Our mission is to preserve the history of the people who immigrated and settled in the communities built around the railroad and mining industries of the West.
By the 1900’s, over 40 nationalities of men and women worked and lived in the mining camps of Utah. Often leaving loved ones behind, these immigrants from such countries as Armenia, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea. Mexico, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and many more, worked side by side throughout Utah’s mining centers, enabling Utah to become a renowned powerhouse in the extraction of precious metals and coal. Their presence impacts Utah to this day. Because they sought the “American Dream,” their children and grandchildren can now live that dream.
The melting pot of immigrant laborers changed the West.
Immigrant miners and laborers ventured across the world to eventually arrive in Utah.
Those immigrant miners worked in districts throughout the West. Among the most noted are:
Bingham Canyon BINGHAM CANYON
Over 10,000 immigrant copper miners made this their first home in the United States.
(bingham Canyon)
The great strike of 1912 took place here.
Bingham Mine
Magna Copper Mill
Magna/Garfield MAGNA/GARFIELD
Site of crushing, smelting, and refining operations
For the Bingham Canyon mine.
Descendants of early immigrants still call Magna home.
Garfield Smelter
Carbon County CARBON COUNTY
The epicenter of Western coal mining operations.
Town like Price, Helper, Sunnyside and others nearby were shaped by immigrant labor.
Castle View Mine
PARK CITY
Swede Ally is but one visible remnant left by hard rock Silver Miners, who primarily emigrated from the British Isles and Scandinavia. Several Irishmen made huge fortunes here.
Silver King Mine
Because it is time.
Because this history must be preserved.
Because we have a unique opportunity.
THEN: JCPenny Store
June, 1917
NOW:
The Ethnic Mining Museum and Western States Hellenic Library
Opened on June 16, 1917, one of our nation’s very first JCPenney Stores will be our home.
Thousands and thousands of Utah miners made this store a first stop every payday.
The Museum will be included as a Mine Tour stop for buses and is mere yards from Interstate 80.
Over 200,000 annual visitors are expected.
Those Visitors will:
THOSE VISITORS WILL:
See original workings from a vital store from a lost era
See mining tools and relics
View photographs and educational dioramas
View films
Visit the Mining Geneology Center
FAMILY HISTORIES Family Histories
Our center will allow for geneology searches of individuals and family names.