The day started dreary and we drove in with our headlights on at 7 AM, but 166 folks from as many as 7 states and 2 provinces descended into the quarry on Saturday. Another 70 participated Sunday AM during the second day of the annual event.
Yes, it was a bit wet. But where else can grown men and women play in the mud and break things with hammers?So what was found? Well at least three Wayne County Club memebers went home with a prized fluorite. A. Brian McGrath’s cube in a vug. B. Bill Chapman’s one inch cubes rests on small dolomites. C. Dan Stanton’s is on larger bright white dolomites. I know there were many others also. D. OK I do not have a fluorite to show, but how about a Silurian Halysites colony (chain coral), and, of course, a whole lot of white crystalline dolomite to hand out at future events.
And as if that were not enough entertainment The Dolomite Group gave youngsters a ride in a big truck. I wonder if they might loan us one of those things for a weekend of collecting? Can you imagine approaching the customs booth at Thousand Islands after a week of collecting in Ontario!
And as if that were not enough entertainment The Dolomite Group gave youngsters a ride in a big truck. I wonder if they might loan us one of those things for a weekend of collecting?
5 thoughts on “Walworth Quarry Open House”
I’m interested in this open house also. What dates in Oct? And address, please. Thank you in advance
The Penfield Open House has been set for 2018 and is on May 5th, but only from 7 AM to noon. Walworth will be in October, but dates are not usually set until August or so. In recent years it has been Columbus Day weekend and has been Saturday 7 – 3 PM and Sunday 7 – noon. Recently, the Walworth Quarry has much more rock to peck through and more folks seem to be successful finding fluorite. There is plenty of crystalline dolomite at each and some calcite. Poor quality fossils (damaged during dolomitization) exist at both also.
Hi,
My name is Daryl Ostrander, and I have been to the Walworth open house weekend only once a couple of years ago with one friend. I did come home with a partial blue fluorite crystal and a great small clear ice cube fluorite crystal. I live in Halifax,MA., it’s a 7hr. drive to Rochester, Friday, then collect on Saturday, possiable sunday. I very much want to take my daughter Sara, up for a weekend. Could you please send me the dates when they come in. We are members of the southeastern MA. Mineral club, as well as the Boston mineral club. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Daryl, Watch the Wayne County Gem and Mineral website, http://www.wcgmc.org, (or Sept. newsletter) for details. As best I know right now they have not yet set those dates. They should very soon. I suspect it will be the second weekend in October. I’m also a member of SEMMC, but have only participated in field trips led by Jim Bradley and Paul Monte, not meetings.
I’m interested in this open house also. What dates in Oct? And address, please. Thank you in advance
The Penfield Open House has been set for 2018 and is on May 5th, but only from 7 AM to noon. Walworth will be in October, but dates are not usually set until August or so. In recent years it has been Columbus Day weekend and has been Saturday 7 – 3 PM and Sunday 7 – noon. Recently, the Walworth Quarry has much more rock to peck through and more folks seem to be successful finding fluorite. There is plenty of crystalline dolomite at each and some calcite. Poor quality fossils (damaged during dolomitization) exist at both also.
Hi,
My name is Daryl Ostrander, and I have been to the Walworth open house weekend only once a couple of years ago with one friend. I did come home with a partial blue fluorite crystal and a great small clear ice cube fluorite crystal. I live in Halifax,MA., it’s a 7hr. drive to Rochester, Friday, then collect on Saturday, possiable sunday. I very much want to take my daughter Sara, up for a weekend. Could you please send me the dates when they come in. We are members of the southeastern MA. Mineral club, as well as the Boston mineral club. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Daryl, Watch the Wayne County Gem and Mineral website, http://www.wcgmc.org, (or Sept. newsletter) for details. As best I know right now they have not yet set those dates. They should very soon. I suspect it will be the second weekend in October. I’m also a member of SEMMC, but have only participated in field trips led by Jim Bradley and Paul Monte, not meetings.
The .ostranders of Pennsylvania will be there. Look for three people, pink, yellow and white hard hats. Happy to meet a cousin.