Tucked in a serene Whitehorse neighborhood sits a newly established community library. Unlike traditional libraries housing books, this unique library showcases an array of rocks including galena, gypsum, quartz, and rhodonite.
Lee Pigage, a retired geologist residing in Whistle Bend, has a passion for rock collecting. He believes that each rock has its own intriguing story, from its formation to its journey through time. To share his knowledge and collection with the community, Lee recently set up a Geologist’s Rock Library on his property.
This rock library was a thoughtful birthday present from Lee’s son, Justin Pigage. Justin expressed that his father possesses a wealth of rock knowledge, making him the perfect person to educate others through this library initiative. The idea stemmed from Justin’s daughter discovering a rock library in Carcross, emphasizing the natural fascination children have for rocks.
Visitors to the library are encouraged to pick a rock that catches their interest and leave a different stone behind. The top shelf is reserved for unique specimens like gypsum from the Silvertip Mine in northern B.C., while the other shelves are open for rock exchanges. Justin and his sons contributed samples of galena collected from Keno Hill during their explorations in the area.
Justin fondly recalls rock hunting with Lee during his childhood camping trips, where they would divert their attention to the ground in search of rocks rather than admiring the scenery. Lee notes that rock collecting is not just a Pigage family tradition but a hobby shared by many individuals who may wish to trade or swap rocks.
The Geologist’s Rock Library serves as a hub for rock enthusiasts to learn, exchange, and appreciate the diverse stories each rock holds.
