Haddy questions.
Short answers, with links to the historical evidence.
Was Hadrosaurus the first dinosaur ever discovered?
No. Earlier dinosaur fossils were already known. The Haddonfield find was the first relatively complete dinosaur skeleton and became the first dinosaur mounted for public display. NPS evidence ↗
Who found the dinosaur?
Large bones were first noticed on John Estaugh Hopkins’s property in the 1830s. William Parker Foulke organized excavations in 1858; Joseph Leidy studied and described the specimen. Rutgers ↗
Did scientists find its head?
No complete skull was found. Museum mounts include reconstructed or cast components, so they are not entirely original fossil bone. Academy ↗
How old was the dinosaur?
The Academy estimates that Hadrosaurus foulkii lived around 81–79 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous. Academy ↗
Is Haddy a fossil or a statue?
Both names are used locally: “Haddy” can mean the dinosaur and the bronze sculpture in downtown Haddonfield. The sculpture was installed in 2003. Sculpture Trust ↗
Where can I see Haddy?
See the bronze artwork at Kings Highway and Lantern Lane, the discovery memorial at the eastern end of Maple Avenue, or the museum reconstruction at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Plan your visit →
Is it New Jersey’s state fossil?
The official designation is state dinosaur, adopted in 1991. New Jersey Legislature ↗
Why do sources disagree about the landmark date?
Some visitor articles mention 1995, but the federal National Park Service listing records October 12, 1994. Official listing ↗