News

The Rice Museum is excited to announce this incredible 400 lb topaz specimen will be on on loan from local collector Gene Meieran through September 2022.  About the specimen: Over 60 years ago, when Gene Meiran was a graduate student at MIT, several large single crystals of topaz were purchased from a mine in Brazil by Alan Caplan, a well-known Brazil specimen collector of the time. These were on display in a Los Angeles gallery and were among nine large topaz crystals purchased by ManLabs, a metallurgical laboratory in Cambridge, MA. All nine crystals were slated to be cut into diffracting crystals and used as x-ray monochromators for x-ray fluorescence analysis machines, some of which were destined for Surveyor lunar moon rock analysis. When Gene saw the large single-crystal specimens, he recognized their exceptional size and quality. He believed that they were too important to be cut into pieces, believing they should be preserved in a museum for everyone to see, enjoy, and perhaps learn a little about the natural world around us. So he persuaded the President of ManLabs to preserve the few that remained uncut. Two were loaned to the Smithsonian, where they remained on display next to the Hope Diamond for years before eventually being donated. And a third uncut crystal was donated to the Harvard Mineral Museum. Fifty years after they were originally put on display, a similar large topaz found in Brazil was offered to Gene, and, still inspired by the memory of the three crystals he saved, he decided to purchase this one for his collection. It was an easy decision, although it is about 400 lbs.

As we reflect on this season, we are reminded of the importance of coming together and how enjoying museums supports our mental and physical wellness. 2021 was a momentous year for the Rice Museum, both as a unique experience and a banner year for change. The damage and closure from January’s flood allowed us time to reimagine our use of the galleries and update our historic house. We introduced new access programs that allowed more people to experience the Museum. We started work on expanding the museum experience beyond the walls of our building onto our 23-acre property. We offered free guided tours throughout the summer. We reintroduced an internship program. We were able to take our Alma Rose to the HardRock Summit in Denver to dazzle a new audience and we welcomed a record number of visitors over the summer.  None of this would be possible without your generous support. If you have been inspired by a visit to Rice Museum this year or in years past, please make a year-end contribution in any amount to sustain this special place and help us to continue to evoke excitement and awe in our community. Thank you for joining us and for your continued support of the Museum. We wish you and yours good health and happiness this holiday season. DONATE NOW

VOLUNTEER INTEREST FORM The Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals is looking for 2-5 regular volunteers to help maintain our trail system. Help to keep the museum trails 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 inviting for visitors. Would you like to walk the trails weekly or monthly to keep the trails accessible for visitors? Then connect with us by filling out the Volunteer Interest Form.

The Rice Museum has been selected to participate in the Museum Assessment Program (MAP), which is administered by the American Alliance of Museums.  Through guided self-study assessment and on-site consultation with a museum professional, participation in MAP will empower the Rice to better serve the citizens of Portland Metro by facilitating its meeting and exceeding the highest professional standards of the museum field. The museum’s participation is made possible through funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). MAP helps museums strengthen operations, plan for the future, and meet standards through self-study assessment and a consultative site visit from an expert peer reviewer. “Museum collections are held in trust of the public and made accessible for the public’s benefit. Effective stewardship ensures that the objects the museum owns, borrows, and/or uses are accessible to current and future generations,” said Rice Museum executive director, Aurore Giguet. The Rice has chosen to do a MAP Collection Stewardship Assessment to prioritize long-term collections stewardship issues, provide better access to the collection, and update museum policies that govern the collection. A team of museum staff, Rice Museum board members, community volunteers, and a peer reviewer will work together to assess and improve the museum’s care of the more than 24,000 objects in its collection.  “Choosing to be part of the MAP program is indicative of the commitment to civic involvement, public service and overall excellence on the part of the Rice Museum” said Laura Lott, president of AAM. “Studies have shown America’s museums to be among the country’s most trusted and valued institutions. MAP is designed to make them even better.” Since its creation in 1981, the MAP program has served over 5,000 museums. MAP is supported through a cooperative agreement between AAM and IMLS. For more information, including a complete list of museums participating in MAP, please visit www.aam-us.org/map, call 202-289-9118 or e-mail map@aam-us.org. Our website also has information about museums across the country who have previously participated in MAP and other AAM Excellence Programs (such as Core Document Verification and Accreditation).

MAKE A RESERVATION The Rice Museum is bringing back one of our most loved programs! Join Museum staff and volunteers for Museum Moment, each mini-tour lasts about 10-15 minutes.  Locations vary from day to day. Ask a staff member on the day of your visit about the programs location.  Museum Moments are presented each day the galleries are open. Program Times:11:30 am3:00 pm Visit with staff and volunteers to learn about how the Rice’s started the collection, specimens on display, or current activities at the museum. Schedule a visit to the museum to explore the many exhibits and wonders.

The Rice Museum will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 1. Visitors will notice a few changes, including new flooring, new displays, and a reorganization of gallery spaces.  In preparation for reopening, the Museum will use an advance reservation system and take other health and safety measures outlined by the State, CDC, and other public health officials. The Rice has prioritized three goals: Protecting the health and safety of visitors;  Deliver on its public service mission of education; and  Contributing to the recovery of the Portland Metro area. NEW OPERATING PROCEDURES: The Museum will be open three days a week, Friday- Sunday 10:00 to 5:00 pm, and require advanced reservation as a means for limiting attendance. New health protocols have been instituted to protect the health and safety of visitors and staff, including limiting attendance; requiring facial coverings; requiring physical distancing; self-screening; implementing enhanced cleaning procedures; adding plexiglass barriers at the ticketing counter; limiting elevator and restroom capacity; and providing hand sanitizer throughout the facility.   NEW EXHIBITION: The Smithsonian poster exhibition “Picturing Women Inventors” will be on display at the Rice throughout the Summer. Organized by the Smithsonian and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, “Picturing Women Inventors” explores the inventions of 19 highly accomplished American women. Astronauts, computer pioneers, and businesswomen join athletes, engineers, and even teenagers in this remarkable group of inventors.  NEW ACCESS PROGRAMS: With the commitment to seek, include, and welcome all audiences. The Rice has joined the access programs Museums for All and Blue Star Museums. The Museums for All program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits visiting the Rice Museum for a reduced fee of $3.00 per person, up to four people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The Blue Star Museums program begins on Armed Forces Day—Saturday, May 15, 2021, and ends on Labor Day—Monday, September 6, 2021. Active-duty military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserves, and their families will receive free admission to the Museum with the presentation of a valid military id.  The Museum has been closed to the public since November 17 following guidance from Governor Brown to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and recover from a January flooding incident.