kentucky coal mining museum

rcg50

I believe this museum is sponsored by the Kentucky Coal Association, so I'm not convinced that it adequately portrays the suffering and poverty that afflicted so many people who worked the mines. However, the museum does provide a look into history and this part of Kentucky. Be sure to visit the exhibit on the bottom floor that has a simulated mine. You will be stooped over as you look about, and you can get an idea of how unbelievably demanding this work was.

409devind

This museum in Benham, Kentucky was set up neat. The museum is worth the visit. It tells about the way people lived and worked. Be sure to visit the Portal 31 Mine and do the tour.

mikecQ3140NM

This site seems to be a "work in progress". Admission is high and does not include admission to the museum, yet you buy the tickets at the museum.

LizV2Kids

On our way to Dollywood from NYC, we decided to spend some time at the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum in Benham KY. Museum is extremely interesting-life in towns like Benham revolved around the mine. The museum houses all kinds of artifacts of coal mining itself and the resident's everyday existence within the community. It was waayyyy off the beaten track. We crossed into KY from VA and the drive over the mountains was nerve wracking. There is nothing else in Benham. We had packed a lunch and ate it in the small park behind it. The visit to Portal 31 is essential to understanding the museum.

Mr_E57

I brought a school group here while on a mission trip to Redbird Mission. Interesting exhibits, made much more interesting with a very knowledgeable tour guide. The demonstration mine was excellent, but be sure to include a visit to Portal 31.

jlmcbrien

I found the photos and the many notebooks of letters very informative. My grandfather was a miner in Harlan (Yancy) in the early part of the 20th century, so this made his hard work come alive for me.

Java2011

Interesting as my father, husband and brother worked in the mines. The lower level has a simulated mine, very interesting.

Mish_the_Fish

They have a lot of old mining pictures and implements as well as a "simulated mine" (REALLY low ceilings, black plastic to simulate mine walls and ceiling and exhibits in various "side tunnels"). A combination ticket with the Portal 31 Mine Tour saves you a few dollars but as a stand-alone museum, this is not worth going out of your way to visit but is worthwhile if you combine it with the mine tour 2 miles south. It is run by the same non-profit.

LinaLarina

An impressive collection of the items from the coal mining era capable of taking you through the times is exhibited at the Hyden Coal Museum. There are traditional museum stands with items and their descriptions lined up under the glass; there are models of the coal mining and transportation process, of the mountains and the old wooden houses. There are also different rooms of the miners' houses and from their everyday lives recreated, like bedrooms, dining rooms, different shops and more scenes that immerse you into the time period.

LarryM513

A great staff makes a great museum. The very patient and very knowledgeable folks here are top notich.

AbleA

This museum summarizes well the coal mining process and the life of the coal miners. It showcases models of coal seams and layers of the mountain where coal is obtained from. It also depicts the life of miners, there households , daily life, work and how they had to watch out for their safety in the mines, actually safety observation was probably the most looked after qualification for a miner. There is a section of the museum on the popular musician, the coal miner’s daughter, Loretta Lynn. In the basement of the museum is a sample mining tunnel.

AliD376

Do you think you know everything about Coal Mining? Whatever is the answer, the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum is a place that has to be on one’s destination list. The museum is nothing but alive. The setting and object displayed takes you into a virtual time travelling and makes you experience the life of the miners. The museum has 3 floors and each one exhibit things like typical miners housing, their barb shop, the inside of the mines etc. there is schematic presentation of the mountains and the coal layers and it shows how the coal was mined. I found this very fascinating and believe that it is a great asset for Benham community in both attracting people to the region and truly showing the world the condition of the miners.

HappyDayKentucky

The hard working town of Benham, KY display their history in a great collection of coal mining tools and other interesting items. There are 4 floors with items from the early years of Kentucky Coal Mining. This is a great lesson in history. I have a much better understanding of the coal mining industry.

medic803

I did not expect the scale of museum that we found once there. We had intentions to visit portal 31, but it was closed. Since you pass right by the museum, we felt it worth the stop and I will say its was worth the time. It could easily be several hours taking in the displays, experiencing the simulated mine in the basement, or looking at the recreation or Lorretta Lynn's homeplace.

melena99

Learn about the history of coal!! Do you enjoy your electricity? Thank a KY Coal Miner!! This historical site will give you a wealth of knowledge and an appreciation of coal mining history.