Mission: Underground Miners is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to preserving Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal mining heritage through a historical online archive, mine rehabilitation, equipment restoration, and educational public events.
Our History
Since the formation of the Underground Miners in 2002, the group has transformed from a small group of friends with a passion for coal mining history, to a well-known 501c3 non-profit organization in Northeast Pennsylvania; specializing in anthracite history, mine rehabilitation, artifact restoration, and public education. Several of the members have gone on to build careers in various aspects of the anthracite mining industry. Over the years, we have documented hundreds of old coal mine operations in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania. Driven to save photographs that best represent the mining industry and the work of the men involved, the team has compiled thousands of photographs since inception – many of them the only documentation existing of different operations. This ever-expanding archive is a treasure trove of insight for the public eye, bringing to light aspects of their ancestral history that have not been seen or thought of in, some cases, nearly a century.
As part of our educational public events, we give private hand-on excursions at local coal mine tours and our restoration shop for enthusiasts looking for an in-depth experience. As part of these trips, we draw on our significant historical knowledge as well as innumerable experiences working underground in active mines.
Our current project, the restoration of the Brooks Mine in Nay Aug Park, Scranton, is by far the most ambitious we have undertaken to date. When completed, we will be showcasing our rendition of anthracite mining to the community at our very own mine tour! This combined with an exhibit within the Everhart Museum promises to be an exciting future for the Underground Miners!
Our Goals
- Create and maintain the largest archive of anthracite mining history, by both creating a website with searchable online information, as well as a more extensive archive with more in depth information. These will contain photos, drawings, maps, papers, and artifacts, all preserved through digitization.
- Continue to preserve, restore, and grow anthracite mining sites, as well as a collection of mining artifacts and equipment. This includes everything from miner’s lamps to mine locomotives, to an entire mine site. Most significantly, the current collection includes the only operating locomotive from the northern coal field.
- Educate the public through interactive events, creating excitement and interest in anthracite heritage. This includes private in-depth mine tours at the area’s tour mines, hands on open house events at the restoration shop, and public presentations throughout different coal region events.
In Memory of John J. Pagoda Jr, April 20, 1976 – January 9, 2005
