wallace mining museum

Love all the history that this museum has to offer. Now if your expecting a huge stately building..you might be disappointed, but the information and personal attention you get is priceless. All the information of the silver mines and how Wallace Silver was mined from here only. They also tell you which famous actress came from here. Lana Turner! Just a great little gem.

While actually taking the mine tour is the best way to appreciate the mining industry in this area, the museum was helpful in understanding the history of it. It is small but has some interesting exhibits.

very happy with our stop here and learn the history of mining in the area. The people running this operation went out of their way to show us around and our guide able to answer any questions asked.Very happy to spread the word about this stop.

It was raining and really went inside to get out of the rain. We were very glad we did. We paid for the guided tour, 3.50$ and glad we did. The gentleman there was very knowledgable about the history of the area. It was very interesting, learning about the railroad in this area and about the "the Silver Capitol of the World". If you go, take the little tour, it's worth it and only lasts about a half hour

We needed a public restroom in Wallace and were directed to the Mining Museum. While there the kids (10 and 8) wanted to check out the Museum. For only $7 for our family we thought why not. We were plesently surprised. Great historty of the area and mining, great displays. It's a small museum and will not take long to go through (I would say and hour or less with kids our ages) but worth the visit. Enjoy the history of this great little town.**note there is some confusion in the reviews about the difference between the Sierra Silver Mine Tour and the Wallace District Mining Museum and Visitors Center. This review is for the later. Some of the visitor photos photos posted here are for the Silver Mine tour which is a different attraction in Wallace**

Every once in a while you stumble on a small town gem and this is a great little museum. Can't remember the entrance fee but if anything was minimal. You will learn a whole bunch about the local mining in the area with interesting anecdotes. A great way to spend an hour or two when in Wallace.

I stopped here after reading an interpretive sign on the Interstate about the fire of 1910 and it said to stop at this museum for more info. I was glad I did as this museum has a lot to offer. There is a 20 minute video "North Idaho's Silver Legacy", a walk through exhibit "Mining Experience", a gift shop with excellent selection of books about the area, public restrooms, a tourist info center, and some of the friendliest staff you could want. I particularly found the info on the Sunshine Mine Disaster that killed 91 of 173 men in 1972 and the new safety regulations implemented as a result of the deaths interesting. Museum also has exhibits on the two major motion pictures filmed in Wallace-Heaven's Gate (1979) and Dante's Peak (1996).Admission is reasonable-$3 per person or $7 per family-and the museum can be seen in an hour or so depending on your interests.

Our family has a history of miners in this area, plus we still have family that mines. It was interesting to look through the pictures, to have a visual with all of the stories that have been told over the years. The best part though is going up to the mine, it gives you quite a perspective of the working conditions that they are in. It was totally worth the time, we enjoyed it.

If you have an hour it is worth the time. Kids had a lot of fun as well. They learned allot loved the hardhats.

Good demonstrations about the silver mining in Wallace and lots of interesting history. They even sell silver jewelry here. Friendly people.

Wallace has a fascinating history. We were told that at one point in the early 1900's, Wallace had more millionaires per the population than any other US city. It made it fortune on mining and the museum, and mine tour, were very memorable.

Traveling late at night we finally decided to stop at Wallace, Idaho without knowing anything about the town. We got in our hotel about 11:00 at night. While in our room we started researching Wallace and found that it appeared to be an amazing little town. So much history just waiting to be discovered. In the morning we ate at the 1313 Club and decided to walk down the street and discovered the Mining Tour and the Mining Museum. Both were well worth the few dollars and the ime. Just two amazing things hidden within the little town of Wallace. We hadn't even planned to stop and we stayed most of the day. If it had not rained we could have spent the entire day in Wallace.

If you enjoy history as I do, you will love this museum and tour. The quaint little town of Wallace is full of mining history.

The mine tour was great! The tour takes you down into the mine. The guide was very knowledgeable, he showed the different machinery (he demonstrated some of it), he recounted stories about mining, told us about improvements, etc.Highly recommend.

When you see the historic sign for Wallace, Idaho on I-90, take the exit! This quaint mining town is chock full of history and the community has done an excellent job of creating a tourist destination well worth the time. The Mining Museum is very interesting and the silver mine tour is fun and interesting, led by retired miners with great knowledge and terrific senses of humor. We were cleverly entertained and learned a lot about this part of the west. The museum is well done, the brothel tour was eye opening, the food and local micro brew were tasty. What a fun stop on our journey between Coeur d'Alene and West Glacier.