Black Hills Mining Museum — Attraction in Lead

Pan for gold and do the underground tour! The staff here are knowledgeable and helpful and really make the experience. The kids were shown the specifics of panning for gold and got to take home what they found, which seemed like a lot. We then took the underground tour. That was fantastic! Homestake mine workers built an elaborate series of tunnels in the basement with examples of equipment, storage areas, blast patterns used with a simulated explosion, etc that the knowledgeable tour guide explains, answering any questions, so that when the tour is over you have seen the progression of how mining was done at Homestake from the 1870s through the 2000s and had all your questions through that 130 year timespan answered. When back upstairs, be sure to sit and watch the movie. It too is fascinating and explains a lot about mining in the Black Hills and elsewhere in general, including things like coal and even touched on what is going on this century and the sustainable mining practices being used. The rest of the exhibits do not disappoint and the authenticity is amazing, with most of what you see having been used in the area. For example, take a peek in the old file cabinet to see the types of records...

I came here about 15 years ago and it was really good. So much so that I wanted to bring my 10 year old grandson as part of our grandma/grandchild trip. However this visit was extremely disappointing. They had done some upgrades or what they called upgrades to the tour itself. Our tour guide was very monotone through the whole tour and kept talking to other people on the tour about things that did not concern the tour itself. There were long moments of silence and no exciting stories at all. We were about five minutes into her the tour and my grandson and I looked at each other and said I’m bored. If it had not been for perhaps insulting the tour guide we would’ve turned around and walked out. Don’t waste your time on this tour. It really doesn’t give you much information of the mining industry itself on how it used to be. Take one of the other local mine Tours. You will get much more information and be in an actual mine not one that was built to look...

Wonderful mining museums! We have been to others over the years of traveling and this one was by far the most educational! Our tour guide’s Grandpa mined in the area and her dad as well worked at mine. Very informative tour!! I didn’t get many pictures during the “mine tour” as it was so intriguing I was too intently listening and forgot to get many pictures. As a homeschool family we search for those expenses that give you true education without seeming like a touristy trap or a gimmick this museum defiantly fit the educational aspect! My boys couldn’t get over Potato Creek Johnny only being 4 foot 3 and wanted to stand next to the wood replica of him. It truly made them understand his size compared to theirs. The mine tour takes you down stairs to a mock mine which we absolutely loved! Highly recommend...