About Our Museum
Arizona has a unique and fantastic geologic history. We help to tell that history through the rocks, gems, and fossils from all over the state.
As the only science museum in Pinal County, we bring the rich geologic history and the story of the earth in Arizona to life.
The museum was created and is maintained by the Pinal Gem and Mineral Society under the guidance of geologist Dr. Ray Grant. The museum tells the story of the Earth, focusing on Pinal County and Arizona but with a worldwide scope. We have displays and activities relating to geology, paleontology, and mineralogy for all ages to enjoy.
ADMISSION IS FREE!
Behind The Museum
A look at the people, organizations, that make the Pinal Geology And Mineral Museum possible
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The Pinal Gem and Mineral Society held our first meeting at the museum’s current location on December 3, 2014. W chose the location for the meetings because there was a lapidary shop and lapidary school being started at the then Artisan Village. The lapidary shop was available for club members making this a good location. The shop and school are now closed, and the City of Coolidge has taken over the building, but we’re still happy to be in the same location.
Society Membership is open to anyone. Much of our membership lives in the Coolidge, Florence, and the surrounding areas of Pinal County, but we have members around the world. Many of our members are part-time residents in Arizona but participate fully during their time in the state. The club has met monthly since 2014 from September to May. We have over 300 active subscribers to our monthly newsletter.
Museum organization began in April 2015. The Flagg Mineral Foundation assisted with some start-up funds, cases, and minerals. David Scott loaned us the Wicklund collection. Hard work by Pinal Gem and Mineral Society members allowed us to first open the museum to the public on a limited basis in June 2015.,
Since then we’ve continued to grow and expand. We have improved and updated displays with new material, and feature paleontology as well – including our young Allosaurus and Dilophosaurus models.
During the pandemic, we continued our monthly meetings and presentations online. We resumed in-person meetings in September 2022. Meetings are held from September through May on the third Wednesday, at 7 pm, at the museum.
Starting in 2022 we opened the museum with weekly hours year-round and continue growing and updating our exhibits both in-person and online, including activities for kids.
We are a proud member of the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the Pinal County Museums
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Dr. Raymond W. Grant, retired professor of geology, Founder and Curator of the Pinal Geology and Mineral Museum, Founder and President of the Pinal Gem & Mineral Society, Life Member and Past President of the Mineralogical Society of Arizona, Past Chairman of the Flagg Mineral Foundation, mineralogist, author of Mineralogy of Arizona (1995, 2022) and mineral collector.
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The Pinal Gem and Mineral Society held our first meeting at the museum’s current location on December 3, 2014. W chose the location for the meetings because there was a lapidary shop and lapidary school being started at the then Artisan Village. The lapidary shop was available for club members making this a good location. The shop and school are now closed, and the City of Coolidge has taken over the building, but we’re still happy to be in the same location.
Society Membership is open to anyone. Much of our membership lives in the Coolidge, Florence, and the surrounding areas of Pinal County, but we have members around the world. Many of our members are part-time residents in Arizona but participate fully during their time in the state. The club has met monthly since 2014 from September to May. We have over 300 active subscribers to our monthly newsletter.
Museum organization began in April 2015. The Flagg Mineral Foundationassisted with some start-up funds, cases, and minerals. David Scott loaned us the Wicklund collection. Hard work by Pinal Gem and Mineral Societymembers allowed us to first open the museum to the public on a limited basis in June 2015.,
Since then we’ve continued to grow and expand. We have improved and updated displays with new material, and feature paleontology as well – including our young Allosaurus and Dilophosaurus models.
During the pandemic, we continued our monthly meetings and presentations online. We resumed in-person meetings in September 2022. Meetings are held from September through May on the third Wednesday, at 7 pm, at the museum.
Starting in 2022 we opened the museum with weekly hours year-round and continue growing and updating our exhibits both in-person and online, including activities for kids.
We are a proud member of the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the Pinal County Museums
The Pinal Geology Museum exists through the hard work of the many volunteer members of the Pinal Geology And Mineral Society.
Pinal Geology and Mineral Society Board and officersBoard of directors and ending year of their three year term..
Members:
Ray Grant, 2024
Richard Sichling, 2024
Ken Rippere, 2025
Dana Slaughter, 2025
Barbara Sichling, 2026
Brad Weaver, 2026Officers: President – Raymond Grant
Vice President – Richard Sichling
Treasurer – Ken Rippere
Secretary – Dana SlaughterNonvoting member:
Executive Director – Christine New -
The Pinal Geology Museum and The Pinal Gem and Mineral Society are forever grateful to the family of John Weber for entrusting the Pinal Geology and Mineral Museum with his lifelong collection of minerals and fossils. The minerals and fossils number in the thousands and we honor his legacy.
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Museum organization began in April 2015. The Flagg Mineral Foundation assisted with some start-up funds, cases, and minerals.
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