california state mining and mineral museum

I've been to a few large natural history type museum with gemstones, and this is as good as any I've ever seen,... maybe better. I saw some minerals here that I had not seen (or remembered?) from other museums. I particularly liked that they often devote an exhibit to multiple representations of a single mineral or gem, so that you got a better idea of what it looks like (inside and out) ...like zinc! There were some massive examples of some of the really pretty ones. Even if you think your kids will get bored looking at "rocks", this place will turn them on to rocks forever -- it's like looking at works of art, with odd textures and exploding colors. It has a mine shaft to walk through to give you the feeling of being underground in the dark; and has a 100 year old model of an ore processing plant which the "guide" can turn on and explain. It was an education in mining that you've prob. never heard before, bec. it appears that the "business of mining" made the money more than the miner. Because of a robbery in 2012 you cannot take photos, and the big chunk of gold is in a thick safe, which is open during the day. Dont be deceived by the mild-mannered exterior; Well worth the $4, and more!

I like that this time a robbery did not occur while I was there. The museum attendant are energize to help you have a wonderful experience.

We learned so much about the mining history and methods used to mine. Many great displays to entertain all ages.

A very interesting place to visit, and gain some local history about minding for all kinds of minerals, staff very helpful

Stopped by here to learn all about minerals and were greeted by several men with white beards and mustaches dressed in old-timer's clothes. They gave us a history lesson on the gold rush era and then demonstrated how to pan for gold. You can buy bags of sand that are guaranteed to have real gold flecks in them so both of our sons tried their hands at panning. Both found a decent amount of gold flecks and one found what they call "a picker". A piece big enough to pick up with your fingers. Ya-hoo he struck it rich!The museum is tiny but interesting with a varied collection of intriguingly shaped minerals.This is a fun stop on the way to Yosemite.

I love this place - both for all the information and the life size, walk-through mine tunnel. There's something for adults and kids as well as a great little gift shop. Put this and the History Museum on your vacation plans while you're in the area.

This museum houses minerals and gems of all kinds. It has a reproduction of a mine to walk through and has a 100 year old model of an ore processing plant. Because of a robbery in 2012 the large Fricot gold chunk is no longer on display and is in an undisclosed location.

From the dazzling 14 lb Fricot "nugget" to countless samples of our state's rich mining (and mineral) history and present, this is a must-stop for the traveler. Even if you're not a gold/mineral/history buff? You WILL be by the time you leave this well-organized, fascinating museum. Mariposa was one of the most active gold mining centers of the southern mother lode with many modern-day panners working area claims. And ironically, this museum itself is less than a mile from the Mariposa Mine, which was believed to have been discovered by none other than Kit Carson, working for the legendary John C. Fremont. Do not miss this stop - or better yet, make it part of your terminal destination when you visit Mariposa.

State Park Ranger Randy gave us a personal tour since we were the first ones to show up at opening time. This isn't an all day place, but it was fun to poke around in for about 30 minutes. The mine shaft was fun to walk through, and interesting in terms of seeing how things really worked.Large grassy area outside that the kids could run around on, clean restrooms in the museum and on the fairgrounds.

Many years ago I had the honor of helping to relocate this exhibit from San Francisco to Mariposa. It was sort of a "home-coming" in a way as the exhibit was established to promote early Mother Lode mining enterprises in the state. It has become an excellent display of early mining techniques (with a REAL mine tunnel) and a geological display that is world class. The people of Mariposa County have struggled, for many years, to keep the California State Mining and Mineral Museum alive and well. It is, perhaps, one of the premiere sites along the Golden Chain Highway (Highway 49) that runs through California's Mother Lode Country beginning in Oakhurst (to the South) and running through Nevada City (to the North). A "must see" site for any traveler to this region.

My husband and I made a point of coming to visit the museum, and were not disappointed. There were lots of incredible examples of every type of rock. We also loved the exhibit on mining.The staff was friendly and knowledgable, and we were very happy that we came. Not too busy, and open when they said they were.

A friend of mine runs his own jewelry business, and is a volunteer at the California State Mining and Mineral Museum, a fascinating attraction 2 miles south of Mariposa in the Sierra Foothills on Highway 49.We went for a tour, and came away with the view that the place itself is a gem.The displays of rocks, gems, and minerals focus on those from California, but not to exclusion—some come from as far away as Afghanistan. The shapes, colors, and, textures are dazzling—some even fluoresce under a black light display. And you wind up learning odd and interesting bits of information: did you know what’s the state gem of California? It’s called benitoite, because it’s found in San Benito county—and so valuable that the display pieces are in the museum’s vault, not the general display area.The museum shows not only examples of the minerals, but gives you an idea of what it takes to get them from inside the earth into the display case. There is mining equipment from various eras, some of which is shown in a walk-through mockup of a mine shaft, built into the side of the hill into which the museum is built. (This exhibit is adorned with photos of mining operations from different eras, and some things never change: a relatively recent photo shows a couple of latter-day 49ers named—wait for it—Smiley Tierney and Sweetwater Clyde.) Most of the equipment is actual, and actual size, but one of the most eye-catching exhibits is a scale model of an ore-processing plant.If all the above isn’t Wild West enough for you, consider this: on October 1, 2012, low-lifes actually robbed the Museum of about two million dollars worth of gold and gems—but were thwarted in their attempt to take the Fricot Nugget, the world’s largest gold nugget. Hear thrilling tales of (not so yester-)year from the knowledgeable and enthusiastic docents, who exhibit every quality you’d ever want in a tour guide (except maybe a pause button.)Other info: my guess is that this is not the museum for pre-schoolers, but grade school through adult should have a great time. A really nice touch for both parents and offspring is the Junior Ranger Self Guided Museum Tour and Questions, a sort of blend of an open-book test and scavenger hunt for children. The net effect is that kids and parents can de-couple, with the parents taking in things at their own pace, while the kids chase down answers to questions like “What rare mineral makes bright pink crystals”?The small gift shop makes a successful effort to selling only items related to the museum’s themes. No food is sold (unless there’s a fairground event going on when you visit), but they do sell cold bottled water—a nice amenity, as summer high temps in Mariposa are usually on the wrong side of ninety.For more, check out their web site: www.camineralmuseum.com. So—educational, entertaining, and air-conditioned in the summer—what’s not to like? C u there, fellow rock-hounds!

The hours posted were 10-5. It was nearly 11, but no one there (once we found the museum in a very obscure location). Also, no cameras allowed. We stayed an extra day to see Mariposa museums, but this museum (and the history museum) had the ridiculous, unenforceable rule against cameras. Everyone has a phone or tiny camera that will not be detected. What are they afraid of? That we will steal something? We just wanted some photos. Time to get with the times!

If you enjoy Rocks, Minerals and a bit of California Gold Rush History, this is the place for you. There is a huge collection of specimens and a replica mine tunnel that really give you the feeling of what it must have been like to hard rock gold mine in the 1800's. The kids really enjoy the Junior Ranger Program and at $4 for adults, one of the best bargains going.

The museum is a bit hard to find as it is actually inside the fairgrounds but you can see it from the main parking lot. The people running the museum are very friendly and give you a quick intro when you walk in. There are many rocks and minerals to see in nice displays. The highlight is a short walk through a mine tunnel where there are several displays. Don't go in here if you have mold allergies as it is almost toxic from that point of view.There is a vault that is normally open to show valuable rocks but they museum was actually robbed back in September so that is unfortunately closed. There is a small gift shop with lots of inexpensive things to buy for the kids. My family really enjoyed it.