Wednesday June 14th 2017

Today is my last full day in Butte MT. The weather was sunny and cool, but not uncomfortable for outside activity. It turned out to be a perfect day to go to the World Museum of Mining.

The Museum of Mining is built on the site of the Orphan Girl Mine. The mine was in operation from the 1870s to the 1950s. The miners removed Silver, Lead and Zinc from the ground via the Orphan Girl Mine. The Mining Museum opened in 1965 with artifacts from the old mine. It has been expanded over the years with donations from all over the northwest. A replica of an 1890s mining town has been created on site from original structures moved to the location and new construction from old materials. The town buildings are all filled with period artifacts donated to the museum. They call the town Hell Roarin’ Gulch.

Replica 1875 bank building at the World Museum of Mining.

One room school house

Split log church building.

Interior of church building.

Street view in Hell Roarin’ Gulch.

Chinese Laundry

Log one room post office building.

The other part of the museum surrounds the Orphan Girl Mine Headframe. This is the structure that lowered people and materials into the mine and brings the raw ore and people back up. They have made it possible to climb the head frame to the area the ore was dumped out of the carts. In addition to lots of neat machinery there is a nice view of the Butte area.

Orphan Girl Mine Headframe.

View from the headframe of the mining car track.

Mountains in the distance from the headframe.

There is a lot of interesting things at the museum. I wish it was a little better curated. The artifacts are from nearly one hundred years of time. Nineteenth century artifacts are mixed with early twentieth century and mid century artifacts. Telling what artifacts are related is often difficult. It’s almost like they’ve had too many donations. Everything is well marked with respect to donor or sponsor, but many artifacts are not labeled for purpose or historical significance.

One of my old duck friends.

I believe these are a pair of Cinnamon Teals.

After the museum I returned to the RV park to get ready for tomorrows travel day. I also took one more walk along the creek to visit the ducks and geese. Today there was a mega group of geese blocking the path. I don’t know how many different family units, but there were several big guardians in the lot.

Back on the path after a swim.