Historic Explorations is based in the coalfields of southwest Virginia. We cover a diverse amount of history, including coal mining and local history throughout the Appalachian Mountains. We also cover entertainment history, from Hollywood’s golden days to music icons.
Nestled in the mountains of southwest Virginia is a little community called Dante. In the early 20th century, Dante was a booming coal mine community like many other towns in the surrounding region. In 2003, the Dante Coal & Railroad Museum was opened by many who wanted to preserve Dante’s coal heritage. The museum holds many artifacts and pictures from long ago that give visitors insight into what life was once like in Dante. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the museum’s curator, Ms. Bobbi Gullett for an interview. Ms. Gullett spoke about her time growing up in Dante, her family (her father and grandfather were coal miners), places of employment, and the opening of the museum.
Nestled in the mountains of southwest Virginia is a little community called Dante. In the early 20th century, Dante was a booming coal mine community like many other towns in the surrounding region. In 2003, the Dante Coal & Railroad Museum was opened by many who wanted to preserve Dante’s coal heritage. The museum holds many artifacts and pictures from long ago that give visitors insight into what life was once like in Dante. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the museum’s curator, Ms. Bobbi Gullett for an interview. Ms. Gullett spoke about her time growing up in Dante, her family (her father and grandfather were coal miners), places of employment, and the opening of the museum.