Fall Pasty Fundraiser!

The Cornish Pasty Fundraiser is back in fall 2023 for another round of deliciousness in time for the holidays!

Order by Friday, November 4, for curbside pick up on November 18. Distribution will again take place as a drive-by curbside operation in the spacious outdoor area between A&W Restaurant and the Millennium Cinema at 111 Millennium Drive, Platteville. (This has replaced the Museum as the pick-up location.)

20% off orders of 5 to 9 pasties and 30% off orders of 10 or more! Stock your freezer for the holidays!

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Your Underground Adventure Awaits!

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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), and discover the local history of the Upper Mississippi Valley Mining District.

In the heart of the historic lead-zinc mining region near the world’s largest “M,” the three-acre campus of The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums preserves the heritage of southwestern Wisconsin.

Shop for rock and mineral specimens and gifts related to regional history in our museum store. Enjoy the outdoor greenspace, pollinator garden, and picnic grounds. Explore our exhibits on the nature, culture, and history of the region. Take the one-hour guided tour of the underground mine in the back yard, and ride the outdoor mine train.

Place-based exhibits and interpretive programs are located inside the historically significant 1863 Rock School, the 1905 Hanmer Robbins School, the 1845 Bevans Mine, and in beautiful outdoor spaces visitors are encouraged to explore.

View Tours

Discover

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. The train has delighted more than 300,000 adults and children since 1978.

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 and give visitors an idea of rural life in southwestern Wisconsin from its pioneer era through the 20th century. 

Natural History

Cultural History

Science & Industry

Fly Through 200 Years of Regional History

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Year-Round Programming and Special Events

Find out about seasonal festivals, camps, workshops, concerts, lectures and more.

Youth Programs

Adult Programs

Family Programs

“This place was amazing. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. She seemed very interested in what she was saying and we can feel the love she has for the town. Thanks!!!!”

Omar J.

“This place is very underrated. They do a great job sharing Platteville's history and the whole Driftless Area. There is a mine you can go down into and tour, an old train that still runs, and a museum of things that Rollo Jamison collected in his lifetime that is very interesting. Great for all ages. If you're coming through Platteville, make sure to stop here.”

Greta G.

“Our fourth graders love coming to The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums for an on-site field experience of learning! We typically bring 75-90 students each year and the staff always accommodates us into groups. We especially like the tour of the mine because it ties into our curriculum of learning about soil, rocks, and landforms. Students also enjoy the tour of the museum to see what life was like long ago. It's always great to take students to learning outside of the school that they can remember for a lifetime!”

Shelby Wahlert, Fourth Grade Teacher
Irving Elementary; Dubuque, Iowa

“Our fifth graders love coming toThe Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums. They are intrigued by Rollo Jamison’s collection of artifacts. The playing piano is always a hit. They also get to learn about lead mining and zinc mining that was done in our area. Another favorite activity is riding in the ore car. Thanks for making our class trips very educational and fun!”

Dianne Langmeier, Fifth Grade Teacher
Fennimore Elementary; Fennimore, Wisconsin

“The museum visit was a chance for my class to travel back in time by viewing pictures and touching artifacts. The students had an opportunity to compare historical events to the present day. The visit aligned with our Social Studies lesson discussing long ago versus today. It never ceased to excite them and they did not want to leave!”

Kecia King, Fourth Grade Teacher
Westview Elementary School; Platteville, Wisconsin

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HOURS

In Season: May - October
Open Wednesday - Sunday
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Guided Mine Tours: 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., & 3:00 p.m.

Off Season: November - April
Closed Except for Seasonal Programs

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