We toured the Funk’s Mineral Museum (near Bloomington, IL) on March 18, 2017. This museum has a large collection of minerals, fossils (and so much more). We also visited a maple sirup store (sirup is spelled correctly as it contains only boiled tree sap; syrup also contains corn syrup) and the Sugar Grove Nature Center. Here is a brief video summary of our experiences at the mineral museum.

Funks Mineral Museum from Mark DuBois on Vimeo.

I also took along my Ricoh Theta 360 camera and generated a number of 360 degree photos. Some are linked below.

This is a view of the outside of the museum (along with Mark DuBois and Bill Case).

Entrance to Funk’s mineral museum near Bloomington, IL. Tons of North Carolina stones in exterior. #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

Here is the interior. Mr. Funk glued these slabs to old windows. The lights behind allow you to see the minerals in detail.

Entrance to Funk’s Mineral Museum. #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

This room contains a number of interesting fossils from various localities around the world.

Room of fossils at Funk’s Mineral Museum. #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

This overview of the main mineral room should give you an idea of the size of the museum. There are many specimens on display throughout.

Mineral room at Funk’s Mineral Museum #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

As you walk through the aisles of the museum, you can see many of the specimens up close.

Mineral collection at Funk’sMineral Museum. #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

There are also a number of antiques (such as these buggys and sleighs and saddles).

Assorted artifacts at Funk’s Mineral Museum. #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

We hope you will be able to join us on our next trip (April 29, 2017).