west virginia mine tour

This City Park In West Virginia Has The Only Underground Coal Mine Tour In The State

Robin Jarvis

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West Virginia is a mining state; its history a gold mine of intrigue and interest. In fact, there’s a whole world beneath our feet, just waiting to be explored. According to the Office of WV Miner’s Health and Safety, 53 of West Virginia’s 55 counties contain underground coal deposits. The first coal was discovered here in 174,  in what is now Boone County. And at one city park in the Mountain State, there’s a place visitors can go deep underground into a vintage coal mine for an immersive experience like no other. Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine in West Virginia is a true treasure, and today we’re going to explore this wondrous park!

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Ready to start planning a trip to this West Virginia wonder?

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine in West Virginia is open seasonally from April 1 through November 1. Hours, admission, and tour information can all be found on the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine official website .

And if you want to keep exploring more of West Virginia’s incredible attractions, definitely check out these  amazing places to visit in the Mountain State .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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What are some must-see places in West Virginia?

The list of must-see places around the Mountain State is almost endless, but there are several that should be at the top of the list. Summerville Lake is West Virginia’s largest lake covering an area of 26,000 acres. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, but it’s a popular place for swimming, boating, and scuba diving. Lost World Caverns provides an otherworldly place to explore 120-feet underground. Take a self-guided tour to marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites at your own pace. It’s truly remarkable and should be added to your bucket list. And The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the most iconic sights associated with West Virginia. It spans the gorge and the New River, which is one of the five oldest rivers in the world. And if you visit on Bridge Day, people actually jump off it!

What day trips can I take in West Virginia?

Gas up the car and hit the road; there are plenty of places to take day trips in West Virginia. From the historic Harpers Ferry to a covered bridges tour around the state, from wineries to waterfall hikes , the options for fun are endless! And a scenic drive around any part of the gorgeous Mountain State is always a good choice.

What are some fun facts about West Virginia history?

The Mountain State has a rich and interesting history ; here are some fun facts you may not know. For instance, the country’s first public spa opened in 1756 in Berkeley Springs (then Bath, Virginia). West Virginia isn't all coal mines -- our state was initially known for its glass manufacturing, and salt was also a major industry, too. Charleston wasn’t always the capital. The first capital of the state was Wheeling from 1863 until 1870. Then it was moved to downtown Charleston. Then it was moved back to Wheeling. Then it moved back to Charleston, where it remains today. Another interesting tidbit? West Virginia was the first state to have a sales tax, which went into effect on July 1, 1921.

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Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum

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Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• (0.08 mi) Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine Campground
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• (1.08 mi) Best Western Plus Beckley Inn
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• (0.37 mi) Little Sicily
• (0.35 mi) Hebrews Coffee Company
• (0.92 mi) Campestre
• (0.36 mi) Little Caesars
• (0.41 mi) Donut Connection

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Tour Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

For a truly unique experience in West Virginia, make a point to visit Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine . Take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a guided cart tour into a real coal mine that is led by a veteran miner! Learn about the mining process and the day-to-day lives of those that worked and lived in the coal camps. This is an awesome way to learn about the vital role coal mining played in the region and see how it still affects the area today.  

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is in Beckley West Virginia. For only $22 per person, you will get a guided tour into a real coal mine, access to the coal museum and Youth Museum along with several buildings from the coal camp and Mountain Homestead . Depending on how much time you spend exploring the buildings and museums you can expect to spend anywhere between 2- 4 hours at this stop. The Exhibition Coal Mine is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. They are closed during the winter months.

Places to Stay

Depending on what else you are planning to do in the area, you can easily find a place to pitch your tent because there is no shortage of gorgeous state parks and campgrounds in West Virginia. There is even a campground onsite ! There are 17 electric sites available and each costs around $30/night.  

If you would rather spend the night in a hotel room, please feel free to use our link below to find the perfect one for you.

Things to Do

There are plenty of things to do and see with your ticket to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. Your ticket will also get you into the Youth Museum and the Mountain Homestead. This means you will have access to the mine tour, restored buildings, museums, and interactive play and puzzle stations for plenty of fun!

The Company Store

When you first pull into the parking lot, the first building you will enter is called the Company Store. This is where you will buy your entrance ticket. The counter is just to your left when you walk into the main doors. Behind the ticket counter is the gift shop area, though some items do overflow into the main room. You will also find some smaller displays in the main room like a diagram of the coal mining camp and information about the mining tour and Youth Museum.

The gift shop is full of fun souvenirs and Knick-knacks. They have a nice selection of local crafts such as handmade soaps, jellies, and sauces. They also have gemstones, coal figures, blankets, clothing, books, and numerous other items for sale. We were able to find some great Christmas gifts for our family and friends!

Beckley Coal Mine Museum

The Beckley Coal Mine Museum is located on the top floor of the Company Store where you buy your tickets. You can either take the stairs or the elevator to the 2 nd floor. There have several displays that show the tools they used in the mines, and how they spent their few workfree hours. There are also a few features of different notable individual miners. This is a great place to learn about the lives of the miners and their families in the coal camps.

Coal Mine Tour

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine Tour is the main highlight of this attraction. The cart tour will last around 35 minutes depending on guest interactions and questions during the ride. You may want to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt for the tour because the mine typically stays around 58 degrees.  

Once you are seated inside the cart and go over the basic safety rules (stay seated and always keep your arms in!) you will start heading into the mine. Your guide will stop the cart at different spots to explain the different mining methods and types of equipment miners used. Each stop has a display or equipment set up to help you visualize what working in the mine was like.

This coal mine tour is different from others because you get to ride a cart into a real coal mine led by an actual veteran coal miner. This means that you will get to hear real-life stories and firsthand personal experiences while learning all about the history of coal mining. Our guide did a great job educating us on the day-to-day lives of coal miners and we would have loved to spend more time on the tour with him.

Tips: This tour may be a little difficult for small children to sit through so you may want to consider letting them skip the tour if they have short attention spans.

Tip: Try to sit towards the front of the cart as it can be difficult to hear the guide if the other guests are talking.

Coal Camp Exhibits

Just past the carts for the coal mine tours, a path will lead to several different restored buildings from the coal camp. The path does split giving you a choice between turning left or right. If you go to the left, you will pass by the short path to the Miner’s Shanty, allowing you to see how single miners lived.

Continue to travel down the main path in that direction to visit the Superintendent’s house and see the gigantic difference in living situations by status. Inside this house, you can see rooms set up to showcase how the coal families of Superintendent’s lived. There are also rooms set up to look like a barbershop or other offices that would have been needed in the camp.

The last building you will encounter before you will have to turn around is the schoolhouse.

 If you choose to go right at the original split in the path when you start, you will be able to see a miner’s family house and the church. Continuing past the church will take you to the Youth Museum and Mountain Homestead.  

Tip: When you reach the fork in the path, head to the left so you don’t have to backtrack too much to see all the buildings.

Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia

The Youth Museum is a smaller building that currently houses a Thomas the Train exhibit where kids can play at different interactive stations inside. This area is perfect for small children to play and get some of their energy out. If you are too old for Thomas the Train, don’t worry, there is something for you too! They have a room full of brain teasers waiting for you to solve. It took four of us adults over an hour to be able to solve each puzzle! There is another small gift shop along with bathrooms inside.

Mountain Homestead

Behind the Youth Museum are several buildings that make up the Mountain Homestead area. Take a trip back to the late 1800s and early 1900s while you visit this mountain settlement. They have interpretive guides on the property to explain how people use to live and they are full of some amazing facts. The one that stood out to us the most was that the people in the settlement used to use wet corn cobs as toilet paper!

In the log house, you can test out several toys that children used to play with. You can also visit a general store, a one-room schoolhouse, and a weaver’s shed. The guides do a great job bringing it all to life!

Nearby Attractions

West Virginia is an outdoor lover’s dream! Just a short drive away you can find countless parks such as Babcock State Park , New River Gorge National Park , and Monongahela National Forest . If you are looking for something more daring than hiking in the mountains or even rock climbing, I cannot recommend white water rafting with New & Gauley River Adventures enough for a wonderful and safe adrenaline rush.

Why You Should Visit:

If you love learning about the history and culture of different states in the U.S, you should visit Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. Take a cart tour into a mine with an ex-miner to hear firsthand what it took to be a coal miner and to live in the coal camps. Explore several restored buildings from a coal camp and then head next door to the Youth Museum and have some fun solving mind puzzles or playing with your kids with Thomas the Train. You can even learn about mountain settlers in the Mountain Homestead section behind the Youth Museum. This is a great spot to learn more about why West Virginians are so resilient and self-sufficient today.

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Budget-friendly animal and wildlife enthusiast that currently owns three dogs and two ferrets that loves to travel (with and without the pups) and enjoys spoiling all of her animals!

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Coal Mining Heritage

Southern West Virginia is rich in coal and railroad history. We invite you to take a walk down our “heritage lane,” where you’ll learn about coal mining and visit a town that was once only reachable by rail.

• Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
• Nuttallburg
• Discover History Deep in the Mines, or among Abandoned Ghost Town Ruins

The Phillips-Sprague Mine opened in 1889, was commercially developed in 1905, and shipped out its first load of coal in January 1906. Operation ceased in 1953 and the mine was sold to the City of Beckley. The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine opened in 1962; it then began offering a history lesson on mining coal in Appalachia. This was the first historic site dedicated to educating the public on coal mining.

Today, the Beckley Exhibition Mine takes you 1,500 feet underground in “man trips” operated by veteran miners. You will learn how coal was mined in the 1800’s and how it is mined today.

This historic town was once the largest commercial center of the New River Coal Fields. The Mount Hope Historic District and the New River Company General Office Building are on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1910, Mount Hope was almost completely destroyed by fire; the town lost 40 businesses and 150 dwellings. The town was rebuilt quickly, rising from the ashes, and was popularly known as ‘The Phoenix City’ for decades. A walking tour of the town will show many examples of grand structures built by coal barons and coal companies. There are interpretive kiosks, a mural, coal monument and a display of ‘Famous New River Smokeless Coal.’

In its heyday, Thurmond boasted a population of over 700 people (now less than a dozen), had the richest bank, and had the highest revenue in the state. The now restored Depot, which serves as a National Park Service Visitors Center, once serviced 95,000 people a year. “Matewan” was also filmed in Thurmond.

Nuttallburg was a mining camp developed to establish the New River Coalfield by John Nuttall. Mr. Nuttall, anticipating that the C & O Railroad would be built through the New River Gorge, bought this property in 1870. By the time the railroad came through in 1873 he had already built 100 houses, 80 coke ovens and a coal tipple. The Nuttall family sold the mine and town to Henry Ford in 1920, who then ran the operation until 1928 under the name Fordson Coal Company. The last operator of the Nuttallburg mine was the Maryland New River Coal Co. They closed the mine around 1950, though a few contractors tried to keep the mine open until around 1952. The post office, opened in 1893, closed in 1955, and the train depot in 1962. The town was abandoned shortly thereafter. Nuttallburg is directly across the river from Kaymoor – another abandoned mining town with ruins to be explored.

The National Park Service completed a restoration project in Nuttallburg in September 2011. Today, the abandoned coke ovens, ruins of the company store and other structures can be visited. Signage and park ranger tours are available.

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Outdoor thrills. Southern-style eats. Cozy hospitality. Unique tradition. Rich heritage. …and kind folks eager to share it all with you. Discover the heartland of “Almost Heaven.”

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Pocahontas Exhibition Mine

If you are visiting Coalwood in person, and you have never been inside a coal mine, we'd like to suggest a visit to the Pocahontas Exhibition Mine in Pocahontas, Virginia.   The mine is just a few minutes drive south from U.S. 52 between Bluefield and Welch.  The Pocahontas Mine is one of the largest in the world covering over 30 square miles underground.  Several tunnels have been preserved as an educational exhibit, and a knowledgeable guide will take you through and explain how coal mining works.  (The part of the mine open to tourists is a drift mine.)

Appears to be open only from April to September:   https://dmme.virginia.gov/DMLR/DAPocahontas.shtml .  

Hours of the tours vary by day and by season.  Please call 276-945-2134 or 276-945-9522 to verify the current schedule.

Virginia Coal Heritage Trail http://www.virginia.org/coalheritagetrail

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From ATV excursions in small towns to scenic drives across the state, West Virginia is made for everyone. Rest and relax at a world-class resort or head out for a waterfall hike. It’s all waiting for you this summer in Almost Heaven.

Chase stunning fall foliage this season aboard a scenic train ride or ATV excursion. Reconnect with friends and family in a cozy cabin. From charming small towns to flavorful farm-to-table dishes, an autumn adventure awaits in Almost Heaven.

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Less than three hours outside Roanoke, this stretch of West Virginia is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Shaped by the famous New River Gorge, you’ll find plenty of riverside activities, outdoor adventures and some of the most extraordinary views. Pair that with the region’s compelling historical past and vibrant small towns, and you’ve got one very memorable trip....

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Whether you prefer a luxury retreat at a world-class resort or a rustic campsite stay under starry night skies, West Virginia has accommodations for every type of traveler. As you plan your mountain road trip, explore one-of-a-kind stays and traditional comforts along the way. The peace and solitude of Almost Heaven is just an overnight stay away.

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Coal Heritage Trail

The Coal Heritage Trail is a driving trail that  winds through more than (13 counties) 187 rugged miles of scenic industrial heritage, where thousands of hard-working miners labored to produce the coal which created modern America.

The story of the southern West Virginia “smokeless” coalfields is a remarkable legacy of working-class culture, industrial might, racial and ethnic diversity, and the creation of a unique and distinctive culture of national significance. As you journey along  the Coal Heritage Trail you will pass through National Historic Districts and see many of the physical remnants of the coal boom such as coal miners' homes, company stores, company offices, railroad yards and other structures that defined life in the "smokeless coal fields”.

You may want to visit the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine or stop in one of the many towns for a relaxing lunch and chat with some of the locals.   The trail takes about 4.5 hours to drive and can be broken down into a two day travel experience. The Trail begins on RT. 52 in Bluefield and travels to Welch, the takes RT. 16 North to Ansted. No tolls.  The Coal Heritage Trail Is part of the National Coal Heritage Area.

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Mining Museums and Tours

Date: August 29, 2016

Last Updated on November 17, 2023

There are opportunities all over the country to visit mines and mining museums and learn more about U.S. mining. The following lists information on mining tours and museums in the United States and Canada.

If you have information on a mining tour, museum or other educational resource that you would like to share contact: Ashley Burke, (202) 463-2642, [email protected]

Usibelli Coal Mine Healy, Alaska

Tours are available during summer months by appointment. For tour information, call 907-683-2226.

This giant mine along the Nenana River feeds six power plants in Interior Alaska and ships 750,000 tons of coal down the Alaska Railroad to Seward.

Information on Mining Tours in Alaska

This page lists many of the exciting tours offered in Alaska. It also includes phone numbers for more information and admission costs.

Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum 1502 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 602-255-3791

Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm., Sat, 11am-4pm.

Free Admission Extensive collection of mineral specimens. Historic headframe and mine train.

Asarco Mineral Discovery Center  1421 W Pima Mine Road Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520) 625-7513

Tues-Sat, 9am-5pm

Open Pit Mine & mill tour rates: Adults $6; Children $4

No charge to the Mineral Discovery Center exhibits & theater. Open-pit mine & mill tours available, exhibits on geology, mining & uses of minerals; historic & present-day mining equipment, view videos, gift shop.

Copper Queen Mine Underground Tour 118 Arizona Street Bisbee, AZ 85603 (520) 432-2071 1-866-432-2071

Daily tours: 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 2:00, 3:30, Adults: $8.00 Youth (7-11): $3.50 Children (3-6) : $2.00 Children under 3 : free

Explore one of the oldest copper mines in Arizona. Former miners show how turn-of-the-century mines were operated. Avg. temperature in mine 47 degrees.

Copper Queen Mine Tours B  (Historic District and Surface Mine Tours) 118 Arizona Street Bisbee, AZ 85603 (520) 432-2071 1-866-432-2071

Daily tours: 10:30am, noon, 2pm, 3:30 pm Tour Price: $7.00, children under 3 are free.

This is a narrated van tour that takes you to the leaching plant, mine shafts, atop dumps, around the perimeter of the pit, and through the city as turn-of-the-century architecture.

Phelps Dodge Bagdad Contact: Bob Delgado at 928-633-3490

Phelps Dodge arranges tours for individuals and groups.

U.S. Borax 14486 Borax Road Boron, CA 93516 (760) 762-7588

U.S. Borax has a Visitor Center that overlooks its active boron mine, the largest open pit mine in California. The visitor center is free and open seven days a week (excluding major holidays) from 9-5. Parking is also free and accessible to RVs.

Estevan Mine For more information contact: Estevan Tourism (306) 634-6044

Free tour, please call 306-643-6044 for more information. The Shand Power Plant provides a free guided mine / power plant tour. The mine runs two tours daily, in the morning and the afternoon. The tours can accommodate groups of twelve.

The #2 Mine Tour and Museum

Bell Island #2 Mine and Community Museum, 13 Compressor Hill, Bell Island, NL A0A 4H0

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, June 1 to September 30

Tel: 709-488-2880 Toll Free: 1-888-338-2880

Lebanon Mine 1106 Rost St. Georgetown, CO

1-800-691-4FUN 303-569-2403 (Accessible only aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad)

9:20-4pm Daily Adults $6 for mine tour plus $14.40 for train. Children 3-15 are $4 plus $9.50 for train. The mine tour is available via the Georgetown Loop Railroad except the last departure of the day.

National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum   120 W. 9th St. Leadville, CO 719-486-1229

Summer (May-October): 9-5, daily Winter (November-April): 9-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Adults: $10 Seniors (65+): $9 Students (6+, college students included): $8 Children under six: Free.

Converted school offers 12 rooms of displays, models, mine replicas, historic photographs and other mining treasures. Spectacular mineral collection.

Old Hundred Mine  PO Box 430 Silverton, CO 81433 1-800-872-3009

Daily tours: 10am-4pm. Adults: $13.95 Children (5-12): $6.95 Under 5 (held on lap): Free Seniors (60+): $12.95

Children on tour can pan free for silver and gold in Old Hundred sluice box. Tours run about 55 minutes. Picnic area, snacks and gift shop.

Western Museum of Mining & Industry  225 North Gate Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719) 488-0880

Mon-Sat: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults: $9 Military/AAA: $8 Students: $7 Children (4-12): $5 3 and under: free with paid adult Museum Members: free

Museum collects, restores and display mining artifacts. Actual operation of steam engines, drills, pumps and other mining equipment. Four museum buildings and outdoor displays.

Dahlonega Gold Museum 1 Public Square, Dahlonega, GA (706) 864-2257

Mon-Sat: 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Adults: $8.50 Seniors:$8 Youth (7-17): $6 Children (6 & under): Free

See the collection of artifacts from the U.S.’s first gold rush, twenty years prior to the California gold rush.

Pine Mountain Gold Museum 1881 Stockmar Road, Villa Rica, GA (678) 840-1445

Tues-Sat: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Adult: $5 Senior: $4 Children (3-12): $4 Military/First-Responders: $4 Student $4, Children (2 & under): Free

Sitting on an actual gold mine with gold panning on site, this museum houses gold mining and regional artifacts dating as far back as 12,000 BC.

Consolidated Gold Mine Tour 185 Consolidated Gold Mine Road, Dahlonega, GA (706) 864-8473

Offers a tour of a gold mine and gold panning on site.

Georgia Marble Museum 1985 Kennesaw Ave., Nelson, GA (770) 735-2211

Mon-Fri: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Open Pit Mining Tours available only in early October.

Once a year during the Georgia Marble Festival, the museum offers a tour of the world’s largest open pit marble quarry at Polycor Georgia Marble Company’s Tate operation.

Crystal Gold Mine  51931 Silver Valley Road Kellog, ID (208) 783-GOLD

9-6pm daily. Seniors: $8.50 Adults: $10

Tour an authentic 1880s underground gold mine. See crystal and stalactite formations; mining artifacts.

Sierra Silver Mine Underground Tour 420 5th St. Wallace, ID (208) 752-5151

Daily every 30 minutes, 9-4. (July & August until 6 p.m.) (No Children Under 4) 1 hour 15 minutes Adults,$8; Seniors,$7; Children, 4-16, $6.50. Children (6-11): $2 Children under six: Free

Trolley takes you to the minesite. An experienced miner guides you as you witness exhibits, methods & techniques for hard-rock silver mining.

Western Wallace District Mining Museum 509 Bank St. Wallace, ID (208) 556-1592

(July-August) 8-8, daily. Adults, $2; Seniors $1.50; Children $.50 See artifacts from historic silver and mining era.

Museum of Science and Industry 57th and Lake Shore Dr Chicago, IL (773) 684-1414

May 30-Sept 4- 9:30-5:50 daily. Adults: $9 Seniors: $7.50 Children (3-11): $5

Visit the Old Ben #17 Coal mine shaft and learn about the development, and history of coal and coal mining.

Kansas Underground Salt Museum Hutchinson, Kansas (620) 662-1425, Toll Free: 866-755-3450

Email:  [email protected]

Winter Hours: Tuesday-Friday Open 9-5 Tours for General Public at 10:00, 11:40, 1:00, 3:00 Additional times offered as demand requires. Please check the web site for Summer hours $13.50 – Regular Ticket $8.50 – Children 4 – 12 Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the mine.

Visitors who bring a Cosmosphere ticket stub from the past 30 days receive a discount to the Kansas Underground Salt Musuem. Visitors can also redeem their ticket from the Salt Museum at the Cosmosphere for a discounted admission.

Kentucky Coal Mining Museum Benham, KY and Lynch, KY (606) 848-1530

Mon-Sat: 10-5 Sun: 1-4pm Adults: $5 Children: $2.50 Seniors: $4

Guided or self-guided tours available; you’ll get a feel for what it was like to live, work, and play at these unique camps in Benham and Lynch.

A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum  Michigan Tech 1400 Townsend Dr. 5th Floor EERC Bldg. Houghton, MI

Mon – Fri: 9-4:30 Sat: noon-4

Free admission, donations accepted. Famous for world-class collection of Lake Superior copper and iron district minerals. 60,000 specimens from around the world.

Michigan Iron Industry Museum 73 Forge Road Negaunee, MI 49866

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum highlights the state’s iron mining industry, which has flourished for more than 125 years. The museum tells the story of the industry and the people who worked in it.

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area  PO Box 404 Ironton, MN 56455 (218) 546-5926

Daily 8am-4pm Check website for further details.

Tour the Croft Mine historical park, with its historic buildings, underground iron mine tour, museum and gift shop, as well as other recreational activities such as fishing, and canoeing.

Hill Annex Mine State Park  PO Box 376 Calumet, MN 55716 (218) 247-7215

Daily 9am-5pm Check website for further details.

Tour of iron ore mine and facilities (museum, historic site, picnic area, scenic overlook, fossil hunt, and gift shop).

Iron World Discovery Center  Highway 169 West Chisolm, MN

Daily 9:30-5pm Adults: $8 Seniors: $7 Students: $6 Family Pass: $30 Children under 7: Free

Dramatic glass and steel museum perched on open pit iron mine. Relates iron mining history through lifelike displays and audio, including living history tapes.

Minnesota Museum of Mining   900 Lake Street West Chisolm, MN 55719 (218) 254-5543

Memorial Day-Labor Day: 9am-6pm Adults: $3 Family: $8.00 Students: $2 Special requests and tours available Group reservations call: 218-254-7158

View the museum’s historic mining equipment, simulated underground mine, gift shop and event grounds.

Soudan Underground Mine State Park  P.O. Box 335 Soudan, MN 55782 Phone (218) 753-2245 Fax (218) 753-2246

Please see website for more information. We offer an underground tour of the mine, which takes visitors 2341 feet below the surface, and then 3/4 of a mile to the stope area.

Taconite Mine Tours  Hibbing, Taconite is located near Chisolm on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range.

Wed. & Thur: noon. Advance reservations are encouraged. Contact Ironworld Discovery Center. Children must be 10 years or older and accompanied by an adult. Admission: $6 per person. Please see website for more information.

You’ll visit the mine, the concentrator & the agglomerator. Slacks & comfortable shoes are recommended. Hard hats, safety glasses and earplugs will be furnished.

Missouri Mines State Historic Site  St. Joe State Park in Old Lead Belt, Southeast Missouri (573) 431-6226

Mon-Sat: 10-4 Sun: 12-7pm Adults: $2 Children 6-12: $1.25 Under 6: Free Groups of 15+: Adults: $1; Children: $.50. Check website for more information.

On weekends, a miner–retired from the property–is present for tours. 12-minute film from St. Joe Lead Co., which had operated the site.

Tri-State Mineral Museum  Schifferdecker Park corner of 7th and Chifferdecker Ave. Joplin, MI (417) 623-2341

Open year round Mon-Sat: 10-5 Sun: 2-5pm Adults: $2 Family rate: $5 Group rates available Free admission on Tuesdays For more information or to schedule a group tour, please contact the Museum at 417-623-2341.

Mineral specimens and memorabilia focusing on mining and minerals in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.

World Museum of Mining 155 Museum Way P.O. Box 33 Butte, MT 59703 406-723-7211 (April 1 – October 31)

9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (last ticket sold at 4:30) $8.50 adults, $5 children 5-17 years old, $7.50 Seniors over 65 Please call for school groups.

Guides for tours of the museum can be arranged at $25 plus admission. One-day mining history and geology trips, escorted by a geologist, available summer 2004.

One of very few mining museums on the site of an underground metal mine. Extensive collection of artifacts in outdoor mine yard, including original 100-foot-high headframe of Orphan Girl mine; museum in Orphan Girl hoist room. Lecture Series in summer and fall. Thousands of period artifacts in Hellroaring Gulch, 1890’s mining town with 50 buildings; Garrett mineral collection. Special Events, educational programs, and outreach available.

Bannack State Park 4200 Bannack Rd Dillon, MT 59725 (406) 834-3413

The best preserved ghost town west of the Mississippi, Bannack State Park is the site of the first major gold rush in Montana. Over 60 Historic structures still stand and are open for you to explore. During the summer months they offer free town tours every day, and gold panning. On the weekends, they offer the same free tours and a tour of our mill for $4 a person. Just stop by the visitors center for more information, or give them a call at (406) 834-3413.

North Dakota

Beulah Mine Beulah, ND

Tours available by appointment. Call Dakota Westmoreland Corporation in Beulah at (701) 873-4333

Owned and operated by the Dakota Westmoreland Corporation, Beulah, ND. Supplies lignite to the Coyote Station and Heskett Station. Domestic lignite also available.

Center Mine Center, ND

Tours available by appointment Monday through Friday. Contact the mine at (701) 794-8734.

Owned and operated by BNI Coal, Ltd., Center, ND (a subsidiary of Minnesota Power, Duluth, MN). Supplies lignite to the Milton R. Young Station, Center, ND.

Falkirk Mine Underwood, ND

Tours available by appointment Monday through Friday (24-hour notice required). Contact Falkirk at (701) 442-5751.

Operated by The Falkirk Mining Company (a subsidiary of The North American Coal Corporation, Dallas, TX), Underwood, ND. Supplies lignite to the Coal Creek Station.

Freedom Mine Beulah, ND

Tours available Monday-Friday by appointment (24-hour notice required). Call Coteau at (701) 873-2281.

Supplies lignite to the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, Antelope Valley Station, Leland Olds Station and Stanton Station. The largest lignite mine in the United States, operating two 120-cubic-yard draglines and a fleet of 200-ton overburden trucks.

W.M. Keck Museum Mackay School of Mines University of Nevada, Reno (775) 784-4528

Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed weekends and university holidays. Group tours available – please call for appointments. Admission is free.

Founded in 1908, this museum hosts a spectacular collection of minerals, rocks, fossils and mining artifacts. Exhibits span three floors.

Barrick Gold of North America Community Relations [email protected] (775) 748-1000

Group tour requests are accommodated when possible. Reservations are required; please give 6-8 weeks advance notice. Inquire via email or phone.

Tours are arranged by inquiry and site visited and areas toured will be determined by the topic(s) of interest for the inquiring group.

McCaw School of Mines Henderson, NV 703-779-8930

Call 702-779-8930 for further information, or visit their website.

4,500 sq. ft. structure portrays the history & importance of mining in Nevada. Includes a simulated tunnel connecting 4 interior alcoves that depict: historical mining, mining in Nevada, geology & minerals and modern day mining. The McCaw School of Mines is an introduction to mining for elementary school students.

Newmont Mining Corporation Elko, Nevada 702-635-4302

Second Tuesday of the month throughout the season Depart 9 a.m. from museum; returns to museum at noon. 12 & up only. Call 702-635-4302 for information. Reservations required 24 hours in advance.

Tour the Newmont Mining Corporation, the largest gold producer in North America and second largest in the world.

Newmont Mining Corporation Winnemucca, Nevada (775) 635-4302

Tours offered on the third Thursday of each month. Tours depart from the Lone Tree mine at 9:00 a.m. and return at noon. 12 & up only.

Reservations required at least 48 hours in advance. Long pants and closed-toe shoes required. Call (775) 635-4302 for reservations or more information.

Newmont Mining Corporation Elko, Nevada (775) 778-4068

Tours offered on the second Tuesday of the month, April through October. Tours depart from the Northeastern Nevada Museum at 9:00 a.m. and return at noon. 12 & up only.

Reservations required at least 48 hours in advance. Closed-toe shoes required. Call (775) 778-4068 for reservations or more information.

Tonopah Historic Mining Park Located on a hillside above Tonopah, NV (775) 482-9274

Walking tours conducted on weekends and by appointment. Call 1-775-482-9274 for information and reservations.

Visit 80 acres of century-old mining works; many of the buildings house original equipment. Tour the Visitors Center which is filled with mining info. Gold and silver deposit started the first great mining camp of 20th century.

Sterling Hill Mine and Mining Museum 20 Plant St. Ogdensburg, NJ 973-209-7212

Apr-Now: Daily tours, 11am July-Aug: Daily tours at 1 pm & 3pm. Adults: $9, Seniors: $8, Children: $6

Extensive and interesting mining memorabilia in museum; mine displays beautiful fluorescent minerals for which the mine is famous.

Grants Mining Museum 100 N. Iron Ave. Grants, NM 1-800-748-2142 505-287-4802

Mon-Sat: 9-4, closed Sun Adults: $3, Children 7-18: $2, Under 7: Free

Groups and tour guides by appointment. Please call 1-800-748-2142 or 505-287-4802, or visit their website for more information. Tour the only uranium mining museum in the world. Underground conditions are recreated and domed in white stone and glass museum. Gems & minerals displayed from around the world.

Pennsylvania

Windber Coal Heritage Center 501 15th Street Windber, PA 15963-0115 Phone: (814) 467-6680 Toll-free: (877) 826-3933 Email:  [email protected]

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm. Operating Season: Wednesday, May 1 – Wednesday, October 31 (often extended through Dec. 31st)

The Windber Coal Heritage Center tells the story of a unique kind of community in our country – a community which was created and maintained by industry, devoted to serving that industry and the people it employed.

Pennsylvania State Univ. Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum and Art Gallery 112 Steidle Bldg. Pollock Rd State College, PA 814-865-6427

Free admission. Mon-Fri: 9-5pm, Sat-Sun: 1-5pm. Tour the museum’s fine display of minerals, fossils & artifacts. A most extensive collection of paintings and sculpture depicting mining and related industries.

South Dakota

Black Hills Mining Museum 323 W. Main St. Lead, SD 57754 (605) 584-1605

Seasonal Hours-

Summer Schedule: Open mid-May until mid-October, Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00. Closed Sunday.

Off-season by appointment only

The museum, gold panning, and tour are fee based.

The Black Hills Mining Museum was designated by the South Dakota State Legislature in 2014 as the official mining museum of South Dakota.  The museum offers a gift shop, gold panning, 5,000 sq. ft. museum with a theater, and its signature feature of a guided tour through a recreated underground level of the legendary Homestake gold mine that ran in Lead for 125 years.  Allow one hour for the tour.  Last tour leaves at 4:00 pm.

Mining Heritage Exhibit at the Chihuahua Desert Research Institute and Nature Preserve (432) 364-2499

Open all year; admission is free. Guides can be arranged by calling the CDRI at 505-364-2499.

Constructed by a group of Mining Engineers and Geologists who were classmates at Texas Western College (now UTEP) 1957-1961, the idea is to show how small-scale mining would have been carried out in the Chihuahua Desert, which includes West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico in the old days.

In addition to an 18-ft. high head frame and 50 ft. of track for small ore cars, a pavilion houses many exhibits like drills, carbide lamps, old mine maps and photos, and relics used with explosives. There are also piles of boulders of several ores which have been mined in the region.

It is a great education exhibit for school children and senior groups, and admission is free.

Washington, D.C.

Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology Gems and Minerals Smithonian National Museum of Natural History Washington DC 202-357-2700

Free Admission. Open 10am-5:30 daily. From the Hope Diamond to the walk-through mine (funded by members of National Mining Association), experience the finest gem and mineral collection and interactive, educational exhibits.

West Virginia

Exhibition Coal Mine New River Park Beckley, WV 304-256-1747

Tours 10am-5:30pm. Adults: $8, Seniors: $7, Children 4-12: $5, Children under 4: Free Includes underground mine tour and surface buildings. Shows low-seam coal mine from its earliest manual stages to modern mechanized operation.

West Virginia Mine Wars Museum 336 Mate Street Matewan, WV 25678 304-546-8473

The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum, in the heart of Historic Matewan, preserves and interprets artifacts and historical records of the local communities affected by the West Virginia Mine Wars, exploring historical events from multiple perspective through the lives of ordinary people.

Scotts Run Museum and Trail P0 Box 264 Osage, WV 26543 304-599-1931

This Museum and History Trail is a project of the nonprofit Scott’s Run Park and Recreation, Inc, for the purpose of preserving the legacy and oral history of the coal boom in the nine communities that make up Scott’s Run, and to encourage development of the park, gardens, music row, and businesses in the area.

National Coal Heritage Area – Bramwell Depot 100 Simmons St Bramwell, WV 24715 1-866-858-5959

The Historic Bramwell Depot construction project is a part of the Heritage Park that was developed in Bramwell, WV. The depot is officially known as the Southern Interpretive Center of the Coal Heritage Trail, a National Historic Byway. The original train station was demolished in the 1950s. It was rebuilt by a federal government grant. Groundbreaking for rebuilding the depot was held on August 2,1996. the Depot now houses interpretive exibits that offer insight into the rich heritage of the Poachontas Coalfields. Depot serves as a welcome center for tourist visiting the Home of the Bramwell Millionaires. It was completed in 2003 and is now open seven days a week.

Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation Museum 347 Main Street Boone County Madison, WV 25130 304-369-0316 or 304-369-9118

The Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation Museum was created by the Boone County Development Corporation and chartered by the State of West Virginia. The growth of the West Virginia Coal Festival and area historic attractions encouraged Foundation members and the Development Authority to develop a museum. The downtown coal museum showcases the history of coal and its people. The museum was and remains an educational place visited by schoolchildren, out of area visitors, and former coal miners and their decedents.

Royce J. and Caroline B. Watts Museum 401 Evansdale Dr Morgantown, WV 26505 304-293-4609

The Royce J. and Caroline B. Watts Museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the social, cultural, and technological history of West Virginia’s coal and petroleum industries through the collection, preservation, research and exhibition of historical objects and archival materials.

The Watts Museum is housed in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University.

The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums

405 East Main Street Platteville, WI 53818 608-348-3301

Your underground adventure awaits! Tour the 1845 Bevans Lead-Zinc Mine, ride in a 1931 mine train (weather permitting), and discover the local history of the Upper Mississippi Valley mining district. The Museums trace the development of lead and zinc mining in the Upper Mississippi Valley using models, dioramas, artifacts, and photographs. A guided tour includes a walk down into the 1845 Bevans Lead Mine, a tour of the headframe building and hoist house, and an above-ground outdoor train ride pulled by a 1931 mine locomotive. The Rollo Jamison Collection exhibits include artifacts, stories and music of home, farm and family life and nostalgic local cultural history.

Black Thunder Mine

Call for more information; please call to determine if a group tour can be scheduled in June, July or August 2009.

Near Gillette, WY. Call for tour information: (307) 464-2201

Foundation Coal West, Inc. For more information, contact:

Gillette Convention and Visitors Bureau 1810 S. Douglas Highway, #A Gillette, WY 82718 307-686-0040

Call for more information, or visit the website. Learn about the coal mining industry in Campbell County (Gillette, WY) which provides over 30% of the United States coal for electrical power generation.

© 2022, National Mining Association

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Interactive map of coal mines in West Virginia

The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey provides an interactive map of underground and surface coal mining activity in West Virginia. The map shows areas of active and historical coal mining in both underground and surface mines, with separate colors for auger and highwall mining.

Users can zoom in on mining areas and retrieve information for individual mines, including historical mine maps for many locations. Users can use the underground mine search feature to find underground mines by company or seam name. For more detailed information on the status of active coal mines and reclamation areas, you can use the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Mining Data Tools .

Click here to access the WVGES interactive map of coal mines in West Virginia.

Source : West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey

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WELCOME TO THE WEST VIRGINIA MINE WARS MUSEUM

“This is the first time that our people are in charge of our own history.”

Visit The Museum

- Wilma Steele, retired Mingo County public school teacher and founding museum board member

Are you a natural at building connections and capturing stories? We've got the perfect opportunity for you!

As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's essential to shine a spotlight on the often overlooked, but incredibly vital roles that women played in the West Virginia Mine Wars.

Did you see the latest announcement from our Executive Director? Kenzie formally announced the news that we now own one of the largest pieces of real estate in downtown Matewan, the Cecil E. Roberts Building (formerly known as the Matewan BB&T and Matewan National Bank).

In early December museum staff and a dedicated crew of volunteers undertook the monumental task of organizing an extensive collection of papers, books, and objects generously donated to the museum by Sandra S. Barkey.

Here at the Museum, we understand, honor, and value the fact that the Mine Wars were a multi-racial fight for fair labor in the mountains of West Virginia. While its important to uplift these voices, people, and stories year round, here are some that we wanted to share with you this month.

For decades, the West Virginia Mine Wars, a critical chapter in the struggle for workers' rights, has remained shrouded in silence, deliberately omitted from public discourse and classroom curricula. But now, a new generation can finally uncover the profound impact this history holds.

“ At this political moment, this museum is essential as a critical voice for workers and their history. ”

Bring the History Right to Your Students!

We’ve developed a series of “Teaching Trunks” containing artifacts, documents, handouts, and activities that will empower educators to teach a series of immersive lessons focused on the people, events, and themes in the history of the West Virginia Mine Wars.

Connect the struggles of today to the struggles of 100 years ago with our new exhibit in the Solidarity Gallery, The Children of Mother Jones: West Virginia Educator’s Strikes as Care Work

Step Inside the Stories…

Find out everything you need to know about how to travel to the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum, and where to stay, eat, and visit while you’re here.

Follow Us On the March to Blair Mountain!

With our new Courage in the Hollers project, we’re taking our work outside the museum walls and into the landscape where it all happened… (photo by Stef Bernal-Martinez)

Support Our Work: Shop for Books and Merch Online!

Grabbing merchandise from our online shop is an excellent way to support the work we do! We’ve got a new, expanded Mine Wars Bookshop, new t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and more!

People’s History: Online!

Until you can plan your trip to Matewan, spend some time with the online exhibitions we’re curating from the entire catalog of the museum’s collection!

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Take the pool improvement survey

• (304) 256-1768
• 409 S Kanawha St. Beckley, WV 25801

Exhibition Coal Mine | 513 Ewart Ave Beckley, WV 25801

Exhibition Coal Mine

Departments.

Enjoy the beauty and serenity of the country at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine Campground. The 17 site campground is open April 1 – December 1.

• Must be self-contained – No Restroom of Showers Available
• Reservations available
• 17 paved back-in sites
• 50 amp power, water, and sewage
• $35.00 per night
• $210.00 per week
• $ 750.00 a month

Direction: From I -77 North or South take exit 44. Turn East on to Route 3 (Harper Road).

Travel 1 1/2 miles and turn left onto Ewart Avenue. Go 1/4 to New River Park entrance on right.

Registration: From 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, campers register at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine Gift Shop.

A current/valid driver’s license must be presented at registration.

Click Here to Register Online

Departments, quick links.

• 409 S Kanawha St
• Beckley, WV 25801
• Get Directions
• Phone: 304-256-1768
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