The Museum | Hall of Fame | Gift Shop | Convention Center | Hours & Rates |

The only federally chartered non-profit mining museum in the nation. A monument to the memory of the men and women who pioneered the discovery, development and processing of our nation's natural resources. America's colorful mining history is showcased.

A monument to the men and women who pioneered the discovery, development and processing of our nation's natural resources.

"Nowhere is the mining industry, past and present, better displayed than at the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum in Leadville, Colorado."
Persimmon Hill National Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center.

The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum is located in the famous 1880's silver mining boomtown of Leadville, Colorado at the top of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the UNITED STATES and is surrounded by the highest mountains in Colorado. The area is rich in history, including old mining ghost towns and boom towns. Leadville itself was the heart of a large silver boom, and historic characters such as Horace and Baby Doe Tabor, Doc Holiday and others once called it home. The town still has much of the original Victorian buildings from that era, and the surrounding mountain scenery is picturesque to say the least.

THE MUSEUM EXHIBITS:

Anatomy of a Miner: Of the many bronze and metal sculptures throughout the museum, the most dramatic is the larger-than-life-size welded steel statue, "The Anatomy of a Miner," by famed artist and sculptor, Gary Prazen.

Mountain Mining Town Model Railroad!

Mining Dioramas: Twenty-two intricately detailed dioramas by wood-carver Hank Gentsch depict the history of gold mining. Murals by the celebrated artist, Irving Hoffman, portray the historical moments in mining and metallurgy.

Hard Rock Mine: Our most popular exhibit is the remarkably realistic walk-through replica of an underground hardrock mine, complete with mine-gauge track that visitors follow by foot. Includes winzes, ore cars and chutes. Along the way, hammers and hand steels, and early and modern mechanical drills, trace the progress of mining technology.

Coal Mine: This exciting coal exhibit dramatizes both underground and surface mining.

Prospector's Cave: Enter the replica of a Prospector's Cave and see The Quartz Wall from the Idarado Mine near Telluride, Colorado.

Gold Rush Room: The mine leads to the Gold Rush Room, displaying gold specimens and artifacts from each of the 17 states that hosted significant gold rushes. A 23-ounce specimen of native gold, part of the Bowman Collection, was retrieved from the Little Jonny Mine near Leadville.

The Crystal Room: Displays include hundreds of fine specimens of gold, silver, ores and minerals, including spectacular specimens loaned from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution and the Harvard Mineralogical Museum.

Minerals Exhibit: Displays include hundreds of fine specimens of gold, silver, ores and minerals, including spectacular specimens loaned from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution and the Harvard Mineralogical Museum.

The Magic Room of Industrial Minerals: This exhibit teaches children of all ages with a wonderful hands-on approach the importance of minerals in our everyday lives. Tour different everyday environments like your home, the store, and your office, and see how things we take for granted everyday depend on industrial minerals.

The Peschel Collection: One of the most complete collections of ceremonial axes carried by German miners between the 12th and 18th centuries.

HALL OF FAME:

Inductees are selected from the full list of candidates by the Board of Governors, consisting of outstanding leaders in the industry, and are then inducted at the annual banquet. Their engraved photographs and biographies are placed in the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum.

GIFT SHOP: The Mother Lode Art Gallery & Gift shop.

The Hall of Fame & Museum Gift Shop is NOT a souvenir shop, but a wonderful, and changing collection of fine gifts with a historic mountain mining town theme.

The Book Nook: Educational and entertaining books on mining and the mountains of yesterday and today.

Jewelry: Silver, gold, and gemstones.

Fine Art: Artwork by regional artists featuring mountain, mining and historical themes.

CONVENTION CENTER: Available for weddings, celebration dinners, conventions, conferences, seminars, meetings, and more!

Let us help you plan your next meeting, convention or dinner! From our Board Room with high-back leather chair seating for 20 to our spacious 5,000 square foot Ballroom, we have the facilities to host your next event at the beautiful and historic grounds of the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum.

Ballroom -- 5,000 square feet of carpet floor plus a 550 square foot dance floor and a stage! With chandeliers, wall sconces, wainscot carpeting and billowing draperies, this tastefully appointed room is ideal for wedding receptions, large dinners, auctions and family reunions.

Longyear Auditorium - Theater-style seating for 72 and a room capacity of over 100, this large meeting room also has a reverse-screen projector and stereo sound to aid your presentations.

Phelps Dodge Board Room - Featuring a large Board Table and high-backed leather chair seating for 20, this room serves the need for an upscale meeting.

Newmont & Kennecot Rooms - These carpeted, 900 square foot rooms can accommodate 40 people comfortably and are perfect for training sessions or small gatherings.

Catering Kitchen - Commercial refrigerator, warming ovens, commercial dishwasher and microwave ovens make catering easy. Full place settings are available at additional charge.

HOURS & RATES:

Open daily from 11 am - 4 pm.

Rates: Adults 12 and over $7; Seniors 62+ $6; Children between 6 - 12 $4; children under 6 are FREE.

120 West 9th Street, PO Box 981, Leadville Colorado 80461; 719-486-1229.