You’ve all seen the world’s largest beetle, Herkimer, from the roadway of SH-115.  Just last year, the refurbished statue won an HPA award for excellence in preserving shared heritage. He will welcome you in as you proceed up the the road to the museum, which has been in place since the late 1950’s when it was built by John May.  The museum building holds the world’s largest insect collection, as James May went all over the world finding specimens. (Note:  The owners also own a nice Golden Eagle campground on the hillside above the museum.)  This museum is an icon to those who have lived in and visited the Springs over the years, and grew up wondering what was up the hill (from the giant beetle) in that museum.

Please bring $10 cash exact change (or credit card) per person to the museum (group rate) to register at 5:30-6 PM.  At 6:00 PM we will split into 3 groups, and rotate every half hour:

• One group will go into the theater, which will show a film featured on Fox business news about the family running the museum. (Two other films are also available if those might be preferred.)
• Second group will tour the museum showroom, there is a gift shop also.
• Third group will go outside in front of the museum and enjoy some time at the picnic tables, have snacks and water or walk outdoors looking for insects and other fauna in the waterway, grasses, etc.  (Wear good walking shoes.)

Directions:  The museum and grounds are located on the west side of SH-115, past the south side of town. Take I-25 to Nevada, get off on Hwy. 115 (much construction is going on on that roadway), drive about 11 miles.  You will see a very tall white water tower to your left, and Herkimer on your right.  Turn west there onto Rock Creek Canyon Road.  Take a photo of the beetle and then proceed up the dirt road.

Parking:  This is going to be a concern.  Try to carpool as much as possible.  Please save the 10-15 or so parking spaces directly adjacent to the museum for those with walking problems. Someone will direct others up the hill from SH-115, where some can park their vehicles along the roadway, near the concrete plant/construction and form informal carpools to bring some vehicles all the way up that road to the museum.

Our host for the evening will be Diana Fruh, who is the museum director.