A new community library has quietly opened on a serene Whitehorse street, but it’s not your typical library filled with books. Instead, the shelves are adorned with various types of rocks, from galena to quartz and even semi-precious stones like rhodonite.
Lee Pigage, a retired geologist residing in Whistle Bend, is the mastermind behind this unique Geologist’s Rock Library at the edge of his property. According to Lee, each rock has its own fascinating story of formation and transformation over time, much like novels.
The idea for the rock library stemmed from a birthday gift given to Lee by his son, Justin Pigage. Justin emphasized his father’s vast knowledge and passion for rocks, prompting them to establish the library to share this wealth of information with the community.
Inspired by a rock library in Carcross, Justin’s daughter’s discovery ignited a family passion for rocks. Justin believes that rock appreciation is inherent in children, with some carrying this interest into adulthood.
Visitors are encouraged to take a stone that piques their interest and, in return, leave behind a different stone for others to discover. The top shelf is reserved for intriguing 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 during their explorations in Keno Hill, underscoring the family’s shared love for rock collecting. This hobby, passed down through generations, is not unique to the Pigage family, as Lee highlights that many people enjoy collecting and trading rocks as a cherished pastime.
