Pictured: Mary and Gary Freeman in the field, recipients of the 2026 Mineralogical Heritage Award.
NEWRY, MAINE (April 1, 2026) — The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum has selected Gary and Mary Freeman as the 2026 recipients of the annual Mineralogical Heritage Award, in recognition of their enduring contributions to Maine’s mineral and mining community.
Established in 2016, the Mineralogical Heritage Award honors individuals who have significantly advanced the understanding and appreciation of Maine’s geological heritage. Recipients embody the breadth of the state’s mineral legacy through their contributions to mining, research, education, preservation, and craft.
The award will be presented during the New England Mineral Conference, taking place May 15–17 at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel & Conference Center at Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine. The ceremony will be held during the Friday evening banquet at 5:30 p.m. on May 15.
Tickets for the banquet must be purchased by May 1, ahead of the pre-registration deadline. Banquet admission will not be available at on-site registration. To purchase tickets, visit nemineral.org/annual-conference.
Gary and Mary Freeman share a lifelong passion for Maine’s minerals and have played an active role in uncovering and preserving its geological treasures. Their work includes successful mining efforts at the Orchard Pit for aquamarine and at Mount Mica for tourmaline, as well as the delineation and evaluation of a notable spodumene deposit in Newry. Beyond their impressive specimen collection and contributions to the scientific community, their work reflects a deep commitment to the educational, social, and exploratory spirit of mining in Maine.
“The Freemans have worked multiple Maine pegmatite quarries since the early 2000s, but their impact extends beyond mining. By providing access to researchers and maintaining detailed records of their work, they’ve made meaningful contributions to the scientific community and helped advance our understanding of how Maine’s pegmatites formed,” said Myles Felch, MMGM Curator.
The selection of this year’s recipients was guided by a committee of respected professionals and contributors within the mineral and geological fields. The 2026 Mineralogical Heritage Award Selection Committee includes:
- Jeffrey Morrison, the owner of Havey Quarry and President of the New England Mineral Association. He has been mining the Havey for almost 20 years. In 2025, he began mining the Tamminen/Waisanen quarries, collectively known as the Frank C. Perham Mineral Park.
- Tricia Perham is a member of the Perham family. Her family was honored as the inaugural recipient of the Heritage Award in 2016 for their multi-generational contributions to pegmatite mining and the mineral community. She continues her family’s legacy through her work with the MMGM Board of Trustees and as Coordinator of the New England Mineral Conference auction.
- Derek Katzenbach is an award-winning metalsmith, lapidary, and artist. He lives in Farmington, Maine, creating one-of-a-kind treasures from local gemstones and other minerals from around the world.
- James W. Nizamoff, M.S., is a geologist specializing in pegmatite mineralogy and Vice President of the New England Mineral Association. The mineral nizamoffite, which James helped to discover, is named in recognition of his research on the phosphate mineralogy of the Palermo pegmatites at North Groton, New Hampshire.
- Myles Felch, M.S., Curator and geologist at MMGM, whose research focuses on Maine pegmatites and their broader geological context.
This committee brings expertise across mining, research, artistry, and curation, ensuring that each year’s selection reflects both excellence and impact within the field.
About the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum:
Nestled in the heart of Bethel, MMGM is home to the most significant collection of Maine minerals and gemstones in the world. A one-of-a-kind destination where geology, history, science, and education come to life, the museum also boasts the largest display of meteorites in the world, including Moon and Mars rocks. Through hands-on exhibits, expert storytelling, and cutting-edge research, MMGM inspires curiosity in visitors of all ages, inviting them to explore the incredible story of our planet and beyond.
For more information, visit mainemineralmuseum.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube @mainemineralmuseum.
