Description

The Pocahontas Exhibition Mine and Museum site is that of the Original Pocahontas Mine, which was the first mine opened in the Pocahontas Coal Field. The original mine was opened in 1883 and was worked out in October 1955. The Exhibition Mine was first opened to the public in 1938. It is the only Exhibition Coal Mine in the world in which visitors may view the famed Pocahontas Number Three Coal Seam, which is more than ten feet in height, seen in its original state. The interior is well lit, and visitors will see how coal was cut, blasted down and loaded into mine cars. In contrast to modern methods of cutting the coal, there is an illustration of the old 'hand' method of undercutting, preliminary to blasting down the coal. The Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine is the only exhibition mine recognized as a National Historic Landmark in the country. The Pocahontas Exhibition Coal mine is also recognized as Virginia's Official Coal Heritage Zone.

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