News & Press

BETHEL, MAINE — The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum (MMGM) is accepting applications through June 19 for two scholarships supporting students who wish to participate in the 2026 Maine Pegmatite Workshop. The event is one of the world’s premier educational programs focused on pegmatite geology, mineralogy, and field research.

The success of MMGM’s recent Emmons Pegmatite Quarry raffle raised more than $2,400 for student education. A generous $2,000 donation from the Capital Mineral Club helped to fully fund this year’s scholarship opportunities.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who purchased raffle tickets and to the Capital Mineral Club for helping make these scholarships possible,” said Kristy Griffin, Executive Director of the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. “Their support directly helps students gain access to a world-class educational experience and connect with leading researchers working in one of the most important pegmatite regions in the world.”

Three randomly selected raffle winners and their guests will experience a rare opportunity to spend a day rockhounding at the renowned Emmons Pegmatite Quarry in Greenwood, Maine, alongside MMGM Experimental Chemist and Researcher Alex Falster. Winners of the raffle were Leanne W., Lauren B., and Kevin M.

Applications accepted through June 19 for two merit-based scholarships:

The Frank Perham Memorial Scholarship supports one U.S.-based student and provides $1,800 toward participation in the workshop. It honors the legacy of a legendary Maine miner and storyteller whose lifelong contributions to pegmatite mining, mineral collecting, and workshop education helped shape generations of collectors and researchers.

The Alessandro Guastoni Memorial Scholarship supports one international student and provides $2,600 toward participation. It honors the late Italian mineralogist, museum curator, editor, and pegmatite researcher whose contributions to mineralogy and international collaboration left a lasting impact on the field.

Hosted annually by MMGM and the MP² Research Group, the Maine Pegmatite Workshop brings together students, researchers, collectors, and mineral enthusiasts from around the world for an immersive educational experience focused on Maine’s globally significant pegmatite deposits.

Participants divide their time between classroom instruction, field exploration, private collecting opportunities, and visits to active pegmatite quarries throughout western Maine. Internationally recognized experts lead the workshop, offering attendees direct access to some of the region’s most important geological sites.

“One of the workshop’s greatest strengths is its ability to connect students directly with experts and active research,” said Alexander Falster. “These scholarships help ensure that promising students can participate regardless of financial barriers, while also helping cultivate the next generation of mineral scientists, researchers, and educators.”

More Information:

• Workshop registration open to all. More information is available here.

• Students interested in applying must submit their applications by June 19, 2026.

• Scholarship applications and additional information are available online here.

• Questions: info@mainemineralmuseum.org.

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 one of the rarest displays 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 information on admission and upcoming events, visit www.mainemineralmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @mainemineralmuseum.

Gem mining, Moon rocks, hands-on art and science activities, exclusive tours, and free family experiences highlight Summer 2026

BETHEL, MAINE — Families looking for memorable Maine summer adventures will find plenty to explore with the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum (MMGM) this season, both at the museum and through community programs across Western Maine.

From gemstone hunting and meteorites to hands-on art and science activities, MMGM’s Summer 2026 offerings invite visitors of all ages to discover Maine’s geological heritage through fun, interactive experiences.

“This summer, we welcome families from across Maine and beyond for experiences that are both fun and meaningful,” said Kristy Griffin, Executive Director of the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. “Whether you’re holding a piece of the Moon, uncovering gemstones at our sluice, creating artwork inspired by Maine’s natural beauty, or exploring our exhibits together, every visit is designed to spark curiosity and wonder.”

For families vacationing in the Bethel region, MMGM offers a perfect all-weather destination. Perfect for escaping a rainy afternoon, cooling off on a hot day, visitors will find experiences that inspire curiosity, discovery, and lifelong learning — no matter the weather.

Sluice Days Return June 20

One of MMGM’s most popular family activities, Sluice Days, returns June 20 through August 23.

Held every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can search for real gemstones and minerals at MMGM’s outdoor sluice. Participants sift through specially prepared mining tailings to uncover hidden treasures while learning about the minerals they discover.

To make the activity more accessible for families, MMGM has reduced prices for 2026. Sluice bags are available for $6 each or two for $10.

Bringing Art, Science, and Storytelling to Local Libraries

Beyond the museum’s walls, MMGM’s Education and Outreach team will bring a series of free family programs to libraries throughout Western Maine this summer.

Led by Education and Outreach Coordinator Deb Johnson, the programs combine children’s literature, geology, cultural history, art, and hands-on creativity. Library outreach programs are planned in Hiram, Norway, Bethel, and Buckfield. Schedules are available through participating libraries and MMGM’s event calendar (here).

“Some of the best learning happens when children can touch, create, ask questions, and explore alongside their families,” said Johnson. “We use stories, art, and hands-on activities to help children connect with the science in fun, memorable, and accessible ways.”

Planned themes include:

• Still Life & Maine Rocks: Inspired by “Vincent van Gogh,” by Susie Hodge. Children will learn how artists draw inspiration from the natural world before creating their own still-life artwork featuring Maine minerals.
• Clay Traditions: Following a reading of “Shaped by Her Hands,” by Anna Harber Freeman, participants will explore pottery traditions, examine real Maine clay, and create their own air-dry clay pots.
• Beach Landscapes: Inspired by “Little Houses,” by Kevin Henkes, and “A Day for Sandcastles,” by JonArno Lawson. Families will learn about Maine’s beaches and create watercolor landscapes using real sand and salt crystals.
• Sparkle Space Art: After reading “Margaret and the Moon,” by Dean Robbins, young explorers will learn about the solar system. Then, they’ll hold a real lunar meteorite and create a sparkling Moon-inspired art project using mica.

Explore Maine, Earth, and Beyond

From Maine’s mineral-rich pegmatites to rocks from the Moon and Mars, MMGM exhibits take visitors on a journey through Earth’s history and the solar system. Visitors can explore one of the world’s premier collections of Maine minerals and gemstones alongside an internationally significant meteorite collection featuring lunar and Martian specimens.

For a more personalized experience, MMGM’s new Stones to Stardust Exclusive Tours offer small-group guided access before the museum opens. Available on select Saturdays and Mondays, general admission for the remainder of the day is included.

Families on a budget can always enjoy the museum’s Discovery Gallery exhibits and activities for free! It offers hands-on opportunities to explore geology, minerals, meteorites, and Maine’s natural history through a variety of engaging, rotating exhibits.

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 one of the rarest displays 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 current schedules, admission information, and information on upcoming events, visit www.mainemineralmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @mainemineralmuseum.

New artwork captures Western Maine’s most significant geological sites through story, science, and design

BETHEL, MAINE — (May 2026) — The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum (MMGM) has unveiled its new Geological Heritage Map, an original, hand-illustrated artistic rendering that reimagines Western Maine’s most significant geological sites, mining history, and cultural landmarks through watercolor, storytelling, and design.

Developed as part of the museum’s “Stones & Stories: Sharing Maine’s Legacy Through Interpretive Storytelling” initiative, supported by the Maine Office of Tourism and VisitMaine.com, the map is designed as both an interpretive piece and a collectible work of art, inviting visitors to engage more deeply with the region’s geological identity.

Created by artist Brian McGregor, a graduate of Bowdoin College, the map is hand-drawn in watercolor and ink, using layered earth tones and detailed linework to reflect the textures of Maine’s landscape. Throughout the composition, elements of the state’s geological identity are woven directly into the design, including tourmaline, Maine’s state gemstone, alongside other minerals, landforms, and features that define the region.

The Geological Heritage Map acts as a unifying piece within the broader Stones & Stories initiative, bringing together the museum’s video series, oral histories, and place-based storytelling to connect new audiences with Maine’s geological and cultural heritage. The map translates filmed conversations into a visual landscape, with sites featured in interviews with miners, quarry workers, and community voices reappearing across the composition. Linking personal stories to the places where they unfolded allows visitors to move between story and landscape.

Featured across the map are some of Western Maine’s most significant geological sites, each a chapter in the region’s mineral story, including: 

• Plumbago Mountain: The site of the legendary “Big Find” of the 1970s, miners uncovered the largest cache of gem-quality tourmaline ever discovered. 
• Emmons Quarry: Where MMGM continues active pegmatite research. 
• Mount Mica: the birthplace of Maine’s tourmaline discovery.
• Mount Marie, Havey Quarry, Wheeler Brothers Mica Mine and more.

The map serves as a visual representation of both historically significant and present-day sites, including mines and locations that shaped Maine’s mineral legacy. Some are accessible to the public, while others are preserved as places to remember, clearly noted within the map’s legend.

At the center of it all sits the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum, positioned not just geographically, but symbolically, as a hub for preserving Maine’s geological past while advancing research and public understanding of the natural world.

“These sites aren’t isolated points; they’re part of a connected geological story that defines Western Maine,” said Myles Felch, MMGM Curator and Staff Geologist. “Together, they show how the region’s geology developed and how ongoing discovery continues to refine our understanding.”

“This piece makes history tangible,” said MMGM Executive Director Kristy Griffin. “It brings together the landscape, the discoveries, and the human stories in a way people can really see.”

The project includes a 16” x 22” original watercolor painting, a high-resolution digital version for web and print use, and a limited run of 25 signed and numbered fine art prints available through the museum.

The Geological Heritage Map is now available online at mainemineralmuseum.org. A limited number of prints will be for sale at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum Store in Bethel later this year.

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 one of the rarest displays 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 and Instagram @mainemineralmuseum.