Franklin Mineral Museum
PO Box 54 
32 Evans Street 
Franklin, NJ 07416 
(973) 827-3481
www.franklinmineralmuseum.com

This unique museum features a comprehensive display of the approximately 300 species of minerals from the Franklin-Ogdensburg area, site of the remarkable zinc mines of the New Jersey Zinc Company. Visitors will see polished and set gemstones, colorful crystals, and specimens of great rarity, as well as artifacts and curios connected with the past of this unusual area.  

The Franklin ore body, the world's richest in zinc content and containing 30 minerals not found anywhere else in the world, was depleted in 1954 after being mined for more than 100 years..  

The museum features the world's largest Fluorescent Display. Here the various ores and minerals are seen under regular light and long and shortwave ultra-violet, producing brilliant, fantastic colors. Other exhibits showcase thousands of specimens in well illuminated cases, with each item properly labeled. Needless to say, a visit to this museum is a must for students of geology.  

The new Jensen Wing of the Museum features the Wilfred Welsh natural history collections of fossils, Native American relics, and a variety of rocks and minerals.  Visitors can see fossils of fish, dinosaur footprints, shells, bones, skulls, and beautiful specimens of petrified wood in displays designed specifically to highlight the special characteristics of the specimens.  

To top it all, visitors will explore the Mine Replica, constructed with timber, rails, ore carts, drilling equipment, and ore scoops, etc., actually used in the zinc mines of Franklin Sterling Hill. The bi-level replica shows the operation of mining zinc ore.  

And talk about souvenirs, the Buckwheat Dump, next door, contains mine tailings that can be scoured by amateur geologists for mineral specimens!  

Groups are welcome. And whether their interest is in geology, history, or just plain beauty, all visitors will find this museum to be a fascinating place.