PLATTEVILLE GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Descend into the Bevans Mine: a 19th‑century lead shaft, a 1931 Whitcomb train, and the Driftless past
A compact, one‑hour guided experience that pairs a descent into an 1845 lead‑zinc mine with a mine‑train ride and self‑guided museum galleries — this guide explains what to expect, what to bring, and accessibility alternatives.
Descend into the Bevans Mine: a 19th‑century lead shaft, a 1931 Whitcomb train, and the Driftless past.
At The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums in Platteville you can move from sunlit museum lawns to the cool, humid quiet of a real 1845 Bevans lead‑zinc mine. The site combines self‑guided galleries that trace 13,000 years of regional life with a scheduled, one‑hour Guided Mine Tour and a short Whitcomb mine‑train ride across the three‑acre museum campus, letting visitors sample geology, industrial history and local culture in tight, visceral doses.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Bevans Mine — an 1845 lead‑zinc shaft
Descend the incline where Lorenzo Bevans struck ore more than 150 years ago; the guided tour takes you into original workings and the Hoist House to learn how ore was hauled and hand‑sorted, offering a direct look at regional mining that helped define Wisconsin.
1931 Whitcomb mine train across the campus
A short ride aboard a 1931 Whitcomb mine train carries guests around the three‑acre outdoor museum grounds (weather permitting), a playful counterpoint to the subterranean tour and a useful way to view displays and landscape context.
Rollo Jamison’s cultural galleries
Extensive exhibits and documentary videos trace the Upper Mississippi Valley Mining District’s geology and the cultural history of the Driftless Area — from early inhabitants through settlement and into the 20th century — all available via a fully accessible, self‑guided museum route.
What the day feels like
What the experience feels like
You begin at your own pace in the museum galleries and outdoor green spaces, then, at one of four set times, assemble for the Guided Mine Tour: a descent of some 90 steps into cool, humid stone; a walk on irregular floors where occasional drips and puddles punctuate the air; and a climb to the Hoist House to inspect the equipment that brought ore to the surface. The visit can include a short Whitcomb train ride across the campus and four documentary videos that bookend the underground experience.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this fits — and who should choose an alternative
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Guided Mine Tours run at four set times (10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.); the Guided Mine Tour & Train Ride is a one‑hour experience while museum galleries remain self‑guided at your leisure.
Closed‑toe walking shoes suitable for stone surfaces, and a fleece or light water‑resistant jacket are recommended; open‑toed shoes are strongly discouraged.
Exhibits are wheelchair accessible by elevator except for the Bevans Mine and Hoist House; a 30‑minute video tour is offered as an accessible substitute for the guided descent.
Museum admission includes the self‑guided galleries, the option of the video or a guided walking tour of the Bevans Mine and Hoist House, and the 1931 Whitcomb train ride across the three‑acre campus (train runs weather permitting; rain checks issued if rides are impossible).
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Guided Mine Tour & Train Ride?
The Guided Mine Tour combined with the Train Ride is a one‑hour experience; museum galleries may be explored at your own pace before or after the tour.
When do the Guided Mine Tours run?
Guided Mine Tours depart at four set times: 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Are tours available during school field‑trip season?
In May and early June you may encounter large school groups; if a school group is scheduled, underground Mine Tours are not available for online booking — call the museum at (608) 348‑3301 with questions or to confirm availability.
What if the train ride is canceled due to weather?
If weather or unforeseen circumstances make the Train Ride impossible, the museum will issue a rain check for a return visit.
Is the Bevans Mine accessible to visitors who cannot descend stairs?
The Bevans Mine and Hoist House are not stair‑free; a 30‑minute video tour is provided as an accessible alternative for those who decline or cannot take the guided descent.
What should I wear on the Guided Mine Tour?
Wear closed‑toe shoes suitable for walking on stone and carry a fleece or light jacket; open‑toed shoes are strongly discouraged and participants may get wet or muddy.