




An enduring geological mystery. A world-famous mineral deposit. And, it’s all right here in a New Jersey museum, just an hour’s drive from New York’s George Washington Bridge!

Learn about all the fun and educational activities at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum.
The industrial complex that was once the Sterling Hill zinc mine is now open to the public as the Sterling Hill Mining Museum.
Join us for Underground Mine Tours, fantastic displays of "glow-in-the-dark" fluorescent minerals, extensive outdoor displays of mining machinery, and exhibit halls packed with things you've probably never seen before!
Teachers: Our mining museum offers a wide variety of educational opportunities for professional development and student activities — just click on the Education link to get started.
Kids of any age can do geology field work in our in Rock Discovery Center by collecting 6 different types of rocks which they get to keep. At our Fossil Discovery Center you can collect lots of different fossils and take home 6 of them.
Our onsite Astronomical Observatory offers monthly night viewings. Come see the moon, stars, mars and more. All of these activities are fun learning expediences for school groups, scouts and birthday parties.

Open seven days a week.
Mother’s Day: May 12, mothers are 1/2 off.Download coupon now.
Father’s Day: June 16, fathers are 1/2. Download coupon now.
Museum Store: Open daily, 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Group Tours: Daily by appointment; call 973-209-MINE (6463) for info and bookings.
Public Tours: Monday - Friday: 1:00 p.m.
Memorial Day Weekend at 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
Please plan to arrive 1/2 hour before the tour begins.
Rock Discovery Center: 12:00 p.m. (noon) Saturday and Sunday ONLY. Please plan to arrive 11:45 a.m.
Fossil Discovery Center: May 11 & 25, June 8 & 22 — 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Mineral Collecting: Permitted daily on the Mine Run dump, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Permitted only the last Sunday of each month
in the FIll quarry and Passaic pit areas, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Fees: $5 admission plus $1.50/lb for all material taken.
Learn the 300 year history of mining in NJ, how ore bodies were discovered and how they were developed, NJ mining towns, key inventions, evolution of mining methods and technology, differences between coal and metal mines, environmental hazards, silicosis and black lung disease, accident statistics. Learn about Edison's iron mine, important mining inventions, and much more. Read more class information.
Collecting is allowed on the Mine Run dump and in the Passaic pit and "saddle" areas. This event is open to the public. Bring sturdy footwear, a strong hammer (carpenter's claw hammers not allowed), and eye protection. A dark room with a shortwave ultraviolet light is provided on-site for inspection of fluorescent minerals. Read details Mineral Collecting.
Learn the 300 year history of mining in NJ, how ore bodies were discovered and how they were developed, NJ mining towns, key inventions, evolution of mining methods and technology, differences between coal and metal mines, environmental hazards, silicosis and black lung disease, accident statistics. Learn about Edison's iron mine, important mining inventions, and much more. Read more class information.
With so much to do you may want to stay for a day or two!
The Sterling Hill MIning Museum
Our mission is to tell the story of the Sterling Hill Mine and
to
inspire learning about earth sciences, engineering, and the responsible
use of the earth’s nonrenewable resources.
