The 83 million year wait is over for the unveiling of Miami Museum's mounted mosasaur fossil exhibit.

The fossil has been on display at the museum for around 30 years, but the new mounting helps show how special the fossil actually is.

"The significance is partially to do with the specimen itself," explains Miami Museum Acting Vice President Joe Brown. "It was used to scientifically describe the new species which is Tylosaurus pembinensis."

Tylosaurus pembinensis is the largest of three mosasaurs found in the area, with this specimen being the second largest ever found and the most complete.

In 1982 while doing her Doctoral Thesis at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Betsy Nickel recognized the significance of the specimen in Miami, and scientifically described it as a new species.

The mount was construed by Adolfo Cuetara, who has also prepared the fossil mounts displayed in the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre and a giant turtle on the main

Acting Vice President for the museum Joe Brown sharing details on the mosasaur and the significance of the fossil to the paleontological communitystreet in Morden.

Beyond the fossil, Brown says the bulk of the museum's collection is made up of items on several different topics, including the first and second World War, a collection of First Nations artifacts, a collection of agricultural tools, and household items from the 1900's onward.

The museum along with the project received special support from the Miami Foundation and from the RM of Thompson.

Other ways the museum has received support includes donations, fundraisers, and continued support from residents like Joan Duncan, whose family was involved with the museum.

"My aunt Margaret Alexander was heavily involved with this museum. She was president at one time and did a lot of volunteer work here."

During the event, Roy Frost Chief of the Miami Fire Department presented a donation from the department to the museum for $400. Frost says the department had discussed where the donation would go and decided the museum was the right choice.

Executive Director at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre Peter Cantelon says small heritage museums are the backbone and preservers of community history.

The museum will stay open for the season for a couple more weeks and will open again in spring.