The Association
Who are we?
About Us
We are an association of mineral collectors and mining enthusiasts, founded in 1986 by collectors from the Oberwolfach area.
As early as May 16, 1985, they had organized a very successful mineral exhibition in the Oberwolfach Festhalle. The desire of these collectors was to create a permanent exhibition space for the minerals of the Clara Mine – a mine known for its extraordinary variety of mineral finds. In 1989, the municipality provided several vacant rooms in the Hofbauernhof.
Through a great deal of personal effort, the first construction phase of the Mineral and Mining Museum was created there. Following an expansion of the premises in 2010, the mineralogical collection was supplemented by the exhibition of the Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach (MFO). Thus, the MiMa, the Museum for Minerals and Mathematics, was born. The association is the institutional sponsor of the museum’s mineralogical department.
Visit us and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of minerals and mathematics at the MiMa!
What we do?
- Management of the museum
- Acquisition of minerals, primarily from the Black Forest, to expand the collection
- Maintenance of the collection
- Organization of lectures as part of "Culture at the MiMa"
- Information booths at trade fairs / mineral exhibitions
- Mentoring of a youth group
- Cooperation with the Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach
- Close cooperation with mineralogical institutions
- Advising collectors at the museum
- Identification assistance for unknown minerals (funding of mineral analyses)
- Publisher of the journal "Der Erzgräber"
What we offer?
- Free admission to the MiMa Oberwolfach
- Free subscription to the association's journal "Der Erzgräber" featuring new articles on mineralogy and mining in the Black Forest, usually two issues per year
- One free, one-time guided visit to the Clara Mine
- Priority mineral sales for members
- Exchange of contacts between members, especially during the weekend of the annual association meeting, usually in September