World Museum of Mining
About This Museum
What truly sets the World Museum of Mining apart is that it's built on the actual site of the historic Orphan Girl Mine, giving you an authentic taste of the 1890s frontier. You don't just see exhibits here; you wander through Hell Roarin' Gulch, a painstakingly re-created mining town complete with a schoolhouse, saloon, and general store. The heart of the experience is descending into the Orphan Girl for an underground mine tour, a genuinely cool and eye-opening adventure. It’s a place that feels less like a museum and more like a step back in time.
Collection Highlights
The collection is vast and wonderfully specific, from massive headframes and steam hoists that tower over the property to delicate assay office equipment. Inside the mill building, you'll find an incredible array of mineral specimens and historic mining tools that tell the story of hard rock extraction.
Visitor Information
Be sure to wear good shoes because the terrain is uneven, and definitely book the underground tour—it's the can't-miss part of the visit. The whole place has a wonderfully rustic, no-frills atmosphere that perfectly suits its subject matter.
Architecture & Building
The architecture isn't one single style but a collection of genuine and re-created period buildings that form a rough-and-tumble mining camp, centered around the imposing industrial structures of the original mine yard.
Contact & Location
Address: World Museum of Mining, 155, Mining Museum Road, Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana, 59701, United States
Phone: +1 406-723-7211
Website: Visit Website
