World Museum of Mining

Nestled beneath the towering head frame of the once active Orphan Girl underground mine is one of Butte's most popular attractions, the 44-acre World Museum of Mining and Hell Roarin' Gulch. A 1890s mining town with displays both inside and outdoors. This museum is appealing to the whole family.

Butte people, who wanted to preserve the city's historic ethnic and mining traditions, launched the museum in 1963. It was built entirely with volunteer labor and donations.

Stroll along the brick-lined streets of Hell Roarin' Gulch and marvel at over 750 exhibits carefully arranged with artifacts from that era. Be amazed at the unique displays including the Chinese laundry, the sauerkraut factory, the funeral parlor, the ice house and of course, the school, the general store and the saloon. Visit the hoist house and view the massive hoist that raised and lowered men and material into the mine and the air compressors that were the heart of the mine. See the wonderful handmade mine model and the Stanley steamer engine.

The underground mine tour allows you to do more than just imagine what it might have been like. As you venture 65 feet deep into the 2,700 foot deep Orphan Girl Mine see equipment work and hear the stories. The Sammie Keith Doll, Dollhouse and miniature collection represents a lifetime fascination of collecting.

The Miners Memorial Wall and Garden honors over 2,500 men killed in Butte's underground mines.

View the spectacular Roy Garrett Mineral Collection, containing over 1,600 mineral specimens with its own dark room. The Museum's Photo Archive has thousands of photographs depicting life in the early day mining camp and life in Butte through the 1950s. Copies of photographs from the collection can be purchased. The Photo Archives is open to the public for research only.

A gift shop, picnic tables and cold drinks are available. Walk the cobble-stoned streets and enjoy your visit. Summer dinner theater melodramas are offered, along with many special events and educational activities.