Despite the gloomy state budget situation, the California State Mining and Mineral Museum continues to thrive because of an outpouring of support from the local community, members, and out of town visitors. The Mineral Museum Association is a non-profit organization that consists of a board of directors and members that support educational programs related to minerals and geology. Thousands of school children visit the Museum every year and this has become part of the curriculum for many schools throughout the central valley.

The proceeds from the museum gift shop not only provides the local economy with sales tax revenues, it is the main source of income for the Associations educational budget. Another valuable source of income are bequest in peoples wills. This year the association received a bequest from mineral collector Don Baker of over 3,000 mineral specimens, some of them to be annexed into the state collection, and the remainder specimens can be sold in our gift shop. Our partnership with California State Parks has been cooperative and productive, and the result is a world class museum right here in Mariposa. The continued support of the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors has also been a key element of our success, and I would like to personally thank them for their years of support.

The Museum Association recently gave $30,000 to State Parks to fund the interpretive position at the museum, and budgeted another $22,600 for educational and interpretive programs. In order to maintain this level of support we must constantly promote memberships and bequest. You too can help by becoming a member of the museum association, shopping in our gift shop, and bringing your out of town guest for a visit. The Mineral Museum is open Thursdays through Sundays and is located at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.

Our yearly membership dues are as follows, general membership $10, business membership $25, sustaining membership $100, Museum Patron $500 and over. Your donation is tax deductible.

Your membership entitles you to free admission to the museum, discounts in the gift shop, and the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to sustain education and entertainment to thousands of visitors every year.

Please mail your donation to: CSMMMA, P.O. Box 687, Mariposa, CA 95338; or visit the museum to sign up.

Thank you for your support.
Ron Iudice, president
California State Mining and Mineral
Museum Association