Quecreek Mine Rescue Site
Website:
Telephone Number:
Location:
140 Haupt Road, Somerset, PA 15501
Hours:
Tuesdays thru Saturdays from 11 AM to 4 PM
Call one week in advance to schedule your tour.
Description:
When Bill Arnold noticed two men with flashlights moving suspiciously around their dairy pasture just before midnight on July 24, 2002, Bill ventured out to confront the intruders. As he approached the shadowed figures, a familiar voice broke through the darkness. "Is that you Bill?" came the voice of Sean Isgan, an engineer and long-time acquaintance. "There's been an accident in the Quecreek Mine. Nine men are missing. We haven't got much time." Bill's reply came immediately, "How can I help?"
Little did Bill Arnold realize as he entered the darkness that evening that the next five days of his life would center on helping save the lives of nine others. By daybreak, the 212 year old Dormel Farms would be transformed into the site of the largest rescue effort in Pennsylvania in nearly three decades. The land, buildings, home and equipment of the Arnolds' farm all offered support in the rescue effort. In fact, Bill Arnold himself turned the first soil in the rescue with his farm's old backhoe, to ensure that the first drill rig wouldn't rupture a dangerously close gas line.
The ensuing five-day rescue effort and miraculous rescue of all nine miners is the stuff of dreams and legend. Few events since the safe landing of the Apollo 13 have caught the world's attention and emotion and ended with such a positive uplifting finale.
Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation invites you to come visit the mine rescue site where you can walk right up to the rescue shaft where the miners emerged from the dark, cold mine 240 feet below after 77 hours of frigid darkness. You will be greeted by the 7 foot tall bronze statue of a coal miner at the top of the walkway into the rescue site. Hear the story of the miracle from people personally involved in the rescue. Touch the rescue capsule and try to imagine how it would feel to squeeze into it with your strength nearly gone.
From museum website
