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Mining History Resources
MAJOR ARCHIVES AND COLLECTIONS
One of the best ways to make our mining heritage come alive is to visit the many historical sites, parks, and museums (large and small) that have a mining theme. In cities and towns across the country, you will learn about the adventurers and immigrants who sought their fortunes in mining: the eastern coal and iron workers in the 1700’s; the ‘49ers in the California Gold Rush; the sourdough prospectors and miners who were part of the many gold and silver rushes in the Rockies in the late 1800’s; and the copper, lead, and iron miners of the mid-west from the mid-1800’s to the early 1900’s. If you are interested in genealogy, you may even find some traces of the miners in your own family tree. Some historic underground mines and mineral processing sites have been preserved and are open for tours. The legacies of many more are portrayed in museum exhibits. Company sponsored tours of operating mines or mine overlooks are a good way to compare the differences among historic mines and modern ones. PLEASE NOTE: The Mining History Association only conducts tours during its annual conferences. Photo galleries of those tours are included in the list below. This state-by-state list of mining-related attractions will help you to see for yourself the important role mining and miners have played in the history of America. Some sites may be only open seasonally or experience temporary closings (e.g. during the COVID pandemic). If you experience a non-working link, please notify us, and try a Google or Facebook search. Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas California
Colorado
Take a virtual tour of the Cripple Creek and Victor, Colorado Mining District with the members of the Mining History Association during their 2003 annual conference. Take a virtual tour of the Georgetown/Silver Plume Mining District with the members of the Mining History Association during their 1994 Annual Conference. Take a virtual tour of the Idaho Springs Mining District with the members of the Mining History Association during their 1994 Annual Conference. Take a virtual tour of the Lake City, Colorado Mining District with the members of the Mining History Association during their 2009 annual conference. Take a virtual tour of the Leadville, Colorado Mining District with the members of the Mining History Association during their 2007 annual conference. Take a virtual tour of the Red Mountain and Silverton, Colorado Mining Districts with the members of the Mining History Association during their 1999 annual conference. Take a virtual tour of the Telluride Historic Mining Area with the members of the Mining History Association during their 2016 annual conference. Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia
Florida Georgia Hawaii While there are no mining history sites listed for Hawaii, active volcanic processes associated with the formation of many ore deposits can be observed. Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana While there are no mining history sites listed for Louisiana, the state’s rich heritage in oil and gas production is featured at several locations.
Maine Maryland
Massachusetts Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi Missouri
Montana
Nebraska There are no mining history sites listed for Nebraska.Nevada
New Hampshire New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota There are no mining history sites listed for North Dakota, however, the state has a strong heritage of lignite coal mining and oil and gas production. Oklahoma Oregon
Ohio Pennsylvania
Rhode Island There are no mining history sites listed for Rhode Island; however, the historic summer homes/mansions of several mining capitalists can be found in Newport. South Carolina There are no mining history sites listed for South Carolina; however, the state experienced a significant gold rush in the early 1800s. The historic Haile Mine has been recently reopened and celebrated its first new gold pour in January of 2017. More information can be found in Gold Mining in the Carolinas by Natalie Adams Pope and Don Botwick.South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Vermont Virginia
Washington West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Various States |
