Historic Mine Opening to the Public

Very cool new tourist attraction in Harlan County.

From the Harlan Daily Enterprise (h/t Rural Blog)

Portal No. 31 mine will soon become operational once more, though this time instead of transporting coal from the mines it will transport interested museum patrons into the mines.

Located in Lynch, the mines was made famous in 1923 by setting a world record for coal production in a single nine-hour shift, producing more than 12,820 tons of coal.

Now the portal is being marketed as “more than a trip back in a mine, it is also a trip back in time.” The project to turn this closed mine into an exhibition museum mine began over 30 years ago. Now, after spending nearly $2.3 million in grant money on this state of the art exhibition, it will open to the public this month.

“This is the only exhibition coal mine museum in the United States and possibly the best exhibition mine of its kind in the world,” said Dr. Bruce Ayers, president of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College.

During a press conference, the question was raised if the remoteness of the portal would be a problem to people interested in coming from outside of the county and state. Ayers explained that they had been asked several times why not make this sort of thing near the interstate. He said this is where mining took place, and people who may travel here should be able to see what a mining camp and town was like.

“We are trying to use the remoteness as part of the appeal of this attraction. Some of the most interesting places and things are often some of the most remote,” Ayers said.

I haven’t been to Harlan County for at least 15 year, but I remember it as an interesting trip. With that said, I’m glad to see anything that boosts tourism in Eastern Kentucky. Coal mining is obviously a very important part of our economic and cultural history. This new attraction is certainly a welcome addition to our historical resources around the state.