Julian C. Gray

BIO

Julian Gray is curator of the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. A Georgia native, Julian studied geology at Georgia State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in geology. Julian worked with the Denver Office of the United States Geological Survey in the early 1980s. He then returned to Georgia where he worked as a geologist for a number of commercial laboratories and environmental consulting firms before joining Tellus Science Museum in 2005. Julian is particularly interested in optical mineralogy, identifying minerals through their optic properties using a combination of spindle stage and polarized light microscopy. As curator at Tellus, he was heavily involved in the exhibit design for the transition from the 9,000 square foot Weinman Mineral Museum to the 120,000 square foot Tellus Science Museum, which opened in 2009. He was also instrumental in acquiring part of the former Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia collection related to Georgia and the transfer of the Geology Collection of the Georgia Capitol Museum to Tellus. Both of these collections include historically and scientifically important and interesting specimens. For the book American Mineral Treasures, Julian co-authored the chapters related to Georgia mineral localities. Julian currently serves on the board of the Friends of Mineralogy and the Society of Mineral Museum Professionals. He is a past president of the Atlanta Geological Society, Friends of Mineralogy (National and Southeast Chapter), and past vice president of the Georgia Mineral Society. Julian is passionate about mineralogy and enjoys sharing that passion with others.

ABSTRACT

Georgia's Rich Mineral Heritage
Julian C. Gray
Curator
Tellus Science Museum

Georgia has a unique geologic history encompassing nearly all geologic time periods and a wide diversity of mineralizing environments that have produced a rich mineral wealth.  Commercial exploitation of these resources for industrial purposes began almost immediately after arrival of European settlers.  More recently minerals have been recovered and even mined for their aesthetic beauty.  However, archeological artifacts indicate that prehistoric Native Americans were also aware of many common minerals and collected them for ceremonial, utilitarian, and entertainment purposes.  Over the course of commercial and specimen mining as well as important archeological field work, important specimens and artifacts have been preserved worldwide in museums and private collections.  A few important museum collections have been put at risk of disposal or dispersal over the past five years.  These compromised collections include the mineral collection of the storied Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia collection, the Geology Collection of the Georgia Capitol Museum, and the collection of the former Georgia Geological Survey.  Geologic objects from these collections related to Georgia have been preserved at the Tellus Science Museum and are now conserved and curated under archival conditions.  Information about these objects is stored in electronic databases, in some cases for the first time.  Following an examination of these collections and associated records, as well as an inspection of artifacts at the National Museum of Natural History and significant private collection, a fascinating picture of Georgia’s mineral heritage emerges.  This talk, resulting from this research, comprises an overview of significant Georgia mineral deposits and their origins, a brief history of mining in the state, prehistoric use of minerals, and a few important or colorful personalities connected with our mineral heritage.

Area Hotels

Best Western Kennesaw Inn                                                                $49.95/night
3375 Busbee Drive NW
Kennesaw, GA  30144
770-424-7666

Located steps away from the KSU Center, this hotel offers King rooms as well as Doubles.
To reserve this special rate, please phone in your reservation and request the ESOL Conference rate.  The cut off date for this rate is one week before the conference on January 30, 2012.  Please make your reservation before this date to insure the discount.

Comfort Suites                                                                                         $79.99/night
3366 Busbee Drive NW
Kennesaw, GA  30144
678-275-2090

Located directly across the street from the KSU Center, this hotel offers King rooms and Doubles.  To reserve this special rate, please phone in your reservation and request the ESOL Conference rate.  The cut off date for this rate is two weeks before the conference on January 23, 2012.  Please make your reservation before this date to insure the discount.

Fairfield in and Suites by Marriott – Atlanta Kennesaw        $86.00/night
3425 Busbee Drive
Kennesaw, GA  30144
770-427-9700

Located .2 miles away from the KSU Center, this newly renovated hotel offers King rooms and Doubles.  To reserve this special rate, please phone in your reservation and request the ESOL Conference rate.  The cut off date for this rate is three weeks before the conference on January 15, 2012.  Please make your reservation before this date to insure the discount.

Hotel features:          Amenities include an outdoor pool, in-room coffee, exercise room, free Wi-Fi, two shuttle drop offs and two pick ups from the KSU center on each day of the conference.  Complimentary hot breakfast is served 6:30am-9:00am.

Area Restaurants

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For registration questions:

Email: conferences@kennesaw.edu
Phone: 770.423.6765

Local Arrangement Co-Chairs

Susan Kirkpatrick Smith
Department of Geography and Anthropology
ssmith1@kennesaw.edu
770-423-6247

Terry Powis
Department of Geography and Anthropology
tpowis@kennesaw.edu
678-797-2174