kennedy gold mine

The tour is conducted by volunteers of the nonprofit foundation that supports this attraction. After paying the $10 fee (pp), we joined an existing group listening to the history of the mine. This part of the tour included a vintage film, showing the process of gold mining. Afterwards, the group was lead through a simulated mine exhibit through the building, leading to a small museum with some historical artifacts. Afterwards, the tour continued to the base of the mine shaft structure, the below ground supervisor's office, and the administration building, where gold bricks were created and stored.If you enjoy California gold history, you might consider visiting the Kennedy Gold Mine. While the exhibits and artifacts are a bit weathered, the Kennedy Gold Mine is a great remnant of the California gold rush days.

This is a great view into history. Head frame, change house, mine office, and stamp mill provide glimpses into California's gold rush. Well worth a stop. Open Spring, summer, and fall.

We were on our way out of town and stopped here and took a tour on a whim. It was extremely detailed and informative, educating people not only on the history of the mine and all of its operations but gold mining in general. Sign-ups were in a nice little museum and gift shop with interactive exhibits (bring the kids). The tour began with introductions and a movie. From there you walk around the grounds to the different sites on the complex and learned stories about what everything did and how some things came to be the way they were (the chips on the concrete steps by the house were from would-be robbers trying to drag down a safe). The mine is flooded so there's no way to see inside, but you can hike down to the shaft below on your own after the tour.

I've taken tours and assisted 4th Graders on field trips to the mine. One teacher said I should volunteer at the mine. 8 months later I did, becoming a Docent who now gives mine tours. My new found knowledge of the mine has been great and I love sharing with visitors who come to Kennedy. No, you can't go in the mine, as it's filled with water and inaccessible. Think of how much water is in the Kennedy with it's 5912' shaft and 50 miles of tunnels! I urge any of you in the Jackson, CA area to visit and take a surface tour. Tours last about 60-90 minutes, depending on question asked. The mine is open from March - September on weekends and hours are 10AM to 3PM. This is not an advertisement as much as it is a new found love of the Gold Rush and mining.

Kennedy Mine is famous for early 1900's gold mining. Great tours for adults and children. Gold panning for kids on field trips or groups. Full of history, museum, mock mine tunnel to walk through and excellent gift shop.

It was just ok, the tour was interesting but long drawn out,most of the tour was a film and a talk, which lasted almost one hour

Great tour! Totally worth the time and money. The folks there really know their stuff and do a wonderful job. Highly recommended if your in gold country.

The Kennedy Mine in Amador County, The Heart of the Mother Lode was one of these most productive mines in California until its closing in 1942 during WWII. One of the deepest shafts into the earth, the hole bores 5,900 feet toward the earth core. During its life more than 1.6 million ounces of gold were extracted, making it one of the richest gold mines of its era. Today, that gold at $1500/ounce would be worth about $2.4 Billion dollars!During its prime, the mine worked 24/7 and the stamp mill deafened the workers and created a din heard throughout Jackson. That din was interrupted in 1922 during the Argonaut Mine disaster. The rival mine to the west of the Kennedy suffered a fire and 47 miners were trapped. For weeks, the Kennedy was shut down while rescue miners tried to dig through to the Argonaut to save the trapped miners. All perished and are buried in the local cemeteries.Today, one can tour the grounds and even pan for gold! There's a nice museum and gift shop and locals host events on the many-acre grounds of the old mine.Well worth the visit to this historic California gold mine!

The gift shop was priced right for souveniers, purchased gold flakes in a tube. The mine tour was interesting and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. At the end of the tour you can pan for gold.

Informative tour. However, we did not get to tour the house or underground. Good for history buffs. There is a good museum with a short film. Docent leads small group on a short walk through the property to view the giant mining devices.

The Kennedy Gold Mine operated from 1870 through 1942, when the government forced it to shut down during WWII. At the time it closed, it was the deepest mine in North America.Surface tours are available either with a guide, or on your own. However, they are only open from March - October, only on weekends and holidays. So we were unable to take a tour :-(You can see and photograph the Kennedy Mine from several spots around the area, but there is no access when the tours are not operating.Next time we're in Jackson we'll try to arrange our timing so we can take the tour.