The Hall of Minerals
at the Yale Peabody Museum

Phase 2 of the Hall of Minerals, Earth, and Space
Opening November 15, 2008

The Yale Peabody Museum is delighted to announce the completion of the final phase of our permanent Hall of Minerals, Earth, and Space.

This new multimedia HoMES gallery highlights Connecticut’s geology and the diversity of minerals, ores, fluorescent minerals and gemstones, and also explores our dependence on the Earth’s mineral resources.

A special feature of the new gallery is a display of the spectacular gemstones and jewelry from the Benjamin Zucker (Yale ’62) and Barbara Zucker Family Collection from the Museum’s Division of Mineralogy.

Connecticut is a geologic jigsaw puzzle that was slowly assembled from great masses of continental crust, some ripped from what are today South America and Africa. A large interactive map of the state in the new gallery depicts the roots of ancient volcanoes and earthquake faults, together with other sites of interest, such as the active Moodus earthquake zone. Spectacular Connecticut specimens, including the famous copper ore minerals of Bristol, emphasize the wealth of minerals in our own backyard.

This new HoMES gallery will showcase the Peabody’s world-renowned mineral collection, including specimens that have not been on display for decades. Some of these wonders of the mineral kingdom have intriguing properties — fluorescence, magnetism and radioactivity. While you learn how minerals form and grow, why crystals have such alluring shapes and colors, and how to use practical skills of mineral identification on your own hikes and outdoor trips, also enjoy the beauty of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and other dazzling gemstones.

The Hall of Minerals, Earth, and Space explains how the Earth we live on is a dynamic, ever-changing planet. Come explore the amazing geologic forces that over billions of years have shaped our planet and will continue to do so for billions of years to come.

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