Maine Mineralogical & Geological Society

Ham & Weeks Recreational Area

The MMGS has been involved in operating the Ham and Weeks Educational and Recreational Area for the past several years. This area is typical of the pegmatite deposits which are found in the Maine/New England area. Ham and Weeks Mine was first developed by the Mineral Hill Mining Corporation, formed August 7, 1877, by Samuel B. Ames. Shares were sold to buy equipment and mining rights in the area. Originally called the Mica Mine, 2 or 3 acres were worked and the mica was sold for use in stove windows and lamp chimneys. Operations didn’t last too long. As the pit depth increased, an underground spring flooded the pit, and pumps couldn’t keep up with the flow. The original pit is believed to be south of the present pit. The mine was inactive until 1914 or 1915, when the present pit was opened for mica to be used in gas masks for soldiers in WW I. The mica was taken by horse-drawn carts to East Wakefield and loaded unto trains. The mine was closed after a year or two, then re-opened a third time in the 1930’s, when mica was used as electrical insulation in early crystal radio sets; beryl was also reportedly mined for war use. The same corporation is believed to have operated the Mineral Hill Mine, up the hill just north across the road. Opened around 1880 for silver, the mine also contained galena, sphalerite, malachite, pyrite and quartz (some crystalline). There are rumors that small amounts of gold were found. Three shafts were dug. Reportedly, a six piece sterling silver set was made and presented to the Maine State Assessor as a wedding present. Access to the Mineral Hill Mine dumps is not presently permitted. Ham and Weeks are both very old family names in the area. The mine also has been called the Province Lake Quarry. The predominant minerals are muscovite mica, quartz and feldspar in several colors, biotite mica and pale blue beryl. Other minerals sometimes found include chrysoberyl, columbite/tantalite, garnet, molybdenite, pyrolusite, samarskite and vesuvianite.

Please read the rules for collecting given below.

Directions:
At the junction of Rte. 110 and Rte. 153 turn north on Rte. 153 to Pickpocket Road (there isn't any sign, however, there is a red house on the corner), take Pickpocket Road 1.2 miles to the mine road on the left. The MM&GS has a sign on the property which is easily seen from the road.

Wolfeboro Quad. 3-9-9-1

General Rules for Admittance and Collecting

1. Active members and specified guests of the Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society are authorized to collect mineral specimens within the confines of the Ham and Weeks Educational and Recreational Area.

2. All members wishing to collect minerals must have in their possession their Membership Card. Vehicles parked at the Recreational Area parking lot must be displaying the MM&GS vehicle decal in plain sight.

3. NO vehicles will be allowed beyond the chain which has been placed across the access road, except as directed by the Ham & Weeks Operations Chairman or his designated representative. Vehicles will not be parked in a manner to block the acces road at any time. Subject vehicles may be towed at owners expense.

4. Entry to the Ham & Weeks Recreational Area will be at the individuals own risk. The Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society and associated property owners assume no financial liability or responsibility for damage sustained to personal property or injuries sustained while on these premises.

5. Parents and legal guardians are completely responsible for the actions of and control of their children. Parents who fail to take positive acion in controlling their children when asked to do so may be asked to leave the Recreational Area.

6. SAFETY must be and will be of primary concern for all MM&GS officers and for all collectors while at the Ham & Weeks Educational and Recreational Area.

7. Anyone observing collectors working in an unsafe manner may approach any MM&GS officer and report the safety violation. The MM&GS officer will make the determination as to the degree of the safety violation and take such actions as decided by the Executive Board. The Ham & Weeks Operations Chairman or his respresentative will have the final say in the matter.
A. A Collector may be asked to correct the manner in which he or she is collecting and posing a safety problem.
B. A collector may be asked to terminate his/her collecting in a particular area if it is felt that personal injury to themselves or others may occur.
C. A collector may be asked to leave the site if they fail to take positive action in correcting the percieved safety violation.
D. Any member who fails to comply with the Rules of Collecting may be brought before the Executive Board for Disciplinary Action.

8. The Ham & Weeks Educational and Recreational Area has been established as a collecting site for MM&GS members to enhance their personal collections and not for the financial gain of any individual or group of individuals.

9. NO power equipment will be used for collecting. The only method of collecting will by the use of hand tools only.

10. Collecting During Organized Excavation/Blasting:

A. When heavy equipment is present or when a blast is planned the following rules for collecting will apply:
1. The Operations Chairman will be the Sole Authority for safety, entry into the site, operating procedures, collecting activity and the disbursement of mineral specimens.
2. These operations are one or two day operations only.
3. The disbursement of mineral specimens will be determined by the amount of mineral specimens found during the operations, and by the number of hours worked during that operation. Keep it in mind that these operations are being payed for by the MM&GS treasury and the first priority is to pay for the operation, in order to keep the site operating and provide for future operating ventures.
4. Members who work during these operations will receive at least one specimen. If sufficient mineral specimens are found during these operations the disbursement of specimens will be accomplished as outlined by the Operating Proposals of 1993 as voted for by the General Membership. The disbursement of mineral specimens refers to beryl and columbite/samarskite specimens only and will always be accomplished with fairness as the primary concern. There are many other collectible mineral specimens both unique and rare located at this site for your collecting pleasure.

B. Collecting in the Mineral Dump:

1.Collecting will be limited to one, five gallon bucket of beryl or columbite/samarskite or any combination per day. This does not apply to other minerals that you may find.
2. Beryl and/or Columbite/samarskite mineral specimens that are too large for the 5 gallon bucket, that you wish to keep as a specimen will be brought to the Operations Chairman for weighing and appraisal. The collector will then be given the opportunity to purchase the additional material weight at wholesale price. Keep it in mind that the first 50 lbs. of the mineral specimen are already yours to keep.
3. Mineral specimens other than beryl and columbite/samarskite are yours for the taking. C. These rules and the division of mineral specimens as outlined above are for the benefit of the collector and the MM&GS as well. They are designed to provide a safe and equitable balance, while providing a safe and enjoyable collecting site for future use as well.

11. These rules, regulations and guidelines have been approved by the majority vote of the officers of the MM&GS as binding, and will be enforced without prejudice. The MM&GS reserves the right to ammend the rules by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

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