A Billion Years of North Carolina at Rock Days, Sept. 4 & 5

NOTE: JONES STREET IS BLOCKED OFF DUE TO CONSTRUCTION. PLEASE FOLLOW DETOURS TO PARKING.

Contact: Jon Pishney or Maria Sadowski at (919) 733-7450, ext. 304 or 305.

RALEIGH - This Labor Day weekend, come see how hard Mother Nature has labored to create North Carolina's rich geodiversity. For millions of years, heat, pressure and other natural forces have combined to create a wealth of geologic treasures in all regions of our state. See what's been dug up at Rock Days on Saturday, September 4th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, September 5th from noon to 5 p.m.

Over two days, exciting activities and presentations will showcase North Carolina's rich geologic history. Visitors can search for their own gemstones at a real gem panning operation set up on Bicentennial Plaza. A live silversmith will create jewelry as you watch. Local gem and mineral clubs will display their collections, and current geologic research will be presented by the North Carolina Geologic Survey. Additional presentations in the WRAL Digital Theater will include: "Gold Mining in North Carolina," "Backyard Treasures - The Geology of Wake County," and "Discover North Carolina's Volcanoes."

In 1799, nearly 50 years before the California Gold Rush, 12-year-old North Carolinian Conrad Reed discovered a shiny rock in a stream near his house. It was used as a doorstop for three years before being sold for an extremely low price. This 17-pound gold nugget doorstop marked the beginning of a century-long epidemic of gold fever in North America. Author Rick Knapp will add to this story in a Saturday presentation, "Gold Mining in North Carolina," an entertaining and informative view of the wild history of gold mining in the state.

"What's in your backyard? Is it junk or jewelry, trash or treasure?" The amazing wealth of North Carolina's geology doesn't end with gold. Museum geologist Chris Tacker will discuss more local wonders in his presentation, "Backyard Treasures - The Geology of Wake County," on Saturday and Sunday. Also on Sunday, vulcanologist Dr. Jonathan Lees will discuss North Carolina's volcanoes.

The Museum continues to display an unparalleled collection of North Carolina's gems and minerals in its current, special exhibit, Treasures Unearthed. This exhibit features emeralds, garnets, and gold and silver from North Carolina as well as a walk-through mine and an unequaled collection of historic mining artifacts. The admission to this exhibit will be reduced to only $3 for adults and $2 for children and seniors over the Labor Day weekend (Saturday through Monday).

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, in downtown Raleigh, documents and interprets the natural history of the state of North Carolina through exhibits, research, collections, publications, and educational programming. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the web at www.naturalsciences.org. The Museum is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary.

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