Stop by the West Bend Library during December and the first few weeks of the New Year to view a beautiful display of minerals and fossils in our large glass display case on the second floor. The display consists of an assortment of minerals and fossils from around the world, from the common to rather rare.
They represent a small selection of geological specimens from the personal collection of Jason Rehorst.
All three geologic eras are represented in the displayed fossils: Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. Highlights in the case include tiny teeth from mammals living with the dinosaurs just prior to the large K-T Extinction event, hair from a woolly mammoth found partially preserved in Siberia, and a few fossil concretions from the famous Mazon Creek of Illinois including a jellyfish, fern, shrimp and trilobite.
Mineral specimens give a glimpse of the wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes produced in the natural world.
Jason Rehorst has been interested in minerals and fossils for a long time when, as a young boy, he would pick up small stones and pebbles for his beginning collection on nearly every family outing.
He pursued his love of geology during college while studying geophysics with an emphasis on paleontology. He was also active in the university geology club and worked as a curatorial assistant in the university geology museum. After college, he was able to hone his geology knowledge while working in a natural history museum for 15 years. Jason now shares his love of the geological sciences by making portions of his large personal collection available for public viewing through traveling displays, while managing a geology educational and resource website called the Virtual Museum of Geology (https://www.virtualmuseumofgeology.com).
You will find several books at the library to peruse on these subjects. Collecting Rocks, Gems and Minerals by Patti Polk; DK Rock and Gem: the definitive guide to rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils; A Guide to Rocks & Fossils by Arthur Busbey are just a few of the titles you will find. They can be found in the 550’s upstairs in the adult area, or downstairs in the children’s area in the 550’s. The keys to understanding the ancient past lie in the ground beneath our feet. Check out this lovely display at the library.
