Grafton
Ruggles Mine
When mica was discovered here in 1803, Sam Ruggles kept it a secret, shipping it to relatives in England to be sold for use in lamps and stoves. Today the mine is the oldest, most spectacular mica, feldspar and beryl mine in the nation, and features a large open pit with huge rooms and tunnels illustrating the mining process and history. Collecting is permitted at the mine, and there is also a unique gift shop for visitors to browse and choose a special memento.
Minimum Time Required: 2 hours
