Gilsum Rock Swap

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Gilsum Rock Swap 2023

More than 70 dealers and swappers exhibiting rocks and minerals from around the world!

June 24-25, 2023 Rain or Shine

The Gilsum Rock Swap features more than 68 dealers and swappers with gems, jewelry and minerals available for sale or trade in scenic southwestern NH. Pan for minerals, enjoy an old fashioned New England ham and bean dinner with home made pies, sit down for a Chicken Barbecue lunch and more. Admission is free, although donations are graciously accepted. All proceeds go to youth recreation and community programs.

Can you guess what mineral this is?
  • See minerals and crystals from all over the world
  • Crack a geode
  • Pan for minerals
  • Enjoy a hearty whole foods pancake breakfast
  • Stay Saturday evening for the famous ham and bean supper with homemade pies
  • Chicken barbecue Sunday from noon to 2 PM

Show Schedule: Saturday

8 AM Exhibits open
8 AM – Noon: Wholesome Foods Breakfast
10 AM – 2PM: Library book sale at the Library

1 PM: SPECIAL PRESENTATION “A collector’s guide to New Hampshire minerals” at the Community Center Auditorium. (See details below)

5:00 PM: Annual Ham & Bean Dinner with homemade beans and pies! This family style event features home made pies and beans made by local Gilsum residents. The dinner also includes ham, potato salad and cole slaw. Seatings beginning at 5 and 6 PM at the Gilsum Congregational Church. Tickets go on sale at the Rock Swap Central information booth all day and at the church after 4 PM Saturday.

6 PM: Dealer exhibits close

Sunday

8 AM: Exhibits open
8 AM – Noon: Wholesome Foods Breakfast
Noon – 2 PM: Chicken Barbecue
10 AM – 2 PM: Library book sale 10:00 – 2:00 at the Library
4:00 PM: Show closes – See you next year!

***Special Presentation***

This year’s event includes a special presentation by New Hampshire minerals expert Tom Mortimer:

“A collector’s guide to New Hampshire minerals”

1 PM Saturday in the Gilsum STEAM Academy auditorium

In this presentation Tom will describe the kinds of minerals you can find when collecting in New Hampshire, and some of the more productive areas in which to collect your own specimens. His talk will feature photos of many classic minerals found in New Hampshire, plus some of the lesser known, uncommon ones you might not think could be collected in the Granite State. And of course, he’ll also have a few samples on hand. Don’t miss it!

More About Tom Mortimer

Tom Mortimer has been field collecting New England minerals for over 48 years, starting with a childhood visit to Mt. Mica in Maine. He is a longtime member of Micromounters of New England club, and was inducted into the Micromounters Hall of Fame in October, 2022. Since 2015 he has analyzed over 1,000 samples of New England mineral specimens submitted by members of the club using a process called energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis.

An avid woodworker, Mortimer built a display case for his New Hampshire Mineral Species display, which contains one of the most extensive collections of New Hampshire minerals in the State. It’s now in display at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH. He is also the founder of the New Hampshire Mindat website.

Here’s Tom during a collecting adventure at a mica mine in Springfield, NH. “I was digging for beryl. Just found a few small specimens that day along with a few specimens of small blue-green apatite crystals,” he says.

Visit us on Facebook at GilsumRockSwap, where you will find photos from last year’s show, announcements for this year’s event and more!

Watch the New Hampshire Chronicle TV episode about the Gilsum show!

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday/ 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday
Location: Gilsum Elementary School and Community Center, 640 Route 10 in Gilsum (just 10 minutes from Keene). This is an outdoor event, under canopies, held rain or shine. For directions click on the Directions menu item at left.
Places to Stay: Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts and Campgrounds can be found at this Web site.
Gilsum Weather: The Rock Swap goes on rain or shine! Click Weather.com for the weekend forecast.

Show coordinator contact: gilsumrocks@gmail.com