By Ron Morgan

October 4, 2022 - The response to the reopening of the Broad Top Area Coal Miners Museum at Robertsdale late this summer has been well received by the public, it was learned at the monthly board meeting of the Broad Top Area Coal Miners Historical Society, held recently in the former Reality Theatre.

Attendance has been measurable and the public response to the updated museum has been overwhelming, board members learned. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, the museum will conclude its 2022 season the end of October. However, group tours are welcomed year around; call (814) 907-1788 for details.

The need for better visibility prompted the relocation of the museum from the former Robertsdale United Methodist Church (today, the Reality Church of God) to the theatre, starting in late November 2021. The transformation of the theatre to the museum took over eight months to complete.

The reopening of the Broad Top Area Coal Miners Museum at Robertsdale has resulted in increased attendance. On hand to view one of the exhibits in the former Reality Theatre were, from left: Kameron Starr, Renee Starr and Kerry Starr, all of Wood.

Photo by RON MORGAN

The historical society is pleased to be a partner with the nearby Friends of the East Broad Top (FEBT) Museum Complex in telling the story of King Coal on the Broad Top and the important roll the narrow-gauge railroad played in the former mining towns of Robertsdale, Wood, Joller, Alvin, Jacobs and the Rocky Ridge area of the East Broad Top Coalfield.

The Coal Miners Museum was pleased to have taken part in the annual Robertsdale Community & Heritage Days, held in early August and is gearing up for the three-day annual FEBT Reunion, scheduled for the Columbus Day weekend of Oct. 7-9. Activities planned at Robertsdale and the EBT Railroad at Rockhill will be announced later.

Looking ahead, the Coal Miners Museum plans still more improvements inside and outside the theatre building, the board of directors learned.

Two heavy pieces of mining equipment used in the deep mines during the early 1950s were moved from the church to the theatre and placed on display at the back and outside of the theatre. Plans are in the hopper to erect fencing around the continuous miner and wooden coal car in time for the museum’s seasonal opening in May 2023.

In other matters, the board of directors agreed to partner with the FEBT in placing advertising in the Huntingdon County Visitors Guide while continuing promotional efforts in the Bedford County Visitors Guide. Other promotional efforts are being studied by the museum’s board of directors.

It was also announced that through the efforts of the FEBT and the EBT, a large banner has been placed in the EBT’s Orbisonia Station which entices visitors to check out Robertsdale and it’s two museums.

The society expressed its appreciation to the FEBT and the EBT for their support and pledged to continue to work with the railroad and FEBT in promoting the railroad and plans for eventual extension to the mountain.

Already, rail fans are enjoying hand car excursions over a mile of restored EBT right of way between Robertsdale and Wood. Visitors are encouraged to visit both museums to learn the complete story of the railroad and King Coal on the Broad Top.

Also in the works are plans to install a video/audio system which will allow the society to show movies on the Reality Theatre’s large, CinemaScope screen. Seating will be available for special events using the movie screen and theatre stage.

With a new year not far away, the Coal Miners Museum also plans several fundraising activities, a membership drive and updates to the museum’s research library, headed up by Carolyn Carroll and Dennis Fields. For assistance, please telephone Carolyn at (814) 390-6127, or Dennis at (814) 635-0502 for information about the research library.

To keep up on museum activities or to leave a message, folks can also log onto www.broadtopminersmuseum.com or telephone (814) 907-1788.