ELLERBE — The Rankin Museum of American Heritage will host a free geology dig at the flume on Saturday, June 13.
Multiple time slots are available, including 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Participation is free, and registration is available by calling the museum at 910-652-6378.
The event grew out of the museum’s popular fossil fair programs, which expanded over the years to include geology-focused activities for children and families.
“Our fossil fair events are really what started it all. Over the years, they became so popular that we expanded to include geology programs as well,” shared Webb. “We wanted to give children a hands-on opportunity to discover fossils, gemstones, and other treasures while learning about science in a fun and engaging way. We hope every child leaves with a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world, along with memories they’ll carry with them for years to come.”
Webb said the event also aligns with the museum’s mission of providing educational opportunities and making science accessible to the community.
“As a nonprofit museum, our goal is to make science and natural history accessible to everyone. The geology dig allows children and families to learn by doing, regardless of their background or financial circumstances,” Webb said. “It’s one of the ways we connect young people to science and lifelong learning. We believe it is part of our responsibility to serve the students of Richmond County Schools, especially those in the Ellerbe community, by providing free educational opportunities that spark curiosity and reinforce classroom learning.”
Museum leaders encourage residents to stay connected through the organization’s social media channels, where upcoming programs and community events are regularly announced.
“We encourage everyone to follow the Rankin Museum for upcoming programs and events throughout the year,” said Webb. “We are also excited that, following our recent museum renovation, we now have a space available to rent for birthday parties and other celebrations. Families can enjoy the museum and flume while also having a dedicated space for gathering, eating, and celebrating. It’s another way we’re working to serve our community and create memorable experiences for children and families.”
Last year, the museum celebrated the completion of renovations with a geology dig. The improvements were made possible through grants awarded in May 2024, including $20,000 from Pee Dee Electric and $83,000 from the Cole Foundation.
Board member Meghann Lambeth said the flume offers children an experience unlike many other local attractions.
“The flume offers such a unique experience for children,” said Lambeth. “The excitement of mining for treasures, identifying what they found and being able to keep them to start or add to their own collection is quite an adventure!”
Lambeth said the flume complements the museum’s exhibits by combining hands-on discovery with local history.
“The museum is real hidden treasure within itself, but having the accompanying flume offers the perfect blend of local historical treasures and discovering new hidden gems,” Lambeth said.
She added that the geology digs are designed to introduce families to both the flume and the museum’s collections while providing an engaging educational activity.
“The goal of our bi-annual geology digs is to showcase the flume, provide a fun interactive geology themed activity for children (adults enjoy it too, though) and encourage families to see the wealth of local historical artifacts that range from the deep agricultural roots of the community to Native American collections to Andre the Giant memorabilia,” said Lambeth.