Smithsonian exhibition opens in Washington featuring almandine garnet mineral from Connecticut
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History opened a new exhibition last week titled From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage. The 5,000-square-foot exhibition commemorates America’s 250th anniversary by displaying more than 600 rare objects and specimens. The featured artifacts represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories, drawn from a total collection of more than 148 million items.
An almandine garnet mineral represents Connecticut in the national presentation, serving as one of five distinct objects selected from the state. The complex crystals form within metamorphic rocks and function as both an aesthetic specimen and a practical material. Because almandine is harder than steel, the mineral has long been utilized as an industrial abrasive for manufacturing sandpaper, grinding wheels, and saws.
The museum’s overall collection contains approximately 350,000 mineral specimens that illustrate different scientific and industrial applications. Many of the historical and cultural objects chosen for this specific anniversary installation have rarely or never before been displayed for the public. The exhibition is designed to explore the diverse landscapes, discoveries, traditions, and defining moments that have shaped the territory of the United States over millions of years…