The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro, Oregon, houses a world-class collection recognized as the finest in the Pacific Northwest and one of the finest in the United States. The Museum building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its unique architectural style, natural stonework, and the extraordinary native Oregon woodwork found throughout the building.
Richard and Helen Rice constructed the building that would become the museum as their family home in 1952. Many rare Oregon woods, such as myrtle wood and quilted maple, was incorporated in the building of the house. As avid collectors, they built a gallery in their basement to display their personal mineral collection. One of the displays in the Basement is a display of work by the Columbia-Willamette Faceters Guild.
More Mineral Photo Tours
Rock Museum: Faceting Display (Photo Diary)
Lapidary Arts: One-of-a-Kind Carvings (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Gem and Mineral Hall (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Hixon Gem Vault (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Gems and Minerals as Art (Photo Diary)
Mineral Museum: Gemstones (Photo Diary)
Mineral Museum: Polished Specimens (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Thunder Eggs (Photo Diary)