Stardew Valley Museum Guide
The Museum in Stardew Valley, run by Gunther, is located in the southeast corner of Pelican Town. Donating artifacts and minerals to the Museum is a major gameplay objective that rewards players with valuable items, seeds, and the final Stardrop. This comprehensive guide covers all 95 donations, where to find them, and the rewards youโll earn.
Museum Overview
Location and Hours
- Location: Southeast Pelican Town (east of the Blacksmith)
- Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Closed: During festivals
Guntherโs Services
- Accepts donations of artifacts and minerals
- Rewards players for milestones
- Provides information about donated items
- Sells rare items after certain milestones
Complete Donation List
The Museum requires 95 total donations: 53 Minerals and 42 Artifacts.
All 53 Minerals
Minerals are primarily found by breaking geodes (regular, frozen, magma, and omni geodes) or mining in the caves.
| Mineral | Geode Type | Sell Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amethyst | Any | 100g | Purple quartz variety |
| Aquamarine | Frozen/Magma/Omni | 180g | Blue-green beryl |
| Diamond | Any | 750g | Most valuable base mineral |
| Emerald | Frozen/Magma/Omni | 250g | Green beryl variety |
| Jade | Frozen/Magma/Omni | 200g | Green ornamental stone |
| Prismatic Shard | Any (rare) | 2,000g | Extremely rare, powerful |
| Ruby | Frozen/Magma/Omni | 250g | Red corundum |
| Topaz | Any | 80g | Yellow silicate mineral |
| Quartz | Any | 25g | Common crystal |
| Fire Quartz | Frozen/Magma/Omni | 100g | Red-tinted quartz |
| Frozen Tear | Frozen/Omni | 75g | Blue crystal |
| Earth Crystal | Regular/Omni | 50g | Yellow crystal |
| Alamite | Regular/Omni | 150g | Yellow-green mineral |
| Bixite | Magma/Omni | 300g | Black mineral |
| Baryte | Regular/Omni | 50g | White mineral |
| Basalt | Magma/Omni | 175g | Volcanic rock |
| Bismuth | Magma/Omni | 250g | Rainbow crystal |
| Calcite | Regular/Omni | 75g | White crystal |
| Celestine | Frozen/Omni | 125g | Blue crystal |
| Dolomite | Frozen/Omni | 300g | Pinkish-white |
| Esperite | Frozen/Omni | 100g | Green mineral |
| Fairy Stone | Frozen/Omni | 250g | Pink crystal |
| Fire Opal | Magma/Omni | 350g | Orange-red opal |
| Fluorapatite | Regular/Omni | 200g | Green mineral |
| Geminite | Regular/Omni | 150g | Clear crystal |
| Ghost Crystal | Frozen/Omni | 200g | White crystal |
| Granite | Regular/Omni | 75g | Gray stone |
| Helvite | Magma/Omni | 400g | Brown mineral |
| Hematite | Frozen/Omni | 150g | Black iron mineral |
| Jagoite | Regular/Omni | 115g | Green mineral |
| Jamborite | Regular/Omni | 150g | Green mineral |
| Jasper | Magma/Omni | 150g | Red stone |
| Kyanite | Frozen/Omni | 250g | Blue mineral |
| Lemon Stone | Magma/Omni | 200g | Yellow crystal |
| Limestone | Regular/Omni | 15g | Common rock |
| Lunarite | Frozen/Omni | 200g | Blue-white crystal |
| Malachite | Frozen/Omni | 100g | Green banded |
| Marble | Frozen/Omni | 110g | White stone |
| Mudstone | Regular/Omni | 25g | Brown rock |
| Nekoite | Regular/Omni | 80g | Green mineral |
| Neptunite | Magma/Omni | 400g | Black crystal |
| Obsidian | Magma/Omni | 200g | Volcanic glass |
| Ocean Stone | Frozen/Omni | 220g | Blue-green |
| Opal | Frozen/Omni | 150g | White iridescent |
| Orpiment | Frozen/Omni | 80g | Yellow mineral |
| Petrified Slime | Regular/Omni | 120g | Fossilized slime |
| Pyrite | Frozen/Omni | 120g | Foolโs gold |
| Sandstone | Regular/Omni | 60g | Tan stone |
| Slate | Regular/Omni | 85g | Gray stone |
| Soapstone | Frozen/Omni | 120g | Soft stone |
| Star Shards | Magma/Omni | 500g | Yellow crystal |
| Thunder Egg | Magma/Omni | 100g | Brown stone |
| Tigerseye | Magma/Omni | 275g | Golden-brown |
All 42 Artifacts
Artifacts are found in artifact spots (worm tiles), fishing treasure chests, by killing monsters, or in specific locations.
| Artifact | Location | Sell Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amphibian Fossil | Artifact spots (Forest/Beach), fishing | 100g | Ancient amphibian |
| Ancient Doll | Artifact spots (Mountain/Town), fishing | 60g | Creepy doll |
| Ancient Drum | Artifact spots (Bus Stop), fishing | 100g | Musical instrument |
| Ancient Seed | Artifact spots (Forest/Mountain), bugs | 5g | Plantable artifact |
| Ancient Sword | Artifact spots (Forest/Mountain), fishing | 100g | Rusty weapon |
| Arrowhead | Artifact spots (Mountain/Town) | 40g | Stone tool |
| Bone Flute | Artifact spots (Mountain/Forest/Town), fishing | 100g | Musical instrument |
| Chewing Stick | Artifact spots (Town), fishing | 50g | Dog artifact |
| Chicken Statue | Artifact spots (Farm/Town), fishing | 50g | Decorative item |
| Chipped Amphora | Artifact spots (Town/Beach) | 40g | Broken pottery |
| Dinosaur Egg | Artifact spots (Mountain/Forest), fishing, Pepper Rex | 350g | Hatchable in coop |
| Dried Starfish | Artifact spots (Beach), fishing | 40g | Marine fossil |
| Dwarf Gadget | Magma Geodes, Omni Geodes | 200g | Dwarf artifact |
| Dwarf Scroll I | Mines (levels 1-20), monsters | 1g | Dwarf language |
| Dwarf Scroll II | Mines (levels 20-60), monsters | 1g | Dwarf language |
| Dwarf Scroll III | Mines (levels 60+), monsters | 1g | Dwarf language |
| Dwarf Scroll IV | Any mine level, monsters | 1g | Dwarf language |
| Dwarvish Helm | Magma Geodes, Omni Geodes | 100g | Dwarf artifact |
| Elvish Jewelry | Artifact spots (Forest), fishing | 200g | Elf artifact |
| Glass Shards | Artifact spots (Beach), fishing | 20g | Broken glass |
| Golden Mask | Desert artifact spots | 500g | Rare artifact |
| Golden Relic | Desert artifact spots | 250g | Rare artifact |
| Nautilus Fossil | Artifact spots (Beach), fishing | 80g | Marine fossil |
| Ornamental Fan | Artifact spots (Beach/Forest), fishing | 300g | Decorative item |
| Palm Fossil | Artifact spots (Desert/Beach), fishing | 100g | Plant fossil |
| Prehistoric Handaxe | Artifact spots (Mountain/Forest), fishing | 50g | Stone tool |
| Prehistoric Rib | Artifact spots (Town/Beach), fishing | 100g | Dinosaur bone |
| Prehistoric Scapula | Artifact spots (Forest/Town), fishing | 100g | Dinosaur bone |
| Prehistoric Skull | Artifact spots (Mountain), fishing | 100g | Dinosaur bone |
| Prehistoric Tibia | Artifact spots (Railroad/Beach), fishing | 100g | Dinosaur bone |
| Prehistoric Tool | Artifact spots (Mountain/Forest/Cindersap) | 50g | Stone tool |
| Prehistoric Vertebra | Artifact spots (Bus Stop), fishing | 100g | Dinosaur bone |
| Rare Disc | Fishing, monsters in mines | 300g | Strange artifact |
| Rusty Cog | Artifact spots (Mountain), fishing | 25g | Machine part |
| Rusty Spoon | Artifact spots (Town), fishing | 25g | Utensil |
| Rusty Spur | Artifact spots (Farm/Ranch), fishing | 25g | Horse equipment |
| Skeletal Hand | Artifact spots (Backwoods/Beach), fishing | 100g | Human remains |
| Skeletal Tail | Artifact spots (Town), fishing | 100g | Animal remains |
| Strange Doll (Green) | Artifact spots (Mines), fishing | 1,000g | Creepy doll |
| Strange Doll (Yellow) | Artifact spots (Mines), fishing | 1,000g | Creepy doll |
| Trilobite | Artifact spots (Beach/Forest), fishing | 50g | Ancient arthropod |
Donation Rewards
Gunther rewards you at specific donation milestones:
Milestone Rewards
| Donations | Reward | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 5 items | Cauliflower Seeds (9) | 720g |
| 10 items | Melon Seeds (9) | 720g |
| 15 items | Starfruit Seeds (1) | 400g |
| 20 items | โDish Oโ The Seaโ Recipe | Learn cooking |
| 25 items | Stardrop | Permanent energy boost |
| 30 items | Rarecrow #5 (Turnip Head) | Scarecrow collection |
| 40 items | Rarecrow #7 (Dwarf) | Scarecrow collection |
| 50 items | Rarecrow #3 (Turnip) | Scarecrow collection |
| 60 items | Rarecrow #1 (Regular) | Scarecrow collection |
| 70 items | Rarecrow #2 (Lady) | Scarecrow collection |
| 80 items | Rarecrow #4 (Snowman) | Scarecrow collection |
| 90 items | Rarecrow #6 (Alien) | Scarecrow collection |
| All 95 | Rusty Key + Stardew Hero Trophy | Unlock Sewers, decoration |
Key Item Rewards
Rusty Key:
- Unlocked at 60 donations
- Opens the Sewers (accessed from Pelican Town or Cindersap Forest)
- Allows friendship with Krobus
- Access to Mutant Carp (legendary fish)
- Purchase items from Krobusโs shop
Stardew Hero Trophy:
- Awarded for completing all 95 donations
- Decorative furniture item
- Placed in farmhouse
Where to Find Artifacts and Minerals
Artifact Spots (Worm Tiles)
Artifact spots appear as wiggling worms/twigs on the ground. Hoe them to find artifacts.
| Location | Best Artifacts | Spawn Rate |
|---|---|---|
| The Farm | Chicken Statue, Rusty Spur | Medium |
| Pelican Town | Chewing Stick, Rusty Spoon, Chipped Amphora | High |
| Cindersap Forest | Prehistoric Tool, Arrowhead | Medium |
| Mountain | Ancient Sword, Prehistoric Tool | Medium |
| Beach | Dried Starfish, Glass Shards, Nautilus Fossil | High |
| Railroad | Prehistoric Tibia | Low |
| Desert | Golden Mask, Golden Relic, Palm Fossil | Medium |
Geode Sources
| Geode Type | Source | Minerals Inside |
|---|---|---|
| Geode | Mines (levels 1-39), fishing, duggies | Regular minerals |
| Frozen Geode | Mines (levels 40-79), fishing | Frozen minerals |
| Magma Geode | Mines (levels 80-120), Skull Cavern | Magma minerals |
| Omni Geode | All mine levels, Skull Cavern, fishing, monsters | Any mineral |
Best Omni Geode Farming:
- Skull Cavern (iridium nodes drop them)
- Magma Sprites in Volcano Dungeon
- Carbon Ghosts in Skull Cavern
- Purchase from Oasis (Wednesday)
Fishing Treasure Chests
Many artifacts can be found in treasure chests while fishing:
- Equip the Treasure Hunter tackle
- Eat food that increases treasure chance (Dish Oโ The Sea)
- Fish in locations with high artifact spawn rates
Monster Drops
| Monster | Artifact Drops | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bugs (grubs, flies) | Ancient Seed, Dwarf Scrolls | Mines |
| Bats | Dwarf Scrolls | Mines |
| Skeletons | Dwarf Scrolls | Mines 70-79 |
| Pepper Rex | Dinosaur Egg | Skull Cavern |
| Serpents | Rare Disc | Skull Cavern |
| Magma Sprites | Omni Geodes | Volcano Dungeon |
Rare and Difficult Items
Most Difficult to Find
| Item | Why Itโs Hard | Best Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Dinosaur Egg | Very rare spawn | Check artifact spots daily, kill Pepper Rex |
| Prismatic Shard | Extremely rare | Mine iridium nodes, kill monsters in Skull Cavern |
| Strange Dolls | Rare mine drops | Fish in mines, check level 100+ artifact spots |
| Golden Mask/Relic | Desert only | Check Calico Desert daily |
| Dwarf Scroll IV | Rare drop | Kill monsters in lower mine levels |
Tips for Finding Rare Items
- Check Artifact Spots Daily: They disappear if not dug up
- Fish with Treasure Hunter: Increases chest spawn rate
- Process Omni Geodes: Clint can process them for rare minerals
- Kill All Monsters: Many drop artifacts or geodes
- Visit the Desert: Unique artifacts only found there
- Use the Statue of Endless Fortune: Can produce minerals
Museum Layout and Organization
Donation Organization
The Museum has designated spots for each item type:
- Left Side: Artifacts (arranged by type)
- Right Side: Minerals (arranged by type)
- Back Room: Special displays (unlocked at milestones)
Duplicate Handling
What to do with duplicates:
- Sell: Most can be sold for gold
- Gift: Some villagers like specific artifacts/minerals
- Craft: Ancient Seeds can be crafted into plantable seeds
- Keep: Dinosaur Eggs for hatching, Prismatic Shards for weapons
Cannot be donated twice: Once an item is donated, Gunther will not accept another of the same type.
Strategies for Completing the Collection
Early Game (Year 1)
- Check for artifact spots daily on your farm and in town
- Process all geodes immediately to build collection
- Fish regularly for treasure chests
- Explore the mines thoroughly for monster drops
- Save rare items like Dinosaur Eggs (donโt sell!)
Mid Game (Year 2)
- Focus on missing items - check collection tab
- Farm Skull Cavern for Omni Geodes and rare drops
- Check the Traveling Cart for rare items
- Befriend the Dwarf (donate 4 items first) for shop access
- Visit the Desert regularly for Golden artifacts
End Game
- Process hundreds of Omni Geodes if missing minerals
- Farm specific monsters for remaining artifacts
- Fish extensively with treasure hunter
- Check all artifact spots across the entire map daily
Collection Tracking
Use the Collections tab in your inventory to track:
- Items donated (shown with Guntherโs icon)
- Items found but not donated
- Items never found (blank spaces)
Special Notes
Dwarf Translation
Donating all 4 Dwarf Scrolls allows you to:
- Understand the Dwarfโs speech
- Purchase items from the Dwarfโs shop
- Learn about Dwarvish history
Ancient Seeds
The Ancient Seed artifact is special:
- Donate to Museum to receive plantable seed recipe
- Craft Ancient Seeds into plantable Ancient Fruit seeds
- Ancient Fruit grows in all seasons (except Winter)
- One of the most profitable crops in the game
Prismatic Shard Uses
While valuable to donate, Prismatic Shards have other uses:
- Galaxy Sword (best weapon) at Calico Desert
- Wedding Ring (multiplayer) recipe
- Dyeing clothes
- Gifting (loved by most villagers)
- Selling for 2,000g
Dinosaur Eggs
- Can be donated to Museum
- Can be placed in incubator (Big Coop required)
- Hatches into a dinosaur that lays more eggs
- Dinosaur Mayonnaise sells for 800g
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Selling the first Dinosaur Egg - Always incubate first
- Not checking artifact spots - They disappear after a day
- Selling Prismatic Shards early - Save for Galaxy Sword
- Ignoring geodes - Process them regularly
- Not befriending the Dwarf - His shop has unique items
- Missing the Sewers - Rusty Key unlocks at 60 donations
Conclusion
Completing the Museum collection is one of Stardew Valleyโs most rewarding challenges. The 95 donations require patience, exploration, and a bit of luck. With the strategies outlined in this guide, youโll be well on your way to earning that final Stardrop and the prestigious Stardew Hero Trophy. Remember to check those artifact spots daily and process every geode you find!
Happy collecting!