said it then became part of their permanent collection.
“When it came time to send it back and make the necessary arrangements, they said, ‘You know what? He doesn’t really fit into our mandate? Do you guys want to have him for free?’ they said.
“So we took it and decided to market it as something we could lend to other institutions,” Campbell said.
He said Albert is popular with children who visit Resurgo Place, and he hopes it will receive the same love from Albert County.
Albert was transported in 10 large pieces stored in special wooden crates designed for him. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
Campbell said his team had to adjust Albert’s height by tilting its base upward to fit it into the exhibit hall.
Campbell explained that Albert’s tail had to be lifted about 30 centimeters on a pedestal to bend forward, and wires were attached to the roof to support his neck.
“My favorite memory was when the head went on,” he said of the dinosaur’s installation. “When that head gets going, it kind of becomes real. It’s almost a real thing where you wait for it to start moving.”
Albert the dinosaur will be part of the dinosaur-themed children’s festival in August, and Albert is also on display as the Hillsborough Public Library offers dinosaur-themed programs.
Albert the Dinosaur will be at the Albert County Museum until the end of October. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
“We’re making a dinosaur costume that staff can wear. So we’re really embracing that theme. It’s a lot of fun,” Clouston said.
He also joked about what it would be like to open the exhibition hall doors every morning and see Albert looming over it.
“I might not need coffee anymore,” Clouston laughed. “It might be the adrenaline of seeing that.”