Operations Manager

Help the Rock Pile

If you have ever been to the museum, there is a good chance that you took something home from our rock pile. Kids young, and old, love to dig around to find that special treasure. And, the first one is free for kids! It takes a lot of rocks and minerals to keep the pile, a pile, and not a pit. We started tracking how much material goes through the rock pile in January and were quite surprised to learn that we have gone through over 2,000 pounds or rocks. That is over a ton! Our stockpile of material for the rock pile is getting perilously low: we only have enough for about two more months. If you have been thinking about donating to the museum, now is the time. Are you wondering what to do with that one ton pile of rocks out behind the shed, or the rocks and minerals you just inherited? Donate to the Rice Museum, we are a 501(3)(c) charity and can provide documentation of your donation. We are accepting material for not only the rock pile, but also for these other areas of the museum:  material that is not quite good enough for the store but too good for the rock pile that can be sold at our annual yard sale, and donations that may be sold in our store. These are all important sources of dollars that help to keep our doors open. All proceeds for our yard sale go into the curator’s fund, then are used to buy new specimens for the collection. Finally, and most importantly, you can be a part of the big picture when the really cool rocks and minerals you donate end up as part of our education collection. Your donations of rocks and minerals will find a good home at our museum. Please let us know about the items you would like to donate and schedule a time to process your donation through our contact form. Thank you and watch us grow!

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2020 Reciprocal Membership Calendar

2020 RECIPROCAL MEMBERSHIP CALENDAR   Thinking of buying or renewing a membership to Rice NW Museum this year? Museums and attractions in the Portland metro area and beyond have teamed up to offer a reciprocal membership program. Members of the Portland Attractions Marketing Alliance (PAMA) initiated this special promotion as a way to show appreciation for each attraction’s loyal members, as well as to highlight the important role that cultural attractions play in the community. PAMA is excited to announce that all participating attractions will again be sponsoring a free admission month as part of this popular program. Through 2020, membership to one of the organizations listed below is your key to free admission for up to four people during the months listed below: 2020 Reciprocal Membership Calendar:  January: Oregon Zoo4001 SW Canyon RoadPortland, OR 97221oregonzoo.org February: Oregon Historical Society1200 SW Park AvenuePortland, OR 97205ohs.org March: Deepwood Museum & Gardens1116 Mission Street SESalem, OR 97302Parking on 12th & Leedeepwoodmuseum.org  April: Five Oaks Museum17677 NW Springville RoadPortland, OR 97229washingtoncountymuseum.org May: World of Speed27490 SW 95th AveWilsonville, OR 97070worldofspeed.org  June: Columbia River Maritime Museum1792 Marine DriveAstoria, OR 97103crmm.org July: Clark County Historical Museum1511 Main StreetVancouver, WA 98660cchmuseum.org August: Architectural Heritage Center701 SE Grand AvenuePortland, OR 97214visitahc.org September: Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals26385 NW Groveland DriveHillsboro, OR 97124ricenorthwestmuseum.org October: World Forestry Center | Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum4033 SW Canyon RoadPortland, OR 97221worldforestry.org 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith WayMcMinnville, OR 97128evergreenmuseum.org November: Oregon Coast Aquarium2820 SE Ferry Slip RoadNewport, OR 97365aquarium.org December: Lan Su Chinese Garden239 NW Everett StreetPortland, OR 97209lansugarden.org You may visit the the attraction as many times as you like during the month it is featured. Rice NW Museum memberships are valid one calendar year from date of purchase and start at just $50 and they make great gifts. Visit our membership page or the museum store to join us today! Members must present a valid membership card from one of the participating organizations to receive free admission during the month of the featured institution. Free admission is valid for up to four individuals, regardless of membership level.

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Geology Inspired: Speaker Series

Join the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals for an evening of learning about our Earth! The New Geology Inspired: Speaker Series brings researchers, artists, historians, and geology enthusiasts to the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals. Join us for an evening of inspiration and learning. Proceeds from these events support the museum mission to engage, inspire, and educate generations on the splendor and complexity of our Earth. Register Washington Jade Rush Lecture Canceled   Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel the March 19 lecture on the Washington Jade Rush. The speaker is from the Seattle area and indicated that someone he has been in regular contact with has some worrying symptoms. We all decided it would be best to postpone this event for later in the year.   We will promptly refund any ticket purchases through our automated ticketing system. We regret any problems this may cause you, and we hope to see you soon. We have decided to postpone the April 16th lecture for later in the year. We regret any problems this may cause you, and we hope to see you soon.

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Geology and Landscape Art

Join us for a fascinating glimpse into the world of geology from the perspective of painters who capture landforms on canvas. Several artists from the Willamette Falls School of Art in Oregon City, Oregon will be on hand to showcase their work. The art school students and faculty will exhibit some of their paintings of local landmarks such as Willamette Falls, one of Oregon’s premier natural formations.  Register Promotional partner: Tualatin Valley Creates is the leading arts service organization for Washington County, Oregon. TVC drives the development of inclusive, resilient, creative communities using arts, culture, heritage, and humanities by increasing visibility for community engagement opportunities and by bridging resources needed to support people working in the local creative industries. Visit www.tvcreates.org to learn more.

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Mystery Mineral Day

  Join the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals for our special Mystery Mineral Day! With the purchase of general admission bring your mystery minerals, meteorites, rocks, and fossils to have museum personnel identify your mysteries! Event Saturday February 29th, 2020 from 10:00am-2:00pm. The museum is open until 5:00 pm.

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Reminder: Closed January 1st New Year’s Day

Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals is closed Wednesday, January 1st, 2020. The museum will open again on Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 at 1:00 PM. We hope your holiday rocks!  Mt. Hood “Aurora Borealis.” Carved in Contra Luz Precious Opal with reflective play of color. Mined in Morrow. Co., Oregon, U.S.A. Artist: American Gem Carver, Thomas Harth AMES Arvada, Colorado from photo by: Scott Gibson, M.D. McMinnville, Oregon.

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Angela Piller, Interim Curator

Angela Piller has worked as a technical writer, environmental geologist, data analyst, and administrator in the Portland area for the past 20 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in Geology from Portland State University in 2016. Born and raised in southwest Washington in the shadow of the Mount St. Helens eruption, she has looked into landslide hazards, tilled the Willamette valley terroir, gleaned data from GIS, and ogled ophiolites. In 2015, she partnered with NASA and SERVIR to build a catalog of landslides in Rwanda and created a regional hazard map. When Angela isn’t working at the museum, she volunteers in the Portland Neighborhood Emergency Teams (NET) program helping build Cascadia earthquake resilience and community in her neighborhood. She also has a passion for crocheting, weaving, natural dyes and spinning.

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Museum Store Holiday Sale

Visit the Museum Store to take advantage of our holiday sale and find amazing gifts to engage, inspire, and educate! Admission is not required to visit the museum store. Please visit us frequently to see new additions to our store selection. By shopping at the Rice Museum store you are supporting our non-profit in the mission to To engage, inspire, and educate generations on the splendor and complexity of our Earth.

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Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals
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