Museum Admission, Guided Mine Tour & Train Ride

Highlights

Description

Step back 150 years into Wisconsin’s pioneering past with this immersive underground experience. Begin at the Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums, where exhibits reveal the geology, tools, and lives of miners who helped shape the state’s “Badger” nickname. Descend 90 steps into the historic 1845 Bevans Mine, where cool air and dripping stone tell stories of grit and determination. Your guide explains how lead and zinc were extracted and hoisted to the surface, offering insight into the birth of regional industry. Back above ground, climb aboard the 1931 Whitcomb mine train for a leisurely ride across the three-acre museum grounds. The adventure continues with self-guided exploration of galleries filled with rare artifacts, cultural exhibits, and life-on-the-land stories spanning 13,000 years of Driftless Area history.

Itinerary

• Check in at the museum desk 15–30 minutes before your reserved tour time. • Join your guide for a 60-minute tour including the mine and hoist house. • Descend 90 steps into the Bevans Mine and learn how miners worked underground. • Visit the Hoist House to see ore-lifting machinery and sorting methods. • Ride the 1931 Whitcomb mine train through the outdoor grounds. • Explore indoor galleries and green spaces at your own pace before or after the tour.

Price & Availability

Admission includes all exhibits, mine tour, and train ride. Adults $12, Seniors $10, Youth (5–12) $6, Children under 5 $3, UW-Platteville Students $1. Guided Mine Tours: 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m.

Food & Drink

Museum café offers light snacks and beverages; visitors are welcome to bring bottled water.

Instructions

Arrive early to check in; guided tours depart promptly. Sign the safety waiver before descending into the mine.

Restrictions

Visitors must navigate 90 stairs and uneven ground. Not recommended for those with mobility limitations.

Transportation

Free onsite parking at 405 E Main Street, Platteville, WI.