In This Guide
A Rich History: The Douglass Houghton Connection: The Museum Complex: Exhibits Overview: Admission and Parking: Plan Your Visit:Discover the wonders of the mineral world at the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, located on the campus of Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. Renowned as one of North America's premier mineral museums, the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum showcases an impressive collection of minerals from the Great Lakes region and beyond. Visitors can marvel at nature's masterpieces while learning about the fascinating world of minerals and their importance in our everyday lives.
A Rich History:
The A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum was founded in 1902 and officially designated as the Mineral Museum of Michigan in 1991. The museum is a testament to the rich mining history of the region, with exhibits highlighting the iconic copper specimens and over 100 other minerals from the modern copper mining era in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula, which ended in 1996. The museum also serves as a repository for the University of Michigan mineral collection under the Michigan Mineral Alliance.
The Douglass Houghton Connection:
The city of Houghton was named after Douglass Houghton, Michigan's first state geologist, whose 1841 report sparked the first great mining rush in North America. A life-sized oil painting of Houghton from the 1870s is prominently displayed in the main museum building. Native peoples had already discovered and worked the Keweenaw's native copper as far back as 7,000 years ago; Houghton's report brought the deposit to wider attention and paved the way for the region's modern copper mining boom.
The Museum Complex:
In 2011, the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum relocated to a newly constructed building at 1404 E. Sharon Avenue. The main museum building houses the Thomas D. Shaffner Exhibit Hall, a collection management area, a mineral conservation laboratory, and museum staff offices. Interestingly, the building was constructed on top of a past-producing native copper mine, the Mabbs Vein.
The museum complex also includes the Phyllis and John Seaman Garden, the Copper Pavilion, and the Mineral Preparation Annex. Visitors can explore the garden, which showcases native plants and rock formations, and the Copper Pavilion, which holds a world-record 19-ton native copper vein on exhibit.
Exhibits Overview:
The A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum's exhibits offer a diverse and fascinating collection of minerals and artifacts. Among the highlights are an extensive worldwide collection of minerals owned by Michigan Tech, the University of Michigan Mineral Collection jointly owned by Michigan Tech and the University of Michigan under the Michigan Mineral Alliance, the Guinness World Record 19-ton native copper slab on permanent loan from the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the Phyllis and John Seaman garden. To learn more about the exhibits, visit the museum's website.
With around 4,000 specimens on exhibit, the museum's displays are continuously updated as new specimens are acquired, loaned from private collectors, or cycled from the museum's extensive holdings. Many visitors spend at least two hours exploring the museum, although it takes much more time to truly appreciate everything the exhibits have to offer.
Admission and Parking:
The A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum offers affordable admission fees, with tickets valid for two consecutive days. Adult admission is $8, seniors pay $7, students with a college ID pay $4, and juniors (ages 9-16) pay $3. Admission is free for children up to age 8 and is also waived for Michigan Tech students and employees. For group rates or to arrange a visit for K-12 or college groups, please contact the museum in advance at (906) 487-2572 or jlstark@mtu.edu. Parking at the museum is free for all visitors.
Plan Your Visit:
A visit to the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum is a must for anyone interested in the natural beauty and rich mining history of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Whether you're a seasoned mineral collector or a curious traveler, the museum offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. For more information on the museum's hours, admission fees, and special events, visit their website and plan your trip today.