“
”Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals
The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals is a museum that offers visitors the opportunity to see rocks, minerals, gems, and petrified wood. It also has displays of fossils from the Jurassic period. The museum’s collection includes over 10,000 specimens on display in ten permanent galleries for you to explore. You can take a self-guided tour or join one of their guided tours offered daily at 11 am and 2 pm.
The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals is a great place to learn about the geological history of the Pacific Northwest. The museum has an extensive collection of rocks and minerals from Oregon and Washington and exhibits how rocks are formed, mined, and used. There’s also a kids’ play area to explore different types of rocks.
The museum has permanent exhibits of Northwest geology, rocks, and minerals from around the world. These meteorites have fallen to the earth, interactive science displays for kids about energy, rocks & minerals that are magnetic or fluorescent under ultraviolet light. You can also see a genuine 18-inch diameter meteorite called Willamette Meteorite, the largest meteorite on display in the Pacific Northwest.
History of Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals
Rice NW Museum of Rocks and Minerals was founded in 1966. It’s located on the second floor of the Rice Building, an eight-story historic building built-in 1911. The Rice Building was originally the home of the Rice Northwest Company, which was a lumber company.
The museum was founded by Floyd A. Rice and his wife, Dorothy. They started the collection by buying rocks from local miners and rock hounds. The museum has been passed down to their children and grandchildren, who add to the collection.
Facts About Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals
– The museum was founded in 1966 and moved to its current location on the second floor of the Rice Building in 1982.
– You can view over 30,000 specimens from Oregon, Washington, and around the world at this museum.
– Visitors will find more than 400 types of rocks at this museum, including agate, geodes quartz crystals, and jasper.
– The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals has been open for over 50 years and provides an interactive learning experience with minerals from around the world.
– The museum is made up of different exhibits, each focusing on a specific topic from the history of rocks to identifying minerals and fossils.
– You can even take home your very own souvenir rock!
If you love learning about geology or want something fun for the family to do together, this place will not disappoint as it has been a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike.
Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals Features
- Over 12,000 specimens are on display in ten galleries.
- Onsite rock and mineral shop with a large variety of rocks, minerals, and fossils for sale.
- Kids’ area where they can touch real igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks worldwide.
- Self-guided or guided tours are available daily.
- Daily lectures and workshops.
- Lectures, presentations, or special events are offered every weekend.
The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals is a great place to learn about rocks and minerals. There’s something for everyone at this museum with exhibits on geology, mining, and uses of rocks. It’s also the perfect place to take the kids who will enjoy exploring all of the rocks and minerals on display.
Activities and Events at Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals
There’s always something happening at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals. Here are some upcoming events:
- Geology of Oregon and Washington – Saturday, January 21 from 11 am to 12 pm
- From The Earth To The Moon – Saturday, February 18 from 11 am to 12 pm
- Fossil Day – Saturday, March 18 from 11 am to 12 pm
- Meteorite Day – Saturday, April 15 from 11 am to 12 pm
- Mother’s Day Tea – Sunday, May 14 from 11 am to 12 pm
- Father’s Day BBQ – Sunday, June 18 from 11 am to 12 pm
- July Gem and Mineral Show – Friday, July 21 from 11 am to 12 pm
- Summer Astronomy Day – Saturday, August 19 from 11 am to 12 pm
- Fall Rock Fest – Sunday, September 17. from 11 am to 12 pm
- Fossil Preparation Demonstration – Sunday, October 22 from 11 am to 12 pm
- November Gem and Mineral Show – Friday, November 17 from 11 am to 12 pm.
What Not to Do at Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals
There are a few things you should avoid doing at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals. Here are a few tips:
- Do not touch the exhibits.
- Do not climb on or enter the exhibits.
- Do not eat or drink in the museum.
- Do not smoke in the museum.
- Do not leave pets outside of the museum.
- Do not leave the museum with any rocks or minerals.
- Do not leave any bags, backpacks, or other items unattended.
- Do not bring any bicycles inside the museum.
- Do not remove any of the rocks or minerals from their display case.
What to Bring to Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals
The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals is a great place to visit, but you’ll want to make sure that you bring your camera. Here are some items to remember when packing for your trip:
- Cameras (no flash photography allowed)
- Sunscreen and sunglasses (if visiting in the summer).
- Water and snacks (if you plan to spend the day at the museum).
- A hat, jacket, and umbrella if visiting during the spring or fall.
- Cash or credit cards (for the rock and mineral shop).
Things to Know About Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals
There are a few things you should know before visiting the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals:
- The museum is open daily and closed on major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
- The museum is open from March to October and closes at five in the afternoon on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout April until September 30.
- During May through August, hours are extended on Tuesday evenings allowing visitors to stay until seven o’clock each evening except for Tuesdays when they close promptly at six-thirty.
- The museum is closed on Mondays except for Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
- Admission to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals is free, but donations are greatly appreciated!
- Groups larger than twenty may request a guided tour by calling ahead at least one week in advance.
How to Get at Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals
The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals is located at 26385 NW Groveland Drive, Hillsboro, Oregon. You can find it on the second floor of the Rice Building. There is plenty of parking available, and the museum is handicap accessible.
Hours: Monday-Saturday from 11am to 05pm, Sunday from 12pm to 05pm
Admission: Adults $12, Seniors (65+) $11, Children (ages 0-17) free with paid adult admission.
If you’re looking for a House Cleaning in Portland, you can book with us!
Next Thing To Do In Portland:
