A Marvelous Night of Minerals: An ‘Earthly Matters’ Opening Celebration

Across centuries and cultures, minerals have provided humans with essential raw materials. But how have we come to know and use the natural world?

Join the Science History Institute for the opening of Earthly Matters, a new permanent exhibition that explores the history and science behind a collection of more than 20 minerals. These elements, crystals, gemstones—and even a meteorite!—tell stories of human curiosity about the natural world around us. Visitors will learn about the long history of minerals and how humans have studied and categorized them for thousands of years.

It’s also a celebration of the completion of the lobby renovation and the opening of the brand-new gift shop with a ribbon cutting!

Highlights from the evening include

•a behind-the-scenes look at Earthly Matters with curator Michelle DiMeo and exhibition developer Jesse Smith

•rare books from the library collection

•mineral specimens that you can touch

•alchemical recipe recreations with resident scholars

•featured items for sale in our new gift shop

•light bites and a signature rock candy cocktail

This event is free, but registration is required.