| California State Mining and Mineral Museum | |
|---|---|
 Interior of the California State Mining and Mineral Museum | |
   | |
| Location | Mariposa County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Mariposa, California |
| Coordinates | 37°27′51″N119°56′51″W / 37.46417°N 119.94750°W /37.46417; -119.94750 |
| Established | 1999 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
TheCalifornia State Mining and Mineral Museum exhibits and interprets the state'smineral resources andmining heritage. It is part of the Californiastate park system, and is located nearMariposa, a town in central California, on the premises of theMariposa Countyfairgrounds.[1]
The museum houses a collection that was created in 1880, with the establishment of the California State Mining Bureau.Henry G. Hanks was the first California State Mineralogist and was tasked with managing the collection. The collection was housed in theFerry Building inSan Francisco until 1983. The collection was moved at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds in 1986. Responsibility for it was transferred from the California Department of Conservation to the California Department of Parks & Recreation in 1999. It is the only California State Park without associated land. The international collection holds over 13,000 minerals,rocks,gems,fossils, and historicartifacts.
Exhibits include thecrystalline goldFricot Nugget, weighing 201troy ounces (6.25 kg), the largest found during the California Gold Rush; a workingscale model of astamp mill over 100 years old, demonstrating the process ofextracting gold fromquartz rock; and a replica hard rock mine tunnel that allows visitors to better understand California'shard rock mines.
The California State Mining and Mineral Museum has artifacts from theMother Lode, along with international gems, stones, and other artifacts.
The California Mining and Mineral Museum was one of the 48California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 during theArnold Schwarzenegger Administration as part of a deficit reduction program.[2]
