The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine About 45 minutes south of your cabin is Beckley, WV. Beckley is known as “The city with a mine of its own,” for good reason. It’s home to a restored mine that was operated by the Phillips Family in the late 1800’s. Visitors ride a “man trip” car guided throughout the mine by veteran miners for an authentic view of low seam coal mining from its earliest manual stages to modern mechanized operation. Fifteen-hundred feet of underground passages have been restored for this attraction. While you’re there take a trip through their museum which features displays of mining photos form coal companies in West Virginia, and artifacts used by the early miners. You should also take a few steps back in time and discover what is was like living in a coal company house in the coal camps of West Virginia. The city of Beckley has also preserved an old coal town mansion once owned by the coal baron, Samuel Dixon. Next, visit the “Coal Life” exhibit. This exhibit won acclaim at the World’s Fair in Knoxville, TN, and during a tour of West Virginia. Now on view in uptown Beckley, the exhibition offers a hands on look at the social and cultural dimensions of coal mining. You’ll see a deep mine during the handloading era, and early coal community, company store, and explore the rich coal history of West Virginia. Before leaving visit the Wildwood House Museum, housed in the historic home of General Alfred Beckley, founder of the city and Raleigh County. It was built in 1836 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Back to Day Trips Main Page |
