Talks & Kits

TEACHING KITS

The museum offers three types of hands-on educational kits which are loaned to the public.  Our kits are designed to be used for small group work.  For example, for a class of 20 students working in groups of four, we recommend checking out five kits total.

Rock Cycle Kits

Each Rock Cycle Kit contains 24 rock samples.  Click here for a list of included samples.

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Mineral Kits

Each Mineral Kit contains 11 mineral samples and one set of testing tools.  Click here for a list of included samples.

Mohs Hardness Kits

These kits are a SUPPLEMENT to our mineral kits and contain 9 mineral samples to test the hardness of other minerals.

KIT RESERVATION GUIDELINES:

  • Can be checked out for 3 weeks at a time
  • Pickups and drop-offs only allowed during regular business hours
  • Kits cannot be mailed

To make a kit reservation, click here.

EdTalks Archive

Check out past lectures from our mining history expert and Curator, Ed Raines here: EdTalks Archive

DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

We have a sampling of specimens available to browse online through LibGuides including pieces from Creede and Gilman, CO.  Check them out here.

ARTICLES

Various authors contribute original articles to our biannual newsletter.  See available articles below:

“Revisiting History: Colorado’s Remarkable Mineral Palace,” by Ken Kucera (May 2020 – .pdf here: Mineral Palace_Kucera_MAY 2020)

“Heart of the ‘Richest Square Mile on Earth’: The Patch Glory Hole Mine, Central City, Gilpin County, CO,” by Ken Kucera (Nov. 2020 – pdf here: Patch Glory Hole_Kucera_NOV 2020)

“The Mines Museum of Earth Science: Home to the Historically Important State Mineral Collection of Colorado,” by Ken Kucera (CO State Collection_KUCERA_MAY 2021)

“The Bulldog Mountain Mine,” by Ken Kucera (Nov. 2021 – .pdf here: Bulldog Mine_Kucera_NOV 2021)

“The Sweet Home Mine: Silver “Failure” to Rhodochrosite Bonanza,” by Ken Kucera (May 2022 – .pdf here: Sweet Home Mine_KUCERA_MAY 2022)

“Daughter, I’ve struck it rich. Thomas Walsh and the Rich Camp Bird Mine,” by Ken Kucera (Nov. 2022 – .pdf here: Camp Bird Mine_KUCERA_NOV 2022)

“Territorial Gold Coins – The Colorado Gold Rush and Clark, Gruber and Company (1858-1862)” by Ken Kucera (May 2023 – .pdf here: Gold Coins_Kucera_May 2023)