Virtual Roadtrip: The National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum

The American Mining Story – Prospecting for Flakes, Lumps & Nuggets

Stop #9 on our Virtual Road Trip is The National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum in Leadville, Colorado. The museum was founded in 1987 with the mission to showcase the American mining industry and tell the story of the men and women who pioneered the discovery, development, and processing of natural resources. It is organized on three floors with informative permanent and temporary exhibits that cover everything from the early days of prospecting to current and future advancement in the industry, including environmental concerns. The fifth floor is dedicated to the National Mining Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is a federally chartered institution honoring individuals for achievements and greatness in the mining industry.

A few of the highlights included
– Meteorites and Other Mineral Specimens
– Replica Prospectors Cave
– The Molybdenum Car
– Replica 19th Century Coal Mine
– Replica Hard Rock Mine
– Gold Rush Room

One of the first-floor exhibits tells the story of the local Matchless Mine. Both self-guided and guided surface tours of the mine are available through the museum. You won’t enter the mine or go below ground on the tour, but there are dozens of mining artifacts onsite and you’ll hear the fascinating story of the previous owners, the Tabor Family.

Tour Tip: The museum is very well organized with exhibits and displays that draw you in. Kids will be fascinated by the replica prospectors cave, coal mine, and hard rock mine. The mineral exhibits are better than most science museums! There is something interesting here for everyone.

Following the Connection

The former silver mining town of Leadville, Colorado is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. Today, the Leadville Historic District still contains many historic structures and sites. While walking through the Miners Hall of Fame on our visit to the museum, we noticed the wood plaques of #9 Daniel Guggenheim and #32 Meyer Guggenheim. Is it possible that a world-class art museum on Fifth Avenue in New York City has something to do with mining? As it turns out, Meyer Guggenheim’s investments in silver-lead ore mines in Leadville became the foundation for the Guggenheim fortune. The philanthropic family would later build an estate on Long Island in New York, our next stop!!

Next Stop: The Hempstead House at The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, Sands Point, New York

Detour: We strongly encourage you to visit the Matchless Mine in Leadville. If you want to go below the surface and board a mine tram that will take you a mile into a historic mine, visit the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee, Arizona. This is another attraction that kids will enjoy as much as the adults. Watch your head!!

Photo: Courtesy of The National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum

Plan Your Trip

Leadville is a historic small town in the Rocky Mountains about a two-hour drive from Denver. The scenic drive through National Forests and over mountain passes is an awe-inspiring experience. Spend a few hours exploring downtown Leadville and grab lunch with a view of 14,000 ft. mountain peaks. We recommend staying at one of the nearby resorts and visiting other small towns nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Here are some recommendations from the travel desk at Check-it-Off Travel to consider while planning a trip to the museum.