SYMPOSIUM FIELD TRIP UPDATE
The Symposium field trip on November 12 is to the New Paris Quarry. The quarry features both mineral and fossil collecting. The field trip will be led by Dr. Stephen Lindberg, an authority on the quarry, its minerals, and its fossils.
The field trip departs from the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, at 9:30 a.m. Safety gear is required — hard hat, high visibility vest, sturdy work boots, gloves, and eye protection.
The field trip is open only to Symposium registrants who attend SATURDAY afternoon safety briefing, which will be the final talk of the Symposium, either in person or via Zoom.
For more information on the New Paris Lime and Stone Company Quarry:
New Paris Quarry
SYMPOSIUM UPDATE!
The Friday Night Meet and Greet (November 10) will be held in the meeting room at the Sleep Inn (453 Theatre Drive) at 6 PM. Bring your best find of 2023 to brag about! Following the Meet and Greet, The University of Pittsburgh Johnstown Geology Department will host a gigantic rock and mineral giveaway!
Professional attendees will receive 6 Professional Development Hour (PDH) credits.
There are still a few dealer tables available. Please register by October 15.
DOWNLOAD the Dealer Information Sheet (PDF)
You can collect both minerals and fossils on the Sunday (November 12) field trip to the New
Paris quarry. Safety gear is required — hard hat, high visibility vest, sturdy work boots, gloves, and eye protection.
Please note that registrations with box lunch orders must be received by November 4, and registrations without a box lunch order must be received by November 8. You may also register at the door on November 11.
We have two payment options: mail your payment or pay online with PayPal.
NOTE: There is a $2 convenience fee for online payment.
DOWNLOAD the registration form for the FMPA 2023 Symposium (PDF)
Pay the registration fee online with PayPal
The symposium will be held at the Living and Learning Conference Center. The address for the University
of Pittsburg Johnstown Campus campus is 450 Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904. Coordinates 40.268630° -78.831809°
Map showing symposium location (PDF)
FMPA 2023 SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION
There will be a Friday Evening Meet and Greet and Show and Tell at the Sleep Inn at 453 Theatre Drive. It is a BYOB affair! Time to show off your most significant find of the summer. Time and room to be announced. Stay tuned.
Registration is now open for the FMPA 2023 symposium.
Please note that registrations with box lunch orders must be received by November 4 and registrations without a box lunch order must be received by November 8. You may also register at the door on November 11.
We have two payment options: mail your payment or pay online with PayPal.
NOTE: There is a $2 convenience fee for online payment.
DOWNLOAD the registration form for the FMPA 2023 Symposium (PDF)
Pay the registration fee online with PayPal
The symposium will be held at the Living and Learning Conference Center. The address for the University
of Pittsburg Johnstown Campus campus is 450 Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904. Coordinates 40.268630° -78.831809°
Map showing symposium location (PDF)
DIRECTIONS TO UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH JOHNSTOWN CAMPUS
• From eastern, southern, or western points: Take the PA Turnpike (Route 76) to the Somerset Exit. From Somerset, take Route 219 North to the Geistown/Elton Exit, PA Route 756. Make a right off the exit, then another right onto Theatre Drive. Follow signs to campus.
• Alternate route from eastern or southern points: Take the PA Turnpike (Route 76) to the Bedford Exit. At the exit, turn left on Business Route 220, then left again onto Route 220 (I-99) North towards Altoona. Exit onto Route 56 West. Follow Route 56 for approximately 33 miles until reach the traffic light at Theatre Drive. Make a right onto Theatre Drive. Follow signs to campus.
• From northern points: Take Route 219 South to the Geistown/Elton Exit, PA Route 756 (Note: do not take the Johnstown Expressway exit). As you descend the exit ramp, use the middle lane. At the traffic light (bottom of exit ramp) turn left onto Route 756; then turn right onto Theatre Drive. Follow signs to campus.
FM PA 2023 SYMPOSIUM HOTEL INFORMATION
Blocks of rooms have been reserved for November 10-12 at three hotels for attendees of the 2023 Symposium. They are being held on a first come, first served basis.
Comfort Inn Of Johnstown
https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvania/johnstown/comfort-inn-hotels/pa113
Address : 455 Theatre Dr, Johnstown, PA 15904
Phone : (814) 266-3678
Within 1 mile of campus
15 rooms reserved under “FOM”$130 + tax per night
Must reserve by October 20
Holiday Inn Express of Johnstown
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/johnstown/jstjt/hoteldetail
Address: 1440 Scalp Ave, Johnstown, PA 15904
Phone: (814) 266-8789
About 1.5 miles from campus
15 rooms reserved under “FOM”, 2 queen beds at $124.99 plus tax
Must reserve by October 10
Sleep Inn of Johnstown
https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvania/johnstown/sleep-inn-hotels/pa030?mc=llgoxxpx
Address: 453 Theatre Dr, Johnstown, PA 15904
Phone: (814) 262-9292
Within 1 mile of campus
15 rooms reserved under “FOM”
$85 per night, 2 double beds.
Must reserve by October 10
CALL FOR SPEAKERS
FM-PA Chapter Symposium
Nov. 11, 2023 – Johnstown, PA
Friends of Mineralogy – Pennsylvania Chapter’s annual Symposium serves the goal of advancing serious
interest in minerals and related activities. The audience
includes mineral collectors, professional mineralogists and
geologists, and curators of public and private collections.
The bond uniting these people is a love of mineral
specimens and a desire to spread appreciation and
knowledge of minerals. Some have an extensive
background in mineralogy, and some do not.
If you can make a presentation on a topic of interest to this mixed audience, please submit a short abstract to Chapter President Bill Stephens [bstephens@stephensenv.com]. Topics on Pennsylvania mineralogy are of particular interest. Time slots are approximately 45 minutes including time for questions. This is a hybrid symposium including attendees both in person and via Zoom. Accepted speakers can provide an abstract of up to two illustrated pages for the printed program. We can provide an honorarium of $100 per presentation.
FM PA 2023 SYMPOSIUM MOVES TO JOHNSTOWN
The 2023 Friends of Mineralogy Symposium will be held in Heritage Hall at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown on Saturday November 11, 2023. A Meet and Greet is planned for Friday night, November 10. The Symposium Field Trip location will be the New Paris Quarry, a fluorite locality, on Sunday November 12. Stay tuned for further details.
FM PA Now A Member of EFMLS
The Friends of Mineralogy Pennsylvania Chapter is now a member of The Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies. All FM PA members are now automatically members of EFMLS.
Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary SocietiesCHECK OUT THE NEW FM PA FACEBOOK PAGE
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the Friends of Mineralogy has a new Facebook page thanks to the dedication and hard work of Andrew Rockhound. Check it out at FM PA Facebook Page