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OPEN-FILE REPORT OFR-17-02 V1.1

Minerals, Mining Artifacts, and Physical Assets of the former Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum

C.S. Carter & F.M. ConwayArizona Geological Survey

April 2017

Polly Rosenbaum Building - former home of the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum and future home of the Arizona Mining, Mineral and Natural Resources Education Museum

Arizona Geological Survey

P.A. Pearthree, Arizona State Geologist and Director

Manuscript approved for publication in April 2017 Printed by the Arizona Geological Survey

All rights reserved

For an electronic copy of this publication: www.repository.azgs.az.gov

For information on the mission, objectives or geologic products of the Arizona Geological Survey visit www.azgs.az.gov.

This publication was prepared by the Arizona Geological Survey at the University of Arizona. The University of Arizona, or any department thereof, or any of their employees,

makes no warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or pro-cess disclosed in this report. Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is

for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the University of Arizona.

___________________________

Recommended Citation: Carter, C.S. and Conway, F.M., 2017, Mineral, Mining Artifacts, and Physical Assets of the former Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum. Arizona Geological Survey Open-File Report OFR-17-02 V1.1, 24 p.

Mineral specimens, mineral artifacts & physical assets 1

Minerals, Mining Artifacts, and Physical Assets of the former Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum

CS Carter & FM Conway

Arizona Geological Survey

Introduction

On 6 Aug. 2016, Arizona Senate Bill (SB) 1530 transferred custodianship of the Polly Rosenbaum Building, Phoenix, Arizona, and the mineral and mining artifacts collection of the former Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum (AMMM) to the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS), at the University of Arizona. The nearly 30,000 square foot Polly Rosenbaum Building is situated on the Government Mall in downtown Phoenix and was once home to the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum (AMMM). The former AMMM collection comprised more than 21,000 minerals and 1,400 mining artifacts.

SB 1530 charged AZGS with designing, opening and operating the Arizona Mining, Mineral and Natural Resources Education (MMNRE) Museum, focusing on the historical, cultural, economic, and social contributions made by the mining, mineral and other natural resource industries of Arizona. (The Arizona

Legislature is considering SB 1415 in the 2017 legislative session, which would permanently hand control of the building and collection to the University of Arizona.)

The purpose of this report is to document the history, nature and scope of the AMMM mineral and mining artifacts collection. Throughout the remainder of this paper, and in all subsequent tables, the former AMMM collection will be referred to as the MMNRE collection, congruent with the transfer of the collection to MMNRE Museum. In addition, this report will describe and clarify the collection nomenclature used by the current collections software, PastPerfect version 5.0. This report should substantially improve AZGS efforts to curate and manage the collection in the future.

Brief History of the MMNRE Collection. The history of the MMNRE’s mineral collection dates to a mineral display at the first Arizona Territorial Fair in 1884. In 1917, there was sufficient interest in the burgeoning mineral collection to prompt the Arizona State Legislature to appropriate $30,000 to build an exhibit hall on the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. State funding was bolstered by funds from the major mining companies of the day. By 1919, construction was complete, and for the next 70 years the Gem and Mineral Building housed the growing MMNRE collection. In 1947, the Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources (ADMMR) moved to the Gem and Mineral Building and assumed curatorial duties for the collection. In 1953, six major Arizona mining companies collaborated on providing financial support for establishing a permanent mineral museum in Phoenix. The first curator was Arthur L. Flagg, who held the position until his death in 1961. Flagg was followed by Lee Hammons who remained curator until 1973 (pers. Comm, W.L Presmyk, 4/5/2017). In 1973, the museum became part of the Arizona Department of Mining and Mineral Resources (ADMMR). The curators that followed included Arthur Bloyd (1974-1988), Glenn Miller (1988-2000), Susan Celestian (2000-2007), and Jan Rasmussen (2007-2010). In July of 1991, with financial support from Arizona’s mining community, the mining and mineral museum and the ADMMR offices were moved from the Fairgrounds to the El Zaribah Shrine Building (renamed the Polly Rosenbaum Building) at 1502 W. Washington St. on the Government mall in downtown Phoenix.


From 1991 to 2011, the AMMM displayed ~3,100 minerals and dozens of historic mining artifacts at the Polly Rosenbaum Building. Minerals were arranged by their mineral chemistry, e.g., native elements, oxides, silicates and sulfates, among others. The remaining approximately 18,000 minerals were archived onsite or loaned to cooperating Arizona museums and facilities. In 2010, the ADMMR was discontinued as a state agency and the Polly Rosenbaum Building and mining and mineral collection were transferred to the Arizona Historical Society (AHS). (Note: ADMMR mining archives – reports and maps - were transferred to the AZGS.) In April 2011, the AMMM was shuttered and AHS began to transfer the accessioned mineral collection, as well as library items, educational material and retail inventory, from the Polly Rosenbaum Building to AHS’ Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park in Tempe. AHS employed mineralogist Madison Barkley to transfer and curate the accessioned minerals. Simultaneously, most of the display cases and several thousand minerals were placed on loan to organizations around the state, including a large mineral loan to the University of Arizona’s Mineral Museum. Fortunately, AMMM curators preserved collection documents, including object records, donation records, and accession records for the period 1955-2011. These records were stored as paper files, with the object records (22,559 mineral specimens and artifacts and 1,510 library items) digitally stored on visual dBASE database software since 1995. Since the AMMM closed in 2011, no accessioned material has been deaccessioned or sold, although over 3,700 mineral specimens were marked for potential deaccession by AMMM staff prior to 2011. In 2012, Dr. Madison Barkley (mineral curator at the AHS) exported the AMMM mineral and mining artifacts records from dBASE to PastPerfect v.5.0 proprietary curatorial software. AHS’ goal was to migrate the Mining and Mineral Museum collections data into a state-of-the-art, online museum software package for public accessibility and to comply with museum best practices. Mapping specimen metadata from dBASE to PastPerfect was, however an imperfect process, resulting in systemic data parameter errors that still require attention.

Characterizing the MMNRE Mineral Collection & Mining Artifacts We characterize the MMNRE collection, herein, from records assembled by AHS’s M. Barkley in PastPerfect v5.0 software. The object collection comprises 22,559 records, including 1,042 records of materials deaccessioned by AMMM prior to the 2011 transfer to AHS. The permanent collection is subdivided into five subcollections: Gem and Mineral; Rock and Ore; Fossil; Meteorite; and Mining Artifacts. Table 1 includes the number of records (i.e., objects) for each subcollection along with a brief description. Each object record is accompanied by an Object ID (e.g., 0001-22559) and an MM Number (e.g., MM-0001) assigned by curators of the AMMM. Table 2 displays object metadata characterizing mineral specimens and mining artifacts: e.g., subcollection, object ID, current location, provenance, and source, among other things. In addition to minerals, rock specimens, and mining artifacts, the MMNRE collection also includes ~1,500 library items: books, manuals, magazines and journals, and other printed publications (Table 3). This material is catalogued in PastPerfect under a separate Library Collection. Also included are an undetermined number of non-accessioned objects used for educational programming that are not assigned a tracking number or recorded in PastPerfect.


Table 1. Collection and subcollections of the MMNRE mineral, mining artifacts and library assets.

COLLECTION NO. of RECORDS DESCRIPTION

MMNRE Collection

22,559 Accessioned minerals and mining artifacts (marked by Object ID and MM Number). Includes 1,042 records of previously deaccessioned material.

MMNRE Subcollections:

Gem and Mineral 18,004 Includes mineral specimens and faceted gemstones. Minerals are classified by crystal habit, specimen morphology, specimen properties, and Nickel-Strunz group.

Rock and Ore 1,660 Rock and ore rock identified by class (Igneous, Metamorphic or Sedimentary), Subclass (Volcanic, Plutonic, Clastic, Chemical, Biochemical) and/or Sub-subclass (mud, sand, gravel).

Fossil 1,485 Fossilized material.

Meteorite 35 Non-terrestrial stony material.

Mining Artifacts 1,375 Includes mine tools and equipment, books and certificates, and mining by-products.

MMNRE Library Collection 1510

Includes books, manuals, printed publications (magazines and periodicals), and videos.

MMNRE Support Collection Non-accessioned Includes rocks, minerals, books, and scientific equipment used for education and programming.


Table 2. Object metadata and nomenclature used to characterize mineral specimens and mining artifacts.

Term Description

Collection Subcollections within the permanent accessioned records, including

Gem and Mineral

Rock and Ore

Fossil

Meteorite

Mining Artifacts

Object ID A unique number (0001-22559) designated for object retrieval within PastPerfect software

Object Name Identifying name of mineral or object

Other Name Classification by group, if applicable (ex. turquoise group, amphibole group)

Other # Nickel-Strunz Group (formal chemical classification of minerals)

Old # “MM Number” to identify mineral (ex. MM-0000). MM numbers can be found permanently affixed to most specimens.

Accession # Accession record number

Home Location Current location in storage

Date Date of accession

Status Current status of specimen (accessioned, deaccessioned, missing, or on loan)

Description A short description of the specimen with relevant information

Occurrence Original location or source (mine, mining district, or locality)

Source Original donor, dealer or source of specimen

Table 3. Object metadata and nomenclature used to characterize the Library Collection.

Term Description

Collection All library materials are contained under the collection heading “Natural History Library”

Object ID A unique label (NHL001-NHL1510) designated for library record retrieval within PastPerfect software

Object Name Object names classified under “Book, “Magazine,” “Pamphlet,” or “Periodical”

Call # In addition to Object IDs, books, pamphlets, and periodicals are designated by unique call numbers, found affixed to each publication. Magazines are not assigned call numbers

Home Location Current location in storage

Publish Date Date published

Summary A brief summary of the content

Author Author of publication

Title Title of publication

Subject List of content subjects to further classify publication. Includes geology, minerals, gemology, jewelry making, mining, etc.

Notes Any relevant notes (ex. number of copies, missing pages, included supplements)


Grouping of Accessioned Minerals by Intrinsic Quality. To facilitate managing and curating this large and complex suite of objects, MMNRE minerals are further arranged into folders and then groupings of like materials (Table 4). Folders represent a coarse grouping based on physical location, value, or some physical property, e.g., toxicity. Within folders, objects are grouped by more intrinsic qualities; for example, minerals are grouped using Nickel-Strunz Classification, which involves arrangement by mineral composition, e.g., silicates, oxides, and sulfates, among others. Grouping minerals in this fashion provides a powerful finding aid. Table 4. Grouping objects by intrinsic qualities into folder and subsequently into groups (contd. Pg. 6)

Folder Name Groups No. Of Objects

Description / Notes

Collection Room Organization

Anthropogenic 1207 Original mineral classification groups from AZMMM. Classification schemes designated how display cases at AMMM were organized. Nickel-Strunz Groups:

1: Elements (et al.)

2: Sulfides, Sulfosalts (et al.)

3: Halides

4: Oxides (et al.)

5: Carbonates, Nitrates

6: Borates

7: Sulfates (et al.)

8: Phosphates, Arsenates, Vanadates

9: Silicates, Germanates 10: Organic Compounds

Banquet Food 243

Fossil 1723

Lapidary Non-Mineral 92

Meteorite 35

Rock 1259

Nickel-Strunz Group 1 796









9.A 881

9.B 314

9.C 574

9.D 443

9.E 803

9.F 288

9.G 338

9.H 9

9.J 0 Nickel-Strunz Group 10 1

Unknown 207

AZ Heritage Center Gallery of Natural History Exhibit

Case 1-Case 28 385 (Total) Inventory of minerals in each case in first floor Gallery of Natural History (Case #1-28) at AZ Heritage Center, Tempe. Gallery curated by M. Barkley in 2015.


Folder Name Groups No. Of Objects

Description / Notes

Inventory and Valuation Tiers

Tier 1 55 Mineral specimens are collated in tiers based on their estimated dollar value (see Part 1B).

Tier 1: $5,000 and greater

Tier 2: $500-$5,000

Tier 3: $1-$500 and all unvalued objects

“Not Inventoried” refers to appraised specimens lacking a location and/or condition check.

Tier 2 435

Tier 2 Not Inventoried 134

Tier 3 21,029

Tier 3 Not Inventoried 12,117

Inventory Control Inventoried

9273 “Inventoried” includes objects whose condition and location were confirmed during the move from the Polly Rosenbaum Building to AZ Heritage Center. “Potential Deac” includes objects marked for deaccession by former AMMM staff (prior to 2011). Such Items are in boxes marked with “39s.” “UA Loan” contains items in storage at UA as part of a loan initiated in 2011.

Potential Deac – 39s

3708

UA Loan 2887

Library Library Inventory 1,510 Library material – that part of the MMNRE collection marked with a library call number.

Special Collections A.L. Flagg

93 Minerals donated from specific collections with ties to AMMM history. Note: specimens donated by A.L. Flagg are not part of the Flagg Foundation’s mineral collection.

H. Mason Coggin 203

Toxicity Inhalation Toxicity 4880 Objects marked with toxicity warning. More study is required to indicate whether individual specimens are of concern to human health.

Oral Toxicity 1130

Radioactive 77

Skin Absorption Toxicity 205

Other Accessioned materials - Gemstones. MMNRE’s gem and mineral collection comprises about 300

faceted gemstones. High-value gemstones are stored in small boxes or bags (Figure 1) in a safe (Figure 2)

in the mineral collection storage room. Gem specimens include: beryl, quartz, forsterite, fluorapatite,

chrysoberyl, elbaite, corundum, andradite, garnet, tourmaline, fluorite, glass, topaz, zircon, opal, spinel,

diopside, scheelite, and low-value diamonds, among other gems.


Gem values range broadly, but most are appraised from tens of dollars to several hundred dollars. The

more expensive gems, including a quartz ‘mushroom’ comprising 10 faceted crystals, are from Brazil.

Corundum gemstones are mostly from Tanzania.

Around ~50% of the gemstones lack provenance information. Several of the quartz gems are from the

Four Peaks Amethyst site situated in the Mazatzal Mountains of central Arizona. Other Arizona gems

include: faceted peridot from the San Carlos Indian Reservation in Gila County; fluorite from Duncan

Landmark, Greenlee County; quartz from Date Creek, Yavapai County; and andradite from Stanley Butte,

Graham County, among others.

Mr. Earl Furst and Mr. J. David Walker & Mrs. Stephanie S. Walker donated a number of gemstones.

Figure 1. Gemstone specimen stored and labeled in boxes and bags.

Figure 2. Gemstone collection safe housed at AHS.


Provenance of Minerals The MMNRE Mineral Collection comprises specimens from all 50 U.S states and from countries across the globe. Approximately 35% (7,903 minerals) of all minerals stem from Arizona. Another 28% (6310 minerals) are from the Western U.S.: California, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada (Figure 5). Just over 5% of MMNRE minerals are from Mexico. Minerals with a provenance other than North America are designated ‘other’ and constitute 11.5% of the entire collection. Fully 20% of minerals lack any location data whatsoever. Within Arizona, approximately 15% (1181 objects) of the minerals stem from Gila County, 12.5% (986 minerals) from Maricopa County, 12.1% (957 minerals) from Cochise County, 11.1% (874) from Yavapai County, and 10.5% from Pinal County (Figure 6). The remaining ~49% are derived from the other Arizona counties; 9.1% of minerals identified as Arizona minerals are not located at the county level. Figure 3. Mineral distribution by locality. In the pie diagram, California, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada are combined to form the Western US.

Locality # Specimens % Total

Arizona 7903 35.0%

California 778 3.4%

Utah 439 1.9%

Colorado 430 1.9%

New Mexico 411 1.8%

Nevada 277 1.2%

US (Other) 3975 17.6%

Mexico 1168 5.2%

Other 2600 11.5%

No data listed 4578 20.3%

Total 22559 100%

Mineral Distribution by Locality

Arizona Western US US (Other States)

Mexico Other No data listed


Figure 4. Mineral distribution of Arizona minerals by county.

Physical State of the MMNRE Mineral Collection – Spring 2017 The bulk of the MMNRE mineral collection is housed in secure, climate-controlled storage at the AZ Heritage Center in Tempe, Arizona (Figure 5). Retail inventory and assorted educational resources transferred to the MMNRE are housed there as well. Approximately 3,100 minerals and artifacts are on loan around the state, along with ~150 older display cases and pieces of equipment (see Appendix A). Figure 5. Mineral boxes on shelves and in cabinets at the AHS Heritage Center

AZ County # Specimens % Total AZ

Gila 1181 14.9%

Maricopa 986 12.5%

Cochise 957 12.1%

Yavapai 874 11.1%

Pinal 833 10.5%

Pima 519 6.6%

Mohave 494 6.3%

La Paz 326 4.1%

Greenlee 207 2.6%

Graham 200 2.5%

Santa Cruz 170 2.2%

Navajo 151 1.9%

Yuma 112 1.4%

Coconino 108 1.4%

Apache 67 .08%

None Listed 718 9.1%

Total 7903 100%

Mineral Collection by AZ County

Gila Maricopa Cochise

Yavapai Pinal Pima

Mohave La Paz Other Counties

None Listed


Larger historic mining artifacts, e.g., a 5-stamp mill and ore carts, are situated on the grounds of the Polly Rosenbaum building at 1502 W. Washington St. Table 5 lists large mining artifacts including non-accessioned artifacts that are on loan to the museum, their original location, and the donator. Table 5. Large mining artifacts on the grounds of Polly Rosenbaum Building. This includes several items on loan, e.g., HK Porter 1882 Baby-Gauge Steam Locomotive on loan from Freeport-McMoRan Corp.

Object Original Location Donor

P&H 2800 shovel bucket Ray Mine, Pinal Co. ASARCO

Mining Truck Tire Sierrita Mine, Pima Co. Phelps Dodge

HK Porter 1882 Baby-Gauge Steam Locomotive

Morenci Mine, Greenlee Co.

On Loan: Phelps Dodge (Freeport McMoRan

Boras Headframe and Hoist Dallas and Cole Mines, Cochise Co.

On Loan: Phelps Dodge (Freeport McMoRan)

30hp Good Double Quincy Compressor Unknown On Loan: Charlie Connell

5-Stamp Mill Swallow Mine, Yavapai Co.

Charlie Brown

Blower Swallow Mine, Yavapai Co., AZ

Charlie Brown

Compressor Swallow Mine, Yavapai Co., AZ

Charlie Brown

Air Receiver Swallow Mine, Yavapai Co., AZ

Charlie Brown

Slusher Motor Swallow Mine, Yavapai Co., AZ

Charlie Brown

Duplex Pump Swallow Mine, Yavapai Co., AZ

Charlie Brown

Compressor Swallow Mine, Yavapai Co., AZ

Charlie Brown

Muckers Red Rover Mine, Maricopa Co.

Tozier Family

Ore Carts Iron King Mine Unknown

Track Unknown Charlie Connell, Mike Christi et al.

Incline Unknown Mike Christi et al.

Primary Jaw Crusher Unknown Charlie Brown

Honey Dipper Car Unknown World Mining Museum, Butte, MT

Shaker Table Unknown Unknown

Gold Wheel Unknown Unknown

Estimated Value of the Collection. About 73% of the accessioned minerals in the MMNRE Collection are accompanied by an estimated dollar value. Mineral values were either provided by the donor or by the AMMM curator accessioning the object. The curator’s estimated value is generally reported as a range from “maximum value” to “minimum value.”


Based on maximum estimated values, the MMNRE collection is valued at $8,015,200; the bulk of that is tied up in one lunar sample, with an estimated value of $5 million, donated to AMMM by NASA’s Apollo Program. Minerals are otherwise sub-divided into one of three value tiers (Table 1A): Tier 1 - objects valued at $5,000 or greater (total value ~ $6,561,600); Tier 2 - objects valued from $500-$5,000 (total value ~ $553,850); and Tier 3 -objects valued from $1-$500 or otherwise lacking a value (total value ~ $899,800). The value of mining artifacts, large and small, is unknown and artifacts are unappraised. Mineral values are fluid and market-driven. Mineral appraisals reported in the PastPerfect database reflect, in some cases, rough approximations, some of which are decades old. Contracting a licensed, bonded, and respected mineral appraiser is the critical next step in deriving a viable assessment of the collection’s true value. Table 6. Value grouping of mineral specimens of the MMNRE collection.

Group NO. of Objects Definition

All Tiers (1-3) 21,519 Value assigned at time of donation

Tier 1 55 $5,000 and greater

Tier 2 435 $500-5,000

Tier 3 (Total) 21,029 $0-500 and no value listed

Identifying and Addressing Database Issues In transferring MMNRE collection object records from dBASE to PastPerfect, non-trivial data assignment errors occurred. The bulk of the errors involve data parameters appearing in the wrong data column, e.g., mineral dimensions appearing in the radioactive column. Roughly 35% of mineral records are impacted by one or more incidents of mislabeled data. Table 5 illustrates the data parameters impacted by erroneous mapping of data into PastPerfect. We have identified three potential solutions for remedying data errors. First, conduct a second export of the dBASE database into PastPerfect eliminating errors before they arise. Second, go record by record through the existing data correcting errors along the way. Third, contract PastPerfect to repair the errors. The latter would require detailed instructions and quantifying the magnitude of errant data entries. At this time, we are reviewing the cost-benefit of the three options with an eye towards settling on one option that resolves the errors. Table 7. Systemic problems with the existing MMNRE PastPerfect database.

Data parameters impacted Incorrect data column Correct data column

Dimensions (x, y, z – mm) Radioactive Size OR Dimensions (x, y, z mm)

2nd half of mineral description Toxic Description

2nd half of provenance Fragile Occurrence

1st line of donor address Phosphorescent Accession Record

2nd line of donor address Phenomenon Accession Record

Case number Size Location


Non-accessioned Assets of MMNRE Assets now managed by MMNRE staff include several thousand non-accessioned rough mineral and rock specimens, most of which are used to cobble together Teacher Mineral Kits or otherwise used for educational purposes. These specimens are not listed in the database, nor are they assigned tracking numbers; some specimens have numbered labels affixed to them for easy identification in teacher’s kits. Non-accessioned material may be loaned to other educational entities and, unlike accessioned material, are subject to use, handling, and consumption. Educational material are stored in cabinets in the mineral collection storage areas at AHS. Rounding out the informal education materials are hundreds of uncataloged books, mineral guides, outdated lapidary magazines, and K-8 mineral worksheets. Due to their age and condition, existing printed materials should be culled before packaging and returning them to the Polly Rosenbaum Building. Micromounts. There are several hundred non-accessioned thumbnail (~1 inch diameter) and micromount (<1 inch diameter) mineral specimens, mounted in boxes and stored in drawers in two cabinets (Figure 6) in the mineral collection storage room. Figure 6. Cabinet used for storing MMNRE micromounts (left); micromounts of a single drawer (right).

Lapidary Workshop Equipment. The AMMM maintained and stocked a fully equipped lapidary workshop

(~600 square feet). Trained volunteers operated and maintained the equipment and task-trained others

in their proper use in faceting gems and manufacturing jewelry. The south wall of the workshop opened

into the exhibit space and was exposed via a large-dimension window; museum visitors and student

groups were invited to observe craftsmen and craftswomen as they faceted gems, made jewelry, or

simply demonstrated how to use the equipment. The workshop was a carrot for attracting new

volunteers and exciting school children in shaping gems and the art of jewelry making.

Workshop equipment included expandable drum sanders, Ringleader grinding machines, slab saws,

ovens, and other tools for cutting, polishing, and faceting slabs, gemstones and cabochons (Table 8).

Following transfer to AHS, some lapidary materials were loaned to Arizona State University’s Herberger


Institute for Design and the Arts and were either returned to the Polly Rosenbaum Building or were

consumed during normal use: a sphere maker, lap polisher, rubber molds, ring molds, pickle pot, safety

masks, jars, acetylene tank, butane gas canisters, mesh boxes, beakers and assorted grinding powders.

Figure 7. The former lapidary shop and equipment of the AMMM. The shop was dismantled and some equipment was placed on loaned to other museums or to Arizona State University.

Table 8. Former AMMM lapidary items in storage at either the Arizona Historical Society or the Polly

Rosenbaum Building as of March 2017.

Item Number Current Location Faceting Machine 5 AHS Storage

Flat laps 18 AHS Storage

Cabinets with rough stone 3 AHS Storage

Grey cabinet 1 Polly Rosenbaum classroom

Large slab saws 3 Polly Rosenbaum classroom

Saw belt guard 1 Polly Rosenbaum classroom

Ventilation hood 1 Polly Rosenbaum classroom

Ringleader grinding machine 2 Polly Rosenbaum classroom

Kiln 1 Polly Rosenbaum classroom


Boneyard. The “Boneyard,” home to tons of coarse rock material donated to AMMM prior to 2010, is located at the intersection of 12th Ave. and Jefferson St. in downtown Phoenix, four blocks from the Polly Rosenbaum building. Besides rough and non-accessioned stone materials, historic mining equipment, in various stages of decay, are stored there. There are more than two dozen 215 gallon wire containers of large stone for educational purposes as well as other equipment in poor condition (Figure 7). Figure 8. The “Boneyard” in downtown Phoenix; site of coarse rock, mineral and mining artifacts of former AMM.

Going Forward A full inventory of the ~22,500 mineral and mining artifacts of the MMNRE collection is overdue and should be a priority of the museum’s curatorial team. A fresh inventory assessment should include validating object identification numbers for consistency with the database record; noting precise location of specimens; condition check; and acquiring photos to attach to the existing database. The true monetary value of the collection, including both minerals and mining artifacts, is wholly uncertain. Of the accessioned mineral and gems, about 70% have an expressed value of uncertain veracity. The collection – both minerals and mining artifacts – should be appraised by a licensed and bonded mineral appraiser.

References Barkley, Madison, 2015, Natural History Collections Management Procedures. Arizona Historical Society,

AZ Heritage Museum, unpublished. Rasmussen, Jan, 2007, Mineral Museum History. Arizona Mines and Mineral Museum, unpublished. Rasmussen, Jan. “Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum – History” Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum,

http://www.miningmineralmuseum.com/history.

http://www.miningmineralmuseum.com/history


Acknowledgments We thank former AMMM curators Jan Rasmussen, Jan Baker and Shirley Cote for unselfishly sharing their insight and experience with the mineral collection. Friends of the museum, Charlie Connell and Nyal Niemuth (formally Chief of AZGS’ Phoenix Branch), provided valuable information regarding the large mining artifacts on display at the Polly Rosenbaum Building. Tawn Downs, Arizona Historical Society, clarified facets of the transfer of AMMM materials to AHS. Jan Rasmussen’s review and comments of an earlier draft improved the manuscript considerably.


Appendix A: Minerals, Mining Artifacts, or Display Cases Currently On Loan (March 2017)

Organization Location Date Initiated Items on Loan

Jerome State Historic Park Jerome, AZ 3/11/1992 33 rocks and minerals

Sharlot Hall Museum Prescott, AZ 5/28/1994 2 items: minerals

Blue Collar Clothing Phoenix, AZ 7/12/2005 6 items: mining artifacts

Resolution Copper Phoenix, AZ 12/12/2006 18 items: mining artifacts

Cave Creek Museum Cave Creek, AZ 3/3/2009 61 items: mining artifacts

UA Mineral Museum Tucson, AZ 5/26/2011 2951 items: rocks and minerals

Mountain View High School Mesa, AZ 6/29/2011 53 items: scientific equipment

Casa Grande Valley Historical Society

Casa Grande, AZ 8/19/2011 4 display cases

Historic Globe Main Street Program

Globe, AZ 9/9/2011 23 display cases

Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum

Miami, AZ 9/22/2011 61 display cases: 10 pieces of art, 3 maps

Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum

Miami, AZ 4/30/2012 25 items: rocks and minerals

UA Biosphere 2 Tucson, AZ 11/4/2011 12 display cases

Arizona Historical Society – Library & Archives

Tucson, AZ 4/9/2012 Shelving

AZ State House of Representatives

Phoenix, AZ 5/7/2013 2 items: bronze plaques

AZ State Mine Inspector Phoenix, AZ 5/21/2013 2 display cases

Office of Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema

Phoenix, AZ 2/26/2014 2 items: minerals

Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ 4/21/2016 10 items: minerals (non-accessioned)


Appendix B: Photographs of representative mineral specimens of Tiers 1, 2, and 3 Tier 1 – Representative minerals valued at $5000 or more

Wulfenite, Red Cloud Mine, La Paz Co., AZ Copper and Cuprite, Ray Mine, Pinal Co., AZ

Prehnite, Patterson, NJ Azurite and Malachite, Bisbee, Cochise Co., AZ

Copper, New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima Co., AZ Malachite after Azurite, Copper Queen Mine, Bisbee, Cochise Co., AZ


Tier 2 – Photographs of representative minerals valued at between $500 and $5000

Turquoise and Pyrite, Sleeping Beauty Mine, Gila Co., AZ Dolomite, Vekol Mine, Pinal Co., AZ

Copper, Ray Mine, Pinal Co., AZ Beryl, Maricopa Co., AZ

Petrified Wood, Woodruff, Navajo Co., AZ Chrysocolla and Quartz, Ray Mine, Pinal Co., AZ


Tier 3 – Photographs of representative minerals valued at between $0 and $500

Bornite, Locality Unknown, AZ Chrysocolla, Miami, Gila Co., AZ

Turquoise, Sleeping Beauty Mine, Gila Co., AZ Barite, Magma Mine, Pinal Co., AZ

Smithsonite, Silver Bell Mine, Pima Co., AZ Cuprite, Ray Mine, Pinal Co., AZ


Mining Artifacts – Photographs of representative small mining artifacts

Miner’s Cap with Oil Lamp, Gila Co., AZ Iron Candleholder, Bisbee, Cochise Co., AZ

Blasting Cap Boxes, Unknown Oil Lamp, Ray Mine, Pinal Co., AZ

Carbide Lamp, Unknown, AZ Carbide Container, Unknown, AZ


Meteorites – Photograph of meteorite specimens

Canyon Diablo Meteorite, Mtr. Crater, Coconino Co, AZ Meteorite, Franconia, Mohave Co., AZ

Meteorite, Guangxi Prov., Nantan Co., China Campo del Cielo Meteorite, Gran Chaco Gualamba, Argentina

Canyon Diablo Meteorite, Mtr. Crater, Coconino Co., AZ Meteorite, Sayh al Uhaymir, Oman


Appendix C: Photographs of mining equipment on the grounds of the Polly Rosenbaum Building

P&H 2800 Shovel Bucket; Donor: ASARCO Mining Truck Tire; Donor: Phelps Dodge

HK Porter Locomotive; On Loan: Phelps Dodge/Freeport Boras Headframe; On Loan: Phelps Dodge/Freeport

Hoist; On Loan: Phelps Dodge/Freeport Compressor; On Loan: Charlie Connell


Stamp Mill; Donor: Charlie Brown (L-R) Blower, Compressor, Air Receiver, Slusher Motor,

Compressor, Duplex Pump; Donor: Charlie Brown.

Muckers (1); Donor: Tozier Family Muckers (2); Donor: Tozier Family

Ore Carts; Donor: Unknown Track; Donors: Charlie Connell, Mike Christi


Incline; Donors: Mike Christi et al. Primary Jaw Crusher; Donor: Charlie Brown

Honey Dipper; Donor: World Mining Museum Shaker Table (Part 1); Donor: Charlie Brown

Shaker Table (Part 2); Donor: Charlie Brown Gold Wheel; Donor: Unknown

arizona geological survey - azgs document...

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