June 7, 2007

Play Like a Miner

Kids get down and dirty panning for gold at Quicksilver Museum’s ‘Play Like a Miner’ day

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Kids came from all over to get down and dirty at the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum’s recent “Play like a Miner” day. And it wasn’t lost on their parents either as many pitched in to help while others waited for the perfect photo opportunity.

New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum park interpreter John Slenter, center, finds a real gold nugget to the amazement of kids and their parents.

“It’s great seeing so many kids coming out for this,” said New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum [NAQMM] park interpreter John Slenter. “This is our second annual ‘Play Like a Miner’ day. The kids really have fun.”

Slenter organized the event, held in the Casa Grande parking lot, with the help of New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association [NAQCPA] members. NAQCPA President Kitty Monahan operated the rocker sluice box, guru geologist Robbie Lamons ran the assay office, Mike Boulland timed the ore cart race through the maze, Shari Sullivan helped weigh the dirt the kids piled into buckets estimating 38 pounds [half of the 76 pounds a traditional mercury flask would weigh] and NAQMM park interpreter Mary Berger officiated miner bingo. Doreen Boulland was an official tabulator while mom Dot Wilson checked the eager participants in. And Slenter and Virginia Hammerness filled in where needed.

“This is fun,” said dad François Raynal who brought Arden and Francesca to the “Play Like a Miner” event. “I heard about it through Parks and thought it would be educational as well. I had no idea this was here. I want to check out the museum as well.”

Arden and Francesca Raynal enjoyed panning for gold with the other kids. Well, actually they panned for colored stones that earned the young miners coloring books and rock candy. But when Slenter pans he finds a real chunk of gold to show the kids who excitedly want to see the golden rock that miners toiled for. Actually, the New Almaden area was mined for quicksilver used for amalgamating the bullion.

The rocker sluice box is an added addition at the “Play Like a Miner” event at the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum.

“My daughter was here yesterday with Los Alamitos School,” said one parent. “She loved the program and wanted to come to this.”

During the school year, the NAQMM hosts programs for children where they learn a California history lesson taught by the park interpreters about the region’s successful mining operation. For many kids and their parents, they never knew the Almaden Mining Company was in the backyard, but they’ll never forget it once they visit “Play Like a Miner”.

“That’s what it’s all about,” said NAQCPA docent Doreen Boulland. “Parents enriching the kids’ lives while kids enrich parents’ lives by coming here.”

The New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum is located at 21350 Almaden Road, San Jose. (408) 323-1107. Open Fridays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July through August; 12 p.m.-4 p.m. September through June and Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. year round.