The Miners Museum, in Glace Bay, N.S. is getting ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
The museum will open for business next month and staff there are hoping to have a number of volunteers in place to share the stories of Cape Breton's rich coal mining history.
“We'd like to have about 50,” says Mary Pat Mombourquette, executive director of the Miners Museum. “That gives us a good round number to keep it open during that whole season.”
Kevin Strong has been sharing stories about mining history with visitors for more than two years.
“What I've taken from it is I've made some nice friendships and have met people from all over the world,” says Strong.
Strong says the time that he spends at the museum rekindles memories of his coal mining connection in his childhood.
“The memories of my father and what he went through, he wasn't a miner but he spent 44 years as a pipefitter underground. For me it's really been a personal experience,” says Strong.
More than 14,000 visitors passed through the Miners Museum last summer. The highlight for many was a guided tour by a former miner down the shaft of an actual seam on Glace Bay Harbour.
Visitors also get the chance to see what life was like above ground, at the volunteer manned Miner’s Village.
“When they come up, they go to the Miner’s Village and listen to stories about what life was like in the village for the miners after they came up, what life was like after work for their wives. These stories add a great deal to the experience of coming to the museum,” says Mombourquette.
Volunteers are required to commit to at least one three-hour shift per week.
“I've learned stories about coal mining, I've learned stories about the mines in the area, I've learned about the seams of coal and how far out they go and the dangers, the fun and camaraderie that all went into coal mining,” says Strong.
The museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary in November.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore
