This Unique Underground Tour In Kentucky Will Take You Back In Time
By Andrea Limke|Published December 22, 2017
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
Kentucky has a rich history and evidence of it is scattered across the state. You’ll find former train stations, dilapidated farms, battle fields and historic mines that were once a vital part of Kentucky’s economy. Coal mining was (and still is) a dangerous profession, and one that draws much fascination from those who are unfamiliar with it. Today, you can go underground and into a former mine in the town of Lynch, Kentucky. The Portal 31 Exhibition Mine Tour and nearby Kentucky Coal Museum are both incredibly unique attractions that will take you back in time.
In 1917, the U.S. Coal & Coke Company founded the town of Lynch and the largest coal camp at the time.
The town functioned on its own and its history is fascinating to say the least. A piece of this history has been preserved with the Portal 31 Exhibition Mine, a former working mine that you can now tour for yourself. Nearby in the town of Benham, you can also visit the Kentucky Coal Museum, where you'll learn even more about the role Kentucky has played in the coal industry.
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Tours of the mine are offered mid-April through mid-December (they close for the season during the winter for upgrades). For specific tour information and future reservations, you should call 606.848.3131.
The portal tour lasts about 45 minutes and takes you underground into the mine. While you are inside an enclosed space, it's fairly open, and not as confining as you might imagine.
To begin your tour, you'll board a railcar that will take you along the track, into the mine.
As you ride into the mine, you'll meet several animatronics and designed scenes that will teach you about the history of coal mining and the lives of those who worked there.
Once you come out of the tour, you'll want to explore the area. The abandoned machinery and monuments to those who dedicated their lives to this mine are equally haunting and intriguing.
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While you are in this area of Kentucky, you should also head into the town of Benham and visit the Kentucky Coal Museum.
Here, you'll find 4 floors of artifacts, photos, and exhibits. The museum houses one of the largest collections of coal-mining paraphernalia and even a realistically-constructed mine that simulates the underground mining experience. It's a true must-see destination in eastern Kentucky.
This beautiful region of Kentucky has an important history that shouldn't be forgotten.
The presence of the Portal 31 Mine Tour and the Kentucky Coal Museum are both heading the efforts to educate both locals and visitors on an industry that has been a significant part of our state.
Touring Portal 31 and visiting the Kentucky Coal Museum are excursions that every Kentucky should experience at least once. Have you visited this intriguing piece of our history? Share your experience with us in the comments!
For more information on the Mine Tour, visit their website here. And for more about the Kentucky Coal Museum, visit their site here.
And for more about another feature of the town of Benham, check out our previous article here.
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