National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame
What is the Hall of Fame?

The National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame was founded in 1987 to recognize excellence in the earth sciences by inducting one or more persons each year in six categories: Minerals, Fossils, Metal Craft, Lapidary, Education and Tribute (Deceased). At this time we have inductees representing 44 states. All of the inductees are experts in their fields. Many of them have published several books and most of them have been active in community service.

  Museum
Some Notable Inductees
  • Washington Roebling, one of our inductees in the Tribute category, was best known for designing the Brooklyn Bridge. He had an extensive mineral collection that was given to the Smithsonian.
  • Lafayette Funk, a member of the family that hybridized a type of corn (Funk's G Hybrid), collected giant mineral specimens. Lafayette donated his first collection of enormous minerals to Illinois State University at Normal. Later collections were donated to Wesleyan University and the University of Illinois at Champaign. Originally inducted in Minerals category, he is now deceased.
  • Also in the Tribute category, Joseph Lizaddro, collector of lapidary masterpieces, established the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Arts in Elmhurst, Illinois.
  • A Lapidary inductee, Ute Bernhardt, was the first American and the first woman to carve the official cameo of the Pope. She lived in the Vatican for the six weeks it took to carve the cameo.
  • Roger van Cleef, an inductee in the Fossil category, played football for the Dallas Cowboys.
  • In the Mineral category, Paul Desautels, was curator of Minerals at the Smithsonian until his retirement. Paul also served on the Board of Consultants for the Hall of Fame. He is now deceased.
About Us

The Hall of fame is a tax exempt organization. Under a ruling by the Internal Revenue, dated March 14, 1996, donations to the National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame are tax deductible under Section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section 501 (c) (3). We accept donations of almost anything including, but not limited to, money, rocks, fossils, jewelry, antiques, cars, works of art, etc.

In the Hall of Fame, we have a picture gallery wall where a picture of each inductee is hung. Also on the picture gallery wall, is a plaque engraved with the names of each inductee with the category and year they were inducted. There is also a special case where donated examples of their work are displayed.

The Hall of Fame is governed by a seven member Board of Consultants composed of one person from each of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. The names and federations of the Consultants are as follows; Isabella Burns, California; Marge Colins, Midwest; Diane Dare, Southeast; Fred Schaefermeyer, Rocky Mountain; Doug True, Northwest; Emerson Tucker, South Central; and Steve Weinberger, Eastern, Chairman. The curator is Maxine M. Wilson, South Dakota.

Nominations to the Hall of Fame of qualified persons associated with the earth sciences may be made by anyone. Click here to view the qualifications and nomination form.

The National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of fame is located in the Pioneer Auto Show at Murdo, SD. Watch for the looong green car!
     

Visit Us!

National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame
co-located at the Pioneer Auto Show
I-90 Exit 192
Murdo, SD 57559
National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame

Home | Inductees | Collections

Hours of operation: Open year around, the hours vary.

Admission Charge: Yes. One admission admits the ticket holder to the entire complex.

Telephone: 605-669-2691

Fax: 605-669-3217 E-mail Us

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