Kevin Conroy Minerals    

10076 Barberton Dr.

Saint Louis, Missouri 63126

    For more information or to order email me at: k.conroy@worldnet.att.net   

Missouri Mines State Historic Site

Park Hills, Missouri

The Missouri Mines State Historic Site is situated in the buildings of Federal Mill Number 3, the largest mill in the old Southeast Missouri Lead District.    The museum contains a good cross section of all types of displays related to mining and the geological sciences.   There are plans to add more exhibits and galleries, but I'm not sure of the projected completion date of these.   The pictures below were taken on January 20, 2001.   Click on the small pictures to enlarge them.

This is a general view of the buildings.   The museum is housed in the building in the foreground on the far right.

These two pictures are of equipment which were used in the mines.    Vintage mining machinery fills one entire gallery, and there are plans to expand the display!

This scale model of the mill shows how it once operated.

The museum also features temporary special displays, such as these vintage mining lamps.

This is the case where some of the most recent acquisitions are housed.    Since the museum gets mining artifacts, minerals, fossils, and lapidary items there is quite a variety to select from, and not all items can always be put out.

The Tri-State District produced many huge spectacular specimens, and is of course represented.   The next four specimens were found in and around Joplin, Missouri.

Calcite.

Galena.

Calcite.

Calcite.

The displays in the museum are set up by themes.   In addition to the Missouri specimens the museum houses classic specimens from around the world.

One of the calcite displays (my favorite!).

Copper minerals, mainly from Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Bisbee, Arizona.

Copper.

Iron oxide minerals.

A tremendous goethite specimen, nearly a foot across!

Every year the museum hosts a rock swap in June, and folks come from all over the country to set up.   In addition to the swapping, selling and buying going on at the swap, there will be auctions to benefit the museum.   During the swap you can tour the museum for FREE so why not come and join in on the fun?   Here's when it is this year:

June 11-13, Hours: 11th & 12th, 9-6; 13th, 9-5.

For more information contact:

Missouri Mines, PO Box 492, Park Hills, MO 63601

(573) 431-6226

or call:

Lloyd & Betty Marler   573-431-2951