The Pennsylvania Earth Sciences Association was chartered in 1964 to promote the study of the earth sciences; to provide a means to exchange ideas, knowledge, experiences and specimens; to foster a true appreciation in the mind of the public for rocks, minerals, fossils, and the lapidary arts; to promote the scientific study of minerals; and to encourage the search for new mineral species in Pennsylvania.
While the majority of our members are interested in mineralogy, their interests also extend into related fields of paleontology, gemstones, and the lapidary arts. Our members range in age from school-age children to retirees.
Meetings
Meetings are held the third Monday of each month, 7:30 PM at Helfrich Springs Grist Mill in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County.
Meetings are preceeded by silent auction-format mineral sales and a children's program.
Programs range from lectures to workshops. Recent programs have included:
Inclusions in minerals
Mines and minerals of South Dakota's Black Hills
Ancient Egypt cultural geology
Mineral industries of the Lehigh Valley
Volcanoes in the solar system
----- Directions -----
Directions for women: Helfrich Springs Grist Mill is located at the intersection of Mickley Road and Lenhert Road in Whitehall Township (less than a mile southwest of Lehigh Valley Mall).
Directions for men: Helfrich Springs Grist Mill is located at the intersection of Mickley Road and Lenhert Road in Whitehall Township (about a half mile west of Home Depot).
Some parking is available adjacent to the mill on the east side of Mickley Road. Additional parking in the parking lot on the west side of the road.
Activities
The club holds two shows per year: the Spring Mineralfest is held on the first Saturday in June, and the Autumn Mineralfest on the first Saturday in October. Both events take place at Macungie Memorial Park.
Other resources
The club maintains a library of titles of interest in mineralogy, paleontology, and the lapidary arts. The library is accessible during each meeting.
