At the entrance of this place there is a great big coal display that sets the tone for what is yet to come in this Kentucky Coal Mining Museum in Harlan County. As I walked in this big building, the front desk attendant told us that there are four floors filled with extraordinary information on the history of coal that is will be worth our time. I like learning new information so I started exploring with my EPG team. We remained on the 2nd floor in the beginning I actually learned that there are four types of coal; Peat, Anthracite, Bituminous, and Lignite. In addition, Bituminous was the most common type of coal mined in the USA. I really loved this museum for the simple fact that it replicated the coal mining era in a way that was easily, interesting, and interactive. As I explored the first floor I tagged along with my team and discovered that there was a replication of mine 31 that we could walk through to see how cramped mine space was, and the difficulty of using certain tools in tight areas. At max it took us two hours to go through all floors of this museum, and during this process I got a hands-on approach to supplement my Appalachian reading. Most importantly, this learning allowed me to see, touch, feel, and hear the perspectives of those in the coal mines to get a better idea of why people feel that coal mining is beneficial and an important part of their lives. read more

First of all, looking from outside, the building seems small that I thought it cannot totally portray the whole picture of Coal Mine by displaying all the necessities relating with Coal Mine. After peeking inside, I realized that I was absolutely wrong. It has three stories with basement for displaying. I am really amazed to witness the checks of Coal Miners in 1940s, 1950s. There are clothes, hats, and other coal mine necessities that coal miners wore in mid-20 century. The sample of internal coal mine inside the mountains makes me really see after coming back from Actual coal mine. It helps me to understand more how coal mine was operated and carried out from mountains. The portraits are widely and numerously hanging along the walls of Museum with descriptions that really helps me see what was the situations or conditions like back then. At the basement, all the tools and machines are displayed and they even set up like an actual coal mine so that we can enter into the coal mine and experience what it is like being capture inside black world and working inside breathing black coal. If you have some knowledge or no knowledge, but wondering what is coal mine looks like and how coal miners' lives were being affected by it, this Museum would be a suitable place for you to come and visit and explore the world of Coal Mine. read more

The Kentucky Coal Mining Museum is a great place to learn about the history and pride of coal mining in Kentucky. I really enjoyed looking at the antique items throughout the museum. I do have some advice: Putting signs throughout the museum so that there is some structure would be really helpful to prevent decision paralysis. There was so much to look at that I couldn't even concentrate on what I saw. The only things that really spoke to me had human elements to them. I read a letter written from a coal miner's widow to a newly widowed coal miner's wife. It was very touching and I would have loved to seen more items like this. The set up about the 6 brothers that were killed also spoke to me. Having more signs explaining what the items are about would also be helpful. There might have been some, but they weren't very noticable. My friends were going through the Loretta Lynn area, and they didn't know it was all about Loretta Lynn! There were no signs saying, "This is all about Loretta Lynn, a famous singer and coal miner's daughter!" Other than that, I'm really proud of what is being done here. Great job! read more

The Kentucky Coal Museum is a fabulous place that reserves the history of the mine and tells stories of some of the people whose lives were coal mining. It has many tools that were used for mining and antiques that once belonged to mining families. The museum also has some notes that were written by miners a few minutes before their death. These were sad, heart-breaking notes that made me think of how hard survival was for many. For the men who died and their families, mining was not a bad way of survival; it was just a must for survival. I think the only thing I didn't like about the museum was its organization. It has so many assets that are poorly displayed. I only saw the things that stood out to me the most because there was so much to see but not easy ways to make possible seeing it all. read more

Do you think you know everything about Coal Mining? Whatever is the answer, the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum is a place that has to be on one's destination list. The museum is nothing but alive. The setting and object displayed takes you into a virtual time travelling and makes you experience the life of the miners. The museum has 3 floors and each one exhibit things like typical miners housing, their barb shop, the inside of the mines etc. there is schematic presentation of the mountains and the coal layers and it shows how the coal was mined. I found this very fascinating and believe that it is a great asset for Benham community in both attracting people to the region and truly showing the world the condition of the miners. read more

I was amazed by this museum, you wouldn't think by looking at it that it would even be worth the stop but like it's been said "you don't judge a book by its cover" and you will not regret stopping at this place. The room set ups were great it took you back in time to see how everything looked at was set up from the school house to the kitchen. The basement of this building was set up like a mine that you had to bend over to get through which was really entertaining going through with the hard hats and it being so dark. The last thing that I really enjoyed about this was the fact that they had a tribute to Loretta Lynn and that was just amazing in itself with her dresses and a set up of her kitchen. read more

Wow. What a museum. There was so much stuff to check out! The museum is themed around the coal mining lifestyle and its history. The first floor exhibited the home and town of a miner. There were pictures of everything! Each room of the house was even exhibited. I was quite impressed. In the basement you could even go into a coal mine assimilation. It was pretty cool. There was even a floor devoted to Loretta Lynn. They had some of her clothing and belongings. As a fan, it was neat to see. The most interesting part had to be the models of the mountains and underlying coal seams. It really put the work of a coal miner into perspective. I would highly recommend checking this place out! read more

This museum was actually pretty interesting. There are a lot of well-preserved artifacts from the last 100 years and interesting facts about the town to go along with. You learn a lot about the coal mining process, but it seems to glorify the town and its history at the same time. Lynch, KY was known as the safest coal town in America and has a wall of awards to show for it. The town itself changed a lot over the course of time. You must go to the museum in order to purchase tickets for the Portal 31 Mine Tour, which is DEFINITELY a must to attend. Hand in hand, these attractions work very well. If you were to only attend one though, I would go on the mine tour. read more

The Kentucky Coal Mining Museum provides a one-of-a-kind experience into Appalachian coal mining history. The museum recreates much of the history of the coal camp and dives deeply not just into the life of the miners but also their families during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries over four floors and multiple displays. My favorites were the coal miner's house and the mining equipment exhibit. Also, the staff is extremely friendly and eager to answer all of your questions. Overall, if you want to understand Kentucky's and Appalachia's contributions to the coal industry in the United States and worldwide, you definitely do not want to miss it. read more

What a blessing it was to be at the Kentucky Coal Museum recently. The museum's curator, Phillis, the gift shop attendant, Mandy and tour guide/former mine superintendent, Mike made coal history come alive. Exhibits, carefully and respectfully put together in a mosaic from artifacts, re-creations, graphic pictures and writings truly represented coal mining over the 20th century. The quaint 1920's high school across the road, now an inn with delicious home cooking, made the most enjoyable two-day stay. I know these things to be true because I was a boy in the Blue Diamond Camp near Hazard, Ky visiting my mother's family during the 1940's. read more

This museum stands in the eye of the beholder. With 4 floors, including a mock mine basement, one can spend hours looking at the collection gathered here. I was impressed to see the set up of an old diner, countless pianos, and old pop machines that made me think of my mother. After enjoying every aspect of the museum, and crawling in the mock mine with my hard hat and pick axe, I was able to enjoy cool clean water from a water fountain. The owner, although her name slips my memory, was delightful in helping our party get all the information we needed for our assignment on Harlan county. I plan to visit again on my next trip to Benham. read more

Just by stepping in the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum one adds an honor. I felt totally swept by surprise to see what a coal miners life looked like in general. We (EPGers) observed the tools used for coal mining, their dinning room, kitchen and their office. This museum had three floors with a basement. What I understood from this museum built on what we had observed in Portal 31st Museum. There is rich history that explains the identity of Appalachians and its treasures. I suggest visitors to pay a visit to this museum before going to the coal mine place because it gives a clear idea on the history was in detail. Luwam Okbazion read more

This museum was an excellent resource to know what it was like to be a coal miner in the 1900s. The museum seemed small from outside but it has four floors of history. As you enter the museum on the first floor it displays the lifestyle of coal miners. It exhibits rooms, barber shop, hospitals, dentistry, and daily accommodations of coal miners. In the basement it exhibits the evolution of coal mining tools, from pick axes to drilling bits. All the exhibits were displayed with large signs and information. I would recommend anyone to visit this museum who would like to learn how life was different between 1900-60 for miners. read more

This museum gave an interesting insight into what a company town must have looked like. It included set ups of company hospitals, company stores, and company school rooms. I was amazed to see so many coal related artifacts in one place. This 4 story museum is well worth your time. Kids are sure to love the fake mine they have set up in the basement, but tall folks may not be so fond of it (It can't be more than 4 ft high). Some of the things I saw there were very touching and I would definitely recommend this site to someone hoping for a glimpse into the world of coal miners and their families. read more

This is a massive coal museum that combines interactive exhibits, historic mining artifacts, and cultural lessons in a multi-floor presentation. Thousands of items, most of which have been donated by people in the Appalachian region, complement this wonderful experience. The staff on hand are very helpful, engaging, and willing to answer any questions that you might have. This museum definitely expanded my knowledge and understanding of coal mining and culture in Appalachia; it is well worth visiting for any history buff and Appalachia enthusiast. read more

This museum is authentic and unique! I went on the Mine No. 31 underground tour! This was amazing!! I learned about Harlan County and how the different time periods have changed with the coal mining industry. The tour literally took me back in time and I experienced all the trails and tribulations that coal miners experienced in the past. I highly recommend going on the Mine No. 31 tour and going through the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum! You will learn so much about coal mining and how it has not only effected Kentucky, but the world as a whole! read more

An impressive collection of the items from the coal mining era capable of taking you through the times is exhibited at the Hyden Coal Museum. There are traditional museum stands with items and their descriptions lined up under the glass; there are models of the coal mining and transportation process, of the mountains and the old wooden houses. There are also different rooms of the miners' houses and from their everyday lives recreated, like bedrooms, dining rooms, different shops and more scenes that immerse you into the time period. read more

If you are planning to see the tools that miners have used to extract coal from Black Mountain and around in Benhman, KY and get a feeling of what has been going on with coal industry, you should check out this place. This museum has three floors plus the basement. The whole museum is decorated with old mining tools, pictures, mockups, and household tools. Also, a sample of Mine 32 is located in the basement. The mockup is small but it gives you a good feeling of what has been going on in those days of mining with limited tools. read more

This museum is equal parts gallery and antique display. While information boards are plentiful, the real knowledge and experience gained from the museum was through the dozens of accurate and authentic displays. There are themes and sets that really invite you to image a life in the early and mid 1900s."Immersion" is the word and what I believe is the aim and specialty of the museum. I walked away with more of an understanding of the mining culture and history of Kentucky than I could gain from reading a hundred books. read more