Experience the Heritage of Southwestern Wisconsin and the Tri-State Area. Tour the 1845 Bevans Lead-Zinc Mine, ride in a 1931 mine train (weather permitting), explore our exhibits on the nature, culture, and history of the region, and shop for rock and mineral specimens and gifts related to regional history in our museum store.

The Bevans Lead Mine: More than 150 years ago Lorenzo Bevans struck it rich just a few yards from the museum back door. As you walk down the 90-step incline into the 1845 Bevans Mine, your senses will be alive as the temperature and humidity levels change. A tour of the mine takes you through over 100 years of local lead and zinc mining history. A visit to the headframe shows how ore was hoisted to the surface and hand-sorted.

The Mine Train: Climb into one of the ore cars and enjoy a train ride through the beautiful three-acre museum campus pulled by a 1931 Whitcomb locomotive used in the Blackstone Mine near Shullsburg until the 1950s.

Exhibit Galleries: Founded in 1964, our collection of regional mining artifacts and dioramas is among the largest in the Upper Midwest. Exhibits tell the story of Mississippi Valley-Type lead-zinc ore deposits, and how local mining led to the establishment of Wisconsin as the Badger State. Cultural history exhibits represent the one-man collection of folk historian Rollo Jamison. Displays of everything from boxing squirrels to hair wreaths, bull halters, and cigar molds give visitors an idea of rural life in southwestern Wisconsin from its pioneer era through the 20th century.

• Tours and Tickets
• Virtual Tour
• Shop for rocks, minerals, and gifts in our museum store
• Seasonal Programs and Events
• Virtual Programs

• Angie Wright

From US-151 S, take exit 21 to US-151 Bus/Platteville. Continue on US-151 Bus to S Water Street, take a right on S Water Street. Turn right on E. Main St. The Museum will be on the right in two blocks