Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum, Beckley

Informative and historical experience. Came as a family, spent about 2 hours on the grounds learning about historical coal mining. Ticket prices include a tour, the opportunity to explore the museum, and the opportunity to explore the grounds which included many of the historical houses. Exhibition Hall has nice bathrooms, a gift shop, and a fudge area. The coal cart tour, only took about 35 to 40 minutes, and our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. He had many great stories, and came from a line of coal miners. He was even one himself! We took our school age children with us, and they enjoyed it as well.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was impressed with our tour and guide Mike. His 43 year experience in the mines was very informative. He demonstrated many facts about a miner’s life in the mine. I have a new appreciation of the strength and willpower the men had to work under such horrible conditions and for so little pay. They were definitely a generation with a strong backbone. I’m thankful that mining conditions have improved over the years. The museum was very informative and several buildings were on display, the school, church, miner’s house and the overly generous superintendent’s house. He lived lavishly compared to the true workers of the mine. Definitely worth your time to visit.