




An enduring geological mystery. A world-famous mineral deposit. And, it’s all right here in a New Jersey museum, just an hour’s drive from midtown New York!

Learn about all the fun and educational activities at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum.
The industrial complex that was once the Sterling Hill zinc mine is now open to the public as the Sterling Hill Mining Museum.
Join us for Underground Mine Tours, fantastic displays of "glow-in-the-dark" fluorescent minerals, extensive outdoor displays of mining machinery, and exhibit halls packed with things you've probably never seen before!
Teachers: Our mining museum offers a wide variety of educational opportunities for professional development and student activities — just click on the Education link to get started.
Kids of any age can do geology field work in our in Rock Discovery Center by collecting 6 different types of rocks which they get to keep. At our Fossil Discovery Center you can collect lots of different fossils and take home 6 of them.
Our onsite Astronomical Observatory offers monthly night viewings. Come see the moon, stars, mars and more. All of these activities are fun learning expediences for school groups, scouts and birthday parties.

Collecting is allowed on Mine Run dump and in the Fill quarry, Passaic pit, and "saddle" area. This event is open to the public. Bring sturdy footwear, a strong hammer (carpenter's claw hammers not allowed), and eye protection. A dark room with a shortwave ultraviolet light is provided on-site for inspection of fluorescent minerals.
Sterling Hill Mining Musuem will have a paleontologist available for young people (of all ages) to go fossil hunting. The Fossil Discovery Center is based on the museum’s popular Rock Discovery Center. The “digs” begin at 10:00 AM and take place every half hour thereafter until 12:30 PM; each dig will last a little less than 30 minutes. Each fossil collector will get 6 fossils and a general ID chart and fact sheet.
Digs are limited to 25 people per session on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost as of 2012 is $4.50 per person. Advance reservation of a time slot is appreciated for groups of three or more. Note: 12:30 time slot is not recommended for people taking the 1:00 PM mine tour. Other time slots are available by appointment for groups of 10 or more. Larger groups of 15 or more can make an appointment to participate in the FDC on other weekends or weekdays, pending availability of museum personnel.
Collecting is allowed on Mine Run dump and in the Fill quarry, Passaic pit, and “saddle” area. This event is open to museum members only. Bring sturdy footwear, a strong hammer (carpenter's claw hammers not allowed), eye protection, and a good flashlight or miner's cap lamp. A dark room with a shortwave ultraviolet light is provided on the Mine Run dump for inspection of fluorescent minerals, but collectors must bring their own for use in other areas.
