springhill miners' museum

A fairly simple visit that leaves a strong impression. The above ground 'museum' itself has many interesting artifacts, but it is the descent into the mine that is most memorable; you wait for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, but this will never happen... It really makes you think about the countless number of people who worked in the mines - which is exactly what is supposed to happen!

'Claustrophobia' is not an excuse to bypass this great little place IMHO. The mine is lit (albeit dimly but sufficiently), wide enough and only requires a little stoop with an inclined path into it at the 'worst' of points, I.e. No vertical shafts / cages / tight spots. It's not a particularly long or deep mine but it gives you the chance to know everything you need to know about them and the history of the area with an excellent tour from one of the locals who clearly knows his stuff. I also liked the simple feel to the place which gave it some charm - can't put my finger on it exactly. Great value and fun.

This was an unexpected find after we left the Anne Murray Centre. The mine tour was led by a very friendly and informative (engineering) student who grew up in Springhill. He told us the history of coal mining in the area including the dangerous nature of the job. He was great -- funny and welcoming of all questions. We toured part of a mine shaft which was fun though this might be difficult for the claustrophobic and unsure of foot. I felt afterwards that I understood better how difficult a miner's job is. Don't pass it up.

I went here as a child and wanted my kids to see it......I am really big on history.They liked it when we went down the mine.Lots of artifacts to see and you get a tag with a miners number and when you leave they can tell you who you are and if you made it out of the mine or not.I thought it was worth the visit :)

You don’t go there to see things as there is not so much to see, most of the building have disappeared.You go there to learn !Learn the stories of the men working hard, very hard, in the mines. The stories around the 1958 “bump” that sent a shockwave throughout the small town, the day it happened and for decades afterward as almost all families were impacted in this tragedy.Learn about courage and friendship, miners not giving up for their colleagues trapped for close to 10 days, no water, no food, at 13 000 feet (Yes 13 000 feet) below the surface. Learn about those that disappeared. In “bumps”, explosion, fires, clouds of dust sticking to their lungs…because the world needed the coal to produce energy. Yes you’ll go down in the mine, have a very small experience of what it used to be…already, at 300 feet below you’ll feel oppressed…imagine 13 000 feet…Our guide was a very young boy when the 1958 “bump” happened. He still remembers. His father survived. He tells the story with passion, he is very informative and funny…why not ? Life goes on…Watch you head when you go down the mine. Every “bang” on your head will “cost you” 5 $ to the guide. And every “bang” on his head will cost YOU 10 $ ! I enjoyed it. And I won’t complain about my job…

Great experience going down into a coal mine. It is like going back in history,time, sensing and feeling what the coal miners of yesteryear would feel going to work in the mines. Such a wonderful learning oppurtunity for both adults and children .

With the assistance of a guide, visitors learn about the history of coal mining in Springhill, NS, as well as the lives of the coal miners. One can see and touch some of the equipment used by the miners. The 1958 explosion killed 75 miners and forced the main Number 2 mine to shut down for good. In 1960, the last mine was also shut down for good, due to poor production. However, this latter mine was renovated for public viewing. Along with the guide, visitors descend 300 feet underground at a 20-degree slope. One can see the conditions the miners had to work under, and get a real feeling of being in a mine . There is also a small indoor museum and gift shop. Very educational. .

There is a small museum that details the history of mining in Springhill (focusing on the 1891, 1956, & 1958 disasters) with displays of mining equipment, as well as a wash house and lamp cabin. However, it is the short guided tour into the mine that is the highlight of the visit.

You can't appreciate the tough life of miners until you experience a short walk underground. The staff was very informative and welcoming! Our guide, Dan, was knowledgeable and entertaining. I would recommend this to anyone!!!!