Eckley Miners' Village — Attraction in Foster Township

This is a really cool place. It's an authentic coal miner's village from the 1800"s, with mostly original structures, that you can walk through to get a feeling for how life was in a "patch" town. It's basically one long street, about 1.5 miles long, that you walk along and see laborer's and miner's homes, churches, company store, mine owners mansion. The structures of import are numbered and you can read in a brochure about them, or use audio from you phone to hear interesting information. The day we went (a Thursday a.m.) it was empty. Just us 3 and maybe 2 other couples. You can walk or drive thru the town for free. No buildings were open to go inside. It seems they are only doing guided tours on Saturdays. I would have liked to have taken a guided tour, but given the small numbers of people who come during the week, it's understandable that they do not offer them. Still very interesting to see. Wear sturdy shoes, as there is no sidewalks and road is all gravel and uneven in some places. There is a visitors center with friendly staff. There is also a very nice museum that is $8 to view. It has a large number of objects and is laid out in a wonderful way. Gives tremendous insight into the life in a coal town, particularly for women and children. The museum is a must see. They have a movie they show, which was very informative and interesting. Do not skip that, as it's a nice primer for what you'll see in the museum and out in the village. Large, free parking lot. About half an hour from our hotel...

We love visiting Eckley and have been here multiple times. Just to visit and for events. Today was their first ever Hooch Wagon Brew Fest. We purchased two tickets for a little over $80 with fees. We arrived at opening at checked in, showed our ID's and were given wrist bands. The woman at the table started to hand us small plastic cup. We said we were supposed to receive actual glasses. The other lady said there wasn't anything 'special' on our tickets to receive the small tasting glass. Not sure why there would be when you read what they posted. Another lady scanned our tickets - again. According to all of the Eckley posts (photo attached) you were to receive a tasting glass as long as you purchased tickets ahead of time, which we did. Finally after back and forth between 4 different women we were given the small glass. It was a hastle and didn't need to be. The two older women didn't want to give them to us, but eventually did with hesitation. That was definitely not a good start to the event. We feel that everyone going should receive the small glass, especially when paying over $40 per ticket. There were probably a dozen breweries/wineries. Two food trucks and one table selling cookies. We were familiar with most of the breweries and were surprised there weren't more involved. We have a lot of great local-ish breweries. I understand it's their first time having this event. We would attend again if there's not the hastle with the glass and if there are more...

Eckley Miners' Village is a hidden gem that exceeded all my expectations. The area is impeccably well-maintained, reflecting the rich history of the coal mining community it represents. I was particularly impressed by the attention to detail and the immersive experience it offers.

If you're looking for a unique experience, make sure to keep an eye out for special events like their haunted walks during Halloween. It's a thrilling way to explore the village and learn about its spooky past.

The guided tours at Eckley Miners' Village are not to be missed. The knowledgeable guides bring the history of the village to life, offering fascinating insights and stories that truly enhance the visitor's experience.

Additionally, the museum at Eckley Miners' Village is a treasure trove of information and artifacts. It provides a glimpse into the lives of the miners and their families, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of a bygone era.

Overall, Eckley Miners' Village is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and anyone looking for a unique cultural experience. Whether you're fascinated by the history of coal mining or simply appreciate well-preserved heritage sites, this village has something...