Founded in 1948, the Keene Mineral Club has always been an active group of collectors united by a common bond: their excitement about and love of collecting minerals. Today, we have 100 or so members whose interests cover the full spectrum: crystals, minerals, gems, lapidary, micromounts, fossils and more. People of all ages are welcome: our members include men, women and children ranging in age from under 6 to over 80. Anyone with an interest in any aspect of the rock, mineral and fossil hobby is encouraged to join us.
Meetings are held the first Saturday of each month, September through June, at 6:00 PM 21 Durkee St., Winchester, NH 03470. Our meetings usually feature speakers, slide programs, films and demonstrations. A special feature is the specimen table: members are invited to display pieces from their collections so we can all learn more about our hobby. Below is a map showing the location of our meetings:
On the first Saturday May, we hold an auction at our regular monthly meeting. Material for the auction is supplied by members, and usually includes mineral and fossil specimens, tools, books, and more. The quality of specimens auctioned off ranges from beginner’s to serious collector’s levels, with prices ranging from 25¢ to over $100.
On the fourth weekend in June, our club sponsors a club swapping space at the Gilsum Rock Swap, in Gilsum, NH. Club members are eligible to set up a display of their own so they can trade with other swappers and dealers attending the show.
Many of our club members love to go out to collect their own mineral specimens, and we are renowned for the quality and diversity of our field trips. We sponsor monthly visits to mines and collecting localities from April through November. All trips are planned to take us to the best spots for finding a wide variety of specimens. If you’re a beginner, don’t worry – the friendly, experienced people in our club will share tips and techniques to help make your first trips safe and successful.
All are welcome to join the Keene Mineral Club. Club dues are structured in two categories: 1) those
receiving emailed newsletters and 2) those receiving mailed newsletters.EMAILED NEWSLETTERS
Single Membership...$12.00
Family Membership..$14.00MAILED NEWSLETTERS
Single/Family Membership...$20.00Dues can be mailed to our treasurer at: Keene Mineral Club, c/o John Baz-Dresch, 154 Partridgeberry Lane, Swanzey, NH 03446. You may email him at bazziemoto@yahoo.com
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP• Eligibility to participate in all club-sponsored field trips
• You will receive a free embroidered Keene Mineral Club patch
• Attendance at monthly meetings featuring speakers, specimen table and more
• Members receive a membership card in the Keene Mineral Club and in the Eastern.Federation of Mineral and Lapidary Societies
• Each household receives a copy of our monthly newsletter, the Collector’s Corner, either by mail or e-mail. The newsletter is published from September through May.
• Members may place free notices or ads in the club newsletter
• Club members may sell specimens at our annual auction
• Dues cover the cost of club field trip liability insurance, provided through the.EFMLS.
The Keene Mineral Club publishes an award-winning monthly newsletter, which features news about upcoming meetings and field trips, minutes from previous meetings, articles written by club members, classified ads, and other items of special interest. Printed newsletters will be mailed to printed-newsletter members a week or so prior to each club meeting. Virtual newsletters will be e-mailed to e-mail newsletter members, usually a day or two before the printed newsletter is mailed.
Please feel free to contact any our club president: Laura Guillet
The Keene Mineral Club is a member of the
Eastern Federation of Mineral and Lapidary Societies
and the American Federation of Mineral Societies
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