Cambridge, Illinois – In the heart of Cambridge, Illinois, a 10-year-old boy with a big dream is proving that age is just a number when it comes to passion and purpose.
Meet Anderson Taylor, a pint-sized paleontologist who transformed his love of fossils into a full-fledged museum — and now he’s fighting to keep it alive.
It all began in 2022 when Anderson visited the Staffin Dinosaur Museum during a family vacation in Scotland. The experience left such a mark on him that he returned to the U.S. with a singular goal: to open a museum of his own.
“I’ve loved fossils and natural history my entire life,” Anderson shares. “I knew I wanted to open a museum of my own someday.”
Fast-forward to August 9, 2024: With the help of his family, his local community, and generous donors across the country, Anderson cut the ribbon on his very own museum. What began with a single display case has since expanded to eleven, welcoming hundreds of visitors and hosting countless school and daycare groups eager to explore the wonders of the natural world.
“It’s been amazing to see how many people are excited to learn about natural history right here in our small town,” Anderson says.
But the young museum founder is now facing his biggest challenge yet. The building housing the museum was generously provided by the Village of Cambridge free of charge. Now, Anderson is hoping to make the space a permanent home by raising $50,000 to purchase and renovate it.
The ambitious plan includes restoring the historic building’s brick exterior, creating a gift shop, and converting the upstairs into a short-term rental to provide additional funding and much-needed lodging for the area.
“I have been overwhelmed with the generosity I have experienced this past year and want to do everything I can to fulfill my promise to those who have lovingly donated fossils, minerals, artifacts, and more to the museum and ensure these items will be displayed for years to come,” Anderson says.
Supporters can also join Anderson and his team for a special one-year anniversary celebration on Saturday, August 9th, from 11am to 4pm at the museum.
“If you believe in curiosity, education, and young people chasing big dreams, I hope you’ll consider donating,” Anderson adds.
To help Anderson’s dream live on, visit his GoFundMe page and share his story far and wide. After all, how often does a 10-year-old build a museum from scratch?