Black Hills Mining Museum
Welcome to the Black Hills Mining Museum, the fascinatingly educational and immersive gold mining museum located in Lead, South Dakota. This museum was built by miners from the nearby, now shut down Homestake Gold Mine, over 140 miners lending a hand by sharing their personal stories, professional know-how, and various artifacts with the museum. The museum is dedicated to 'the presentation of the rich mining heritage of the Black Hills'.
Here's a bit of history on the area: Lead, South Dakota's own 'Mile High City', is located within the 4,500 square mile area considered to be the Black Hills. It is believed that the area was inhabited as far back as 4,000 years. The Sioux occupied the area before Custer discovered the gold and possibility that came along with it, and the area saw a major boom due to mining around 1875. Lead's mine was open for a grand total of 126 years, closing in 2002.
During your visit your group will be able to look around the museum, the main floor holding displays full of memorabilia and objects 'from a bygone era'. Then you will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of their simulated underground mine, this experience providing the 'only comprehensive look at both early-day and modern underground mining in the Black Hills'. Go gold panning next in a hands-on activity in which you will pan and keep real placer gold as you learn the official techniques of panning. Before you go stop by the gift shop to pick up the perfect souvenir!
