Miners Hall Museum

Miners Hall Museum Foundation was formed in February, 2011 for the purpose of assembling a group with an interest in the mining history of the coalfields of Crawford and Cherokee County.

Mission Statement: Dedicated to preserving and sharing Southeast Kansas coal mining history and its diverse immigrant culture.

May 1, 2012: A grand opening was held to showcase the new museum. Prior to the museum opening the foundation was awarded the honor of hosting a prestigious Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit titled "The Way We Worked".

The Franklin Miners Hall Museum, an homage to the tens of thousands of coal miners who toiled in Crawford and Cherokee counties, was established in a town founded by immigrant miners on the site of their union hall.

On June 30, 2018, MHM unveiled a new addition to the museum’s art collection “Spirit of the Little Balkans”. The artwork joins our ever-growing collection of indoor and outdoor murals, paintings, and sculptures.

Stroll through Historic Artifacts which are located throughout the museum grounds including the museum sign with the historic bell from St. Philip Neri Church. Markers describe most artifacts.

Miners Hall Museum Website

Mission Statement

Miners Hall Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing Southeast Kansas coal mining history and its diverse immigrant culture.

Miners Hall Museum Foundation is an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations to Miners Hall Museum Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Coal Camp

Experience Coal Camp: Located behind the museum, this area represents an early 1900s mining camp. It includes an Insley dragline, mining equipment, buildings with murals depicting commercial buildings of the time, a replica train, and a typical three-room miner’s house (circa 1908) for a family of 8 - 10 children.

Miners Hall Museum Research Library

Miners Hall Museum Research Library contains an in-depth collection of information relating to the coal camps, coal miners, and coal companies located in Crawford and Cherokee County. Topics related to the coal mining boom in the early part of the 20th century are also included. The print collection is accessible to the public for onsite research with future plans to be digitized for online access. Learn about the immigrants who settled in Southeast Kansas (SEK), area ethnic lodges, coal companies, and coal camps.

Our Story

Southeast Kansas coal mining began in 1866 when the first vein was discovered by settlers in southeast Cherokee County. Soon thereafter heavy beds of coal were unearthed in both Crawford and Cherokee counties that would, by the turn of the century, supply a third of the nation’s fossil fuel. In response to the large workforce required, waves of immigrants from numerous European countries passed through Ellis Island and settled on the southeast Kansas prairie to mine the coal and build a better life for themselves and their families. The area became known as The Little Balkans, a thriving multi-ethnic region that promised to fulfill the American dream for future generations.

Miners Hall Museum rests on the grounds of the original miner’s union hall in Franklin, where people once gathered to hold meetings, organize, celebrate, and dream.

It is also where the historic Amazon Army assembled to march in support of striking miners in 1921. The museum captures the spirit of The Little Balkans and shares the story of its rich and tumultuous history, as well as the heritage forged by the capable and steadfast men and women who worked and lived in the southeast Kansas coalfields. — Linda O’Nelio Knoll

Outreach

Traveling Trunk

“Coal Camp Voyage” is a travelling trunk that tells the story of coal mining in Southeast Kansas. Participants will learn about working in a mine and the lifestyle of the miners and their families. Coordinating materials and lesson plans are included. This program is brought to you at no cost through a grant from Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.

Scheduled Tours

Guided tours are available for school classes, organizations, bus tours, and family or individual groups of 6 or more.

Programs/Presentations

The following program topics are available:

Miners Hall Museum

The Story of Franklin

Amazon Army

If you, your organization or business, teachers, or libraries are interested in any of the above opportunities, contact us at 620-347-4220 or email minershallmuseum@gmail.com to schedule the traveling trunk, a tour, or a program.