THE GEOLOGY COLLECTION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES, RALEIGH, NC, USA

The Geology Collection of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (NCMNS) predates the establishment of the Museum in 1879, when the State Geologist's collection formed the nucleus of new exhibits highlighting North Carolina's natural resources. The Collection supported exhibits at national and international expositions. Today the collection is still growing through donations and research, focusing on North Carolina's geological diversity. The Collection supports research, exhibits and education. It has supported work as diverse as archeological surveys and asbestos litigation.

Historical samples include a diamond from J.A.D. Stephenson's collection, gold from the Reed Gold Mine from the time John Reed owned it, W.E. Hidden's first hiddenite crystal to be found in situ, and numerous specimens from W.W. Jeffris, who supplied crystals to J.D. Dana. Ore specimens are curated from many of North Carolina's important and historic mines, including many now-defunct gold mines and monazite placers. Many of the meteorites found in North Carolina are represented, the most notable being the Moore County cumulate eucrite.

Curation of this natural treasure has been uneven through the Museum's history, especially during the 23 year period between the retirement of Curator Harry Davis and the hiring of the current curatorial staff. The NCMNS Geology Collection is now organized and housed in appropriate cases, and the entire collection has been databased. Plans are underway to make the database online.

Although we are tasked with maintenance of this collection "into perpetuity," funding represents a continual challenge. The Biological Sciences have long recognized the importance of collections and their maintenance, and the National Science Foundation supports these efforts. In the geosciences, the situation is far less advanced. A 2002 report from the National Research Council (Geoscience Data and Collections: National Resources in Peril) recognized the importance of preservation of geoscience data, and recommended better funding and organization on the federal level. However, neither the committee conducting the study nor the reviewers included any museum professionals. Benefits to the museum community have yet to appear.