Exploration Abode - A Journey through Mineralogical and Petrographic Wonders

In the heart of Braunschweig, Germany, lies a treasure trove of minerals that spans centuries and continents. The Natural History Museum, located at Pockelsstraße 10, 38106 Braunschweig, houses one of the most comprehensive collections from the Tsumeb deposit in Namibia, thanks to the generous donation of Walter Richard Kahn in 1982.

The roots of this collection can be traced back to 1754, when it was first made accessible to the public. Over the years, it has grown significantly, with a substantial portion attributed to Dietmar Reinsch, a mineralogy professor and the founder of the Mineralogy Cabinet in Braunschweig.

The collection was initially part of the ducal art and natural history cabinet, and in 1877, it was bequeathed to the Mineralogical-Geological Institute of the TU Braunschweig. In 2018, the museum took over the mineralogical-petrographic collection of the TU Braunschweig.

Unfortunately, the collection suffered a setback in 1944 when it was destroyed in a bombing raid. However, it has since been rebuilt, and today, it stands as a testament to the city's rich history in mineralogy.

The collection includes a significant number of minerals from the Tsumeb deposit in Namibia, one of the most diverse and important mineral localities in the world. Walter Richard Kahn's collection, in particular, is renowned for its comprehensive representation of the Tsumeb minerals.

The Natural History Museum is currently planning a modern permanent exhibition for the mineralogical-petrographic collection. While the exact opening hours are yet to be announced due to a move and redesign, the museum can be contacted via Tel.: 0531 12253100, Fax: 0531 12253901, Email: [email protected], or through their website: https://3landesmuseen-unsere-website.de/staatliches-naturhistorisches-museum.

As the museum prepares for its new exhibition, it continues to uphold its commitment to making the wonders of mineralogy accessible to the public, just as it did over 260 years ago. The Braunschweig Mineralogical-Petrographic Collection is not just a collection of rocks; it is a living testament to the city's rich history and its promising future.