Sterling Hill Mining Museum
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Outside View of Sterling Hill Mining Museum
Part of the World Famous Rainbow Tunnel
One of the Mine Tunnels
Modern Mine Shaft
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
History of Sterling Hill
Unfortunately, a major portion of Northern New Jersey industrial heritage has been torn down, and historic buildings that contributed to the area’s economic prosperity have either been obliterated, turned into residential subdivisions, or completely regraded.
The history of Sterling Hill mining actually dates back to the 1630s, as it was thought to be a copper deposit at the time. In 1765, the previous owner, Lord Stirling, sold the mine to wealthy businessman Robert Ogden. The mine changed several hands throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, drawing thousands of European and Hispanic immigrants to Sussex County.
Iron and zinc mining poured significant wealth into the community, and it remained in operation until 1986. The mine would have fallen to the same fate as other mines in the area, but in 1989, the Hauck families bought the mine to preserve the legacy of Sterling Hill. By 1990, Sterling Hill opened for public tours.1
Exhibits and Mineral Collections
Tours through Sterling Hill introduce visitors to the vast history of this zinc and iron mine, and some of the most important mining sites include displays of the old mining equipment scattered throughout the museum. Tours also take visitors through the impressive tunnels running underground.
Sterling Hill Mining Museum is also home to a variety of immersive and educational exhibits. The Zobel Exhibit Hall stands as one of the more popular exhibits, as it contains thousands of authentic mining-related items on display, including equipment for explosives, crushing ore, ventilation in the mine, and lighting. Visitors can also walk through a 1,300-foot underground tour that showcases the specific aspects of the mining process.
Much of the equipment covers three centuries of mining history, while each exhibit contains dozens of large-mass ores as well as over 700 fluorescent specimens.2
Other Museum Features and Events
In addition to tours through the mine and displays showcasing the specific aspects of the mining process, Sterling Hill Mining Museum is also well-known for its geological collections and other features. The Rock and Fossil Discovery centers provide visitors with an interactive experience regarding both geology and archaeology. For example, as part of the Fossil Discovery Center, younger visitors can dig for fossils in a large sand box, and they can take home any fossils that they find.
The Ellis Astronomical Observatory, located on the museum grounds, houses a variety of powerful telescopes that allows visitors to look at the moon, distant galaxies, and planetary nebula. Also, the Hydrogen-Alpha telescope allows visitors to even look at the sun.
When visiting the museum, keep on the lookout for special events held throughout the year. The Mineral Collecting events stand as some of the most popular, and during these events, the public can actually dig for minerals using a hammer.3