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Mineral & Lapidary Museum
The Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson County is a non-profit, volunteer-run museum in Hendersonville, North Carolina founded in 1997 at 400 North Main Street in the middle of the city's Historic District.Plan to visit Mineral & Lapidary Museum and other customer-reviewed, writer-recommended Hendersonville attractions using our Hendersonville trip planner.
Located in Western North Carolina in the geologically rich Blue Ridge Mountains, the decade-old museum has been nicknamed The Geode-Cracking Museum. On a typical day, geodes are cracked in half by volunteer staff.
The Ultimate Guide to Asheville & The Western North Carolina Mountains explains that "The purpose of the museum is to support the education of the children of Henderson and neighboring counties in the Earth Science areas of Mineralogy, Geology, Paleontology and the associated Lapidary Arts. The museum has ongoing exhibits of regional minerals and gemstones of interest to the general public and a workshop where gem-cutting and polishing demonstrations are held."
The guidebook further elaborates that "This museum is run by the Henderson County Gem and Mineral Society [HCGMS], a valuable source of information for those people interested in rock hounding in the mountains." Prof. Ralph W. Bastedo, an HCGMS member and lecturer, notes that "Furthermore, the museum itself is a valuable learning tool in the Appalachian Mountains for adults seeking introductory and stimulating information about our planet earth generally."
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Mineral & Lapidary Museum reviews
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Wow, the gentleman who was running it was so very kind and knowledgeable. The variety of rocks and stones was wonderfully. We had a lot of fun and will go back. We learned alot.
Wow, the gentleman who was running it was so very kind and knowledgeable. The variety of rocks and stones was wonderfully. We had a lot of fun and will go back. We learned alot. more »
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I would have paid to look at all that they had. We really like going to places like this. And seeing gemstones from different areas.
I would have paid to look at all that they had. We really like going to places like this. And seeing gemstones from different areas. more »
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Loved this museum! What really made quite the impression for me was the volunteers! They are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about what they do/know, that it made me feel just as excited to be there. I will make a fair warning and say don’t get any geodes.. because once you start, you’ll come back for more. They’re absolutely beautiful and I look forward to going back to get more to add to my new collection.
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Very very informative staff super friendly. And the displays are amazing! Definitely a must see.
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