DENVER, Colo., May 20, 2015 – From the Gold Rush and frontier mining days to the energy needs of the present day, a new exhibit at the Colorado state Capitol building curated by the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum highlights some of the state’s most important minerals.
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| Miners at Black Creek Mine near Lake City, Hinsdale County, Colorado; Unknown date and source. (Photo Credit: Colorado Mining and Mineral History on Display Facebook page) |
The exhibit is located on the third floor of the Capitol next to the stairway to the rotunda and near the entrance to the House gallery. It will be on display for at least a year.
“In 1859, when folks started west to the Pikes Peak gold fields, little did they know that they were the pioneers who would open the doors to a mineral storehouse that would make the word ‘Colorado’ recognizable to millions all over the world,” said Ed Raines, collections manager for the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum, who created the display.
From mining centers like Central City, Idaho Springs, Leadville, Aspen, Silverton, Telluride, Creede, and Cripple Creek, the riches of the earth were brought forth to the service of mankind, Raines noted. In addition to sparkling gold and silver, these riches included commodities for energy and other industries. The exhibit also highlights many of Colorado’s gems and decorative stones.
Raines recommends visitors bring their smart phones because the exhibit features 26 QR (quick response) cards that bring up more than 100 pages of text, maps and historic photographs illustrating and discussing the state’s minerals, geology and mining history. To see the QR card text and illustrations, visit the Colorado Mining and Mineral History on Display Facebook page.
The Mines Geology Museum is the second most visited geology museum at an American university and one of the first museums in Colorado.
Contact:
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations, Colorado School of Mines | 303-273-3541 | kgilbert@mines.edu
Kathleen Morton, Communications Coordinator, Colorado School of Mines | 303-273-3088 | kmorton@mines.edu
