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Historic Dinner Inside Dinosaur Model Marks Paleontology Milestone

12/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On December 31, 1853, a New Year's Eve dinner inside a life-sized iguanodon model was hosted by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (artist) at the Crystal Palace, with 20 guests.
Six months later, the Crystal Palace opened to over 40,000 visitors to see Hawkins's dinosaur sculptures, which are now Grade I listed and set for renovation.
The event marked a significant moment in the popularization of paleontology.

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Story summary

On December 31, 1853, a New Year's Eve dinner inside a life-sized iguanodon model was hosted by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (artist) at the Crystal Palace, with 20 guests.
Six months later, the Crystal Palace opened to over 40,000 visitors to see Hawkins's dinosaur sculptures, which are now Grade I listed and set for renovation.
The event marked a significant moment in the popularization of paleontology.