Company History

The present Ulrich Quarries originated in 1947 as an avocation of Carl and Shirley Ulrich. In the following decades, the Ulrich family developed new techniques for the removal, cataloging, preparation, and preservation of the unique ancient life of the Green River Formation. As ardent naturalists, the Ulrich’s were instrumental in the enforcement of the Federal Antiquities Act laws, the development of the Wyoming Field Institute, and the development of state policy with regard to the degredation of antiquities. In 1972, the creation of Fossil Butte National Monument fulfilled the Ulrich’s hard-fought efforts to protect the unique sites within the Buttelands Area. Ulrich’s Fossil Gallery has served for over seventy years as the center of Carl J. Ulrich and his proteges’ meticulous hand-preparation process. Hours of patient, dextrous work are required to expose the fragile details of a fossil. Ulrich fossils are among the finest available and can be found on display in museums and galleries, public and private, around the world, including the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. After World War 2, President Eisenhower presented one of Mr. Ulrich’s prepared specimens to the emperor of Japan as a gift from the United State Government to the people of Japan. Today, Ulrich’s Fossil Gallery continues its tradition of hand-excavating and the hand-preparing the finest specimens available from the Green River Basin. Whether you’re a fossil enthusiast, rock hound, or purveyor of fine home-décor, by purchasing from Ulrich’s Fossil Gallery, you can be sure that you’re getting pieces of superb quality that will last a lifetime.