Welcome to the World Museum of Mining in Butte, MT, founded in 1963, just before Butte’s mining boom went out with a bang! Butte rocked a century of hard rock mining and became legendary for having one of the world’s most productive copper mines. Our museum is here to keep Butte’s epic mining history and cultural heritage alive and kicking.
The World Museum of Mining is one of the few museums in the world that’s actually on a real mine yard – the Orphan Girl Mine. The "Girl" is the superstar of the Museum, with her towering 100-foot steel headframe. She was mined to a depth of 3200 feet and produced silver, lead, and zinc from 1875 until 1956. Visitors can dive into the mining camp experience by touring the massive steel headframe and exploring the depths of the Orphan Girl Mine on an Underground Mine Tour. It’s so realistic, you can almost see the miners' soot-covered faces and hear their tired sighs at the end of the day.
Take a stroll through the brick-lined streets of Hell Roarin’ Gulch to get a peek into the lives of the thousands of immigrants who flocked to Butte for work. Be wowed by quirky displays like the Chinese Laundry, the Sauerkraut Factory, First National Bank, the Union Hall, and of course, the one-room schoolhouse, the General Store, and Saloon, all packed with hundreds of artifacts from the turn of the century.
Additional Exhibits and Tours at the Museum:
Underground Tour: Dive down to the 100-foot level and explore the depths of the Orphan Girl Mine. Ready for an adventure? Visit www.miningmuseum.org to book your tour!
Miners Memorial Wall & Remembering Garden: Pay tribute to over 2,500 brave souls who lost their lives in Butte's underground mines. It's a heartfelt and moving experience.
Roy Garret Rock & Mineral Collection: Check out over 1,600 dazzling specimens, plus a cool dark room to see them glow!
Samie Keith Doll & Dollhouse Collection: Step into a world of whimsy with this enchanting collection of dolls and dollhouses, a lifetime of fascination on display.
Photo Archives: Dive into history with our photo archives, open by appointment for research or to snag some amazing photos.
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