New Mexico Bureau of Geology Mineral Museum
| Title | New Mexico Bureau of Geology Mineral Museum |
|---|---|
| Institution | New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology |
| Year of opening | 1889 |
| Description | The mineral museum can trace its origins back to the very beginnings of the New Mexico School of Mines in 1889. The collection was assembled to help in the education of engineers and geologists. It was soon built into one of the finest in the world, winning gold medals at the St. Louis World's Fair 1904 and the Panama-California exhibition of 1915. Unfortunately, this early collection was lost in a fire in 1928. The museum was reestablished by donation and purchase in 1935. The collection of School of Mines benefactor Cony T. Brown was added in 1938. Three thousand mineral specimens in 1938 have grown to over 18 ,000. “Coronado's Treasure Chest” is still renowned as can be seen at invited exhibitions at the Denver and Tucson Gem and Mineral Shows and featured articles in mineralogical magazines from around the world. The main exhibit hall, constructed in 2015 , highlights top-quality minerals from New Mexico, the United States, and around the world. Over 5,000 mineral specimens are displayed in the main gallery. Spectacular mineral specimens from mining districts like Magdalena, Organ, and Santa Rita (to name a few) , are presented in thematic displays illustrating the mineral wealth of each locality. Other thematic displays include Systematic Mineralogy, Uranium Mining of New Mexico, Lapidary, Gold & Silver, Agates & Geodes, Meteorites, and Petrified Wood. The New Acquisitions case highlights recent additions to the collection from generous donors. |
| Number of visitors per year | 15000 (2016) |
| Mineral display arrangement | Regional,Other |
| Specific regional collections/experience | Mineral exhibits in the museum concentrate mainly on New Mexico, but also include specimens from around the world. Minerals from eight important New Mexico mining districts and areas (Organ, Santa Rita, Tyrone, Fierro-Hanover, Hansonburg, Magdalena, Old and New Placers, NM Pegmatites, and NM Uranium Districts) highlight important minerals from each location. |
| Total number of mineral specimens | 19,000 total. 5,000 on display. |
| Museum Address | 801 Leroy Place Socorro New Mexico United States |
| Website address | https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/museum/home.html |
| Mindat Locality region | Socorro County, New Mexico, USA |
| Articles | The 39th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium By Erin Delventhal 38th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium By Erin Delventhal |
