The Illinois Coal Museum at Gillespie offers a comprehensive look at coal, the coal mines, and the coal miners that provided the fuel for the greatest human migration in the history of the world. From coal formation 300,000,000 years ago to coal locomotives and coal fired power plants – from picks, shovels, and mules to continuous mining machines – from a 600 person farm town to a Coal Country boom population of over 10,000, then the bust, we cover it all.

Guided tours are recommended and an appropriate compliment of guides will be provided. Please allow 2- 3 hours.