The buildings are scheduled for completion by September, 2001. This exhibit will begin with the earliest mining in the region, from the search for flint and odsidian to make fire and tools, to the mining of silver, copper, gold, and turquoise by later inhabitants. The visitor will witness the great advances the mining industry has made in extraction and processing techniques, worker safety, and environmental protection. The future of mining will also be explored, including deep-sea and space exploration. A gem and mineral exhibit will offer an opportunity to view the wealth of Arizona gems and worldwide mineral classics.
Mining has a rich tradition of concern for the quality of life in our community, state, and nation.
Discovery Park and the mining industry, by working together, bring knowledge and understanding through pride and commitment to Graham County. A trip through time shows the evolution of the cotton industry, from harvest by the Hohokam Indians over 800 years ago to Eli Whitney's invention of the first cotton gin, and continuing through the transition from hand picking to today's three-row fully automatic cotton pickers and computerized gins. Guests can see cotton transformed into spun thread and cloth by skilled weavers, using both primitive and modern techniques. This exhibit will explore the history of the area from 12,000 years ago to the present. Adventurous camps, field trips, and classrooms without walls will await those seeking astronomical answers.