# Event Details

- **Event Name**: OCMGA Monthly Meeting and Arrastras Lecture with MMGM Executive Director Kristy Griffin
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 03 Apr, 2026 at 06:30 pm – Fri, 03 Apr, 2026 at 07:30 pm
- **Event Description**: Date: Friday, April 3 2026
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Doors at 6 p.m.)
Where: MMGM Discovery Gallery, 99 Main St., Bethel
Admission: Free!

Event Overview:
The Oxford County Mineral & Gem Association (OCMGA) welcomes the public to its monthly meeting at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum for an evening program exploring arrastras, with guest speaker, Kristy Griffin.

Exploring Arrastras: Dating back to the ancient Phoenician era (c. 1550–300 BCE), the arrastra has long been associated with early mining practices. While it was once believed that arrastras were introduced to the Americas by Spanish miners in the 1500s, their widespread use during major U.S. gold rushes tells a broader story. Miners from diverse cultural backgrounds adopted arrastras not out of tradition, but because they were efficient, practical, and cost-effective tools for ore processing.

Meet the Speaker: Kristy Griffin:
Kristy Griffin has over a decade of experience working in museums across the country, from Alaska to Maine, with time spent in several states along the way. She has worked with a wide range of collections including art, archives, archaeology, natural history, and historical objects. Her interest in museums and minerals began at a young age through visits to the Field Museum of Natural History, where exhibits like the Hall of Gems first sparked her curiosity.

Much of her career has been spent in small museums, where creativity and flexibility are essential. She enjoys the challenge of finding ways to make a strong public impact while working within limited resources. Today, she supports the work of the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum, helping guide programs, exhibitions, and initiatives that expand access to science education and the museum’s collection.

About the Oxford County Mineral & Gem Association
OCMGA is dedicated to fostering interest in mineralogy, geology, and related sciences through educational programs, community events, and collaboration with the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/bethel/ocmga-monthly-meeting-and-arrastras-lecture-with-mmgm-executive-director-kristy-griffin/200029856703004
- **Event Categories**: meetups, contests, exhibitions, art, nonprofit
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 8

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Bethel
- **state**: ME
- **country**: United States
- **location**: 99 Main St, Bethel, ME, United States, Maine 04217
- **lat**: 44.40755
- **long**: -70.78869
- **full address**: 99 Main St, Bethel, ME, United States, Maine 04217

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: OCMGA Monthly Meeting and Arrastras Lecture with MMGM Executive Director Kristy Griffin
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events3/banners/fcfdc54e6deb7725e32d6d0535f6a86f6349d05d404cd6e2c5d711162e6aca79-rimg-w1200-h900-dc797678-gmir?v=1775091942

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is OCMGA Monthly Meeting and Arrastras Lecture with MMGM Executive Director Kristy Griffin being held?
  - **A:** OCMGA Monthly Meeting and Arrastras Lecture with MMGM Executive Director Kristy Griffin takes place on Fri, 03 Apr, 2026 at 06:30 pm to Fri, 03 Apr, 2026 at 07:30 pm at 99 Main St, Bethel, ME, United States, Maine 04217.
- **Q**: Who is organizing OCMGA Monthly Meeting and Arrastras Lecture with MMGM Executive Director Kristy Griffin?
  - **A:** OCMGA Monthly Meeting and Arrastras Lecture with MMGM Executive Director Kristy Griffin is organized by Maine Mineral & Gem Museum.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** OCMGA Monthly Meeting and Arrastras Lecture with MMGM Executive Director Kristy Griffin is ideal for art lovers, trade professionals, collectors, and exhibition enthusiasts exploring the latest in their field. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Bethel, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If OCMGA Monthly Meeting and Arrastras Lecture with MMGM Executive Director Kristy Griffin sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

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