Minerals of Lafayette Funk and Mining Models February 25, 2008

The Museum Lower Level Galleries currently feature minerals originally collected by LaFayette Funk. The exhibition includes spectacular, large specimens of tourmaline, calcite, pyromorphite, wulfenite, gypsum, native copper, quartz, smithsonite, and gypsum. This exhibition is the pilot for a larger exhibition that will feature collections developed by Illinoians. Also on exhibit are scale models of coal mining and processing operations in Illinois. The models were produced by the Illinois State Museum for use in educational programs given by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Mines and Minerals.