Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
About This Museum
So we started at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, which is this incredible portal into West Virginia's past. You actually get to ride a rickety old train deep into a real, preserved coal mine that dates back to the late 1800s. It's dark, damp, and a little eerie, but our guide—a former miner—brought the whole experience to life with his stories. Above ground, you can wander through a recreated coal camp village, complete with a schoolhouse and company homes, which really makes you feel the weight of that history.
Collection Highlights
The underground mine tour is the absolute star, but don't miss the super detailed museum full of old mining tools and photographs. The restored village buildings, like the Pemberton Coal Camp Church and the one-room schoolhouse, are also fascinating to peek into.
Visitor Information
Just a heads up, it can get pretty chilly down in the mine, so definitely bring a jacket even on a warm day. They run those underground tours regularly throughout the day from April through October.
Architecture & Building
It's not one single building but more of a historic site with authentic, relocated structures from old coal camps. You'll see simple, functional company houses and other period buildings that give you a real sense of a miner's world above ground.
Contact & Location
Address: 513, Ewart Avenue, Sprague, Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia, 25801, United States
Phone: +1 304-256-1747
Website: Visit Website
