Western Museum of Mining & Industry facts for kids

Western Museum of Mining & Industry

500 hp Corliss steam engine, on display in the museum
Established	1970
Location	225 North Gate Boulevard Colorado Springs, Colorado
Type	Mining museum

The Western Museum of Mining & Industry is a museum at 225 North Gate Boulevard in Colorado Springs, Colorado, dedicated to the mining history and industrial technology of the western United States. The museum was founded in 1970, and has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1979. It is open to the public Mondays through Saturdays.

The museum building houses antique mining equipment and steam engines. Some of the pneumatic machines are connected to compressed air so that they can be viewed in actual operation. The museum also includes a recreation of an old assay office and scale models of mines and mills.

Outdoor exhibits include live burros, a steam shovel, and an operating stamp mill for gold ore.

The museum maintains a research library on mining topics, available by appointment.

Other activities at the museum include lectures, rotating exhibits, and a twice-weekly farmers’ market.

Gallery

40-foot tall steam stamp engine, used in the Michigan copper district circa 1900.