Recreation
∝Regional Attractions
Tour a real underground coal mine at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, southern West Virginia's most popular coal heritage destination.
The Exhibition Coal Mine recently completed an extensive renovation that includes the 8,500 sq. foot Rahall Company Store, visitor center, coal museum, fudgery, and gift shop. A family vacation visit begins with the extensive collection of mining artifacts and tools, geological specimens, photographs, and other features of early life among the coal towns of southern West Virginia.
The main attraction is an actual tour that takes you below ground, under the supervision of an experienced veteran coal miner.
Traveling 1,500 feet beneath the hillsides of New River Park, you'll be carried along track, riding authentic "man cars" from the mine entrance, to old working areas of the coal mine and back. Stops throughout the tour explore the history of low-seam coal mining in West Virginia, from the hand-loading days into the era of modern mechanization.
In addition to the underground mine tour, you can explore the historical coal camp situated throughout the grounds.
Lovingly restored, the Coal Company House, Superintendent's Home, Pemberton Coal Camp Church, and the Helen Coal Camp School, offer a true representation of early 20th century coal camp life.
A family vacation in southern West Virginia must include Beckley's Exhibition Coal Mine. Bring a jacket - the mine is always 50 degrees!
