Field Trips
A second “tradition” of the club from early on was Field Trips. The first recorded excursion was on April 24, 1971 with a trip to Preston, GA to hunt for iron fossils, iron geodes and goethite. Many early trips were in the local area such as, Cartersville, Dallas, Buford, Winder, Hillsboro, Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Columbus. After a while, several locations became favorites, such as Chunky Gal Mountain in North Carolina to look for garnet, ruby and corundum. There were many trips to the Brown Sand & Gravel Company near Columbus to look for opalized quartz and petrified wood. Another local area with many trips was Cochran’s Mica Mine in Ballground to find pegmatite, tourmaline, beryl crystals, quartz crystals, mica and arrowheads.
One of the overall favorites became (and still is) Savannah River agate in Girard. For many years an annual tradition in November was a trip to the Withlacoochee River near Valdosta to look for agatized coral. Near the city of Gore were found coral, trilobites, blastoids, brachiopods, lace agate and colored chalcedony.
Other “favorite” locations with many trips over the years include: Ladd’s Quarry, Cartersville, GA for cave onyx, quartz crystals, calcite crystals, aragonite crystals, dolomite, and dendrites; Diamond Hill Mine, Antreville, SC for skeletal quartz, smokey quartz and amethyst; Hillsboro, GA for quartz (gray, yellow, blue, black); Burnsville, NC for golden beryl, aquamarine beryl, green beryl, apatite crystals, clear oligoclase, thulite and fine small spray of shorl and garnet, zircon, thulite, columbite, kyanite and smokey quartz; Graves Mountain for quartz crystals, barite, sulfur, fuchsite, ilmenite, pyrite, rutile, pyrophillite, kyanite, lazulite and hematite; Summerville, GA for lace agate and jasper; Ft. Payne, AL for blastoids, crinoids and horn coral; Dale Hollow Lake, Livingston, TN for silicified crinoid stems and plates, and geodes; the Standard Mineral Company, Glendon, NC for pyrite cubes, pyrite cubes in matrix, green fluorite, and microminerals; Ft. Payne, AL for crinoids, crinoid plates, crinoid calyxes, horn coral, quartz and calcite geodes; Indian Mountain, AL for wavellite, rockbridgeite, strengite, varisite, dufrenite, churchite, goethite, beraunite, jarosite, cacoxenite and iridescent hematite; Epworth, GA for large almandine garnets and staurolite; Hogg Mine, Troup County, GA for rose quartz tourmaline, beryl, moonstone, mica books, garnet and quartz crystals; the Patty Construction Quarry, Chattooga County, GA for Summerville lace agate; the Cemex Quarry, Macon, GA for marine fossils including sand dollars, shark’s teeth, gastro-pods, scallop shells, turritella, a variety of corals, and fossil bones; the Mason Mine, Franklin, NC for rubies and sapphires (corundum); Woodbury, TN for geodes with quartz crystals and botryoidal chalcedony, Ordovician marine fossils, limestone suiseki, and various minerals including dolomite, calcite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and smoky quartz; Chunky Gal Mtn., Corundum Knob, Clay County, NC for Ruby corundum (pink to red), Spinel (black to brown “galaxite” and magnesio-chromite), Sapphirine, Talc, Serpentine, Brucite (white to blueish chalky chunks), Tremolite, Actinolite, Smaragdite (chrome-emerald green amphibole), Pyroxine (chrome diopside/sparse green micro-crystals of weathered amphibolite matrix), Fuchsite and Dunite.
Lapidary Classes
Early classes
Frank & Annette McGhee taught an eight week lapidary course at the East Cobb School, sponsored through co-operation with the East Cobb Community School. Classes were held on Wednesdays from 7pm – 9pm. (March 1974) First mention of any classes in the bulletins.
In the Minutes of Meeting of 2/5/91, “The announcement was made that classes in bead stringing and wire wrapping will be held in the East Cobb County Services Building, 4400 Lower Roswell Road, at 7:00 pm, on Feb 12, 1991.
Held classes on the first Tuesday of each month at the East Cobb Government Services building. Classes are fairly informal and you can start any month that you wish. Included are wire wrap, bead stringing and design, lost wax casting, dream catcher earrings.
Classes held on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm at the East Cobb Government Bldg., 4400 Lower Roswell Road in Marietta, GA. Frank and Annette McGhee held class in wire wrap and other lapidary skills for many years. Becky Patellis taught beading. Olin Banks taught faceting.
Artisan Resource Center
A special Board Meeting was called in September of 2005, to decide on leasing a space at the Artisan Resource Center in Marietta. The Board approved. This was a dream for the society to have a place to work and learn to use the various machines. Mary Ingram, President of CCGMS stated, “It will be a tremendous tool in getting new members and teaching them what this is all about.”
On November 13, 2005, the club held a Workshop Open House from 2 – 4 pm. Thanks to Pat and Carl Brown, Jack and Nollie Agey, and Beverly for all the hard work to get the room nice and clean and ready. Carl Brown was the first Shop Foreman.
In Feb 2006, the CCGMS Workshop first opened at the Artisans Resource Center, Studio M, 585 Cobb Parkway in Marietta. Pat Brown was the Workshop Committee Chairman. The workshop was open on Thursday and the 3rd and 4th Tuesday. The regular classes were held there on the 1st Tuesday of each month.
There were many, many people that helped to make the workshops a total success, one of the hallmarks of the CCGMS, and more recently, Karen Jensen, Bob Hohn, Ken Hunt, Wes Manley, Chris Munson, George Libby, Al Sorensen, Carl Brown, Pat Brown, Ruth Rainey, Anne Bair, Roy Meade, Becky Pattellis, Rebecca (Robbie) Hunt.
Newsletter/Bulletin
The main method of communication with the club members from the very beginning was through the club bulletin, COBB-L-STONES. Pat Stapp and Barbara Ann Ritch were two of our first newsletter editors. Leo Morris volunteered his services in 1970 and continued until 1980, when he became Editor for the Southeast Federation of Mineral Societies newsletter. There were several editors for the next few years starting in 1981; Steve Hudson, Betty Bell, Paul Redd, Sandra Lynn, and Mary Lou Ernst. Frank Mayo was President, but was highly involved with producing the newsletter (and writing numerous excellent articles) until his death in 1989. After Frank’s death, Leo Morris again took the reins for the next four years. Leo’s wife Edna was also very active in the club for many years and was elected President in 1992, 1993 and 1994. They made a great team. In 1994, Steve Owen volunteered to edit the newsletter and did an excellent job until his early and untimely death in 1997. Mike Ingram took over after Steve, followed by Jana Haege for two years, and then Jim Haege accepted the position of editor in 2000 and remained for 8 years, until his election as President. In 2008, Karen McGinn volunteered her services followed by Carol Lindsey, Marjorie Gore and then in 2011, Toby Stewart took the reins. After Toby, it was Richard Cepurna (from January 2018 to September 2019). Then Sharron Ragan (from October 2019 to February 2021). In March 2021, Amanda Rollason took over as editor, along with her many other CCGMS jobs.
COBB-L-STONES Recipient of Numerous Awards
Jul 1971 – Certificate of Merit from the Eastern Federation bulletin contest
Mar 1972 – Frank Mayo won best published article in any American Federation Bulletin for his “Tarbaby Agate” article
1972 – awarded first prize in the EFMLS Bulletin contest
Best Overall Bulletin in the 1976 Southeast Federation Bulletin contest
Nov 1977 – second place in the Large Bulletin Class within the Southeast Federation
Dec 1978 – first place in the Large Bulletin Class within the Southeast Federation
Judged “Best Overall” in the 1979 Southeast Federation Bulletin Editors’ Contest
Nov 1979 – Frank Mayo took Best Original Article in the Bulletin Editors’ contest for “The Quartz Family”
Oct 1984 – 2nd Place in SFMS Large Bulletin; Frank Mayo received 3rd Place in Articles for his “Janus, Thundereggs, minding your Middens”
Nov 1984 – Floyd Hoskins received an SFMS award for “Recognition of Excellence” for his article, “Diamonds in India: Myth or Reality?”
Nov 1986 – Frank Mayo received “Recognition of Excellence” in the Southeast Federation Bulletin Editor’s Contest for his fascinating articles on the earth sciences and its people published in COBB-L-STONES
Dec 1991 – first place in the Large Bulletin category at the Southeast Federation conference. In addition Lowell Bailey won a special trophy for writing articles for the newsletter
3rd Place in Annual Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS) Bulletin Contest for 1992
Authors Louis Eldridge and Lowell Bailey each received Certificates of Honorable Mention for their articles submitted in the 1992 contest
Aug 1999 – SFMS bulletin awards: Amber Bishop – 1st place Junior articles; Jana Haege – 2nd place New Editor. Certificates of Participation to: Bill Montante, Mary Overhalser, Jim Haege, Laura Pemberson. AFMS awards: Bill Montante – 5th place Adult Articles; Amber Bishop – 6th place Junior Article; Jana Haege – 2nd place New Editor.
Nov 2012 – Wayne Dodd’s COBB-L-STONES article, “Geodes from the Warsaw Formation” places first in the SFMS Adult Article competition. It went on to place 7th at the national AFMS competition.
Nov 2013, Chris Munson’s Rocky Rockhound Wins First Prize in both the Regional SFMS & the National AFMS Bulletin Editors’ Competition.
The Dream of Our Own Clubhouse and Workshop
In the March 1990 edition of the COBB-L-STONES, President Lowell Bailey in his “THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE” stated, “It is time we set our sights on getting a small piece of land and a building we can both meet in and put equipment in, too. Our society needs to grow and become established in a building of our own.” “We would be able to hold our meetings and any functions we desire without restrictions, only those we place upon ourselves. We could also hold auctions, instructional classes, or whatever events we choose. There would be no limit to available ways to make use of this facility.”
From the Aug 1993 COBB-L-STONES: “We now have our first building – in storage. Thanks to the ‘Over the Hill Wrecking Crew.’ Jim Sims, Frank McGhee, Leo Morris, Joe Wooddy and Theo Miller spent two hot, sunny Saturdays disassembling the storage building donated by the Mayo daughters. Jim Sims has it in storage at the shop until we can find a place to put it up. Any ideas?”
Cherokee County YMCA Outdoor Activity Center proposal to allow us a building or buildings for our own use. In return we would agree to help teach geology and other Earth Sciences. Committee was formed. (Oct 1994)
Interest was rising again on finding a permanent “clubhouse”, Aug 2005. Decided to form a committee to study/design/list the needs for a “clubhouse”.
Sep 2013, from Dion Stewart, President: “No doubt you have heard that the membership at the August meeting approved the purchase of 516 W. Atlanta Street in Marietta, GA. If you were at the meeting, it was very obvious that our membership wants a permanent home that includes an expanded workshop and a large general room that can hold our monthly meetings. To me the most amazing aspect of the meeting was the overwhelming show of volunteerism, as member after member stepped forward to offer their talents, extra building materials from their own homes, and their personal time to see that the needed renovations to the existing building and grounds get done. Did you know that we have within our membership professional cabinet makers, professional painters, and professionals that do flooring, as well as many people who are extremely knowledgeable about construction aspects from hanging dry wall to doing plumbing. After the meeting I received emails from people volunteering their time “in any area where you need help”. Almost twenty people signed up for either the hard work of demolishing unwanted walls or the painting of the new walls that we are going to put in. A special thank you goes out to two people who were instrumental in the process of securing this new location. Working hard behind the scenes and not getting a drop of recognition was Roy Meade. He was the Chair of the Workshop Expansion Committee, which is now being called the “Consolidation Committee” as we combine the needs of our newest CCGMS members who have come to us upon the closing of the Lockheed Mineral Club. Special recognition also goes to Wayne Dodd, who worked tirelessly on getting the finances for purchase and renovation to fit within the constraints of our limited building fund. Although I know personally that keeping everything working was an ordeal, he has volunteered to continue this heavy burden as he will serve as Project Manager.”
May 2014, “Great news! The outside of the new clubhouse building has been completely transformed with new siding and looks great! The inside is looking as bright and shiny as the outside. The unexpected good luck of being able to afford all new siding was due to the wise use of the insurance check for the tree damage done to the clubhouse and CCGMS Members pitching in to take on jobs as painting, building stairs, installing insulation & windows, packing and moving items from the workshop, cleaning up the grounds, etc. More good news! We have just received a beautiful display case donated by Julian Gray. This will enable us to have wonderful rock, mineral and fossil displays in our new clubhouse. The past month, Members have worked tirelessly, removing all the old flooring and laying down the brand new floor. The cutting, cabbing, restrooms and storage rooms already have new flooring and most of the other rooms are scheduled to have new flooring in place by the time the newsletter hits your “in box.” Carpeting will be installed in the meeting room after the larger equipment is moved in. Expect to see the clubhouse “light up” as the electrical work is finished and the building has full power. The plumbing and HVAC system are almost finished and the alarm system is due to be installed on Monday. Cupboards will be moved from the workshop to the clubhouse this weekend. If you’d like to help with any project, contact Wayne at 770-689-7777 or wmdodd1@bellsouth.net to pitch in! Wayne has done an exemplary job in heading the clubhouse renovation! Thanks to Wayne and dedicated club volunteers, our dream of having our own home is a reality!”
Consolidation with Lockheed Lapidary Club
The relationship between the Georgia-Lockheed Employees Recreation Lapidary Club and CCGMS goes back many, many years. Many of the folks in the Lockheed club were also members of the CCGMS. For example, Herb Bowls, the first president of the Lockheed club was a distinguished guest at the September 1971 meeting.
When Lockheed Martin announced in early 2013 that they were going to close all of their recreation clubs, the general membership of the Cobb County Gem and Mineral Society extended a warm welcome to members of the Lockheed Lapidary Club to join the CCGMS. They called for the formation of a joint, adhoc committee to develop a financially feasible plan that would incorporate those members and materials from the Lockheed Club into expansion of the CCGMS facilities. A motion to accept was made and seconded and unanimously agreed upon by the membership. The following members were recommended by the Board to be on the adhoc committee: Roy Meade (Chair), Pat Brown, Bob Shively, Wayne Dodd, Anne Bair, Karen Jensen and Al Sorenson.
It was reported in November of 2013 that, “Lockheed is donating the balance of their equipment from their shop to CCGMS for a $10.00 fee with a stipulation that it be removed by November 16. Bob Shively, the President of the Lockheed club coordinated this move.
Community Projects and Endeavors
Gem & Mineral Show
In 1986, Carolyn Randall & Jim Bishop put on our first gem and mineral show as we know it today in the Cobb County Civic Center. We have held shows there each year since. (1986-2014)
Dec 1986 – Gem & Mineral Show a Great Success! “Our greatest expectations were surpassed ten-fold at our Gem, Jewelry and Mineral Show last weekend. We thought it would be a good show but never dreamed it would be so successful. Our dealers were very pleased with their sales and told us that it was the best show that they had in the area with most dealers reporting a 25% increase or better in sales. We feel this was, in part, due to our extensive advertising campaign. We estimated attendance exceeded 3,000 and we asked each person to check off how they heard about the show. Most responded that they received a flyer. Newspaper advertising, mail and radio advertising followed. We sold out of grab bags early on Saturday and could have sold many more if they had been available. We also acquired new members who joined our club at the show. The dealers greatly appreciated the meal we provided for them on Wednesday night and all day on Thursday. We certainly have many gourmet cooks in our club. We want to thank everyone on our show committee and those who helped. Without your help we just could not have had things run so smoothly. Without a doubt, we have the best club in the world with the best members. Not a single member turned us down when we asked for help and we certainly appreciate your participation . . . . you are great! Show Chairman: Carolyn Randall; Publicity: Roy Meade; Exhibits: Ralph Hendricks; Demonstrations: Gene Harris; Hospitality: Margaret Deutsch; Door Prizes: Annette McGhee; Dealer Chairman: Jim Bishop; Financial: Frank McGhee; Membership: Mary Ann Pearson; Security: Charlie Royston; Grab Bags: Charlene Ardell; Hostesses: Elsie Royston and Jeanette Harris.
Dec 2011, comments by Ken Hunt were typical of the annual show. “We had a great show! I want to thank everyone who made the show a success and fun. I received all kinds of compliments from the vendors about how wonderful the Host and Hostesses were, and how helpful and courteous they were to the customers and the staff of the Cobb County Civic Center. There were a lot of wonderful display cases and everyone who entered the building seemed to love Lawrence’s unique greeting…”It’s about time you got here.” No child left empty handed, as Lawrence made sure they received a small shark’s tooth. The most talked about event was the Dealer’s Dinner, the dealers were very thankful that they were thought of. Becky did a very “delicious” job of setting up the dinner. Thanks to all the members who brought all the tasteful food that made this year’s dinner a success. Floyd and Ingrid (Millis) supplied the carrot cake which is always a big hit at our get together. Once again, I want to thank all of you who made this show a great success.”
Reaching out to schools and other mineral societies
Frank Mayo presented a course in Mineral Identification at Kennesaw Junior College, April 1971.
Frank Mayo was invited to give a series of talks at the following clubs and show: Atlantic Coast Gem and Mineral Exhibition, Baltimore, MD; Lake Martin Rock and Gem Club, Alexander City, AL; Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies, Washington, DC; Huntsville Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show, Huntsville, AL (Oct-Nov 1972)
In May 2-13, 1983, CCGMC supported the Georgia Mineral Weeks at the State Capitol in Atlanta.
September 2002, the club was invited to set up exhibits at the North Georgia State Fair at Jim Miller Park located on Callaway Road between Austell Road and Powder Springs Road, Marietta, GA.
Display cases were set up in the Smyrna Library, Aug 2005. Thanks to Jay Gorday, Becky Patellis, Carol and Al Sorensen, Floyd and Ingrid Millis, Pat and Carl Brown, Wayne Dodd, Jim Haege, and Ann Bair .
Apr 2002, Anita Westlake spoke on “Geo-Hazards” to the Chattanooga Geology Club.
Jim Haege spoke on “The Future of Lighting” to the Cotton Indian Gem and Mineral Society in Apr 2002.
Anita Westlake coached an elementary school team for the Rocks and Minerals event of the Science Olympiad (Mar 2002)
Bill Barber spoke about rocks to 3 Boy Scout units and a senior citizens group. Said he had a “blessed summer” talking to thousands of kids, and hopes to do it again next year. (Sep 2002)
Kim Cochran spoke to 6 classes at the Five Forks Trickum Middle School and the Fort Payne Mineral Society. (Mar 2002)
Olin Banks was the guest speaker at the Cornelia Club. (Mar 2002)
Bill Barber and Becky Patellis presented their rock and mineral demonstration to 80 kids at the Bethel Academy (Nov 2003)
Nov 2011, Wayne Dodd went to Addison Elementary school to assist Julie Knobbe prepare a lab on the topic of Geodes. Wayne gave the kids an overview of what a geode is and how they are formed. In addition, he took along the club’s “Geode cracker” to break the geodes open. This has become an annual event where we provide geodes for the kids to select from and we crack it open for them. The kids love it!!
Dion Stewart gave a presentation in Feb 2012 to 50 science teachers teaching them about his rock identification kits.
On April 13, 2012 CCGMS President, Dion Stewart gave a presentation on rocks and fossils for Harry’s in Marietta. In addition to a display, complete with a dinosaur bones and cut gems, Dion worked with children and parents on how to identify minerals using the CCGMS mineral ID boxes that he designed. Sandy and Keith Johnson were there to help.
William Holland
Aug 25, 1983, Frank and Winnie Mayo attended the groundbreaking for the William Holland Retreat at Young Harris, GA.
The first SFMS workshop at the William Holland School for the Lapidary took place July 10-17, 1988. The CCGMS was represented with Dot and George Kasper, Holly Camp, and Al Nagy.
George Kasper Memorial Library established at William Holland School (Apr 1993). George was a long time member of CCGMS.
Weinman Mineral Museum
March 1984, the Gilbert W. Withers Memorial Fund moved the Fulton Federal Savings and Loan Association gem and mineral collection to the Wienman Mineral Center at Cartersville, GA.
When Winnifred Davis Layton Mayo died Oct 13, 1984, the Winnifred Davis Layton Mayo Fund was established in association with the William Weinman Mineral Museum in Cartersville, GA.
October 1985 saw the Ground Breaking for the Winnifred Mayo Wing at the William Weinman Mineral Center and Museum.
July 1986 – Mr. Lewis H. (Lew) Lane gave his large collection of fine mineral specimens to the Winnifred Mayo Memorial Mineral Museum at Cartersville, GA. This magnificent collection of minerals consisted of over 80 beautiful minerals, some of them very rare. Also included was a fossil snake and a fossil fish. The minerals he gave to the museum were collected over a period of 16 years.
September 1987, Annis McRae donated a case of minerals from her personal collection to the William Weinman Mineral Center and Museum.
November 8, 1987, a Dedication Ceremony and opening was held of the Winnifred Davis Layton Mayo Wing and the Frank Mayo Earth Science Library of the Weinman Mineral Museum with The honorable Joe Frank Harris, Governor of Georgia in attendance.
In August of 1989, Frank Mayo donated mineral specimens to the Weinman Mineral Museum valued at over $12,000.00. Included were: Tourmaline from Brazil, Amethyst Geode from Brazil, fluorescent minerals purchased in Franklin, NC, Emerald crystal from Brazil, Aquamarine crystal from Brazil, Ruby Corundum from India and Limonite Tektite from the Philippines.
(From the October 1990 COBB-L-STONES)
“For many years there had been talk that Atlanta needed a mineral museum. Sure, there were displays at the State Capitol, Fernbank Science Center and at the Georgia Geological Survey, but nothing devoted entirely to minerals. Gil Withers and others began to work on the idea and for a short while things did begin to take some shape but then fizzled out.
Up in Cartersville, Marylyn Moore, with the Cartersville Tourism and Industry Council, was thinking on the same lines. For over 100 years mining had been extremely important in the growth and development of Cartersville and Bartow County. Under the earth there were reserves of manganese, iron, ochre, umber and barite. Marylyn thought it appropriate for a mining museum to be built in Cartersville. Not many people in Atlanta, including myself, took her seriously. The thinking was that we had failed to establish a museum in Atlanta, how would one come about way up there in Cartersville?
Somehow the idea took hold. The family of William Weinman agreed to provide funding for the building. Mr. Weinman was the owner of Thompson-Weinman, an important mining company in the area. Well, ground was broken in 1982 and the building completed in early 1983. Fulton Federal Savings & Loan agreed to place their Gems & Minerals of The World Collection on indefinite loan. The collection arrived in April, 1983 and work was begun on cataloging and arranging the collection for opening that took place in July, 1983.
The museum grew, but away from the original plans for a mining museum. With the Fulton Federal collection as a base the Weinman began to develop into a mineral museum instead.
Within three years the Weinman was having growing pains. The facilities were too small. Frank Mayo and family stepped forward and through a very generous donation provided the funding for expansion. Ground was broken again and in late 1987 the new addition was opened and dedicated. The new addition included an exhibit hall built in memory of Winnie Mayo the Frank Mayo Mineral Library and additional space for the preparation of specimens.
Also during this time the original collection was being expanded upon. A gentleman named Donovan D. Wharff visited the museum. Impressed with what he saw he surprised the staff with the first sizeable donation in mineral specimens. Later, through the wills of Georgia and Inez Montgomery, a large portion of their collection was donated. Next, Lewis Lane, a mineral dealer in Decatur, donated many fine specimens. In 1988 the Weinman was donated a 4,000 piece collection of primarily Mexican minerals from Mrs. Fred Sponsler of Stone Mountain. With this donation there was again a problem with space. Frank Mayo came forward again and donated 21 additional display cases. Frank continued to support the Weinman through the donation of mineral specimens up to the time of his death.
Many other people have assisted through the donation and loans of specimens. Theo Miller has generously loaned his fossil collection and microscope. He currently is in the process of inventorying the collection that will be the base for a research fossil collection.
At this time the Weinman has over 9,000 square feet and houses more than 5,000 specimens. There are three principle exhibit areas. The Georgia Room contains collections of local specimens arranged geographically, by specific sites and by minerals important to Georgia. Because of the geology of northwest Georgia, a simulated cave was constructed and explains the process of cave formation. From time to time mineral, geological and speleological societies provide exhibits as well.
The Frank & Winnifred Mayo Wing houses an international collection. Exhibits here are arranged chemically as well as specific mineral and educational exhibits on hardness, crystallography . . . . ., etc. The most popular display is the Rhodochrosite belonging to Fulton Federal.
A small exhibit hall in the rear contains exhibits on fossils and artifacts. The fossils are arranged through the major geological eras, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic. On the outside of the museum there is a drag line, a dump truck and a switch engine used by the local mining companies. We have been donated a large rock crusher that will be placed in front of the museum.
Because of the size of the collections, about two-thirds are stored at any given time. These specimens are rotated out regularly and exhibits change so that each time one visits the museum there will be something new to see.
This fall the Cartersville-Bartow Library will begin to catalogue our books into their system. We hope that by late spring of 1991 that the Frank Mayo Mineral Library will be open for public use. This will be a reference library and no books will be allowed to leave the museum.
The museum staff has been trained in leading tours through the Weinman. Groups may request ahead if they wish to have a guided tour. Both the Director and Curator speak to schools and civic organizations. This also may be arranged in advance by contacting the museum.
Through a new program stared last fall, businesses in Cartersville and Bartow County have provided funds so that every child in Bartow County may visit the Weinman free. This year, in addition, each Bartow County student will receive a small artifact, fossil or barite specimen with text explaining its significance.
In 1989, the Frank Mayo Junior Rockhound Club was started. This group meets monthly, conducts field trips and currently has about 35 members.
Once again we are experiencing some growing pains. Rooms are needed for Georgia mining exhibits, educational exhibits, fossils and additional preparation and storage space. We have been promised, when space allows, an antique steam engine, in excellent condition, from a local brickworks. This isn’t the first time we have had growing pains. This is good, for we know that we are doing something right, that we do have public support or we would still have room in the old facilities. We wish to continue and expand the programs that we currently provide. We wish to establish new programs in order to educate the public in the Earth Sciences. It is through education both at the Weinman and through outreach programs that we will continue to grow and hopefully become the finest facility of its type in the southeast.
Please, if you have not visited us, I encourage you to do so. If you have visited us, come see us again. There will always be something different.
Kim B. Cochran, Consultant-Curator
William Weinman Mineral Museum
(Sep 2006) Tellus – the Northwest Georgia Science Museum in Carterville, GA will open in 2008 incorporating the former Weinman Mineral Museum.
Mayo Foundation
CCGMS donated $1,000.00 to the Vesta Mayo Education Foundation, Sep 21, 1989.
Leo Morris named Secretary and Director of the Frank Mayo Educational Foundation (March 1990).
(From October 1990 COBB-L-STONES)
The Mayo Education Foundation was established by the late SFMS President, Frank Mayo, as the Scholarship arm of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc.. The purpose of the foundation is to provide financial assistance to qualified junior and senior undergraduate students and to students acquiring advanced degrees of the Earth Sciences. Also, to provide financing for other educational projects of exceptionally meritorious value that may be approved by the members and directors of the foundation.
We have attained our goal of $100,000.00 through donations by clubs and individuals, many in honor of our late founder. As of this writing the interest generated from the assets will allow the foundation to grant a minimum of four $2,000.00 grants per year to qualified students. While this seems quite a large sum we shall need continuous support if we are to continue our efforts. Clubs may help by such fund raising activities as silent auctions, donating percentages of show gate receipts, collecting cans and/or old newspapers. There have been donations by individuals who collected cans along the nation’s highways for that specific purpose. (Helps clean up the environment, too.) There are an infinite number of ways clubs and individuals can help.