Planning a Visit
Open Hours
Summer 2023 - CLOSED
Address
The Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum is located in the first floor atrium of Moser Hall on the campus of Youngstown State University.
Moser Hall’s address is: 134 Lincoln Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44503.
View an interactive Youngstown State University campus map here.
If coming to Moser Hall from the center of campus, look for the red structure (pictured on left) and enter through the red doors directly into the Moser atrium. The museum will be on your left.
Parking
If you have a valid YSU parking permit, you are welcome to park in any lot or deck that your permit allows.
If you are traveling by bus with a large group, please instruct the driver to travel westbound on Lincoln Avenue and load/unload the group in front of Moser Hall. While not in use, the bus may be parked near the scoreboard behind Stambaugh Stadium.
For all other museum guests, there are two recommended parking options:
- Along Lincoln Avenue: Parking meters along Lincoln Avenue are available on a first come, first-served basis. The parking meters are managed by the City of Youngstown and cost $1.50/hour. The meters are checked periodically from 8am-8pm. Moser Hall, the location of the museum, is located on Lincoln Avenue. Guests can enter the basement floor of Moser Hall from Lincoln Avenue (both elevators and stairs are available to ascend to the first floor). Note: if you or someone in your party is unable to navigate stairs, please be aware that there are a few steps into the basement of Moser from Lincoln Avenue. If you park on Lincoln but cannot manage stairs, please go around the building and enter from the center of campus.
- Wick Parking Deck: A parking deck, located on Wick Avenue, is available to guests at a daily charge of $5 per vehicle. There is a pedestrian bridge that crosses Wick Avenue from the parking deck. Guests traveling to the museum from the parking deck can enter directly into Moser Hall’s atrium from the center of campus.
Should you need additional information regarding parking on or near campus, please refer to the following entities:
- For campus parking options, contact YSU parking services by phone at (330) 941-3546 or visit their website.
- For metered parking questions, contact the City of Youngstown’s Traffic Engineering Department by phone at (330) 742-8890.
Admission
Admission to the Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum is always free of charge.
Field Trips and other educational programming are also provided free of charge.
Unfortunately, we have no control over the parking situation around campus and depending on the day/time/season of your visit, parking fees may apply.
Check our FAQ page for even more information to help plan your visit.
After your visit, be sure to check our External Links page for ideas on how to continue learning about geology.
Groups
Groups are welcome at the museum! If you are planning a group visit to campus and would like to make a brief stop in the museum during our open hours, you do not need to call ahead. However, if you are interested in having your group participate in one of our educational programs, please review our Educational Programs page and then email the Museum Specialist to plan your visit.
Babies & Toddlers
Young children, including babies, are encouraged to visit the museum! Strollers are allowed in the museum but please know that small children will have difficulty viewing the displays from a stroller. Is your little one learning to identify colors? Ask for a copy of our Mineral Color Hunt to help hone their skills while interacting with the minerals on display. Unfortunately, the restrooms in Moser Hall do not have changing tables.