Petrified Sea Gardens
Encyclopedia
Petrified Sea Gardens, also known as Ritchie Park, is a National Historic Landmark
. It preserves an area of ancient stromatolites in a Cambrian
rock layer. Stromatolites "were first recognized, discovered, and interpreted in North America" here, on property owned by Robert F. Ritchie, a stonemason and amateur geologist, who detected them in 1922 and opened a park to show them to the public in 1924.
Stromatolites, which are marine algae growths, were unknown, and it was a puzzle whether these fossils were organic or inorganic products. James Hall
(1811–1898), the first State Peleontologist of New York, identified them as being organic placed stromatolites in a new genus.
Pioneering female paleontologist Winifred Goldring
(1888–1971), "who was the fourth State Paleontologist of New York,...wrote the most exhaustive study on these ancient stromatolites."
The site was a childhood inspiration for Stephen Jay Gould
who went on to become "one of the most famous paleontologists of the twentieth century".
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1999,
by which date it had already been named a National Natural Landmark
.
The site was open as an educational site operated by a non-profit, the Friends of Petrified Sea Gardens until 2006. It is currently closed to the public. It is located at 42 Petrified Sea Gardens Road, about .5 mile north of N.Y. 29, west of Saratoga Springs, New York
.
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. It preserves an area of ancient stromatolites in a Cambrian
Cambrian
The Cambrian is the first geological period of the Paleozoic Era, lasting from Mya ; it is succeeded by the Ordovician. Its subdivisions, and indeed its base, are somewhat in flux. The period was established by Adam Sedgwick, who named it after Cambria, the Latin name for Wales, where Britain's...
rock layer. Stromatolites "were first recognized, discovered, and interpreted in North America" here, on property owned by Robert F. Ritchie, a stonemason and amateur geologist, who detected them in 1922 and opened a park to show them to the public in 1924.
Stromatolites, which are marine algae growths, were unknown, and it was a puzzle whether these fossils were organic or inorganic products. James Hall
James Hall (paleontologist)
James Hall was an American geologist and paleontologist. He was a noted authority on stratigraphy and had an influential role in the development of American paleontology.-Early life:...
(1811–1898), the first State Peleontologist of New York, identified them as being organic placed stromatolites in a new genus.
Pioneering female paleontologist Winifred Goldring
Winifred Goldring
Winifred Goldring was a pioneering female paleontologist whose work included a description of stromatolites.Goldring was born in Kenwood, New York)....
(1888–1971), "who was the fourth State Paleontologist of New York,...wrote the most exhaustive study on these ancient stromatolites."
The site was a childhood inspiration for Stephen Jay Gould
Stephen Jay Gould
Stephen Jay Gould was an American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and historian of science. He was also one of the most influential and widely read writers of popular science of his generation....
who went on to become "one of the most famous paleontologists of the twentieth century".
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1999,
by which date it had already been named a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
.
The site was open as an educational site operated by a non-profit, the Friends of Petrified Sea Gardens until 2006. It is currently closed to the public. It is located at 42 Petrified Sea Gardens Road, about .5 mile north of N.Y. 29, west of Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, also known as simply Saratoga, is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American name, ...
.
See also
- James Hall OfficeJames Hall OfficeJames Hall Office, also known as Sunshine School, is located on Lincoln Park in Albany, New York. It was the office of paleontologist James Hall, a leader in research on the geology of North America during the 19th century....
, also a National Historic Landmark - List of National Historic Landmarks in New York
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Saratoga County, New York