A Family Trip to the Zinc Mine

It was nearly impossible for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I clutched the hand of my six-year-old. We heard a low rumbling noise, then a boom! The men in charge of the explosives had just blown a hole in the mine, creating a brand new tunnel.

Our tour guide Ray turned on the lights.  My family and I were nearing the end of our tour of the Sterling Hill Mine, once owned by the New Jersey Zinc Company. The explosion was a simulation but trying to adjust to the darkness miners experienced everyday was real. You could immediately relate to how difficult their jobs and their lives were.

We had come to the mine with my nine-year-old's Cub Scout den and we weren't disappointed. Our group started in the visitors center where we met Ray, our fantastic tour guide. I highly recommend requesting Ray if at all possible on your trip to the mine.

Ray gave us the colorful history of NJ Zinc and the mine that operated for many years before bankruptcy forced its closure back in 1986. The mine and surrounding land was turned over to the Borough of Ogdensburg and some enterprising locals managed to turn it into a unique museum.

Our guide brought us to the entrance and continued to share the history of the area, while explaining the large mining equipment and buildings all around the area. The group was then led through the door to the mine where the temperature was distinctly cooler. 

We spent the better part of the next hour wandering through the tunnels in the mine while Ray explained everything we were seeing. The kids in the group ranged from six to 16 and they were all interested throughout the tour -- not an easy feat with that range of ages. The highlight for my kids, who range from six to 11, was the Rainbow Tunnel. I won't give away the surprise but I will say it involved black lights and an amazing natural display.

Another highlight was the Zobel Exhibit Hall, which creatively uses the former "gang shower" area to display an impressive mineral collection donated by the Oreck Company. There are more than 20,000 other items on display including fossils, mining artifacts and much more.

The Thomas S. Warren Museum of Fluorescence is the stop between the mine tour and the exhibit hall. The Zobel Hall is the last stop unless you are continuing on to Rock Discovery. Our den opted for the rocks but the other scouts with us ended their tour at the hall.

In the discovery area, Ray identified six different types of rocks and explained their history and where they are found. The kids were each given a box then set loose in the area to find the six rocks. Once they found them, they had to show them to Ray to be sure they selected the right rocks. It was well worth the extra money for Rock Discovery.

Sterling Hill Mine Museum is open year round and is closed only on major holidays. In December, public tours are given only on weekends at 1 p.m. Other times of the year tours are given daily at 1 p.m. -- check the website for the complete schedule and hours of operation. There is a snack bar and gift shop in the visitors center.

The cost is budget friendly -- $10 per adult, $8 for children 12 and under. The drive is just a little over an hour from the Paramus area. It's worth the trip.

This was the first installment of Tuesday Trips that ran in 2011 -- check the site for NNJ Family's latest adventure.