Wisconsin Geological Society History

Galena is the primary ore mineral of lead. Worked for its lead content as early as 3000BC, it is found in ore veins with sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, fahlore etc., and in sedimentary rocks as beds or impregmentations. The crystals are bright when fresh but often receive a dull tarnish after exposure to air.

In the midst of the Great Depression of the 1930's, the director of the Milwaukee Public Museum hired people in 1935 to create earth science exhibits. These Works Progress Administration (WPA) employees started meeting outside working hours in their homes to discuss the exhibits. In February 1936, they formed the Wisconsin Geological Society, which was allowed to meet the first Monday of each month at the Museum. In 1940, the Society was one of the three founding clubs of the Midwest Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies (MWF). In 1947, the Wisconsin Geological Society, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin as a non-profit, non-stock corporation.



Scholarships:
WGS awards scholarships annually to UW-Milwaukee Geo-Science students.
Donations are tax deductible.


Did you know ?

  • A telephone contains over 40 different mineral materials, a television set has about 35, and an automobile about 15.
  • Fool's Gold can be one of three minerals; the most common mineral mistaken for gold is pyrite, chalcopyrite may also appear gold-like, and weathered biotite mica can mimic flake gold.
    •