FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Anne Weerda, Executive Director
Elizabeth Coleman, Logistics
Burpee Museum of Natural History
Phone: (815) 965-3433
Email: elizabeth.coleman@burpee.org
Website: burpee.org

Jane’s True Identity Revealed:

Burpee Museum Announces Landmark Discovery for PaleoFest 2026

ROCKFORD, IL — Is Jane a juvenile T. rex or a distinct, deadly cousin? The Burpee Museum of Natural History is set to settle one of paleontology’s greatest debates during the 27th annual PaleoFest, returning March 6–8, 2026. This year’s festival, expected to draw nearly 2,000 global visitors, marks a historic turning point for Rockford’s most famous resident.

Solving a Prehistoric Mystery: The Case for Nanotyrannus
One of the festival’s crown jewels is the Friday Night Kick-Off featuring Dr. James Napoli. He will present groundbreaking evidence from the latest research officially recognizing Nanotyrannus lethaeus—Jane’s species—as distinct from the Tyrannosaurus rex. And marking her as the distinguished holotype for science, right here in Rockford, IL.

Bringing Science to the Classroom

In a special prelude to the festival, PaleoFest speakers will head into local Rockford and surrounding region schools on Friday, March 6. This community outreach initiative allows hundreds of students to meet world-renowned paleontologists face-to-face, bringing high-level STEM education directly into the classroom and inspiring the next generation of explorers.

“PaleoFest has always been about bringing world-class science to the public, but 2026 is special,” says Anne Weerda, Executive Director. “We aren’t just talking about history; we are making it. Seeing Jane’s ‘true identity’ discussed by the scientific community is a proud moment for Rockford and the Burpee Museum.”

Weekend Highlights for 2026
To accommodate record-breaking interest, the museum has introduced several new features:

• The Paleo Marketplace: A vibrant shopping experience featuring nationwide vendors selling authentic fossils, rare minerals, gems, and museum-quality paleo-art.
• Saturday Keynote Dinner: Dr. Jingmai O’Connor of The Field Museum presents “Archaeopteryx: Food for Flight,” a deep dive into the evolution of feathered dinosaurs. Drawing on her cutting-edge research, O’Connor will reveal how some of the earliest birds were not fragile gliders, but highly capable and successful predators whose anatomy reshaped the future of life on Earth.
• Hands-on Workshops (Beginning & Intermediate Levels): Participants can build “Nano vs. T. rex” models, interact with living “survivors” of the dinosaur age, and compare these modern species directly to their prehistoric fossil counterparts.
• Expert Lecture Series: Saturday and Sunday sessions feature leading scientists discussing ancient ecosystems in a format designed for all ages—no PhD required.

Tickets & Registration
Tickets, workshops, and VIP Research Packages are available now at burpee.org/paleofest-tickets. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as workshops and the keynote dinner traditionally sell out.
About Burpee Museum of Natural History
Founded to inspire lifelong curiosity, the Burpee Museum is an internationally recognized leader in paleontology. It is home to Jane, the world’s most complete juvenile tyrannosaur, and Homer, the famous “teenager” Triceratops.
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Note to Editors:
High-resolution images of Jane, guest speakers, and festival B-roll are available for download at burpee.org/media-kit. Media passes for the Friday Night Kick-Off and interview opportunities with Anne Weerda, Dr. James Napoli, Dr. O’Connor, or other speakers can be arranged by contacting elizabeth.coleman@burpee.org