Just south of Paintsville, the Coal Camp Museum in Van Lear is housed in the original Consolidation Coal Company office building. The museum depicts coal camp life, including the original doctor's office.  A 40-foot scale model shows the camp as it was during the 1920s.

The museum is open Monday - Saturday 11:00am - 6:00pm.
Admission price is $4.00/adult $2.00/seniors over 55
Children 12 and under FREE
Contact the museum for group rates and special programs, Phone: (606) 789-8540.

78 Miller's Creek Road
P.O. Box 369
Van Lear, KY 41265

Click here for the Coal Camp Museum web site.

Miners' Museum (Call for appointment to visit)

The miners' museum continues to grow as old-timers donate tools used in the Van Lear mines by members of their families. Old carbide lamps, breast augers, and other such items are featured.

 

Model of the Town as it Appeared in the 1930's

A thirty-foot-long model, moved from Arkansas in 1989 to its present location on the third floor former meeting room of the Masons, has become a popular attraction.

 

Veterans Wall of Fame

Another popular museum feature is the wall of photos of native Van Learites who served our country in time of war. It has been said that Johnson County mothers sent more sons off to World War II than any other county in the United States. Someone should have told Tom Brokaw when he wrote THE GREATEST GENERATION.

 

Restored C&O Railroad Caboose

Thanks to Charles Spears, Bill Rucker, and others, an old C&O caboose has been refurbished in a "Mini Park" recreational area in front of the former site of the old high school, hotel, and Baptist Church.

 

Video Documentary

A 45-minute video documentary featuring photos and interviews with old-timers may be seen in the Verne P. Horne education room.

 

Loretta Lynn's Childhood Home

The home that Loretta Webb Lynn lived in during a portion of her childhood still stands about one mile up "Butcher Holler" — a short distance east of the site of old Consolidation Mine #155.