Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals

Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. It is a natural history museum located in Hillsboro, Oregon, dedicated to geology, mineralogy, and paleontology. Founded in 1952 by Richard D. Rice and his wife, the institution is housed in their former mid-century modern ranch home. The museum is renowned for its extensive collection of mineral specimens, fossils, and meteorites from North America and around the world.

History

The museum originated from the personal collection of Richard D. Rice, a prominent Pacific Northwest lapidary and rockhound. In 1952, Rice and his wife built a distinctive home in Washington County, Oregon, designed to also serve as a showcase for their growing assemblage of gemstones and ores. The property quickly became a destination for fellow enthusiasts and geologists from institutions like the University of Oregon. Following Rice's death, the site was formally established as a public museum in the 1990s, ensuring the preservation of its foundational collections. Key early supporters included members of the Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies and donors from the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies.

Collections

The museum's permanent holdings are celebrated for their quality and diversity, featuring over 20,000 individual items. Its centerpiece is the Alma Rose Rhodonite specimen, one of the finest examples of this manganese silicate mineral in the world. Other significant acquisitions include the Huggins Meteorite, a rare iron meteorite discovered in Oregon, and an extensive suite of agates from the Oregon Coast. The Richard D. Rice library archives contain important works on mineralogy and the history of Pacific Northwest mining. The collection also features notable petrified wood from the John Day Fossil Beds and specimens from famous locales like Pikes Peak and Bisbee, Arizona.

Exhibits

Permanent displays are organized both thematically and systematically, guiding visitors through the science of mineral formation and Earth history. The Great Hall showcases large geodes and crystal formations, including an impressive amethyst cathedral geode from Brazil. The Fluorescent Mineral Room uses ultraviolet light to demonstrate phosphorescence and fluorescence in minerals like willemite and calcite. A dedicated Pacific Northwest exhibit highlights regional geology, featuring thunder eggs from the Ochoco Mountains and obsidian from Glass Buttes. Rotating temporary exhibits have focused on topics such as Mars exploration, fossils from the La Brea Tar Pits, and the geology of Mount St. Helens.

Building and grounds

The museum is housed in the original 1952 Richard D. Rice residence, a noted example of Northwest Regional style architecture with extensive use of native stone and timber. The building itself incorporates petrified wood and large agate slabs into its fireplaces and interior walls. The surrounding four-acre property includes nature trails through a second-growth Douglas-fir forest and several outdoor rock gardens displaying local basalt formations and glacial erratics. A dedicated workshop space, originally Rice's lapidary studio, contains historic equipment for cutting and polishing stones.

Educational programs

The museum offers a wide array of educational outreach initiatives for students, teachers, and the general public. School group tours align with Next Generation Science Standards and often include hands-on activities with mineral identification and fossil casts. Annual public events include the Gem Faire and the Rice Museum Rock Show, which feature demonstrations by lapidary artists and dealers. The institution partners with organizations like Portland State University and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry for lecture series and family science days. Summer camps and weekend workshops focus on topics such as fossil preparation, silversmithing, and meteorite identification.

Recognition and affiliations

The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, a mark of distinction in operational standards and collections care. It is a founding member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers and maintains active membership in the Mineralogical Society of America. The Alma Rose Rhodonite specimen was awarded the Carnegie Mineralogical Award for outstanding museum acquisition. The institution is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance. It collaborates regularly with federal agencies like the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management on educational and conservation projects. Category:Museums in Oregon Category:Natural history museums in the United States Category:Mineralogy museums Category:Hillsboro, Oregon Category:Geology of Oregon