The Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society (no. 50412366) operates the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site (BN 13832 3043 RR0001), an extensive industrial heritage site.
Designated at both the national and provincial levels, the Atlas preserves the last of the 139 mines which operated in the Drumheller Valley from 1911-1979. Our mandate is to preserve and present the days when “Coal was King” in the Drumheller Valley. The site comprises 31 hectares with numerous buildings, trackways, machines, tools, and documents from the working mine.
The Atlas is a locally operated, visitor-supported site, with no operational support from any level of government. Visitation revenues increased 680% from 2000 to 2013, and we see more than 35,000 paying visitors each year. These visitors include over 100 group tours, mostly from schools. We offer a dynamic interpretive program, and special events.
Although the visitor services program is the engine that drives other museum functions, we are energetically implementing collections management, research, and historic restoration projects. We seek partnerships with other organizations to develop the economic and cultural landscape of the region. Tunnel Vision is our 10 year development plan, with 4 pillars. The purpose of Tunnel Vision is to complete building conservation and develop the facility to a sustainable level, empowering us to preserve the nationally designated historic.
