Elmer the Mastodon
More than 10,000 years ago, a giant mastodon roamed what is now Michigan. Today, that giant—known affectionately as Elmer the Mastodon—is beginning a new journey.
Discovered in 1968 and brought to life through the hands of Oakland Community College students and staff in the early 1980s, Elmer has inspired generations with his size, story, and scientific significance. Now, for the first time in over 40 years, Elmer is getting a transfer.
In June 2026, Elmer begins his journey to Cranbrook Institute of Science, where he will undergo careful reconstruction and preparation before becoming the centerpiece of a major exhibition expansion opening in 2027.
This is more than a move—it’s the next chapter in a story that continues to connect people with Michigan’s prehistoric past—and you can be part of the journey!
Support the Journey: "Mission Mastodon: Elmer Goes to Cranbrook"
Elmer’s move is just the beginning. Preparing, reconstructing, and exhibiting a specimen of this scale requires expert care—and community support!
We invite you to be part of Elmer’s next chapter.
- Help preserve a 10,000-year-old Michigan treasure
- Support research and exhibition development
- Bring this incredible story to life for future generations
Campaign Goal: $100k
Every contribution—big or small—helps ensure Elmer’s story continues to inspire.
Meet Elmer
- Nickname: Elmer (inspired by the Elmer’s glue used to help preserve his bones)
- Official Name: Groleau-White Lake Mastodon (named after the construction company that found and donated Elmer’s bones and the city in Michigan they were found)
- Common Name: American mastodon
- Scientific Name: Mammut americanum
Elmer’s Timeline
- 10,000+ years ago: Elmer roams Ice Age Michigan
- March 11, 1968: Elmer’s bones were discovered during construction of a housing project in White Lake, Michigan
- September 3, 1981: OCC staff and students begin reconstruction under the direction of Dr. Jeheskel (Hezy) Shoshani, a proboscidean evolutionary biologst
- June 24, 1982: Reconstruction completed
- June 28, 1982: Elmer goes on display at OCC
- Week of June 22, 2026: Elmer begins journey to Cranbrook
- Summer 2027: Elmer will return to public view in an expanded exhibition
Photo courtesy Oakland Community College.
Fun Facts About Elmer
- Elmer stands about 12 feet tall and 22 feet long
- He would have weighed approximately 5.5 tons when alive
- His skeleton weighs about 885 pounds
- About one-third of Elmer's original bones were found – a significant find!
- Missing bones were recreated using casts and scientific modeling
- Elmer's feet are modeled after another mastodon specimen from the American Museum of Natural History
- He was briefly nicknamed “Titanic” during early reconstruction
- His story appeared in a 1983 National Geographic book
- Elmer is believed to be the second mastodon skeleton displayed publicly in Michigan
Photo courtesy Oakland Community College.
What is a Mastodon?
Mastodons were distant relatives of modern elephants that lived during the Ice Age. Unlike mammoths, they preferred forested environments and dined on twigs, leaves, shrubs, and wetland vegetation. They were a common sight across Michigan over 10,000 years ago—until they disappeared.
Mastodons Did Not Survive
Elmer will be part of a larger story at Cranbrook, Mastodons Did Not Survive. This exhibition explores why mastodons—and many other Ice Age animals—went extinct. Feel what a mastodon’s fur may have felt like and discover how climate change—and possibly human activity—reshaped life on Earth.
The Groleau-White Lake Mastodon (Elmer) will be exhibited at Cranbrook Institute of Science thanks to a long-term loan agreement with Oakland Community College. We’re grateful for their partnership and support.
Science, Collections, and Connections
Elmer’s story is deeply connected to Cranbrook’s scientific legacy.
- Cranbrook Institute of Science cares for 250,000+ objects, each contributing to research and education. The Institute's collection includes partial fossil skeletons of several mastodons from the local area, including Pontiac, Bloomfield Hills, and Rochester.
- Mastodon discoveries continue across Michigan, including local finds studied with Cranbrook expertise.
- Past Cranbrook scientists helped guide regional mastodon research and identification.
When Elmer arrives, he will join “Hezy,” a full-size mastodon replica on display—named in honor of Dr. Jeheskel (Hezy) Shoshani, the scientist who led Elmer’s original reconstruction.
Together, these stories highlight decades of discovery, collaboration, and curiosity.
Stick to Elmer Like Glue
A Michigan giant is on the move – and you’re invited to be part of the story!
- Plan your visit to learn more about mastodons
- Follow Elmer's journey on Facebook and Instagram (#ElmerTheMastodon)
- Subscribe to our emails for updates
Photo courtesy Oakland Community College.
Media
Stay connected to Elmer the Mastodon’s journey as it unfolds or help share the story. For the latest news, media images, and media contacts, click here.
Resources
- Groleau-White Lake Mastodon Collection, Oakland Community College Archives.
- “Elmer’s Story: Our Resident Mastodon,” Oakland Community College Archives: Collection Spotlight by Elizabeth Green, November 21, 2022.