Program Description
One of the themes of New River Gorge National River is: With the completion of the railroad in 1873 came an economical means of getting West Virginia's rich natural resources to market. Vast quantities of timber could be harvested and much logging was done to help build the nation. More important; however, for the area's economy was the opening of coal mines along the New River Gorge. The growing American industrial complex was steam powered at this time, and coal was the chief fossil fuel. International markets also were developed. This is the basis of our educational coal mining programs. The ranger will discuss with the students their connection to coal, what is coal, how coal is mined, the uses of coal and/or coal and the environment. This will be accomplished by touring the site, hands-on activities with equipment, role playing, and discussion.

Available at:Burnwood, Canyon Rim, and Grandview

Grade Level: 5^th – 8^th  

Program Length: 1 hour

Theme
Coal and coal mining in New River Gorge have played an important role in local and national history.

Instructional Objectives:

1.  Define coal and describe the process of mining coal

2.  Describe a coal mining town in New River Gorge

3.  List uses for coal now and in the past

Pre-visit activities are: Black Gold

Kaymoor, A Coal Town

Post-visit activities are: River Towns in New River Gorge

 Edible Geology

 Mining Coal

Subject:
History/Social Sciences 

WV Content Standards met:

History/Social Sciences - SS.4.4.6, SS.WV.3.1, SS.WV.3.2, SS.WV.4.4, SS.WV.4.6, SS.WV.4.8, SS.WV.5.2, SS.WV.5.3, SS.5.3.5, SS.5.4.9, SS.5.5.4