West Virginia Mine Wars Museum A Non-Profit Corporation

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Founded in 2015 in historic Matewan, the Mine Wars Museum tells the little known story of coal miners and their struggle for justice. #Blair100 #wvminewars The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum was founded in 2015 and is located in Historic Matewan. THE WEST VIRGINIA MINE WARS MUSEUM PRESERVES AND SHARES STORIES ABOUT THE STRUGGLES OF COAL MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR WORKERS' RIGHTS, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND JUSTICE IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY. AS A PEOPLE'S HISTORY MUSEUM, WE LIFT UP THE LEGACY OF A MULTI-RACIAL, MULTI-LINGUAL EFFORT TO UNIONIZE THE COALFIELDS. WE FOSTER CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE MINE WARS ERA AND THE INJUSTICES THAT STILL CONFRONT WORKING PEOPLE IN APPALACHIA, THE NATION, AND AROUND THE WORLD. FINALLY, THE MUSEUM EDUCATES YOUTH, BUILDS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND PROMOTES REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

West Virginia Mine Wars Museum A Non-Profit Corporation
Overview

The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum A Non-Profit Corporation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the West Virginia coal wars, also known as the mine wars, which took place between 1912 and 1921. The museum is located in Matewan, West Virginia, a site significant for its role in these conflicts, notably the Matewan Massacre.

History and Mission

The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum was established to highlight the overlooked and suppressed history of the labor struggles in West Virginia during the early 20th century. It focuses on creating a grassroots people's history museum that explores the socioeconomic and political conditions of Appalachia. The museum aims to educate visitors about the events and figures of the mine wars, emphasizing the struggles for better working conditions, union recognition, and the lives of coal miners and their families.

Exhibits and Programs

The museum's exhibits are arranged chronologically, beginning with the daily lives of coal miners and their families, and then detailing the events leading up to the Matewan Massacre and the Battle of Blair Mountain. The latter was the largest armed insurrection in the U.S. since the Civil War. The museum also features exhibits on women's roles in the coal camps during this period and contemporary issues such as race relations in Appalachia and environmental protests.

In recent years, the museum has expanded to include new spaces for community events, rotating artist exhibits, and a comprehensive archive housing historical documents and personal letters from figures involved in the miners' union. This expansion allows the museum to delve deeper into topics such as the impact of mining unions and the significance of the 2011 march to preserve Blair Mountain from strip mining.

Legacy and Impact

The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum helps to bridge historical events with contemporary issues, providing insights into how past labor struggles continue to influence modern economic and political structures. By highlighting the often-untold stories of miners and their families, the museum plays a crucial role in preserving Appalachian history and fostering a greater understanding of the region's complex past and its relevance to current societal concerns.

The museum's initiatives also underscore the importance of understanding labor rights and the power dynamics between workers and corporations, issues that remain pertinent today. Through its exhibits and community outreach, the museum aims to inspire reflection on these historical events and their ongoing impact on American society.

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Founded

2014

Facebook

9700

X (Twitter)

2042

Address

MATEWAN

Address: 401 Mate Street, MATEWANWeb: Sign in to see organisation websiteFacebook: WVMineWarsMuseumX (Twitter): warswvEmployees: 4Volunteers: 61Revenue: 365209ICO: 464504369

West Virginia Mine Wars Museum

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Monica

Dr. David Corbin's contributions to our understanding of the Mine Wars will never be forgotten. His legacy lives on through this important museum and its efforts to share these vital stories. πŸ™ #ThankYouDrCorbin

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Louise

This museum is an essential part of preserving our history and honoring the struggles of our coal miners. So grateful for the incredible work being done here! #MineWars

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West Virginia Mine Wars Museum A Non-Profit Corporation

Most coal company scrip in coin form was minted in the cheapest metals available, and every once in a while we even see a rare example of a scrip coin made from pressed paper fibers, like this one from the Imperial Colliery Company in Burnwell, Kanawaha County, West Virgina. You can see our entire collection of scrip in our online exhibit β€œ16 Tons”, on our website under Explore: Online Exhibits, or wvminewars. org/online-exhibits This coin is part of the expansive collection of Kenny King.

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Margaret

How can we honor the legacy of historians like Dr. David Corbin while continuing to promote the significance of the Mine Wars in today's discussions about workers' rights?

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Kate

What impact do you think the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum has on the local community's understanding of labor history and social justice movements?

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