World Museum of Mining
World Museum of Mining things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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This is another must-do adventure if you’re in the Butte area! It is a very well put together museum and has exhibits of what a mining town would have looked like back in the 1800s plus actual copper and silver mining artifacts and platforms. There are a lot of exhibits to see covering a large outside area. There is also an actual old mine that you can tour, but that does require a separate ticket and is usually booked-up several days in advance, so it’s best to reserve your spot online. The mine tour takes you down about 100 feet into the mine, and is an exceptional experience and learning adventure. It is great for kids also, but not small children. It also is a fairly steep decline into the mine, and is pitch dark. They do provide you with helmets that have attached lights on them, but this was a fully working mine and is currently used to train mining students at Montana Tech. While they do everything to keep you safe, there are a lot of obstacles, and you have to be focused and have your wits about you. I would not recommend the mine tour if you’re claustrophobic or have other health ailments. It is also about 45° once you get down to 100 feet. But there is still plenty to do and see even if you don’t do don’t mine tour.They also have a lot of events going on during the summer, so check their website. The museum is also getting ready to start their haunted mine tours, so look for events and details on their website.
Greg HoustonGreg Houston
70
Located on the far side of Montana Tech University, the World Museum of Mining is, hand’s down, a terrific place to learn about life in an 1800s mining town. The museum has brought in period buildings from all over, added local period pieces (whether saloon, apothecary, undertaker, and any of the dozens of other establishments) to make the town seem seamless. Most of the buildings had a QR code provided for obtaining additional information. Even before leaving the museum store where you buy tickets to either the above ground and/or below ground experience, you will learn much about mining in Montana. There also are a couple special exhibit rooms which were mostly from private collections (one being dolls and doll houses mostly related to early Montana life; the other minerals and rocks). The underground mine tour was led by Michael. He is well versed in the mining history of the area and was fully engaged in sharing what he knew. There is SO much to see. My photos are only a small portion of our time there. Plan to spend at least three hours (1.5 on the underground, and the same walking the property). For your convenience and comfort, there is a perfectly modern restroom facility.
Sue MartindaleSue Martindale
00
We booked our general admission tickets ($10 adult) and mine tour entrance fee ($21 adults) ahead of time online. And then we found ourselves arriving in town a day earlier than what we had booked, argh! With hopefulness in our hearts, we approached the museum and went inside to the cashier. Seconds later we had our future date tickets converted to current date tickets, wow! We did the mine tour and enjoyed listening to all the history, good and bad, as well as a bit about the technology involved. What a wonder to enter this different realm, learning and seeing all kinds of interesting details! The cool temps were refreshing. The guide knowledgable and funny. We loved it. That said, kids under about age 10 may not enjoy this verbosity and being unable to grab stuff or climb ladders, etc. due to safety issues. There's a steep grade walking down and then back up, too. Ah, but worth it to begin to understand the whole.mining thing. Begin, mind you, because there's so much outside the mine to see and explore!
Ice QuIce Qu
00
This is a neat place with an awesome underground tour. The guide was a born and raised in Butte and very knowledgeable about the history of the mine. The buildings are all from the old town and you can walk into the church buildings, but only get to observe others from outside. I've read some saying this is a waste of time, but it is not. The history is amazing and you also can walk up one of the head frames which is neat. My respect for the miners only grew as I leaned more and more. The history of Butte is tragic and beautiful at the same time. They had electricity before New York and how advanced they were blows my mind.
Shane HogsettShane Hogsett
00
Nice little museum, with a replica mining town, mining equipment and infrastructure. They also offer mine tours. The mind tour is educational and takes about an hour and a half, but the first third is spent above ground going over safety equipment and some of the mining equipment throughout the replica town. Once you get underground you have to walk at an incline to both go in and get out. The tour goes around 100 feet down and you learn more about mines, mining, equipment, minerals, etc. you don't really go that far into the mine, but it's enough to get an idea of what the people working them experienced.
Jeren BennerJeren Benner
10
Loved this place and stayed longer than I had planned because there is a lot to see! Entrance fee with the mine tour was just over 20 dollars. Recommend booking the tour ahead of time online. The tour of the mine was great! Been in many caves, but not a mine. There are no stairs, but it is sloped for the entire tour. You go down 100 feet while wearing hard hats with lights. Really cool experience. There is a little recreated town to walk through and it's interesting learning about the late 1800s to 1950s time-frame of a mining town. Recommend this place! And leave plenty of time so you're not rushed.
Natalie KoffarnusNatalie Koffarnus
00
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Address
155 Museum Way, Butte, MT 59701, United States
Map
Phone
+1 406-723-7211
Call
Website
miningmuseum.org
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Reviews
Overview
4.7
(458 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
educational
Description
The World Museum of Mining is a museum and memorial in Butte, Montana. Chartered in 1964 as a non-profit educational corporation, the Museum first opened its doors in July 1965. The site, an inactive silver and zinc mine named the Orphan Girl, includes 50 buildings on some 22 acres of land.
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