The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum is a monument to the men and women who pioneered the discovery, development and processing of our nation’s natural resources. Located in the famous 1880s silver mining boomtown of Leadville, Colorado, the museum brings mining’s colorful history to life, while the hall of fame honors those people who have significantly contributed to the mining and natural resource environment.
When you walk through the doors of the nation’s only federally chartered mining museum, the story of mining unfolds with a variety of exhibits that will appeal to all age groups. Educational hands-on exhibits such as the Room of Industrial Minerals demonstrate the importance of minerals in our lives.
The Mountain Mining Town Model Railroad and the 22 intricately detailed dioramas portray mining life in miniature. To get a glimpse of a working mine, one need only walk through the realistic replicas of underground hard rock and coal mines. The sounds of drills echo throughout the tunnels as the “miners” stand frozen in time, mining for silver or taking coal to the surface.
The beautiful specimens of gold, crystal and minerals vividly portray the fruits of the miner’s labor.
Future exhibits are planned. The museum was awarded a $121,295 NASA grant to complete a long-awaited lunar exhibit that will commemorate former astronaut and geologist Dr. Harrison Hagen Schmitt, a member of the Apollo 17 mission and the museum’s Board of Governors. Another exhibit will focus on the molybdenum industry and the nearby Climax Mine.
There is no doubt that the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum fulfills its mission: Tell the story about mining, its people, and its importance to the American public. However, as the museum looks to its future, it is clear that additional financial support from the mining industry and its greater community has become critical to the “Smithsonian of the Rockies.”
Bob Hartzell, Executive Director, the staff and the Board of Directors have developed a strategic plan for the museum that not only includes adding exhibits, but also expanding the museum’s reach beyond Leadville to further develop relationships with other mining organizations and the larger museum community throughout the United States.
As Hartzell explains, “My predecessors left me with a wonderful museum with which to work. Visitor comments such as ‘Great museum; Loved the mine replicas; Awesome; Wow! Wish we had more time!’ tell us that we are on the right track. Everything we do nowadays is measured against our mission statement. If we don’t tell the story of mining, or about mining people, or the importance of mining, we move on to exhibits and programs that do measure up to our mission. We are partnering with more and more mining-related companies and organizations. Together we must continue to tell the American public about the importance of mining, about mining’s safety record, and how environmentally responsible we have become.”
More than just a repository of documents and a collection of artifacts, the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum is a testament to the “American Mining Industry and its inestimable impact on the national lifestyle, the American economy, wealth, defenses, scientific, technological and medical advances.” With the support of the industry, the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum will continue to fulfill its mission and tell the “miner’s story.”
The National Mining Hall of Fame needs your support. You can learn about donation opportunities by calling Bob Hartzell at 719-486-1229.
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