caliornia geology magazine may-jun 1992

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CALIFORNIAGEOLOGY

The Resources Agency

A PUBLICATION OF THEDEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATIONDIVISION OF MINES AND GEOLOGY

of California

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CAUFORNIA STATEMINING AND MINERAL MUSEUM

Mariposa, California

Nestled in the Sierra foothillsalong historic Highway 49. justabove the fog and below the snowline and next door to the tovm ofMariposa, is California's treasurehouse of gems and minerals knovm as the California State Mining andMineral Museum.

The museum displays the State'shistoric gem and mineral collection.One of the largest in the UIOrId withover 20,000 specimens. this un;quecollection appeals to the aJriosityand fascination of mineral collectorsand the publk, as well as mineralo-gists. geologists. and other earthscientists.

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The California Slate Mlnll'lgand Minerai Museum is althe Mariposa County FaJr-grounds. 1.8 miles south01 Manposa on historICHighway 49. Numbers next10 roads indicate mileagebetween lowns or roadJuncllons.

Many of the specimens in thecollection were discovered dur-ing the mid and late 1800s anddonated to the State for safe-keeping. and for the enjoymentand education of the public. Anumber of the museum's speci-mens are invaluable because oftheir rare size and quality.

Quartz crystals. Green MountainMine. Chili Gulch. CalaverasCounly. Donor: J.J. McSorley.1900. Photo by Jim Spnggs.

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Caldorma Slale Mining and Mineral Museum,Manposa, California. Photo by Shlfley Mitchell.

G A i l l ~ E S

The StateMineral Collection has apicturesque new home. Thebuilding is fashioned after a tum-ofthe-century ore processing mill. com-plete with headframe and inclined arehaulage track. For authenticity it wasconstructed from a variety of materials including VJeathered sheet metalfor roofing and large wooden beamsfor the headframe and roof supports,The museum is divided into three

galleries. The cenoal gaIJe,y ,.fIeetsthe history and development of thecollection and includes d;splays ofsome of the more dramatic speci-mens and some of the museum's dis-play cases from the Ferry Buikiing inSanF_.

Quicksilver mining display. Cinnabar was smelled to produce mercury, which in turn wasused to remove gold 'rom ore. Photo by Jim Spriggs,

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The museum's v.oest galleryis devoted 10 mining andmineral development, andfeatures a working model ofa five-stamp gold processingmill and a replica of a 19thcentury assay office.

Assay office. Photo by Jim Spriggs.

The east gallery dedicated tominerals and mineral uses. andis used frequently for temporaryexhibits. Another signifkant displayin the east gallery is the Dana Systematic Mineralogy Collection.quality specimens of many of theminerals in the Dana mineralogysystem. The Dana mineral identifi-cation system 1AI3S developed in1837 by James l:>.vight Dana andbased on the chemical compo5iUonof minerals.

Sulfur on aragonite from Girgenti.Italy. PholO by Jim Spriggs.

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Mannequins in the mining lunnel.Photo oy Jim Spriggs.

The east and west galleries of themuseum are connected by a 200foot. U-shaped tunnel with displaysdepicting underground mining techniques developed over the last century.The smell and dampness of the earthand the scent of burned blasting fuseshelp create an authentic atmosphere.Mannequins are displayed with miningequipment, demonstrating the difficultand rugged conditions in undergroundmines in the early 1900s.

Throughout the museum there areeducational exhibits with top-qualityspecimens and explanations of howminerals affect our daily lives. For ex-ample, copper minerals such as mala-chite, azurite, and dioplase are dis-played with thousands of pennies. Theassociation of such fabulous mineralswith everyday objects such as penniesemphasizes the minerals' usefulness.

In the 19905, the museum is mov-ing in a new direction-interactivedisplays that show how minerals affectvirtually every aspect of our lives. Forexample, the new COLOR! exhibit

allows you to perform a streak teston variaus minerals ta test for hard-ness and colar. There is also a~ P l e a s e T o u c h ~ table where visitorsare encouraged to experience thetextures of different minerals.

The public must be fully informedabout the uses of minerals, the impactof mining on the environment, andmodem mining techniques, to makethe decisions necessary for society'spreservation.

Museum visitor performs a streak test. Photo by Jim Spriggs

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As you enter the California StateMining and Mineral Museum, astunning display of minerals awaitsyou. Azurite, malachite, and otherspecimens show the spectacularcolor. crystal shapes, and diversity ofminerals. Many of these specimens.donated to the collection in 1887.are no longer available to collectorsanywhere in the VJOrid.

MaJachJle and azurite. Bisbee, Arizona:specimen is 24 inches (60 em) across.Photo by Jim Spriggs.

O ther featured mineralsinclude an M okI-timer Mstibnite from Japan, a spectacular \N\.Ilfenite from Arizona,and a fine linarite specimenfrom Inyo County, California.

Stlbnlle. Iyo PrOVII'IC8, Japan; specImen is 10 inches (25 em) across. Photo by JIm Spriggs.

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Two-inch (5-cm) piece 0'crystallized gold. MariposaCounty. Lender: WilliamForrest Photo by JimSpriggs.

On April 23, 1965, Governor Edmund G.Brown, Sr. signed legislation designatingnative gold as California's official State mineral.In 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill

on the American River. California became the31st state of the Union in 1850 because of thegold rush and the influx of settlers. The goldbrought California fame and gave it the title'The Golden State."The aesthetic and practical uses of gold pre-

date history. Gold's physical and chemicalproperties make it desirable in art and industry.Its color and luster have stimulated its use inmonetary transactions for thousands of years.

The most important use of gold today isin electronic devices, particularly in computers,weaponry, and spacecraft. It is ductile andits resistance to corrosion and tarnish isunequaled. Therefore, gold is used whereconsistent, reliable perfonnance under allconditions is essential.

Oneanda-hall-inch (4-cm) piece of crystatlized gold onquartz. Photo by Jim Spriggs.

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Benitoite (blue crystals) with Neptunile (black crystals).San Benito County. Photo by Jim Spriggs.

Benitoite was discovered in 1906by J.M. Couch at the now well-knownBenitoite Gem mine in San BenitoCounty. Jewelers, unable 10 identifythe mineral, requested the expertiseof George Davis Louderback, a mineralogy professor at the University ofCalifornia at Berkeley.Louderback delenninecl that the

mineral was a new species and namedit benitoite aher the river, mountainpeak, and county where it was found.

O n October 1, 1985 benitoite wasdesignated the official State gem bythe California Legislature. Benitoite crystalsare usually rich blue and can be cui intogems as striking and flawless as the finestsapphires. Gem-quality benitoite is foundonly in a small area of San Benito County,California. The scarcity of this gem makesit primarily a collectors' item. A minoramount of high-quality benitoite is used inaligning and adjusting electron microprobebeams.

Necklace with a suite 01 52 matched benitoites and 75 diamonds in a solidgold sening. Photo oy Jim Spriggs.

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The sabre-tooth cal, Smi/odoncali/amicus, still roamed NorthAmerica 11,000 years ago. In Janu-ary 1974, the extinct lion-siZe catbecame the official State fossil of California. Most of its fossilized remains inCalifornia are found at the Rancho LaBrea pits ;n Los Angeles.

Serpentine Irom Mariposa County. Photo by Jim Spriggs.

A cast of a Smilodorl cali/omicus skullfrom the La Brea tar pits on display atthe museum. Fangs are aboul9 inches(23 em) long. Photo by Jim Spriggs.

Serpentine is a colorful and dis-tinctive altered igneous rock thathas characteristic shiny surfaces invarious shades of green and blue.Abundant in central and northernCalifornia. it was designated the official State rock in 1%5. It is sold bygem and _ deale" and thehost rock fo< valuable depostts ofasbestos. chromite, and other commercial mineral commodities.

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Tourmaline from san DIego County. Photo by Jim Spnggs.

State Collection acquisitions includetop-quality mineral specimens fromCalifornia such as a superb suite ofborate minerals, a spectacu1ar kammererite specimen from Calaveras Coln1ty.and tounnalines from San DiegoCounty. In the spring of 1992. themuseum acquired important Californiaspecimens from the worid-reno.vnedJosepIUne Scripps 0JIIecti0n. ;ncludinga large Jwrnakov;te aysIaI andlOlD"TTla1ines.

Borate minerals display.Photo by J,m Spriggs.

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In addition to the pennanentexhibits al the museum, thereare special displays featuring theuniqueness and practical uses ofminerals.COLOR!, one of the 1992exhibits, demonstrates the use ofminerals in pa.int pigments. It

shOVJS that artists, from 18th cen-tury Japanese screen painters tothe Chumash Indians of southernCalifomia to Andrew Wyeth, usedminerals for color.COLORI exhibit.Photo by Jim Spriggs.

Fluorescent mineral display. The lowerphoto was laken in while light and lheupper photo in black light. Specimens areclock-wise !rom upper left: cerussile.flourile. cerrussite, franklinite, andfranklinile. Photo by Jim Spriggs.

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Anolher of the specia!lemporaryexh;l>its in 1992. CAUFORNIAGEMS, features rare and spectacularcrysta1s and exquisitely cut gemsfrom California localities.

TourmaJine in quartz. Photo by Jim SptW$.

Tourmaline (60.23 carats).Lender: Houslon Museum01 Natural History. Photoby Jim Spriggs.

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-_ ......---VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

T he California State Mining and Min-erai Museum has a strong and activevolunteer program that includes the Cali-fornia Stale Mining and Mineral MuseumAssociation, a docent program, and com-munity volunteerswho provide resourcesfor the displays. The museum could notexist without these dedicated individualswho give their time and experience tosupport this worthwhile project.

Docents Ed Barentsen (above) and Mike Collins(below) lead school lours. Photos by ShirleyMitchell.

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Gold miner Ernie Laslo gives a gold panning lesson to elementary school students. Photo by Shirley Mitchell.

EDUCATION

During the summer, the museum features a unique goldpanning exhibit where, for a nominalfee. visitors can learn how to pan forgold and then take their discoverieshome.

Special exhibits such as these arepart of our continuing effort to pro-vide new. exciting. and educationalmuseum experiences to the public.

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F'....e-fool-high scale model 01 ore pnx:e$$lng miN. Photo by Jim Spriggs.

There is much to be said andlearned about the the processesby which minerals are created, andthe location. extraction, uses, andbenefits of earth's resources.It is important to ou r chiklren that

VJe understand and achieve the deli-cate balance between developmentand conservation of our nonrenewabie earth resources. There are vitaldecisions to be made affecting thequality 01 ou r tives. The museum hasa rc* in educating and preparing thepubI;c fo< malting these deasKlns.

Also, there are natural phenomenain California that threaten our population. Earthquakes are commonplacein the Gok:len State, yet the publicunderstands lillie about these aVJesome events. Also, landslides are athreat. They require scientific explanation and astute public decision-makingto prevent disasters. 1he musewnstrives for a role in educating the pub-lie about these issues as weD.

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Finally, there are the wonder and beauty of the earth'smysterious treasure chest. Thecolors, the geometric shapes,the texture of minerals---there isa naturaJ curiosity about howthey VJeTe created. The musewnstrives to explain the explainableand pose the scientific riddJesas yet unsoIved-about thesephenomena; to capture theUnaginations of young and 01:1alike.

Specimen 01 wulfenite (6 inches or 15 emacross) lrom Glove Mine, Arizona. Photo byJim Spriggs

The Califomia State Mining and Min-erai Museum can fUi a significantneed within the educational communityof California by providing materials toteachers for earth science curricula in theschools. The goal is to provide lessonplans, interactive projects, on- and off+site programs, and other tools to teachthe fascinating subjects relating to earthscience.

Also, plans a re to develop themuseum into a resource for California'scolleges and universities, as a teachingfacility and research institution.

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Pyrite with quartz. King County, Washington. Photo by Jim Spriggs.

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History of the MineralMuseum

The Ferry Building, San Francisco. home althe Stale Mineral Collection Irom 188910 1983.

The State Mineral Collection was created on April 16. 1880by California's legislature for the establishment and mainte-nance of a Mining Bureau in San Francisco.

'The first office of the Bureau was a small room at 619 Mont-gomery Street. This room sel'Ved as headquarters from May toJune 1880. The nucleus of the mineral collection. 1.327 specimens. was obtained from the California State Geological Societyin July 1880 when larger quarters were found al 313 Pine Street.'The Pine Street location was also temporary. In July 1881. theoffice and mineral exhibit were moved to 212 Sutter Street,where headquarters was maintained lo r 4 years.

Concerning the Sutter $Ireet location, State Mineralogist,Henry G. Hanks remarked in his 1882 report. MDuring the year1882. the Mining Bureau mel""";lh a serious loss. the result ofwell planned robberies. The first occurred on the eighteenth ofJanuary, ckLring the: daytime. A single specimen 01 placer gold(No. 2(66). from British Columbia. was taken from the case. Thespecimen was worth at least $15. and was slill more valuable as atype of the placer gold from that locality. The second robbery wasat the night of January 24th. The burglars came over the roof anddown a ladder to the p1atfonn in the rear oflhe museum. andentered in by a back window. They stole a number of gold speci-mens. including crystallized gold (No. 2853) from TuolumneCounty. and half an ounce of placer gold (No. 3008). from JennyUnd. Calaveras County. On February 24th. a large collection ofgold specimens from a loan collection. belonging 10 the Honor-able John Daggett. were taken from a case in lhe private ollice ofthe State Mineralogist. The case was broken open and the speci-mens taken from the drawers. The inlrinsic value 01 the speci-mens stolen was at least $200. In the night. March 5th, the lastrobbery took place. on which occasion nearly all the gold sped-

CALIfORNIA GEOLOGY

mens in the cases were stolen. including the beautiful specimenfrom the Idaho mine. Grass Valley (No. 1399). which allraeted somuch attention al the Paris Exposition of 1878. w

Mr. Hanks remarked in his 1884 report. wThe Mining Bureaustill continues to occupy the rooms No. 212 Sutter Street.although they are unsuited for the purpose, for the reasonthat the danger of fire is very great. as mentioned in the last tworeportS, and alluded to again because the State Mineralogist feelsit his duty to warn the people of California of the danger 01destruction by fire of the now very valuable Museum and LJbrary,which could never be replaced if destroyed. It is 10 be hoped thatthe next Legislature will give this matter their serious consider-ation. The situation of the Musewn over a stable causes otherinconveniences, such as disagreeable ammoniacal and hippuricodors. and disturbance of arranged specimens in the cases, byjarring made by lhe hoisting 01 hay by tackles attached to theunder side of lhe Museum floor. The California State Museum iswell worthy of a good and thoroughly fireproof building.

E ~ n t l y lhe next Legislature concurred with the StateMineralogist's vie\.VS. In December 1885, the Bureau of Minesmoved to 2 4 Fourth Street. a new building built for the Society ofCalifornia Pioneers. The mineral collection occupied an entirefloor and gallery for 13 years.

From January 1899 to 1983. the mineral exhibit was in theFeny Building al the foot of Market Street. During this period.lhe collection escaped damage from the earthquake of 1906 aswell as minor earthquakes and fires. In 1983. it was rllOI.'ed 10MarilX>Sil County and the present facUities were completed In1989.

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U S E O F C O ~ u n O N S

T he California State Mining and Mineral Museum reliesheavily on private contributions to develop the educational programs and displays. Contributions 10 the Mu-seum Association are used to purchase interactive learningtools. develop a hands-on project area for students. anddevelop a research facility for college and university students. Contributions VJiI.l also be used for development ofthe mine tunnel. including the addition of mining soundsand moving exhibits.

Funds are also needed to acquire California specimensto strengthen the State mineral repository. ClDTently,many of the rarest and most valuable mineral specimensbeing discovered and extracted from the California earthare purchased by museums and private collectors outsideCalifornia. The museum must be able 10 bid competitivelyfor these specimens while there is still an opportunity.Therefore. one plan is to develop an acquisition fund sothe museum can purchase rare specimens as they arediscovered, and add them to the Stale Collection wherethey can be displayed and presen.oed fo, the education and

enjoyment of future generations.

The State Mineral Collection is part of our heritage, andsteps must be taken to ensure this unique resource continues to be enhanced, protected, and preserved.

Also. sale of the spectacular GOLD! poster (shov.m onthe front cover) and Museum Association membershipshelp defray costs. lne proceeds from all donor optionssupport museum exhibits. programs. and activities. Allcontributions are tax-deductible.lne California State Mining and Mineral Museum needsfinancial assistance if it is to continue as a public resourceand provide a unique educational opportwlity for Californians and visitors to our State.

ENDOWMENT FUND

Currently. the California State Mining and Mineral Museum isfunded by the State of California and the County of Mariposa.Through establishment of an endowment fund. the museum IAlill be-come an independent, nonprofit institution. By operating from theinterest earned on the endowment fund. the museum will no longerhave to rely on government fWlding and will fore\I'eT be available forpublic education and enjoyment. To assist in this endeavor. StateSenato. . Ken Maddy and Dan McCmquodale have s"""""ed legislation enabling the Department of Conservation to establish and overseethe end()\.\.l!T1nt fund. Contributions to the fund IAliIl be used for exhib-its and museum operating costs, and cannot be redirected for othergovernment programs or expenses.

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Contributions and MembershipsYour support \ViII enable the California State Mining and Mineral Museum to continue 10 bring thebeauty of gems and minerals, and fascinating infolTllation about geology, mining, and mineral resourcesto thousands of visitors each year. Please consider the following tax-deductible opportunities to assurethe museum's future as an educational resource.

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IVJOUkllike to contribute to the California State Mining and Mineral Museum's ENOOWMENTFUND. Enclosed is my tax-deductible donation (check or money order - do no t send cash).

Contributors t o t he endowment fund will be acknowledged at the musem.[would like to jo;n the CAUFORNIASTAle MINING AND MINERAL MUSEUMASSOCIAnON.Membership Category (check one):__ Student $12.00_ _ Senior (couple) $15.00

Ind;vk!ual $20 00__ FamHy $35.00__ Business $50.00_ _ Sustaining $100.00_ _ Patron $500.00or mOTe

o Enclosed is my tax-deductible check or money order (do not send cash).Membership in the California State Mining and Mineral Museum Association includes admission to the museum and invitations to special events and programs.

Make checks or money orders payable to CALIFORNIA STATE MINING AND MINERALMUSEUM ASSOCIATION and send to:

California State Mining and Mineral Museum AssociationP.O. Box 1192Mariposa. CA 95338

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CALIFORNIA STATEMINING AND MINERAL MUSEUM ASSOCIATIONCHARTER LIFETIME MEMBERS

$100.000 or moreABM Gold Corporation$10,000 or mOTe

Homestake Mining CompanyDon & Francine Starchman and family

U.S. Borax$1,000 or more

Aggregate Producers AssociationCalifornia Mining Association

Bob ChiversCummins West. Inc.

Andy DallTim and Barbara DeWitt

Dieter and Diane DubberlyFullerton Mortgage and Escrow

John GerkenWarren L. Houlihan

Judith laCroixLeroy Kay Drilling CompanyM& W Tool Company, Inc.Marlatt's Tenaya LodgeMeridian Gold Company

Mennar Enterprises

Jim and Dawn MinettiMother Lode Lumber

Olson, Brammer, Osler and SpinardiUncla Milburn Parsons

Pegasus Gold CorporationA. J. Pugluzevich

Sierra Systems, Inc.Soil Stabilization Products. Inc.

Tavis CorporationDana Walton

Yosemite Motels, Inc.Yosemite Park and Cuny Company

$500 or moreMichael Bowler, [][

California Mining JournalScott CarpenterCarolyn ClarkTony Coelho

Commanche InvestmentsCommunity Concepts. Inc.

Ennis CottonJames Crowell

Friends of Dean Peterson

Harciing-LalNSOn AssociatesHolt Brothers. Inc.

Joe HudsonAssemblyman Bill Jones

A. Wes and Agnes JudkinsKimbro's Custom Art

KUBB RadioGeorge Kurtz

Senator Ken MaddyMariposa GazetteMariposa Lodge

Midpines Mining CorporationArthur Mimler

Mt. Gaines MinePacific Coast Building Products

Gany and Gayle ParkerRMS Lonestar

Sierra Gold Real EstateSierra Telephone Company

Elmer E. StromingCal Thomas

Valley Planning Consultants

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Faceted (ctJt)10.47-caral benitOIte.Photo by Jim SpriQgs.

RECIPIENT NAI.4E _

STREET - - = = = = = = = : : ; ; ; ; ; : ; - : = = ~ ; : : = = =CITY SlATE li P _GlFTCARO FROM _

AMOUNT ENCLOSED (tncludh pol:.1ge al\(l $il.les ,ax) S

[ATIACH LABEL J~ ADDRESS CHANGE: send a reeenl address label and your new address.Allow 60 days 10 reflect adoress change CHECK OFt MONEY DROEA MUST ACCOMPANY THIS ORDER. Alt nonU.S. Ofders nust ti t

Pilod Wllh an ,nlarnaloonal money Ofde.r Of draft pIIyable In U.S. doIla,.. and made OUI 10 DIVISIONOF MINES AND GEOlOGY Send a. orllelS alldlOf _


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caliornia geology magazine may-jun 1992

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