THE EXHIBITION leads the visitor through the ages from the geological formation of coal in prehistoric times to the present.

It focuses on such topics as the Lenape Indians, the discovery and mining of "black diamonds" (coal), the settlement of early Mauch Chunk, the scramble to build waterways and railroads to transport coal to eastern seaboard cities, the unique Switchback Railroad, Mauch Chunk in its industrial golden age, its decline and revival as the town of Mauch Chunk becomes today's Jim Thorpe-repository for the body of the great Native American Olympian. The theme is struggle, prosperity, decline and revival; the legacy, the architectural and natural beauty that is today's Jim Thorpe.

The story of Mauch Chunk is brought to life by video, images, artifacts, and four working models:

• A water filled, working model of Josiah White's Bear Trap Lock, a collapsible water powered lock which permitted trains of coal arks to travel down the Lehigh River.
• A standard lock on the Lehigh Canal
• An operable miter lock and drop gate lock on the Lehigh Canal.
• A 30 ft replica of Mauch Chunk's famous Switchback Gravity Railroad which progressed from a coal carrier to a passenger carrier of such magnitude that Mauch Chunk, "The Switzerland of America," became second to Niagara Falls as a 19th century tourist destination.

Hours: Open all year, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., every day, except Monday. Groups by appointment.

Admission: Adults: $5.00, Children (under eight): $2.00

Programs are available for schools, community & tour groups.

Memberships help support the Museum. Benefits include a semi-annual newsletter.

Accommodations are available at Whitehurst Guest House, which is operated by the Mauch Chunk Museum.

Books, audio tapes and videos are available at the Museum Store.

Our upper level Cultural Center housing the Grand Ballroom/Multi-Media Equipped Meeting Room is available for weddings and meetings for groups of up to 150 people.