S6 E9: Mining the Past: How Copper Shaped the Keweenaw and Its World-Class Museum - An Interview with John Jaszczak

"If you didn’t grow it, you’ve got to mine it,” says John Jaszczak, Director and Curator of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton, Michigan. Since 1838--just after Michigan became a state--geologists and miners have been collecting rock and mineral specimens as the first American Mining Rush began. Since 1855, those specimens were housed at Michigan Technological University, then known as Michigan College of Mines, making it one of the oldest museums not only in Michigan, but the Great Lakes region. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with John about the museum origins and what a visitor can find there.

Key Takeaways + Notable Quotes:

 The region’s history—from Indigenous use to mining booms to today’s tourism—stems from its globally unique native copper deposit.

“The reason we’re here is because of the geology. And because of copper in particular.”

 What began as a teaching collection for Michigan Tech’s School of Mines became a public museum in 1902.

“The collection started in 1885 when the university started offering courses in mineralogy.”

From discovery tales to global expeditions, the museum presents minerals as more than geology.

“Some specimens have scientific stories. Some have personal stories. Some have adventure stories.”

Under ultraviolet light, otherwise ordinary-looking minerals burst into color.

“That’s the part where most people say, ‘Wow, I didn’t expect this.’”

John’s lifelong fascination with minerals led him to volunteer, then direct, the museum alongside his career in physics.

“I started collecting minerals when I was probably five or six years old... and I just loved it.”

From working with scientists around the world to publishing in mineralogical journals, the museum plays an active role in global discovery.

“There's something magical about being the first to describe and name something.”

The Keweenaw’s native copper is on display in museum-quality form that you can’t find anywhere else.

“We have the world’s best specimens of copper. No question about it.”

Resources:

• Visit the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum:  https://museum.mtu.edu
• Explore Native Copper in the Keweenaw: https://www.mindat.org/museum-139.html
• Keweenaw National Historical Park: https://www.nps.gov/kewe/index.htm 

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Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Dr. John Jaszczak share the rich history of Michigan’s native copper legacy, how the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum became one of the nation’s premier mineral museums, and why its specimens continue to captivate visitors, researchers, and collectors from around the world.