Beckley is the northern anchor of the Coal Heritage Trail, a 100-mile stretch of coal towns reaching south to the Virginia border (follow Sr16 to US52). Mile markers along the way indicate points of interest.
Following the mine tour we took a stroll through the re-constructed coal camp. The ticket included a tour of the mine, entrance to the museum and all exhibits.
The camp provides a look at the stark life miners lived outside of the mountain. Coal camps provided health care, education, housing, in fact all the necessities for daily living but The Company controlled all aspects of the political and economic process and the on-site company owned police was used not only to keep the peace but to look out for the companies interest and keep out union organizers. See the film Matewan to fully understand the problems these miners faced.
A "single Miners" shanty a transient home for single miners or men who were unable to find work nearer their families measured no more than six feet wide by nine feet long held a simple stove, desk, and a narrow bed. Lodging cost $2. Per month.
The home that would have housed a miner and his family consisted of three rooms. The guide led us into a small kitchen furnished with a simple wooden dining set and various kitchen necessities. The living area held a 1920s period couch and chair and typical furnishings of the 1925 to early forties era. A Bakelite radio sat on a small table and a beautiful Victrola on another; the Victrola still worked and would have cost around $57. Rag and braided rugs covered all the floors in the home and all the family shared the small bedroom a curtain divided the room allowing a semblance of privacy for the parents
Our guide pointed out that all furnishings came from the company store and was excellent quality, however the term "Owe my soul to the company store" becomes real clear. On the wall in the living room a copy of a miners account indicated that his bi-weekly pay in 1937 was $74.14 (11 tons of coal hauled) and after all stoppages including $15 store account the actual cash received was $1.68. He also paid for coal, doctor, hospital, burial fund, pension etc.
The contrast between these two homes and the opulent Victorian mansion of the mines superintendent is huge. That home houses a barbers shop, post office, doctors small office and the superintendents living quarters. The museum gift shop showcases miner’s artifacts, books photographs and newspaper accounts of mining history. The camp also showcases a youth museum, school and church. All buildings were moved from mining camps and are authentic.
Give yourself a couple of hours to take in all the exhibits including the mine. The last tour leaves at 4:45pm. Cost of admission is $15; over 54, $13; and ages 4 to 12, $10. Credit cards accepted, and the complex has disabled access. Open 10am to 6pm. Picnicking is permitted.