Gem-Mineral-Fossil show a door to Illinois' past

As this winter drags on, it is hard to picture the Chicago area without any snow, but 300 million years ago that was the case.

Illinois actually used to be a wetland located near the equator.

If you want to travel back in time to discover more about our warmer past, the Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois is holding its Gem-Mineral-Fossil Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the "K" Commons Center of the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.

In addition to museum exhibits and auctions, several demonstrators will be presenting skills such as beading and silversmithing. Dealers will be selling items like fossils, minerals, and jewelry. Rib River Fossils, Mineral Miner, and Exclusive Inspirations are among the dealers that will be present.

Many of the fossils shown at this show are from the Mazon Creek area located near Braidwood, which is 65 miles southwest of Chicago. After drifting away from the Equator, the animals and plants in this area began to die, becoming trapped in balls of clay-like silt in the bay areas. They eventually became embedded in the coal beds, remaining undiscovered until the last 50 to 100 years.

The main purpose of the Gem-Mineral-Fossil Show is to support the club and expand knowledge of the people who visit the show. Members will be available to answer questions to help identify specimens.

"The most interesting aspect of this show are the fossils and types of animals and plant life that existed way back in history," said Don Cronaue, club publicity chair and newsletter editor. "It is amazing to see how they have developed over time."

There will be several exhibits geared toward younger children. Geodes, rock cavities with crystal formations on the inside, will be given away.

Admission and parking are free.

There are about 230 members of the club, which draws from Chicago, Wisconsin, Indiana, Rockford, and Braidwood. They are a group of people interested in non-routine science, such as archaeology (ancient life), geology (minerals and micromounts), paleontology (fossils), and lapidary (stone polishing and the fabrication of jewelry). The club gives them an opportunity to experience their interests first-hand through the five to six field trips they take every year to places such as the Mazon Creek area and limestone quarries.

Some members are professionals in their scientific fields, working at the Field Museum, Burpee Museum, and local universities. They serve as speakers at the club's monthly meetings and leaders of separate study groups. Topics include gold-mining in Alaska, opals, and the development of life.

"When you have people who have studied these things, they're also very happy to talk about them," Cronauer said.

The club holds meetings every second Friday of the month at the College of DuPage. Every meeting is free and open to the public. Only members are allowed on field trips, however.

For more information about the club, visit www.esconi.org.