Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals

26385 NW Groveland Dr, Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA

Address:	26385 NW Groveland Dr, Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone:	+1 503-647-2418
Site:	ricenorthwestmuseum.org
Rating:	4.8
Working:	Closed Closed 1–5PM 1–5PM 1–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 18

Blair Ivey

Visited Crater Rock Museum in Medford last year, and thought that was the best rock and mineral museum in Oregon. I was wrong. The collection at the Rice Museum isnt quite as extensive as Crater Rock, but Rice has better fossils, a superior petrified wood exhibit (I didnt know petrified pine cones existed), and the best examples of pyrities Ive seen. What sets this museum apart are the many hands-on and interactive displays, and there are a number of informative placards. The museum hosts school groups, but the tactile displays are fun for adults, too. Rice does a good job of putting the rocks and minerals on display into context. The fluorescent mineral display is superior to the one in Medford. I visited on a weekday, and got to spend time with a geologist discussing the displays (your results may vary). At Rice you can touch a 2 billion year old terrestrial rock, and meteorites that are likely far older. The museum is housed in the former home of the founders, and the woodwork in itself is worthy of inspection. The museum offers reasonable rental rates for private groups, extensive grounds, and plenty of outdoor seating (no, I dont work for them). Off the beaten path a bit, the museum is readily accessible from Hillsboro. If you have any interest in the natural world, this is the best $8 you can spend.

Gregory R Wilson

Just amazing what mother earth can create.And also meteorites from space.Well worth the time and admission.What a great way to bring anyone to spend a day with.So much to admirer,and lean about.Lots of books and other learning material in the gift shop.Very friendly people running the museum.Just want to thank the Rice family and everyone that donated resources for the museum.I cant wait for a couple more years to take my younger son there and let him see this amazing place.Ive taken him here already but when he can truely learn what is really here.I tell all of you out there , load up the car and head out to the museum.You will be so thankful you did. Have a.great day peace out.420 on the way there lol........

April Miller

This is the perfect bad-weather outing. We have young children who were ridiculously pumped to go look at rocks! We spent about an hour and a half looking at the vast displays of beautiful and interesting treasures that have been unearthed! The gift shop has cool little specimens for $1-$3 (all the way up to hand-crafted jewelry of course). Kids get to pick out a free rock from a big pile outside. I thought this would be a bust and theyd select a big gray river rock, but I found a brilliant turquoise shard and the kids found several interesting brightly colored or sparkly stones to choose from. As we drove away, my oldest started talking about "the next time we come here".

Evan Davis

This is simply the best geology museum Ive ever been to. Ive been all over this country so thats saying a lot. This amazing collection of rare rocks is all behind glass. There is the main house with petrified wood, gems & crystals downstairs plus fossils, meteorites, phosphorescent rocks and more gems upstairs. The garage holds the store which has a lot of rocks, rock based art and other sciency stuff. The exterior building has a large collection of Geodes and other interesting rocks. The people running the place are volunteers and very nice.

Bill Hogarth

Great, Great, Great. If you are a rock hound this is your Valhalla. Beautiful home converted to a fantastic Rock and Mineral Museum. The home itself is worthy of a tour, done in a Southwest style with extensive Myrtle wood accents. But the displays of rocks and minerals are mind-boggling. Specimens from all over the world displayed in educational ways to teach viewers about our geologic world. Beautiful world-class pieces with many one-of-a-kind of best in the world. Oregonian samples are well represented, but it has much, much more.

David Newcomb

Several friends had suggested that I visit the museum and after years of dilly-dallying, my sweetie and I went -- I was not being quite forthright that afternoon and so she is thinking short grain, long grain, basmati... The collection covers a huge, maybe complete, spectrum of minerals crystals and everything else. Having done some rockhounding as a kid, the Northwest Mineral display brought back memories. "Look, Denny Mountain, Ive been there!" Even if one is not into rocks, go anyway; you just might be bitten by the bug.

Arturo G

I took my daughter to visit the rock museum this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised. Besides a vast collection of rocks and minerals, the museum houses petrified wood samples as well as fossils. The displays are informative and explain certain events not discussed in the average public school classroom. I encourage people to visit and support smaller museums such as the Rice Museum because it is crucial for their survival.

Savannah Kutkat Dollison

Guys, in case you dont know, rocks and minerals are cool. So glad I went there. Theres totally enough cool and awesome stuff for people that arent rock nerds to enjoy the trip too, including a black light rock room. Beautiful scenery that the museum is on. Definitely worth the $10. The gift shop is great too with lots of little things under $10 to buy as souvenirs.

Stan Atanov

Its nice to be here again. Try to make it at least once a year. There is astonishing collection of petrified woods, large and small samples of many different kinds of minerals, and fossils. Alma Rose is something you must see. Hummingbirds who are flying all over the place outside will entertain you while having your snack break.

Carl Engelgau

For a gold prospector, amateur geologist and rock hound, this place is the cats meow! Ive been there many times and usually bring guests from out of town and other countries. Go in with your mind open and youll be overflowing when you leave. I highly recommend it for kids of all ages.

Hugo Glanville

The best museum of rocks, minerals, fossils, semi-precious and precious gemstones in Oregon. My ten year old could not be torn away without first plundering the $1/lb rock-pile out. A well laid out display of beautiful specimens that fuels the curious mind.

Liv Ace

They have amazing and impressive materials. Everything is organized well and its very fascinating. They even have interesting fossils that are not flat. Everything was neat to see and if you felt like it you can also read and learn a lot as well.

Caroline P

Incredible museum. I had great time and kids loved it. They had hard time choosing favorite. Rocks with magnetic properties, uv light glowing, safe full of gold... Has a great time. Staff very friendly and airways ready to answer any questions

Jennifer Gill

So many amazing displays! My favorite is the different colors under different lighting display, incredible colors! Hands on stuff for the kids. Incredible hand built for this purpose house and grounds. Would live there if I could. :)

Bronwyn Ewers

Rocks and minerals from all over the world. Very interesting and educational. Unique house with lots of history. Fun place to visit and take a field trip too. If you are a local, the library offers discounted passes.

Jimmy Tran

I remembered going there as a field trip in 3rd grade and it was a great museum. I learned different types of rocks and minerals, and I got to choose three types of rocks or minerals. Nice place to go there!

A Private User

World class mineral specimens beautifully dispalyed. Friendly staff and tour guides. Large display of northwest minerals. One of the best collections of gold pieces on the west coast. Family friendly.

Corey Rudolph

Super cool place to bring the family to explore all things mineral. A great place to peak childrens curiosity and to educate them on the many types of rocks and minerals that make up our area and earth.