NEWRY – Aspiring geologists and mineral-collecting hobbyists may soon get their own field of dreams.

Efforts are now under way by the Maine Geological Survey to acquire a group of world-famous mines in Newry – including the Dunton tourmaline mine – to create the state’s first-ever mineral park.

Catalysts behind the proposed Newry Mineral Park of Maine project are Woody Thompson, a Maine Geological Survey physical geologist in Augusta, State Geologist Robert Marvinney and former Maine Department of Conservation Commissioner Ronald Lovaglio.

“This project came about because we realized that mineral collecting is a very popular hobby in Maine, and there are fewer and fewer mineral collection sites open to the public,” Thompson said Tuesday afternoon.

“Many popular mineral collecting sites in Maine have been closed to the public in recent years due to encroaching development and other factors. But the state of Maine now has the opportunity to acquire a 100-acre tract of land in Newry that encompasses the famous Dunton tourmaline mine and five other neighboring quarries.”

These include the Nevel, Bell, Martin, Dunton, Crooker and Kinglet quarries, which are located on the south side of a Plumbago Mountain spur. The property on which the mines are located is currently owned by Hancock Timber Resource Group, while the mineral rights are owned by International Paper, Thompson said.

The mines, which have been closed to the public for many years, were first opened in the early 1900s by miners searching for tourmaline, the first gemstone mined in the United States by people other than prehistoric man or Native Americans, Thompson said.

“Historic mining for feldspar and gem tourmaline in the town of Newry opened up several deposits rich in uncommon minerals. These mines are located on a scenic mountain top that also offers great opportunities for hiking, geologic studies and other outdoor recreation,” Thompson said.

The project kicked into high gear last year.

“Bob’s proposal was initiated through Land for Maine’s Future and has been favorably received by planning groups in western Maine. I think it’s not only good for hobbyists but also for teachers and students and Oxford County’s economy. Thousands of mineral collectors enjoy their hobby in Maine every year, and they also contribute significantly to the tourism economy of the state,” Thompson said.

The Newry Mineral Park would be open from dawn to dusk with collecting rules geared toward safety – meaning no tunneling in mine dumps – and aimed at discouraging collecting for commercial gain.

“Mineral collectors would be allowed to keep what they find, even if they discover a major crystal pocket, but the park hours are to prevent collecting sites from being monopolized by a single person or group of people.

“This park would be a great outdoor lab for earth science classes, geology field trips and hiking. There are very few of these things around in this country,” Thompson said.

Aside from mineral digging sites in the White Mountain National Forest of Maine and New Hampshire and the 35-acre Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Ark., Thompson wasn’t aware of any other mineral collecting parks in the United States.

Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only place in the world where people can hunt for diamonds and keep what they find.

The Newry Mineral Park will be owned by the state of Maine and supervised by the Department of Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Lands. The Maine Geological Survey, which as of June 27 had raised $20,495 toward their fund-raising goal of $300,000, has appointed a steering committee that is currently tasked with developing a management plan for the park.

Money raised for the park will be kept separate from Maine’s general fund, because if the project fails, the money will be refunded to the donors, Thompson added.

In addition to the $20,495, the Land for Maine’s Future Program has pledged $50,000, Thompson said.

“The Land for Maine’s Future board has made a generous pledge toward the purchase price, but most of the funds to acquire the property must be raised from other sources. If the ‘rock hound’ and education communities pitch in with generous donations, it will help us to gain support for obtaining larger blocks of money through grant proposals.

“Someone could give us a quarter of a million dollars and we could start it now, or it could take two years. Having launched the process, we’re going to stick with it. Hopefully, the funds will be raised in the next year or two,” he added.

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