west virginia mine tour

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

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine in West Virginia offers an immersive underground tour and a recreated coal camp experience.

Written by  

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!

Just one county over from the first coal discovery in West Virginia, you can visit a coal camp, complete with a company store, a museum, miner's shanty, and much more.

The Exhibition Coal Mine is the centerpiece of Beckley's New River Park and a hidden secret you'll be happy to discover.

In addition to the preserved and recreated buildings of the coal town, the real gem is the underground tour.

For a small fee, hop on board the very same tracks that once carried generations of workers deep into the vintage mine.

Get a sense of the daily routines and the tasks of the hundreds of workers that passed through the tunnels over the decades in which the mine was open.

The near horizontal drift mine follows 1,500 feet along the seam where the coal was mined.

Educational displays within the mine help guide an understanding of the equipment left behind.

Retired coal miners are employed as the guides within the mine, so you know your questions will be answered by experienced and knowledgeable staff.

Once back outside and above the ground, take a stroll around the recreated coal camp.

A self-guided walk around the "town" doles out access to a variety of the buildings; many are tended by friendly staff.

Visit the school, the company store, the superintendent's house, and more.

You can expect to spend 2-3 hours exploring everything the Beckley Exhibition Mine has to offer.

Both the coal camp church and the miner's bachelor shanty are can't miss stops before you leave. (Both have open doors so you can go inside and explore.)

With so much to see and do, a visit to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine in West Virginia is a must-do.

It's located just 2.5 miles from exit 44 of Interstate 77/64. Be sure to bring a jacket (even in summer)... the temperature within the mine stays a constant 58 degrees!

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 .

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news.

• Northern California
• Southern California
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

Thank you for subscribing!

Washington Works Nature Trail Is A Hidden Park In West Virginia Worthy Of A Day Hike

Washington Works Nature Trail (also known as the Dupont Nature Center or the Chemours Washington Works Nature Trail) is a hidden hiking gem nestled in the small town of Washington, West Virginia, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Blennerhassett Island . This beautiful but simple trail offers hikers and nature enthusiasts a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of fast-paced life. It's not a fancy hike, but it's one of the type of small, quiet, lesser-known, underrated parks that I love to discover when I'm exploring an area.

The trail winds through a lush forest and tall meadows, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. It is a relatively easy hike, making it perfect for families or casual hikers looking for a peaceful outdoor adventure.

With a total length of 1.3 miles, the trail can be completed in just about an hour, making it an ideal option for a quick nature getaway.

One of the highlights of Washington Works Nature Trail is the variety of flora and fauna that can be found along the way. The trail is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the opportunity to spot various species of birds, while nature lovers will enjoy the tranquil beauty of the forest.

In addition to the natural beauty of the trail, Washington Works Nature Trail also offers visitors a peek into the region's industrial past. The trail follows the path of an old rail line that once served the nearby Washington Works plant, a facility that produced chemicals and plastics. Interpretive signs along the trail provide information about the history of the area and the impact of industry on the environment.

As visitors make their way through the forest, they will encounter several points of interest, including a small pond that is home to a variety of aquatic creatures.

The trail also features a picnic area, making it a great spot for a leisurely lunch surrounded by nature.

Overall, Washington Works Nature Trail is a peaceful and scenic hiking escape in Washington, West Virginia that offers a bit of everything for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you are looking for a relaxing stroll through the woods or a chance to learn about the region's industrial heritage, this trail has something for everyone . So next time you find yourself in Washington, West Virginia, be sure to take a break from the hustle and bustle and explore the natural beauty of this hidden gem.

A New Lazy River Just Opened In West Virginia And It’s The Perfect Summer Adventure

Have you heard the news? I can't wait to tell you, because it's about my kids' favorite kind of pool feature. Here's the scoop: the Pleasants County Parks & Recreation Aquatic Center in Saint Marys, West Virginia  has recently introduced an exciting new addition to its pool facilities - a lazy river. This new feature is giving visitors a unique and relaxing way to enjoy the water park while also providing a fun and refreshing experience for the whole family.

The lazy river at the Aquatic Center is a meandering waterway that winds its way through lush landscaping, with gentle currents that carry swimmers along on a tranquil journey.

It offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing visitors to float along at their own pace while taking in the scenic surroundings.

One of the highlights of the lazy river is the opportunity for guests to sit back and relax in inflatable tubes as they glide along the water. This allows for a truly leisurely experience, where visitors can soak up the sun, bask in the fresh air, and simply enjoy the calming rhythm of the flowing waters.

The addition of the lazy river has been met with great excitement from the local community, as well as visitors from surrounding areas. Families are making the most of this new feature by spending quality time together, floating along the river and creating lasting memories.

Not only is the lazy river a great way to unwind and de-stress, but it also provides a low-impact form of exercise for those looking to stay active while having fun. Whether visitors are looking to kick back and relax or get a little workout in, the lazy river offers something for everyone.

In addition to the lazy river, the Pleasants County Parks & Recreation Aquatic Center also features other amenities such as water slides, a splash pad, and a lap pool, making it a one-stop destination for all things aquatic fun. Pool season runs from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.

Overall, the new lazy river pool at the Aquatic Cente r in Saint Marys, West Virginia is proving to be a hit with visitors of all ages. Whether you're looking to chill out and float along or get a little exercise in a serene setting, this new feature promises a memorable and enjoyable experience for all who visit the park. So grab an inflatable tube, sit back, and let the gentle currents carry you away on a relaxing adventure at the Pleasants County Parks & Recreation Aquatic Center. (P.S. Need a new pool bag? Try this cool, convenient design !)

All Stories

There’s nothing quite like a stay at this 1950 spartan mansion trailer near sedona, arizona.

The Spartan Mansion Trailer is a unique Airbnb option with a retro appeal near Sedona, Arizona.

We Spent a Chilly Fall Day Exploring Two Easily-Accessible Waterfalls at Ohiopyle State Park

Spend an hour or two exploring Ohiopyle Falls and Cucumber Falls, framed by fall foliage, at Ohiopyle State Park.

The Scenic Road Trip That Leads to 5 of Pennsylvania’s Most Charming Small Towns

Experience a slice of yesteryear on this road trip that leads to such charming small towns as Jim Thorpe, New Hope, and Bloomsburg.

The 1.9-Mile Hiking Trail in New Hampshire That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

This easily-accessible peak is reached by a short hike and provides stunning views during foliage season.

The Remote Destination in New Hampshire Where the Drive Is Worth the Final View

Make sure your vehicle is in good shape and buckle up for a bumpy ride to one of New Hampshire's wildest mountains.

Pennies, Places, and Paws

Saving pennies to go places and spoil your paws

Ride a Cart into the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. This site also contains affiliate links to products besides Amazon and we may also receive a commission for purchases made through those links too (at no additional cost to you).

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.

Pin For Later:

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.

Tiffany M. Smith is a retired zookeeper, passionate pet owner, and obsessive traveler who loves to show pet owners how to have happy, healthy pets and amazing adventures!

Similar Posts

Undead History: Inside the Living Dead Museum

Visit the Living Dead Museum & learn about the rise of the undead in books & movies. See where Dawn of the Dead was filmed, learn behind the scenes, secrets, & bring home collectibles!

Shackles and Shadows: A Haunted Halloween in Mansfield’s Ohio State Reformatory

Halloween at Ohio State Reformatory: where history meets horror. Tour haunted halls, brave a chilling haunted house, and celebrate the spooky season behind infamous gates.

Visiting Congaree National Park

Planning on visiting Congaree National Park? Find out everything you need to know for a memorable vacation where you can even bring your dog along!

South Carolina Botanical Garden

Looking for a FREE dog-friendly stop in SC? Head on over to South Carolina Botanical Garden! Take a walk, visit a museum, see historical buildings, and more!

How to Save Money on Gas

Learn how to save money on gas so you can still meet your budget and go on that next vacation! Did you know that there are 3 main ways you can save on fuel?

Travel Quotes

As an adult, I LOVE to travel and live to explore. Here are some travel quotes that I hold dear and strongly believe in. I hope you love them as much as I do.

Entries on This Tour

The memorial honors the 22 coal miners killed in an explosion at the Compass No.2 Mine on April 25, 1963.

The display shows local coal mining artifacts at the medical clinic in Farmington, Marion County, West Virginia.

The life size statue of a widowed mother and children in honor of the 361 miners killed in the Monongah Mines disaster on Dec. 6, 1907. The Monongah Mining Disaster of 1907 is the worst industrial disaster in U.S. History. The working memorial bell was donated by the Italian government. The Monongah Heroine Statue makes up part of the memorial to the victims of the Monongah Mine Disaster at the corner of Main Avenue and Bridge Street in downtown Monongah, West Virginia.

The life size statue of a coal miner to honor coal miners in each county who lost their lives in West Virginia. Stone structures of each county surround the statue of a “coal miner who lost his life in the mine.”

The Marion County Historical Society, Inc. was founded in 1908. The Society is dedicated to preserving the local history of Fairmont, Marion County and North Central West Virginia. Today, Marion County Historical Society operates a local history museum that includes the former Sheriff's Residence and a portion of the old county jail.

Founded in March 2000, The Northern Appalachian Coal Mining Heritage Association (NACMHA) is dedicated to educating the public on our regional coal mining heritage. NACMHA operates a seasonal interactive coal mining museum in Fairmont, West Virginia adjacent to Coal Country Miniature Golf course along Interstate 79.

The memorial honors the 97 miners killed on April 30th, 1927. The Federal No.3 Miners Memorial proudly displays the names of the 149 miners who bravely perished in the mine, including those who died in the fateful mine explosion in 1927. Both faces of the memorial lists the names of the miners and the year of their death. The Miner's Logo also displays above the memorial on both faces. The memorial now stands proudly near Federal No. 3, next to the Friendship Baptist Church in Everettville.

On April 30, 1927, a powerful explosion occurred at Federal No. 3 mine in Everettville, Monongalia County, West Virginia. At least ninety-seven miners lost their lives. In the wake of the tragedy, the West Virginia Department of Mines conducted an investigation into the cause of the explosion. It concluded that a spark from a storage battery locomotive ignited built-up methane and coal dust in the mine, causing the deadly explosion. The agency claimed that rock dusting could have significantly reduced the magnitude of the explosion. Mine executives at Everettville, however, refused to do so prior to the tragedy, believing that the mine was too wet for coal dust to propagate a methane ignition.

It is the oldest beehive coke oven in the state of West Virginia, and the longest operational beehive oven in the nation. These 140 ovens are the last survivors of some 400 Elkins Coal and Coke ovens erected here early in the 20th century. They are built into the hillside directly below the dirt road leading into the complex, face southwestward toward the tracks of the B & 0 Railroad, and are divided into two batteries arranged in continuous single rows.

Located on Scott’s Run Road in Osage, West Virginia, the Scott’s Run Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the coal mining settlements that dotted the landscape along the western side of the Monongahela River in the early twentieth century. The museum began as a one-day operation on November 1, 1996 before becoming a permanent institution the following year. Although the museum was initially established as part of the work sponsored by the United Communities of Scott’s Run, Inc., it has had separate incorporation since December of 1997. The Scott’s Run coal mining communities are among the most famous in the history of West Virginia and Appalachia and received considerable attention for the suffering experienced by area miners during the Great Depression, suffering that motivated First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to take a particular interest in improving conditions in the area. The Scott’s Run Museum commemorates that history today and is open to the public on Saturday’s from 10 AM to 2 PM and for personal tours upon appointment.

West Virginia University’s collection of historical artifacts and archival materials from the mining and petroleum industries of West Virginia.

Welcome to the first New Deal planned community of Arthurdale, West Virginia! Started in 1933 under the direct personal guidance of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Arthurdale was the first of 99 such towns that the federal government constructed throughout the Great Depression for economically distressed areas nationwide. Arthurdale was constructed specifically to provide economic relief to destitute coal miners and their families from Scotts Run, WV, a place that became the poster-child of poverty in the Great Depression due to its prominence in the national press. In total, 165 families were situated in houses in Arthurdale with 2-5 acres of farmland each, barns, tools, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for all. This was a massive and expensive project, but ultimately left these families with more resources and opportunities than they had before. Arthurdale Heritage currently operates a five-building museum on the site. Come step back in time and get a sense of the New Deal, the Great Depression, subsistence farming, and family life in 1930s rural West Virginia.Please note that many places included on this tour are private residences. We ask that visitors be respectful of the homes as you drive by them.

The Newburg Mine Disaster Memorial honors the 39 men and boys were killed in the gas explosion at the Mountain Brook Shaft of the Newburg Orrel Coal Company in 1886. The Newburg Mine Disaster was the first big shaft mine explosion in the state of West Virginia. The bronze plaque was dedicated by the Newburg Rotary Club in 1989, and is located in front of the Newburg Post Office.

This local history museum is located inside the former Philippi railroad station that was constructed in 1911 and connected this community to the Baltimore an Ohio rail line. The Barbour County Historical Museum includes a variety of exhibits from the colonial period to the present. These exhibits include Civil War era weapons, various railroad artifacts, and exhibits of clothing from the antebellum period as well as a large display of flags. The Hamrick Mummies are a highlight of the museum and were once one of the leading attractions of the traveling P.T. Barnum Circus. The Museum has many objects from the county’s abundant coal history.

This Tour is a Thematic Tour or Heritage Trail .

Coal Heritage Sites in the Fairmont Coal Fields of Northern West Virginia

Get a QR Code for this tour

Description

This coal history tour starts in the western side of the Fairmont Coal Field and works its way north and east before turning south to complete a half-circle. The tour consists of monuments, museums, memorials, and other sites related to the history of mining and life in the minefields in the six counties in Northern West Virginia that constitute the Fairmont Coal Field: Barbour, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor Counties.

Search Website:

• 1-800-847-4898
• Get Your Free Travel Guide
• Cabin & Vacation Rentals
• Hotels & Motels
• Bed and Breakfasts
• Campgrounds
• Conference Facilities
• Retreat Center
• Fairs and Festivals
• Wine, Beer & Spirits
• Performing Arts
• History / Heritage
• State Attractions
• Whitewater Rafting
• Unique Shopping
• Dining In Southern West Virginia
• Spas and Massage
• Farms and Farmers Market
• Group Tour Planner
• Transportation
• Meeting Planner
• Plan Your West Virginia Wedding
• Brochures and Guides
• Motorcycle Touring
• Relocation / Education
• Visitor Services
• Business Services
• Fayette County
• Raleigh County
• McDowell County
• Mercer County
• Summers County
• Monroe County
• Nicholas County
• Greenbrier County
• Wyoming County
• West Virginia Travel Planner

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.

Travel Guide

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.”

Appalachian Arts & Crafts Fair – August 2 – 3, 2024

Meet your 2024 Appalachian Festival Queen

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine Tours

• Add to Timely Calendar
• Add to Google
• Add to Outlook
• Add to Apple Calendar
• Add to other calendar
• Export to XML

Tour underground, visit the Coal Camp, the Museum and the Gift Shop stocked with West Virginia items & freshly made fudge in a variety of flavors. The hands-on exhibitions and underground coal mining tour offer wonderful opportunities for our visitors to learn, explore, interact and share.

As the focal points of the City’s lovely New River Park, the Exhibition Coal Mine and the Youth Museum draw thousands of people to the area annually.  The unique underground mine, the recreated coal camp, the Youth Museum and the Mountain Homestead are surrounded by inviting lawns, colorful flowers, picnic areas, an imposing coal miner statue and a whimsical 20 ft. “Peace Totem”.

At the Exhibition Coal Mine, one can ride through the dark passages of a vintage coal mine. The guides are veteran miners and provide firsthand accounts of the daily responsibilities and travail of past and present day miners.

In addition to the Mine, one can tour the period coal camp buildings situated throughout the grounds.  Lovingly restored, the Coal Company House, Superintendent’s Home, Pemberton Coal Camp Church, and the Helen Coal Camp School, give visitors a true representation of early 20 th century coal camp life.

Visit during the Appalachian Festival and receive a Discount Admission Ticket Price

© Appalachian Festival | Website by Cucumber & Company | Privacy Policy | Sitemap

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine 513 Ewart Ave P.O. Box 2514 Beckley WV 25801 Phone: (304) 256-1747 www.beckleymine.com Open first weekend in April to November 1.

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is located about two miles from I-77.  Take exit 44 which is WV 3 and head east.   Go 1.5 miles and turn left on Ewart Avenue.   (Note: Ewart Avenue is very hard to find.  Look for the Eagle Convenience Store on your left.  Evert Avenue is just after Eagle.)

The mine and all the other buildings will be on your right after about 0.5 miles.  There is lots of parking.

Driving Note: Remember that the I-77 exit for Bluefield is exit 1; Princeton is at exit 9.  There is a toll booth on I-77 between Princeton and Beckley.  In 2009, the toll for cars was $2.00 each way.

The coal-miner's house, coal-town church, superintendent's house and school are furnished on the inside with antiques from the 1940s and 1950s and show you what life was life back then.

Please note that this is a very popular destination for school groups.  If you want a less crowded tour, you might want to come later in the afternoon after the school buses have left.

Coal Mining Video  Be sure to watch the video on the web site below.  The video is about coal mining in Southern West Virginia.  There are scenes from the Beckley and Pocahontas Exhibitions mines. http://www.visitwv.com/beckleycoalmine.cfm

RoadsideAmerica.com Your Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions

Attraction:

Exhibition Coal Mine

Beckley, West Virginia

Coal is the lumpy, black foundation upon which West Virginia rests, both physically and economically. A recent flap of mine explosions and cave-ins reminded us that West Virginia is still chock full of deadly holes where men toil to heat our homes. There really is no attraction better suited to this statethan a coal mine.

Don't let the "Exhibition" in the name of this place fool you. Beckley's isn't a phony, like the fake factory at Hershey's Chocolate World in Pennsylvania. This once served as a working coal mine. It closed in 1910, the city grew up around its entrance, and the area surrounding it became a city park. In 1960 the mine was re-opened as a tourist attraction. We've been on plenty of underground tours, but never one where the main thrust is to tell you how toblast a bigger and deeper hole in the ground.

You're seated in mine cars and driven in what is essentially a big loop under a hillside, with plenty of stops so that your guide -- an ex-coal miner -- can point out displays in the murky darkness and fill your skull with mine arcana.

Beckley was a low seam coal mine. "Low seam" means a low ceiling -- a fact that you need to remember when you visit. The ceiling is only an inch or two above your head in your mine car. If you stand up while the train is in motion, you will die. This is a grungy tour -- full of arcane facts and with nothing really attractive to see. It's not really geared for kids or the ladies, though our tour includes a mix of family units. You never get out of your seat, and it's cold and damp in a coal mine, so bringa sweatshirt.

Our guide, Charles, peppers the tour with a well worn set of jokes that don't seem so bad when they're delivered by an authentic coal miner. For example, he tells us about "the fire boss" -- the guy whose job was to check for methane gas and then try to burn it offbefore it exploded and killed him. "We went through a lot of fire bosses," Charles says. "A pretty good job for a mother-in-law!"

"Or a brother-in-law," he adds, quickly realizing that our train probably includes several mothers-in-law.

The coal seam in Beckley is 180 feet underground and 40 inches high. There are plenty of places where it can still be seen, which makes one wonder whythe mine was closed -- except maybe because the place was so dangerous.

Charles shows us an example of a "widowmaker" -- a petrified tree stump uncovered in the ceiling, surrounded by a thin ring of coal where the bark was. Widowmakers had a habit of falling and crushing miners. "If this roof collapses," Charles adds in another well-rehearsed line, "we'll at least know there's nowhere around here we could be buried deeper orcheaper."

The mine has a weird smell -- like bad oil, we hope, not methane. Charles is oblivious to it as he does his best to entertain the group. He turns off the lights to give us the obligatory "moment of total darkness." He gets on the floor to demonstrate how miners would use "rail scooters" instead of crawling. He tells us that miners would discourage water theft by putting their false teeth in their water pails. He shows us the world's first mechanical coal scoop, invented in 1963 by a miner, and promptly stolen andpatented by somebody else. "Probably a Yankee," Charles cracks.

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is a gritty change of pace from the typical sanitized commercial cave. It's occasionally used as a set for independent features and cable TV movies. Tour guides like Charles work as extras, eitheras miners or as corpses.

New River City Park

More on Exhibition Coal Mine

Nearby Offbeat Places

More Quirky Attractions in West Virginia

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in West Virginia .

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here . Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

Save Cool Vacation Destinations! ... Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

West Virginia Latest Tips and Stories

• Monument to Smokeless Coal , Prince, West Virginia
• World's Largest Horse , Point Pleasant, West Virginia
• Scary Monster Chair , Sutton, West Virginia

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

National Cave Museum , Park City, Kentucky (Sep 23-29, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

• Road Sign Madness , Wimberly, Texas
• Tripoint CO-NE-KS , Laird, Colorado
• Trinket Wall , North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Green Aliens , Whites City, New Mexico
• Fordhenge , Edgar, Montana

More Sightings

Miscellaneous

• Submit a Tip
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions

Trip Planning Caution : RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead!

Credits, Media/Business Inquiries © Copyright 1996-2024 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors.

American Geosciences Institute

• Policy & Critical Issues
• Advisory Committees
• Coalitions & Working Groups

Explore the Geosciences

• Mineral Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Geoscience In Your State
• Policy News & Monthly Review
• Policy Annual Review
• Federal Geoscience Funding

Policy Positions

• Codes of Ethics
• Critical Needs
• Letters and Statements
• Policy Recommendations
• Position Statements
• Case Studies
• Geoscience in Your State
• GOLI Online Courses
• Maps & Visualizations
• Petroleum and the Environment
• Policy Publications
• Research Database
• Congressional Briefings
• Congressional Visits Days

Get Involved

• Communicating with Congress
• Fellowships
• Internships

External Resources

• U.S. Congress
• Federal Agencies
• State & Local Agencies

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

Related Maps & Visualizations

• Board of Directors
• AGI Connections Newsletter
• Nominations
• News and Announcements
• Membership Benefits
• Strategic Plan
• Annual Report
• Member Societies
• Member Society Council
• International Associates
• Trade Associates
• Academic Associates
• Regional Associates
• Liaison Organizations
• Community Documents
• Geoscience Calendar
• Center for Geoscience & Society
• Education & Outreach
• Diversity Activities
• Scholarly Information
• Geoscience Profession
• Earth Science Week
• Publication Store
• Glossary of Geology
• Earth Science Week Toolkit
• I'm a Geoscientist
• Free Geoscience Resources
• AGI Connections
• Be a Visiting Geoscientist
• Use Our Workspace

• (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
• Send Us a Message

Copyright © City of Beckley, WV | Web Design by Cucumber and Company | Sitemap | Contact Us | Login