The Rice Northwest Rock and Mineral Museum employs a small crew to curate and maintain the museum, and a team of hosts who lead tours and are ready in each of the exhibits to answer any questions you may have. We’d like to introduce you to a few of our treasures.

Julian C. Gray, Curator

Julian Gray is the former Curator of the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, where he oversaw the interpretation and care of the museum’s collections including collections management, exhibit fabrication, and research library. He served as final word on the scientific and technical accuracy of all exhibits, educational materials, and public communications. As an integral participant in nearly every major decision-making process concerning museum operations and strategic planning, Gray also was involved in numerous marketing campaigns, educational programs, and human resources matters, and was frequently sought out as local expert for science outreach, providing live interviews with and presentations for local media and civic groups.

Under his leadership the Tellus collection grew significantly, including acquisition of parts of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia mineral collection related to the Southeast and the former geology collection of the Georgia Capitol Museum. He also assisted in the Museum in achieving Smithsonian Affiliation status, which facilitated loans of significant fossil material related to Georgia from the National Museum of Natural History and Apollo-era artifacts from the National Air and Space Museum. Most recently, Gray was fundamental in obtaining a Lunar sample exhibit for Tellus on permanent loan from NASA, the only such exhibit in the state.

Gray also is active in the mineralogical community locally, nationally, and internationally, having served on the board of the Society of Mineral Museum Professionals. He was also a past president of Friends of Mineralogy (national organization and Southeast chapter). Other leadership roles included the Atlanta Geological Society and Georgia Mineral Society. He is the co-author of chapters related to Georgia mineral localities in the widely-acclaimed book “American Mineral Treasures” and, along with Dr. Robert Cook, co-author of the 2nd edition, revised edition, of “Minerals of Georgia” (Jose Santamaria, editor) published in 2016.