1976
Donations from numerous private collectors form the beginning of the Original JMU Mineral Collection.
1989
Dr. Richard Mitchell of the Univ. of Virginia bequeaths 10% of his estate for the creation of the Mitchell Mineral Endowment, which is used to acquire the Definitive Virginia Mineral Collection.
1993
Mr. Clarence Mitchell (father of Richard Mitchell) adds to the Mitchell Mineral Endowment by leaving 10% of his estate to JMU for this purpose.
2007
Drs. Lance and Cynthia Kearns donate a large collection of minerals from Franklin & Sterling Hill, NJ. This donation includes the Fluorescent Collection.
2007
The original James Madison University Mineral Museum opens on the JMU campus in Memorial Hall (photo above).
2014 - 2018
Peter L. Via donates significant minerals to JMU. These donations were rich in tourmaline, azurite, fluorite and calcite.
2018
Peter L. Via donates the entirety of his mineral collection to JMU after his passing. These minerals, along with those previously donated, now form the Peter L. Via Collection.
2020
The Mineral Museum reopens in its new location in the Festival building on the JMU campus.
2022
Dr. Eric Pyle named Education & Outreach Curator and Dr. Elizabeth Johnson named Collections Curator.
