No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum — Attraction in Lansford

I heard about this when I visited the old jail in Jim Thorpe a few months ago. If you’re making plans for Jim Thorpe add this to your list, it’s not that far.

There is small museum you can check out while you wait for your tour. Lots of information about this mine and mining in the region. They were playing a video that I only caught part of but that probably would be worth checking out if time allows.

So they take about 30 or so people on this trolley cart into the mine. They offer hard hats and jackets as optional. If you don’t have your own jacket or sweater, I’d take them up on the offer. I did. It went from about 85 degrees outside in July to 50 degrees as soon as we go into that tunnel. I didn’t take the hard hat and was fine without it.

The tour guide was informative. The history is very interesting. It was a bit creepy in there too so if being in a cold muddy cave and in close quarters with strangers bothers you, maybe think again. Not quite the place for toddlers and small children in my opinion but kids are allowed.

Parking was easy. There is an admission fee, $12 for adults and I think they offer AAA discount. It’s worth it.

I think I saw they are doing a festival in September. That might be fun, probably on their website or Facebook if you...

It's difficult to decide if this attraction is a run down museum or a fantastic tourist stop. The museum has many relics of the coal industry spanning the late 1800s into the early 70s. There are no interactive displays or modern audio/visual components. A fair amount of the items are not labeled and lack written explanations as to their use our history.

BUT, that's ok. The museum is sort of like the place you hangout at before the real adventure. At your appointed time, a guide gathers your group together. You don a warm jacket and a safety jacket and take a short walk outside to a set of low ceilinged transport cars that you ride into the mine itself. The guide then has you leave the train and takes you on a tour of the mine. Highlights include a visit to the "hospital" built inside the mine, a view down an elevator shaft that goes down hundreds of feet, and the chance to have the electric lights turned off and experience what it was liked to work underground with only a whale oil head lamp.

My guide was knowledgeable, well spoken, and very friendly. I found out I didn't really know much about the coal industry in central PA during the one hour tour. Now I do. A wonderful educational experience at a very...

This is an absolute must-see! The mine tour is incredible. Our guide was so informative and knowledgeable. The mine itself is fascinating. It is cool in the mine so bring a jacket. And water drips from the ceiling so a hat would be good to have. The mine does have jackets and hard hats to borrow if you need them. Also, I recommend boots or shoes that have good traction. The mine floor is rocky and uneven, and quite damp, so slipping could happen. After riding the mine car into the mine, you disembark and walk all through the mine, seeing shafts and equipment and various places. Lots of information about the mine itself, and the coal industry in general. We've lived in Pa. for a long time, and had no idea how important the coal industry was the state. There is a museum on site as well about the anthracite coal industry, which is chocked full of items. The price is very reasonable. Plan on spending at least 1.5 to 2 hours here. Large free parking lot. The staff is very friendly. This was the highlight of our trip to the Jim...