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Fluorescent Mineral Room.
Fluorescent Mineral Room.

Mine Replica, Glow-in-the-Dark Rocks

Field review by the editors.

Franklin, New Jersey

Franklin is the "Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World," and thousands of rockhounds still clamber over the heaps at the old Buckwheat Mineral Dump looking for glowing nuggets (Ken and Doug recall frustrating childhood field trips, where other kids' dads were equipped with portable fluorescent detection equipment!).

No injuries since the last time I juggled dynamite.
No injuries since the last time I juggled dynamite.

The museum signage tells us that 357 different mineral species were found in the zinc deposits, and there are long glass display cases of rocks that have been identified and meticulously labeled.

The fluorescent bounty to civilization.
The fluorescent bounty to civilization.

While the museum's large rock collection is most interesting to mineral fans, the place has some fun elements. There's a fake 2-story deep zinc mine that exhibits historic mining equipment, with a couple of miner mannequins. There's also a display of black light items such as psychedelic posters, Halloween skulls, and cocktail umbrellas.

The museum's most authentic radiant treasure is in the Fluorescent Mineral Room. With the lights out, the wall of willemite, franklinite, larsenite, pectolite, calcite, hedyphane and other minerals glow under ultraviolet light, or give off a phosphorescent glow long after all lights are extinguished. Crushed stone "paintings" of animals and flowers are arrayed along the wall. A red and green glowing sphere of willemite and calcite looks like a gift the space aliens left behind.

Mine Replica, Glow-in-the-Dark Rocks

Franklin Mineral Museum

Address:
32 Evans St., Franklin, NJ
Directions:
Franklin Mineral Museum. I-80 exit 53. North on US Hwy 23, through town of Stockholm. After intersection of CR 517, turn left onto Franklin Ave., right onto Buckwheat Rd, left onto Evans St.
Hours:
April-Nov. M-F 10 am - 4 pm, Sa 10 am - 5 pm, Su 11 am - 5 pm. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
973-827-3481
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Zinc Miner StatueZinc Miner Statue, Franklin, NJ - < 1 mi.
Mine Tour, Largest Display of Fluorescent RocksMine Tour, Largest Display of Fluorescent Rocks, Ogdensburg, NJ - 2 mi.
Gingerbread CastleGingerbread Castle, Hamburg, NJ - 2 mi.
In the region:
Martian Landing Site Monument, Grovers Mill, NJ - 55 mi.

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