National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum

The National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum is a sprawling memorial to mining heritage housed in a 1988 Victorian school building in the 1880’s silver boomtown of Leadville, Colorado.* The museum’s mission is to “tell the story about mining, its people, and its importance to the American public.” It has followed its mandate since it was first incorporated in 1977, earning its reputation as the “Premier Showcase of American Mining.”

Visiting the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum

Precious metal and mineral exhibits, historic dioramas, and mining artifacts all find a home in the “Smithsonian of the Rockies.” In April of 1987, the collection found its current home in the 71,000 squarefoot former Leadville Junior High School. The 5 levels are currently split between educational exhibits and the Mining Hall of Fame. Gold nuggets, copper leaf, crystals, and an extensive collection of precious metals and minerals on load from the Smithsonian, New York Mining Club, ASARCO, and the Proctor Collection are all on display. A standout collection includes a set of 28 miniatures tracing the history and development of mining around Clear Creek by Hank Gentsch.

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* The museum was originally planned to be built in Golden, Colorado in collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines. The potential expense of such a structure resulted in the museum leadership to search elsewhere.