Latest news and announcements from the Rice Northwest Rock and Mineral Museum.
We are again joining museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. The 2024 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 18, 2024, and end on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2024. Learn more and find the list of participating museums […]
Blue Star Museum 2024 Read More »
Join us on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10am-2pm. Fun and educational for all ages. Indoors and outdoors. In our Northwest Gallery explore exhibits of Mt. Saint Helens Memorabilia and memories, and share your story with us. Don’t miss a fun and interactive activity on effusive vs. explosive volcanoes! Or Blair Stuhlmuller’s talk on World Ending
Our free guided tours are back from May through November 2024! Embark with us on a journey into the fascinating world of rocks and minerals! This well-curated tour is designed to provide a fun and educational introduction to the world of rocks and minerals and the Rice Museum. Walking through our galleries you’ll admire the
Do you know the name of the spectacular violet-blue gemstone that is found in only one place in the world? Answer: Tanzanite Tanzanite was discovered in the northern region of Tanzania in 1967, by a Maasai Tribesman, who stumbled upon it by accident. It wasn’t long before miners moved in and began unearthing the gem,
World Record for Largest Cut Tanzanite Set at Museum Read More »
Beginning Friday, December 2nd, the Rice Museum will be open from from 10 am – 4pm, Wednesday through Sunday. The museum will be closed on: Saturday Dec. 24th Sunday Dec. 25th Saturday Dec. 31st Sunday Jan 1st Happy Holidays!
Winter Hours and Upcoming Holiday Closures Read More »
The Museum is offering free guided group tours (guided experiences) from May through November 2023 thanks to a grant from the Juan Young Trust. These limited capacity group tours hit all of the same Next Generation Science Standards as the Museum’s typical school tour program and are lead by the same enthusiastic group of educators. Tours include
FREE Guided Tour Program Returns Read More »
Coming Soon! The Big Find: A Legend Continues. 12 Jewelry Masterpieces made with world class tourmaline from Plumbago Mountain, Newry, Maine. Exhibited on the West Coast for the first time at the Rice Museum! 50 years ago, 4 miners unearthed over a ton of gem quality tourmaline crystals near the top of Plumbago Mountain, Maine– the
Coming Soon! The Big Find: A Legend Continues Read More »
By Hannah Brodhagen While on a rockhounding trip to southern Oregon and northern Nevada this past summer, my family and I took a side trip to visit the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro, Oregon. The Rice Museum was founded by Richard and Helen Rice in 1997. Richard and Helen began
EXPLORING THE RICE NORTHWEST MUSEUM Read More »
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly Vagner as the museum’s new Executive Director. With a strong knowledge of gems and minerals, and a background in museum operations and management, Kim is charged with creating a plan for the museum that includes updating content and galleries, expanding outreach to the Hillsboro community, and
Kimberly Vagner appointed as new Executive Director Read More »
The Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals is looking for 2-5 regular volunteers to help maintain our grounds and trail system. Help to keep the museum grounds clean, safe, and inviting for visitors. Tasks would include regularly walking the trails, trimming blackberry and grasses as needed, and other tasks to keep the museum trails clean, safe, and
Woodland Management Read More »
