RICHLANDS CHAMBER
“Spanning the Generations: Pride in Mining” is a postcard image of a scene by Ellen Elmes from The Coal Miners’ Memorial on the grounds of the Richlands Town Hall in Richlands, Virginia. This memorial celebrates and honors those who have given their lives for the production of coal in Buchanan, Russell, and Tazewell Counties over the span of many years. This image portrays two generations of miners and the technology used today in longwall mining operations. The older, retired miner (referenced from photo by Carson Camp) seated next to perhaps a son or even grandson currently working underground, symbolizes the continued pride that whole families have taken in their lifetimes of working underground.

“Coal Camps and Boom Times” is a postcard image of a scene by Thomas Hagerman. In the first half of the 20th century, the center of coal camp activity and life was the company store. Towns such as Dante, Jewell Ridge, Bishop, and Amonate became model communities during boom times, often boasting a restaurant, pool hall, barber shop, movie theatre, bowling alley, doctor’s office, and baseball field. Boom times for the coalfields came after the advent of the widespread use of electricity in the early part of the century and during World War II. The background of this rendering depicts miners leaving their shift in the 1940’s.

“Women Join the Underground Work Force” is a postcard image of another scene by Ellen Elmes. This drawing celebrates the acceptance of women into the coal mining labor force in southwest Virginia. In the 1970’s numerous women began seeking better pay and benefits in the job market to support their families. As do the men, they take great pride in their work and have excelled in various positions from roof bolting to running a continuous miner. As shown here, the continuous miner represents both advancement in mining technology and a reduced labor force of both men and women. Photographer Mel Grubb’s special skill in underground depictions of mining served as reference for this drawing.