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Museum Holiday/Winter Schedule November through February Museum tours by appointment We will attempt to accommodate travelers, family groups home for the holidays. Also, during this period, the "OPEN" sign will be out on the days that we are in the building working on the displays. Please text 833.228.8603, or email to schedule a visit. 121 S Macoupin St Gillespie, IL 62033
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Recently at the Museum
Don't like local history or not a fan of fossil fuels? Stop by the museum for a cup of coffee anyway! Last month the museum was contacted by Christian Verot, a French author and Route 66 traveler, requesting information and photos relating to our rich Coal Country mining history. In an upcoming documentary of the coal mines of Saint Etienne, France, the author will detail a coal mining history that mirrors our own. From 1900 through the 1960's, although separated by many miles and an ocean, our communities and our miners share the bond of coal.
The museum has received two generous donations
Several years ago Adam Tallman, the Farmers Insurance agent in Gillespie, started a charity golf tournament and through his efforts, thousands of dollars have been awarded to local organizations. This year the Coal Museum is a grateful recipient - Thank You Adam! On a sad note, the Kenneth E. Donaldson VFW Post 4547 of Gillespie informed the museum of their final meeting. In keeping with the tradition of service to their community, the Post has made their final donations and has included the museum. When visiting the Coal Museum, please spend a few minutes at our VFW display and recall some of the memories made over 70 years of dedication and service. 
New item added to the 'When Coal Was Formed' display - Fossilized shark teeth collected from Monterey #1, just 6 miles from the museum!
The museum, as a digital exhibit, debuted at the Illinois Mining Institute's annual event in Marion Illinois. Visitors were offered a glimpse of our many artifacts and displays, and the story of the rich coal mining history of our part of Coal Country .
Sundown Town is now available.
Sundown Town is an insightful and compelling, yet disturbing reminder of our past. Museum Curator Coming soon to the coal museum book store: "SUNDOWN TOWN" the third offering from author Kevin Corley. Sixteen Tons and Throw out the Water introduced us to the industry and people that defined Coal Country. Sundown Town will take the reader from the Virden Massacre down a different, compelling path.
Click here for an initial review 
From World War I era immigration to current legislative issues, these four visitors to the museum brought with them well over 200 years of personal and family coal stories. The two hour tour was too short.
back Dan Hauter, Bill Hoback front Joe Angleton, Dick Mottershaw Louann Brown has created yet another beautiful mural for the museum window. This colorful work of art evokes memories of a happy, carefree event featured inside at our Gillespie Centennial Exhibit.
The Museum is very proud to welcome the Kenneth E. Donaldson VFW Post 4547. The use of our newly remodeled meeting room is but a small gesture of thanks to an organization that has given decades of service to the Coal Country communities.
Southern Illinois Coal Mine Subsidence:
Myths, Facts & Solutions click here for a nice article about the November presentation (this information also addresses our Macoupin County subsidence issues) 
The Macoupin County CEO students heard a brief account of project development, TIFs and Enterprize Zones, followed by a tour the museum.
We are proud to have hosted this fine group of future entrepreneurs. 
click logo to learn more
Southern Illinois Coal Mine Subsidence:
Myths, Facts & Solutions Free and Open to the Public Thursday, November 30th from 6:00‐8:00pm Presented at Collinsville Memorial Library Center 408 W. Main St., Collinsville, IL 62234 Moderator: Mr. Dave Tucker, Illinois Coal Museum at Gillespie Presentations by: Dr. Jerry Marino, P.E., D.GE, President, Marino Engineering Associates, Inc. Mr. Brent Guttmann, Office of Mines & Minerals, Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources Ms. Kathy Moran, Industry Relations/Consumer Education Manager, IL Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund Sponsored by the Illinois Coal Museum at Gillespie Special thanks to the Collinsville Memorial Library Center for use of space 
Many of the displays have been enhanced, with more to follow. We are very excited about the Coal Mine Subsidence Exhibit that is now under construction.
A 'Soft' Grand Opening
The museum board, volunteers, local miners and union members met with our U.S. and State elected officials and representatives from the coal industry, Route 66, economic growth professionals, historical society members, and more. What a showcase of our efforts to date and forum for our future!
IN THE NEWS
The Ben-Gil Post: a great write-up and photo display 
The Coal Country Times shares comments of August 31st Luncheon
Alabama travelers find some answers to Benld and Cherry Mine questions within our displays and research materials. Also, new today, a photo guestbook/retro-maps prototype awaiting museum and Route 66 logos.
Safe trip home ladies
Several displays have been upgraded - glass cabinets enhance and protect some of the more valuable artifacts.
 John Dodd, from Joy Global and Brian Page hard at work in the mine.
The Children's Coal Museum, with support from the Illinois Mining Institute and Joy Global Manufacturing, is undergoing major construction. The new look for the mine tunnel will include photos and stories of the older and the newest mining machines and also improvements in safety, lighting, and ventilation geared to the elementary school aged visitors.
After a 'mine' tour and earning a miner's helmet, videos of the mining machines in action will reinforce the experience. Brian Page & Dave Tucker visited a work site at an apartment complex in Fairview Heights to observe the drilling process prior to the grouting to stabilize the active subsidence. The core samples obtained by the drilling provide information about the geologic layers above and below the mined area as well as locating the pillars and voids left by the mining process. The voids are filled with a concrete like mixture to stabilize the mine and stop further subsidence.
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The Route 66 Blue Carpet Corridor Festival, June 10th., brought over 150 visitors to the museum. The Black Diamond Days Royalty and Dave Tucker tried out the photo-op.
click here to learn more about the Blue Carpet Festival |
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The Macoupin County CEO students and mentor, Pete Visintine toured the museum Tuesday, April 4th. A discussion of our project development , local and mining history, and perusing the displays generated many questions from the bright and attentive group.
click here to learn more about Macoupin County CEO program |
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The big shovel dug up 15 trivia teams to make the Gillespie Public Library fundraiser a great success. Thanks to the Library, Community support, and especially Steve Joyce, our restroom remodeling fund will be able to begin.