It’s no wonder they call the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum the “The Smithsonian of the Rockies”. This place is amazing! Not only does it have minerals, gems, and crystals from all over the world but it also has a lunar exhibit with meteors. Also, it has three replicas of underground mines and caverns. As well as mining equipment and techniques and how they’ve evolved over the years. I never expected this little museum to have so much information and interactive exhibits. With so much to see and learn here, this is truly a great site to visit.
Everything there is to know about mining
In all, there are over 25,000 square feet of informative and interactive exhibits! Including an elaborate model railroad, a gold rush room, mining equipment, and over one thousand gems and minerals from all over the world.
One of my favorite exhibits was the fluorite mineral exhibit. Because the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum placed them under a black light. So that you can actually see their fluorescent colors. Since most other museums don’t do this, you may not see this anywhere else. And quite honestly it makes the rocks look almost magical.
Another part of this museum that I enjoyed a lot was the gold rush room. With over 25 Beautiful dioramas depicting the history of the gold rush in the area.
Overall, this has been the best mining museum that I have ever visited. Even though it’s a ways from Denver, it’s definitely worth the detour!
Travel Secrets
And Fun Facts
- When the mines closed in the 1980s a lot of contributors withdrew their contributions. Even with a $0.50 a year lease for 110 years the museum still didn’t have enough money. The had to find 100 contributors to donate $1000 each. A year later the museum was able to raise the funds. In 1988 the museum moved to the former Leadville Junior High School.
- Also, the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum is the only national mining museum with a federal charter. Which was approved by President Ronald Reagan on November 14, 1988, and passed in a joint resolution (S.J.Res.192) of the second session of the 100th Congress of the United States of America.
Hours
| Sunday – Saturday | 9:oo am – 4:45 pm |
Closed
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
Admission
$12
$10 Students/ seniors/military
Since there is so much to see, plan to spend at least two hours here.
Accommodations
For the closest accommodations, you will need to book your hotel in Leadville, CO. Best of all, you don’t need to look anywhere else. My link will search through all the online sites to find you the best price available! And if you purchase your vacation through my link, this site will earn a small commission on your purchase. However, rest assured that it will not cost you anything extra! In fact, the only difference is that this site will earn a commission instead of another booking site. Thank your sponsorship!
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