External resources about Portal 31, Appalachian coal history, and the Cumberland region
"Subterranean Sojourns: Coal Mine Opens to Tourists" — ABC News coverage of Portal 31 opening as a tourist destination, bringing national attention to Lynch, Kentucky's underground heritage.
Read Article →An article in Engineering Times covers the technical aspects of the Portal 31 rehabilitation project and the engineering challenges involved in making an abandoned coal mine safe for public tours.
Read Article →"Kentucky Coal Museum & Portal 31 Exhibition Coal Mine" — an engineering perspective on the Portal 31 site and its significance as both a heritage attraction and a technical achievement.
Read Article →Located in Benham, Kentucky — just a short drive from Portal 31. Exhibits trace the formation and history of coal, the lives of mining families, and the industry's lasting impact on Appalachia. A natural companion to a Portal 31 visit.
Visit Museum →Located in Jenkins, Kentucky, this museum honors the heritage of coal mining and railroading in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky — the infrastructure that powered an era of industrial growth.
Learn More →Online resources about Kentucky's coal industry for students, teachers, and the general public. Covers coal formation, mining methods, economic history, and the environmental context of Appalachian coal country.
Explore Resources →A historic scenic highway through the Cumberland Mountains, passing through the coal mining communities of Benham and Lynch. The parkway connects heritage sites, natural scenery, and Appalachian culture along one of Kentucky's most beautiful routes.
Plan Your Drive →SECC's campus in Cumberland, Kentucky offers mining technology programs and has historical ties to Portal 31 — having produced the video documentation of the mine's rehabilitation. A great resource for those interested in mining careers.
Visit SECC →The official tourism resource for Harlan County — featuring mountains, outdoor recreation, festivals, history, and the dramatic Appalachian landscape that surrounds Portal 31 and Lynch.
Explore Harlan County →