Franklin Mineral Museum
Posted by: 
chstress53
N 41° 06.809 W 074° 35.311
18T E 534546 N 4551436
This museum contains, "a systematic collection of local minerals on display in the local room, mining artifacts, map models explaining how zinc was extracted from the ores, and what the product was used for. There are more mineral species found at Franklin than any other place on the face of the earth (357). Most of them are on display here."Dr. Archibald Bruce described the mineral zincite in 1810 and started the nearly 200 year legacy of the study of mineralogy at Franklin and Ogdensburg.
Waymark Code: WM2XH
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 10/20/2005
Views: 105
The museum also features the world's largest Fluorescent display. Here the various ores and minerals are seen under regular light and long and shortwave ultra-violet, producing brilliant, fantastic colors. Other exhibits showcase thousands of specimens in well illuminated cases, with each item properly labeled. Needless to say, a visit to this museum is a must for students of geology.
In addition to guided tours of the museum, visitors may collect on any one of the museum's three collecting areas.
The two top dumps, one local and one world-wide are handicap accessible.
Though relatively small in area, they are frequently replenished. The Buckwheat Dump is a 3.5 acre mine dump that has gained world fame over the years. Interesting and new minerals are still being discovered there. In the last two years three new mineral species to the deposit have been discovered there and other unknowns are presently under study. The museum also offers mineral identification and has facilities to perform optical studies.
Behind the museum is a picnic area with picnic tables and shade trees. There are dark room facilities available for testing rocks for fluorescence, one behind the museum and one in the Buckwheat Dump.
Open Daily April through November Monday through Friday 10am to 4pm. Saturdays 10am to 5pm and Sundays 11am to 5pm.
Guided tours offered hourly. Collecting available daily. Guided tour: Adults $6.00; Children thru 12th grade $3.00; Senior Citizen $4.00.
Rock Collecting: Adults $6.00; Children $*4.00 poundage fee $1.00 per pound; Senior Citizen $4.00. All persons going into dump area must pay admission. *In the event a school selects collecting only, the group poundage will be included.
Combination Tour and Collecting: Adult $11.00; Children $6.00; Senior Citizen $7.00.
*Group Rates Children $6.00, Adults $10.00, Seniors $6.00 Includes 2 lbs and a collecting bag. Additional poundage is $1.00 per pound. All prices subject to change.* Groups include organizations, scouts, schools, and camps no minimum. Home schools, and birthday parties of 10 or more.
One suggestion I have for people who collect here for the first time: bring SAFETY GOGGLES, strong work boots, and a rock hammer. If you want a good rock hammer, they sell Estwing hammers and equipment at the museum gift shop.
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Complete list of minerals
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