Hello and welcome to the Johnston Geology Museum at Emporia State University. Our University museum was established in 1982 by professor Paul Johnston and students, with the goal of displaying geologic and historical specimens and artifacts of relevance to the Kansas. Its target audience is primarily ESU students, but schools, scout troops, and the general public are also welcome to visit the museum. Exhibits include examples of ancient flora, and fauna, and crystals, minerals and rocks, in addition to artifacts associated with lead and zinc mining in southeastern Kansas and a collection of local American Indian tools. The museum also maintains special fossil collections for research and teaching. Among them is the Hamilton Quarry fossil collection; a world-famous collection of unique brackish-water plants and animal fossil assemblages. The museum displays are housed in 45 glass cases and as several large free-standing specimens. In 1998, the ESU honored the museum’s founder, by naming the museum after him. For information on the museum's hours of operation and to contact its director see the: Johnston Geology Museum.

The following class exercise was modeled after an in-class assignment that is completed each semester by students enrolled in our Introduction to Earth Science class. This new, virtual version was designed to provide off-campus access to a growing population distance learners who take the introductory class, online. It also complements self-guided tours taken by traditional visitors who may be interested in more in-depth information about the displays. The virtual tour can be completed using a computer, tablet, or cell phone, wherever internet access is available.