Our Mission:
The Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum is a 501(C)3 organization committed to the preservation of minerals and mining history for the purpose of educating students, educators, and the general public as it relates to the Kentucky/Illinois Fluorspar District and the effect minerals have on the daily lives of the general public.
The Museum:
The Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum is home to the most unique collection of fluorite crystal specimens on display in the country. It is also home to a wealth of other mineral samples, fossils and other mineral carvings, as well as a treasure of historical pieces related to the mining industry, such as photographs, journals, tools and other artifacts.
Most of the contents of the Mineral Museum come from Ben E. Clement’s personal collection, a passion project he began in his early days in the mining industry and carried out until his death in 1980.
The Collections:
At the museum, you will find the largest display of fluorite crystal specimens in the United States, most of which came from Ben E. Clement’s decades of work. Boasting thousands of specimens, the mineral collection is a huge draw for rock hounds, crystal collectors, geology enthusiasts and adventurers looking for America’s rural hidden gems (pun intended!).
You’ll also find impressive displays of Clement’s collection of photographs, mining equipment and documentation from the heydays of mining.
The Gift Shop:
There is another important collection our visitors absolutely LOVE… the one you can take home! Our gift shop has an incredible collection of local specimens and district fluorite for sale. We also feature crystal specimens from other collectors and vendors from around the country, making our gift shop a great resource for crystal collectors and rock hounds of all ages and interests. Our gift shop is so well stocked, many visitors think it’s part of the exhibit!
Donations, Memberships & Volunteers:
The Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit. Your kindness is what keeps our doors open! If you’d like to donate to the museum, become an exclusive member (with perks!) or volunteer to help at the museum in any capacity, you can do that by clicking the link below. We thank you for visiting us!