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Diplomat Mine Museum Open House |
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Friday, 16 July 2010 20:30 |
 Over 80 people enjoyed Diplomat Mine Museum's annual Open House on Sunday, June 27. The Museum is home to the Marion 360 stripping shovel, a Provincial Historic Resource. When built in 1927, it was the world's largest land machine and was at the forefront of engineering technology for its time. It came to Diplomat Mine in 1950 and worked many years removing the overburden (the materials overlying the coal seam). When the deeper coal seams began to be mined, the shovel had to be retired in favour of draglines. The smaller Bucyrus-Erie 120-B shovel on the site was used to load coal. Both shovels were open to the public with former miners on hand to answer questions. A photo display of mining equipment around the world, as well as Bill Bish's collection of local mine photos were also on hand for viewing. Visitors enjoyed beef on a bun and hot dogs, and of course the kids got to try out the mini-shovels and mine for quarters in the sand. This annual event is always popular and draws from far and wide. This year many participants heading home from the 70’s and 80’s Forestburg High School Reunion stopped in at the Open House as well. |
