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The Mining Museum traces the development of lead and zinc mining in the Upper Mississippi Valley through models, dioramas, artifacts and photographs.

A guided tour includes a walk down into the Bevans Lead, an 1845 lead mine which produced over two million pounds of lead ore in one year, a visit to a head-frame where you can see how zinc ore was hoisted from a mine and hand sorted, and a train ride around the museum grounds in ore cars pulled by a 1931 mine locomotive.

There are 90 steps into the mine where it is 52 degrees year ’round. They suggest comfortable shoes and a light wrap. Rides on the mine train are included with the tour, weather permitting.

You will find the Rountree Gallery, featuring work by area artists, on the second floor of the Mining Museum Building. Admission to the Gallery is free; hours are posted.

The museums are open daily 9-5, May through October. Changing Galleries open Monday-Friday 9-4, November through April. Group Tours year ’round by appointment.

Closed on New Years Day, Good Friday, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.