The museum was founded in 1954 by Frieda and
Delmar Smith. The Smith's collection and the
collections and donations of members and others
has created one of the finest displays of rocks,
minerals, and gems on the west coast.

The Gift Shop has minerals and crystals for sale,
as well as fossils, jewelry, lapidary equipment,
gift items, books, and much more, all at very
reasonable rates. Visitors remember,
Oregon does not have a sales tax!

American Indians

Indian artifacts and effigies, mostly found in the Rogue Valley, are on display, including one of the Museum's prized possessions: the "Sage Brush Sandals" radio carbon dated at 12,500 years old.

 

Ferris Wheel & Carousel

 


Minerals
Our mineral specimen collection is among the most
diverse on display in Oregon. You can view gold, gem
minerals, and commercial-use minerals and how some
of them are used every day.

 

Agates, Geodes & Petrified Things

There is a huge selection of cut and
polished geodes and "thunder eggs"
nestled among specimens of petrified
wood, ancient petrified pine cones, palm
trees and much more.

Flourescent Rocks

Rocks that flouresce under ultraviolet light is another popular display.