Robert B. Ferguson Museum of Mineralogy facts for kids
| Established | 1918 |
|---|---|
| Location | Wallace Building, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Type | Mineralogy |
The Robert B. Ferguson Museum of Mineralogy is a cool museum in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It's located inside the University of Manitoba in a building called the Wallace Building. This museum is all about amazing minerals and rocks!
Discovering the Museum's History
The museum first opened its doors in 1918. It started thanks to a generous gift from a geologist named Joseph Winthrop Spencer. He donated 1,100 different mineral and rock samples. These samples became the very first part of the museum's collection. Over the years, the museum has grown much bigger. Many other people have also donated their own special rocks and minerals.
What Can You See at the Museum?
A big part of the museum's collection is on display for everyone to enjoy. Students use these displays to learn about geology. About one-sixth of all the museum's minerals are shown in the Wallace Building. These displays are set up in a special way. They start with minerals that are very simple in their chemistry and structure. Then, they slowly move to minerals that are much more complex. This helps you see how minerals change and grow.
Public Displays and Special Exhibits
You can also see some of the most beautiful and interesting minerals. Many of these are on public display at a place called the Ed Leith Cretaceous Menagerie. This means even if you're not a student, you can still visit and be amazed by the sparkling treasures from the Earth!
