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Tour guide Andy Girard, Coaldale, said that the (No. 9) mine was first struck in 1855 and ran up until 1972 when the owner closed and sealed it.

He said that while deep mining isn't cost effective anymore, there's still enough coal in the anthracite region to provide everyone with power for the next 100 years.

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Hundreds gathered Sunday to enjoy ethnic food, games and to learn more about the local mining industry during the Coal Miner's Heritage Festival.

Taking place on the grounds of the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum, the day included food such as pierogies, halupkies and pulled pork, while there was also a blacksmith and many children's activities including sack races.

"Today's one of our big days," said Dave Kuchta, president of No. 9 Mine and Museum.

Among the activities, one of the main attractions was the guided underground mine tours.

Tour guide Andy Girard, Coaldale, said that the mine was first struck in 1855 and ran up until 1972 when the owner closed and sealed it.

The mine reopened in 1992 to become a tourist attraction and everything was still where it was left the day it closed.

According to a mine and museum brochure, it is the world's oldest continuously operated anthracite coal mine.

Girard said that another important date near the entrance of the mine is 1931, which is when concrete and steel were put in the mine to make it one of the safest mines in the region.

"It's wet, it's damp and it's dirty down there," Girard said.

During the tour, guests ride by rail 1,600 feet into the mountain to inspect a 900-foot deep mine shaft, where the temperature is 52 degrees year-round.

Rather than going down underground, Girard said that they actually take people up about eight feet at a six-degree pitch.

Although he's only one of the tour guides, Girard and the other guides take people through the mine, sharing information and history along the way, starting at the Orchard Vein.

He said that while deep mining isn't cost effective anymore, there's still enough coal in the anthracite region to provide everyone with power for the next 100 years.

While the Heritage Festival attracted many locals, there were also many people from outside the area who traveled to enjoy the day, such as Cathy and Norm Aguredakes, Malvern, Ohio.

"I'm a mine guy and this is a hot spot in America," Norm Aguredakes said. "This is crazy and I'll have to come back and do this again."

Linda Featherly, New Port Richey, Fla., who was with her sister, Louise Whitehead, Puyallip, Wash., and are both originally from New Philadelphia, said they were in the area visiting relatives and decided to come for the day.

One local with her family was Sherry Zilker, Barnesville.

"It was our first time here," Zilker said. "It's nice."

Kuchta said that the next big attraction at No. 9 Mine and Museum will be the haunted mine tours that take place in October.

Source: http://republicanherald.com/news/coal-mining-history-celebrated-at-hertiage-festival-1.1340880