FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[John Jaszczak]

Dear Needhelp: Please call the museum and speak to the gift shop manager. The gift shop I think has a few books; the best one I know of is a geology and field guide by Ted Bornhorst and Bill Rose. - John

[John Jaszczak]

Congratulations to the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Technological University and the University of Michigan for entering into an historic alliance to have the University of Michigan mineral collection curated and housed at the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton, Michigan, and thereby preserve the historic legacy of this important collection, and also to once again make the collection accessible to public viewing.

[John Jaszczak]

The center of three cases showing some of the specimens from the University of Michigan mineral collection on display in its new home at the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum. The centerpiece is an astounding stibnite from Japan. At the lower right is an historic specimen of native copper from the Douglas Houghton collection.

[John Jaszczak]

Some of the visitors at the unveiling of the initial University of Michigan mineral collection exhibit.

[John Jaszczak]

The mineral collection of Lucius L. Hubbard (1849-1933) was split between the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum and the University of Michigan. It will once again be under one roof.

[John Jaszczak]

The full story about the University of Michigan and A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum alliance can be found at :
https://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2015/may/two-universities-collaborate-preserve-historica-mineral-collection-for-people-michigan.html
(link normalized by FMF)

[John Jaszczak]

In other very exciting news, Paul and Janet Clifford of Cleveland, Ohio are donating their extensive collection to the museum. Here is a case showing a selection of calcites from their donation now on exhibit in the museum.

[John Jaszczak]

Back in July 2001, Bob Barron (with Michigan Technological University), helped to lead a team that raised a 33,000 pound boulder of native copper from the floor of Lake Superior, and transport it to Hancock, Michigan where it has, until recently, been on display at the Quincy Mine Hoist. The A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum has curated the boulder, which is owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

More photos and stories are here:
https://www.lakesuperior.com/the-lake/natural-world/241feature/
https://www.museum.mtu.edu/News-archive/boulder.html
(links normalized by FMF)

[John Jaszczak]

On June 3, 2015 the boulder was lowered in its stand andtransported to the site of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum on the south side of the campus of Michigan Technological University.

[John Jaszczak]

A new stand was placed near the entrance to the parking lot leading to the museum. A pavilion to cover the boulder will be installed soon.

[CircleTour1977]

Hello, I just visited the Seaman Museum while on a trip to immerse myself in the culture of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

It was profound to say the least, and basically messed with my emotions. The impression on me is so significant that I have to ask if the minerals themselves are capable of affecting people. That sounds hokey, but at the point the impossible seems probable.

To put it in perspective there are two examples that best describe the impact. The first is the spell of the Arkenstone on Thorin in The Hobbit. However, picture Thorin newly discovering a cavern filled with a thousand equally powerful Arkenstones.
The second example is an alternate version of my own experience of seeing my wife for the first time. However it would have been the bewildering experience of walking in to a convention of a couple thousand women who look exactly like my wife.

I have to cite both of these scenarios as I really felt some weird mixture of love and lust. This is definitely one of the most significant experiences of my life. On top of it all, I am not a mineral enthusiast. This is the first mineral exhibit I have ever seen.

[John Jaszczak]

On June 12 the copper slab was readied for raising off of the truck and onto its new stand.

[John Jaszczak]

A pavilion is being constructed around the copper boulder slab. Here is the progress.

[John Jaszczak]

Here is something pretty special in the museum's collection that was acquired recently- a twinned diamond crystal from the Diavik Mine, Lac de Gras, Northwest Territories, Canada. The individual crystals are of the "cavernous" or "re-entrant" cubic habit more commonly known from Botswana. The crystal is currently on display in the museum for all to enjoy.

[John Jaszczak]

Here is a smaller (~2.5 mm) un-twinned re-entrant diamond crystal that the museum has had for many years. It is from the Donald C. Gabriel collection, and is reportedly from Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Gabriel acquired this and a few other diamond crystals from Sidney Krandell in 1943.