Famplified Newsletter
Location
Elsing Rock Museum
The Elsing Museum at Oral Roberts University offers an impressive collection of rocks, gems, minerals, and various rare treasures. Among its intriguing features are minerals and rocks sourced from the now-closed Tri-State Mines, presenting a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with geological history. This collection is particularly valuable for schools, interest clubs, and individuals keen to learn more about the natural world, providing an excellent supplement to classroom studies in geology and earth sciences.
Guided tours are available for both groups and individuals, making the museum an accessible educational resource. Leaders of school and community groups are encouraged to contact the museum office for specific planning details to enhance their visit. The display of over 3,000 specimens encompasses a broad range of items, including minerals, gems, fossils, Native American artifacts, and intricate oriental carvings. The collection features approximately 200 distinct mineral species, showcasing local Oklahoma varieties alongside rare finds from global sources. Special rooms are dedicated to fluorescent minerals and delicate carvings, further enriching the visitor experience.
The museum has a storied history that began in the 1950s when Willard Elsing established a rock and mineral shop in Joplin, Missouri, capitalizing on the region's rich mining heritage. Through buying and trading, Elsing expanded his collection to include remarkable specimens from around the world. Originally opened on the grounds of University Village Retirement Home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the mid-1970s, Elsing personally conducted tours for visitors. In 2001, the collection was relocated to the ORU campus, where it continues to serve as a valuable educational asset for the public.
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