Rice Rock Museum in Oregon

Opening in 1997, the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals is home to a master collection of crystals, gems, meteorites, fossils, and petrified wood from all of the world. If you enjoy earth science, this Smithsonian Affiliate museum is a must see.

Technically, it’s called the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals. But, who’s going to say all that? We just call it the Rice Rock Museum or even the Rock Museum.

Location: Hillsboro, Oregon, not far off Highway 26 at the Helvetia/Brookwood Parkway exit
Days Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Fees: There is a cost to visit the museum, check here for current pricing

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Location & Home

The museum is located in rural Hillsboro and can be seen from Highway 26. On a clear day, Mt Hood can be seen in the distance.

The ranch style home, turned museum, was built in 1952 by rockhounds, Richard & Helen Rice. The home is built of myrtle wood and quilted maple, with an exterior of sandstone and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The 3,682 square foot basement was reserved for their personal collection of rocks and minerals – which we can still see today.

There are even rocks outside, including this large quartz piece found in Arkansas.

 

The gallery not only has items on display, but also informational areas, like this visual representation of the hardness scale of minerals.

 

Alma Rose

One of the most famous pieces at the Rock Museum is the rare and spectacular Alma Rose rhodochrosite.

Larger, but similar to the Alma Rose, the Alma King, was once owned by Richard and Helen Rice. Both specimens were mined out of Alma, Colorado. The Alma King is now on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

 

Rainbow Gallery

The Rainbow Gallery is always a favorite. Under shortwave and longwave florescent lights, the natural minerals seem to glow.

Dennis & Mary Murphy Petrified Wood Gallery

This gallery contains petrified items collected by Dennis and Mary Murphy from all over the world.

Northwest Gallery

Located in a separate building is the Rudy Tschernich Northwest Mineral Gallery. It features Oregon’s state rock and state gem.

THUNDEREGG
Oregon’s state rock

Most thundereggs are about the size of your fist, but as you enter this building you are greeted by a huge, 1.7 ton opal filled thunderegg found in Morrow County, Oregon.

Thundereggs were formed within volcanic ash layers, so it makes sense they are rather dull on the outside. The outer shell was formed inside gas pockets. Then as silica rich water and other minerals continuously seeped into the cavities cores of jasper, agate, opal, or zeolites were created.

Until the rock is sliced in half, it’s a mystery as to what the core looks like. More often than not, it’s not too impressive. But, sometimes the result is a beautiful and unique gem.

OREGON SUNSTONE
Oregon’s State Gem

Oregon Sunstones were formed deep within a magma chamber of a volcano, where they then erupted onto the surface and cooled in a basalt lava flow. These gems can contain elemental copper that create a metallic shimmer.

Native Americans valued Sunstone crystals, using them in Medicine Wheel ceremonies and trading them as currency.

Recommendation

I highly recommend this museum if you are interested in natural science. It’s a great way to spend a rainy day in Oregon.

Letterboxing

I’m not sure if it’s still on location, but years ago a letterbox was hidden inside the Rock Museum.

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