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Unusual natural history museum showcasing exhibits of gems, metals, mining artifacts & more.
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Reviews — 8
Wonderful little museum showcasing the history of California mining and abundance of mineral deposits of the state. $4 in November 2023 is well worth this quick stop to stretch your legs and expand your brain. Kids under 12 go in for free.
Located within the Mariposa Fairegrounds, there is ample parking right outside the main gate. There are bathrooms inside and outside the museum.
NO photography allowed.
The mineral collection here is quite impressive and includes some donated items from around the globe. The highlight comes from a gold rush Era find. A GORGEOUS looking gold nugget is kept in their vault. It was never smelted due to its beautiful shape.
You can also explore a 175 ft long replica of a mineshaft. It is dark, damp, and a bit musky in there, so don't go if you suffer from claustrophobia. It does not get to a point where you need to duck or squeeze through. I am 5'10 and had no issues.
Located within the Mariposa Fairegrounds, there is ample parking right outside the main gate. There are bathrooms inside and outside the museum.
NO photography allowed.
The mineral collection here is quite impressive and includes some donated items from around the globe. The highlight comes from a gold rush Era find. A GORGEOUS looking gold nugget is kept in their vault. It was never smelted due to its beautiful shape.
You can also explore a 175 ft long replica of a mineshaft. It is dark, damp, and a bit musky in there, so don't go if you suffer from claustrophobia. It does not get to a point where you need to duck or squeeze through. I am 5'10 and had no issues.
This place is great, if you like rocks. The displays are all SUUUUUUUUPER outdated and the employees looked mega bored… so like, maybe update the displays? Or like, talk to the people in the museum?
It’s well worth a visit if you have school-age children, and it’s a great way to help them understand the history of mining, gold mining, and immigration in California.
Museum docents knowledgeable as well as proactive...freely offering mining tales as well as explaining mining operations while walking along the mining equipment trail. The
educational experience created an awesome awareness of the hardiness of a miners life.
educational experience created an awesome awareness of the hardiness of a miners life.
Fun little stop! This is the official California State collection of rocks, gemstones and minerals. Great displays and they even have a mine you can walk through!
Worth a stop if you are nearby. The staff were very helpful and attentive initially and then we were left to our own devices.
Took between 30-45 minutes to go through everything and learned a lot.
Some really good history on the gold mine but seems a long way from major cities! Only stopped as we were travelling through and would recommend to anyone doing the same or staying nearby.
Great value as well.
Took between 30-45 minutes to go through everything and learned a lot.
Some really good history on the gold mine but seems a long way from major cities! Only stopped as we were travelling through and would recommend to anyone doing the same or staying nearby.
Great value as well.
We went there today,April 8th for the Mariposa Rock and mineral show.
It was really nice seeing so many people out enjoying the Warm weather.
Found lots of Cool Rocks and jewelry to take 🏡
It was really nice seeing so many people out enjoying the Warm weather.
Found lots of Cool Rocks and jewelry to take 🏡
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