FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Gail]

Jim and I had the great pleasure of visiting Sharon Fitzgerald at the U of D. this past Month.
Sharon and I had met when we hosted the SMMP "Meet the Curators" event in Tucson during the gem and mineral show. She, and her husband Peter, were delightful and she invited us to come visit if we were in town. So, we did!

[Gail]

some photos

[Turbo]

This is an amazing exhibit. I've probably been there ten times and I keep going back. It's jaw dropping.

[Gail]

[Gail]

a few items..

[Gail]

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[Gail]

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[Gail]

Adding a few more of the 200 or so photos I took while there.
I will add a few at a time as I get to it.

[Jordi Fabre]

Hi Gail,

Thank you so much to start this thread. I had no the University of Delaware Museum on my mental map concerning the US Museums of minerals. It opened about a year ago, right?
Also, could you please supply more details about this Museum, I recognize I ignore almost everything about it...and please, keep posting!

Jordi

[Gail]

Thanks Jordi, I have a couple of hundred photos I will add, and details too! I am visiting my parents and will try to load some this evening.

[Susan Robinson]

The mineral museum at the University of Delaware has had a mineral collection on public view for many years. I am assuming by Gail's photos that the display room has all new cabinets, lights, etc. My husband and I saw the collection nearly 30 years ago when we visited there.

[John S. White]

Yes the museum has been completely revised with new display cases and fiber optic lighting. The number of pieces displayed has been somewhat reduced and now virtually every one is of exceptional quality. In spite of Gail's wonderful photographic skills, it is difficult for a camera to capture of full impact of the gallery when you enter. It is certainly one of the most elegant mineral galleries that I have ever seen and its small size makes a strong statement for keeping public galleries small.

It is truly a lovely jewel in the mineral museum world in a somewhat unlikely location because Delaware is a state not noted for fine minerals. Fortunately, it is easily accessible as it is just a short distance off of Interstate 95, one of the major highways serving the eastern part of the country. People wanting to visit should check the hours it is open in advance.