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.

Sterling Hill Mining Museum will have a paleotologist 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 with a general ID chart and fact sheet.

Digs are limited to 25 people per session of 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 the 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, and eye protection.  A dark room with a shortwave ultraviolet light is provided on-site for inspection of fluorescent minerals.

Sterling Hill Mining Museum 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.

Sterling Hill Mining Museum 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 the 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 Museum 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.

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 the 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.

This show is held the last full weekend in September and features both indoor and outdoor mineral, fossil, and gem dealers.

September 29 (Saturday)

56th Annual Franklin Sterling Gem and Mineral Show and Outdoor Swap/Sell
Franklin Middle School, Buckwheat Rd. at Washington St., Franklin, N.J.
9 AM - 6 PM (indoors); 7:30 AM – 6 PM (outdoor swap and sell).

Annual Show Banquet and Auction
Lyceum Hall, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Franklin.  Banquet begins 6:30 PM; tickets $18.

Sterling Hill Garage Sale
Sterling Hill Mining Museum, Christiansen Pavilion, 10 AM - 3 PM.

September 30 (Sunday)

55th Annual Franklin Sterling Gem and Mineral Show and Outdoor Swap/Sell
Franklin Middle School, Buckwheat Rd. at Washington St., Franklin, NJ
10 AM - 5 PM (indoors); 9 AM – 5 PM (outdoor swap and sell).

Sterling Hill Garage Sale
Sterling Hill Mining Museum, Christiansen Pavilion, 10 AM - 3 PM.

Mineral collecting at SHMM (daytime only)
Collecting allowed on Mine Run dump and in the Fill quarry, Passaic pit, and “saddle” area. Open to the public.  Must be 9 years old or more to collect on the Mine Run dump; 13 and up elsewhere.

Hours 9 AM – 3 PM. Fees: $5 admission plus $1.50 for each pound of material taken.

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.

Collecting is allowed on the 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.

Museum closed for Thanksgiving

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.