The last full weekend of every September is the time of the Museum’s annual gem and mineral show. The show is in several parts, as listed below, and is open to the public. Bring the entire family—there is something for everyone!
FMM mineral sale
Hundreds of Franklin-Sterling Hill mineral specimens are offered for sale in Kraissl Hall of the Museum, starting on Friday at 10:00 AM and continuing through Sunday.Most such sales feature mining artifacts, books, and various historical items in addition to minerals.
Main show
The main show, held Saturday and Sunday, takes place in the event hall at Franklin Fire Department at 137 Buckwheat Road. Dozens of mineral, gem, fossil, and jewelry dealers come to Franklin for this event and open up shop. This show is sponsored and organized by the Franklin Mineral Museum and is the Museum’s largest annual event.
Swap-and-Sell outdoor show
This event, held Saturday and Sunday, on the grounds of Fireman’s Memorial Park, 46 High Street near the intersection of Parker Street and Buckwheat Road.This event is held outdoors along the access road and well into the park’s spacious field area. Depending on weather, up to 100 (sometimes more) dealers and collectors set up tables on which to display their items for sale, including minerals (both local and worldwide), jewelry (lots!), gems, fossils, and more. One of the main attractions of this part of the show is that one never knows what will show up; items seen in recent years include a shillelagh and a bullwhip. This part of the show, as well as the show banquet listed below, are sponsored by the Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society.
Show banquet
A catered banquet during Saturday night of the show weekend gives attendees a chance to relax, eat good food, and converse with fellow collectors. Over the years the banquet has taken place at various venues, but generally it is held in the Lyceum Hall of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at the base of Main Street in Franklin.