Mineral Museum

Mineral Museum

A Member of Southwest Montana

1300 West Park Street, Butte, MT 59701

Phone: 406-496-4414

Additional Information:
  • Education
  • Exhibit
  • History
  • Museum
  • Books
  • Gift Shop
  • Handicapped Accessible
  • Merchandise
  • Parking
  • Public Restroom
June 15 - September 15
Daily: 9:00am - 5:00pm
September 16 - June 14
Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 4:00pm

If you would like to see a fantastic mineral collection or need advice on where to look for our own mineral specimens in the Butte area, the Mineral Museum on the Montana Tech campus is the place to visit. The museum charges no admission fees.

Over 1,300 specimens are on display from around the world in the Museum building, including exhibits specifically devoted to Butte and Montana minerals and the area's mining history. Included in the collection is the 27.49-ounce gold nugget found in 1989 in the Highland Mountains south of Butte and a 400-pound smoky quartz crystal also from the area. Butte's rich mining history is exhibited through an impressive array of fine-quality mineral specimens from the underground mines. The Fluorescent Room, always a favorite, contains ordinary earth-toned minerals that radiate vibrant shades of pink, orange or blue when exposed to ultraviolet light. The Earthquake Studies Laboratory is situated in the Museum with operating seismographs for visitors to see.

There are several places in the Butte area for 'rock hounds' to look for mineral specimens. Also inquire about sapphire collecting opportunities in the surrounding area. The Mineral Museum curator and assistants are generally available to provide detailed instructions on locations and restrictions. A small gift shop is also open, where visitors may purchase reading materials or mineral specimens.

In the area

Places to Stay
See and Do
Events
Use ctrl + scroll to zoom the map
Use two fingers to move the map
  1. Hodgens Ryan Mansion
    Hodgens Ryan Mansion
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  2. Copper King Mansion B&B
    Copper King Mansion B&B
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  3. A Haven House Apartments
    A Haven House Apartments
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  4. The Miner's Boutique Hotel
    The Miner's Boutique Hotel
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  5. Motel 6
    Motel 6
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  6. Finlen Hotel & Motor Inn
    Finlen Hotel & Motor Inn
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  7. Eddy's Motel Extended Stay
    Eddy's Motel Extended Stay
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  8. Butte KOA
    Butte KOA
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  9. Rocker Inn an America's Best Value Inn
    Rocker Inn an America's Best Value Inn
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  10. Roberts Retreat
    Roberts Retreat
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  11. Comfort Inn
    Comfort Inn
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  12. Holiday Inn Express & Suites
    Holiday Inn Express & Suites
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  13. 2 Bar Lazy H RV Park & Campground
    2 Bar Lazy H RV Park & Campground
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  14. Wingate by Wyndham Butte City Center
    Wingate by Wyndham Butte City Center
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  15. Super 8
    Super 8
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  16. Fairfield Inn Marriott
    Fairfield Inn Marriott
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  17. Best Western PLUS Butte Plaza Inn
    Best Western PLUS Butte Plaza Inn
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  18. La Quinta Inn & Suites
    La Quinta Inn & Suites
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  19. Hampton Inn
    Hampton Inn
    Butte, MT
    More Info
  20. Toad Hall Manor B&B
    Toad Hall Manor B&B
    Butte, MT
    More Info