A Hidden Jewel In The Rogue Valley

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is well-known to tourists, but there is a hidden gem in the Rogue Valley that deserves to be explored:  The Crater Rock Museum in Central Point.  Despite its uninspiring name, it hosts one of the finest mineral collections in the Northwest.  The museum is run by the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Society, a non-profit organization.  It began in 1954 through the initiative of Delmar and Frieda Smith and Cap Mentzer.  It has grown into a world class museum, offering spectacular mineral specimens from around the world.  It has the largest agate collection in the country, and also offers arrowheads, shells, fossils and an ultraviolet room.  There is also a gift shop.  The museum is open from Tues.-Sat. 10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.  If you’ve got kids, the museum is a wonderful place for them to start a new hobby.  There are classes in cab making, faceting, jewelry with planned trips to mineral locations, and there is a special Kid’s Day!  Please drop by, if you’re in the area.  Volunteers will be glad to show you around.  For more info, please visit http://craterrock.com