Upcoming Events


Scheduled activities of the Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society Inc. - FOMS, include meetings, field trips, and other events. Regular meetings are held on the third Saturday of March, April, May, June, September, October, and November, and generally comprise a business session followed by a lecture. FOMS meetings are open to the public and are held at 1:30 PM, usually in Kraissl Hall at the Franklin Mineral Museum, 30 Evans St., Franklin NJ (check listings for exceptions).

FOMS field trips are only open to our (Dues paid in full for the current year) membership.
Some quarry trips are restricted to ages 18 and older. Please see field trip details below for age limitations.
Proper field trip gear required: hard hat, protective eyewear, gloves, sturdy shoes.
You are responsible for your own rockhounding tools.
The field trip leader has the right to reject your participation at any given time during the field trip if you are deemed
physically unable to climb hills with good balance or have been observed not adhering to safety guidelines.

For a complete set of rules and regulations follow this link FOMS Field Trip Safety Rules and Regulations

**Activities so marked are not FOMS functions, but may be of interest to its members. Fees, and memberships in other organizations, may be required. Any information in this schedule, including fees, is subject to change without notice.



Saturday and Sunday, September 20 and 21, 2025

  ANNUAL FRANKLIN GEM && MINERAL SHOW
Franklin Fire Department
137 Buckwheat Road
Franklin, NJ 07416
9:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday (indoors).
10:00 am - 4:00 pm Sunday (indoors).
The ticket price covers the show, and The Pond outdoor swap:
$7.00 per day for adults, $5.00 for seniors and kids under 12.

The Pond Swap-and-Sell sponsored by the FOMS,
takes place outdoors at Fireman's Memorial Park otherwise known as Schuster Park, on the opposite side of Parker St.
9:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm on Sunday.
Show admission required.

We are looking for volunteers to HELP with the MINERAL SHOW. We need coverage at the PARK gate so that people can take breaks. Please consider helping FOMS make our show a comfortable success by volunteering.

I need one person who can be on site Saturday the 20th at 8am to help coordinate volunteers and oversee the swap in the PARK area. Please contact Stephanie at frogmineralogicalsociety@gmail.com



Saturday, September 20, 2025

  The FOMS Annual Banquet starts at 6:00 pm on Saturday at the Lyceum Hall of the Immaculate Conception Church,
located at the south end of Franklin’s Main Street.
Tickets are $25.00 and may be obtained at the admission table inside the entrance gate to Firemen’s Memorial Park during the show. The meal is an all-you-can-eat buffet; soda, tea, coffee, and dessert are included. Doors will open at 6:00 PM.

After the banquet there will be an auction for the benefit of the FOMS. Please plan on donating a good specimen, artifact, book, etc.!

All those planning to attend, please contact Lois Verbeek ASAP at loismverbeek@gmail.com (or text or call at 201-317-4040) so we can estimate number of attendees. Donations for the auction can be dropped off at the Franklin Mineral Museum during business hours or, if necessary, brought to the banquet.



Saturday, October 11, 2025  --  FOMS Meeting

  There is no morning field trip as the quarry was unable to accommodate us until November 1st.

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Future Rockhounds of America
Meet in Franklin Mineral Museum’s Kraissl Hall
Parents are welcome to sit in the meeting room.
For questions, please contact Mark Dahlman at: fra@fomsnj.org or 301-428-0455

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM - FOMS Meeting, Franklin Mineral Museum.
Announcement of nominations and further nominations
Presentation by Kyle Kustka (Mr Sphalerite)



Saturday, November 1, 2025  --  FOMS Field Trip

  8:30 AM - Noon - FOMS Field Trip - Collecting at LIMECREST QUARRY
Pre-register is required by responding to frogmineralogicalsociety@gmail.com
FULL PPE is required.
You must sign a hold harmless release from both the quarry and FOMS.



Saturday, November 15, 2025  --  FOMS Field Trip / Meeting

  8:30 AM - Noon - FOMS Field Trip - Collecting at ANDOVER MINE
This location is on private property. It requires a substantial amount of physical endurance to negotiate the property in various spots. This field trip is normally a pretty chilly start in the morning. Dress appropriately. 
You must have safety glasses and the necessary rockhounding tools.
You must sign a hold harmless release from FOMS.

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Future Rockhounds of America
Meet in Franklin Mineral Museum’s Kraissl Hall
Parents are welcome to sit in the meeting room
For questions, please contact Mark Dahlman at: fra@fomsnj.org or 301-428-0455

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM - FOMS Meeting, Franklin Mineral Museum.
ELECTION RESULTS
LECTURE - TBA