Families and students from the Norman area visited the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History to commemorate its 10-year anniversary this weekend.

The museum kicked off its monthlong celebration with a free-admission offer Saturday and Sunday.

University College freshmen Zach Lanier and Maggie Cannon said they visited the museum on an impulse.

“We saw flyers at Cate (Center) for the anniversary, and I haven’t been here since third grade,” Lanier said.

Cannon said the museum seemed a lot bigger when she was a kid.

“Still, the animal exhibit is my favorite,” Cannon said.

Maree Prodoehl visited the museum with her family during its anniversary weekend. Prodoehl, of Yukon, Okla., brought her kids, parents and grandmother to spend the day there.

“We needed a family outing, and it was free,” Prodoehl said.

Prodoehl said she and her family were newcomers to the museum, but she would like to visit again.

“My kids loved everything that was hands on,” she said. “They loved pulling out all of the drawers and touching the bison.”

Prodoehl said she appreciated all of the seating available in the building.

“We enjoyed being able to sit and look at the displays,” Prodoehl said.

The museum opened its doors May 1, 2000, but has existed for more than 100 years. An act by the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature in 1899 established the Sam Noble Museum, and its collections were scattered in buildings across OU’s campus until the current building opened in 2000, according to a press release.

“Though our museum has been in this world-class facility for only 10 years, it’s important for us to remember that the museum itself has been a part of Oklahoma since before it became a state,” said Michael Mares, museum director.

The museum was founded with money from Norman city and state bonds, as well as donations from the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Samedan Oil Corporation and Noble Drilling Company.

According to the press release, $12 million was raised from private donations, including money collected by school children across the state.

“The treasures in our collection belong to the people of this state, and the people helped to create a showcase for these treasures that rivals any museum in the nation,” Mares said.

The museum houses more than seven million specimens in 12 different collections, according to its website.

Kim Schauer, multidisciplinary studies junior, stopped by the museum with her mom who was in town visiting. Schauer said she was fascinated by all the fossils.

“Thinking about the world 200 million years ago is mind-boggling,” Schauer said.

Mares said he is proud that Oklahomans have given their support to the museum.

“I know Oklahomans are proud of their beautiful museum,” Mares said. “We look forward to another 100 years of collecting, research and exhibits.”