Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum 8/27/2025
The University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum is a non-profit organization through the University of Arizona Foundation dedicated to providing public education and the preservation of its 
extensive natural history collection.
The museum moved in 2022 and now occupies one wing of the Historic Pima County Courthouse in downtown Tucson. The museum has 12,000 square feet of exhibit space with three major galleries: Mineral Evolution, Arizona Gallery, and the Gem Gallery. The museum features interactive, touchable, and digital content (video, photos, audio, and visuals). The collection is worldwide in scope while emphasizing minerals from Arizona and Mexico.
We’ll meet at the Photography Club upper-level parking lot at 8:45 AM for departure at 9:15 AM. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or GVR Camera Club nametag if you have one. For those carpooling, $5.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.
We’ll convoy to the El Presidio Parking Garage, 165 West Alameda Street, which is an easy walk to the museum. Be sure to bring your parking ticket with you – the museum has arranged with the Southern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center for our parking to be validated (more on that later).
At the museum, we’ll be met by Jordan Halter, Guest Services Coordinator, who’ll provide a brief overview to help get us oriented. From there, you’ll have about two hours to explore the museum at your own pace. Museum staff and docents will be available throughout to answer questions and bring the various displays to life. There are no restrictions on photography equipment or what can be photographed. For flash photography, the museum just asks us to be mindful of other guests as the flash tends to travel around the gallery bouncing off the reflection from the display cases.
We’ll go to the Perche' No Italian Bistro at 11:30 AM for an optional and leisurely no-host lunch. The trip will resume at 1:00 PM.
Following lunch, we’ll return to the Historic Pima County Courthouse and visit the Southern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center. Be sure to stop by the front desk to have your parking validated (otherwise, parking will be about $7.00). While there, you’re welcome to check out their exhibits, learn about area attractions, and browse their gift shop. The Visitor Center conducts a free tour at 2:00 PM if you’re interested. While at the courthouse, be sure to check out the Dillinger Courtroom and the January 8th Memorial. You can also return to the Gem & Mineral Museum – it’s open until 4:00 PM.
Tom Parker will be our trip leader. Contact Tom at 618-304-1456 or tparker324@aol.com with any questions. He will be disseminating more information to registered participants via e-mail as we get closer to the event.
If you need to canceI, please contact Field Trip Facilitator Monica Parker at 618-304-1164 or email mparker582@aol.com. On the day of departure call Tom.
Last refund date is August 20, 2025.
NOTICE:
This is a walking tour that lasts about 2 hours. All participants need to be responsible for an assessment of their mobility and health issues relating to field trips. Some trips may not be appropriate, but you must make that determination. However, the trip leader may deny participation in a specific field trip to anyone deemed not suitably prepared or able to walk with the group.
The club strives to provide several field trips specifically designed for members with physical limitations.
In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.
The GVR Photography Club is located in the Recreation Village of Santa Rita Springs.