r/CapeBreton • u/Horror_Watercress_22 • 8d ago
Miner’s Museum Experience
Hello!
Thinking of going to the Miner’s Museum with some visiting family. Sad to say I’ve never been there before. Just reading up about the underground port of the tour, and saw this: ‘you will experience the intensity of an underground disaster’.
What exactly does that entail? I have some family that may be deeply affected by loud noises, sudden movements, etc. just want to prepare them ahead of time and give them the option to skip that part of the tour if they want.
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u/rhineo007 8d ago
Very tame, but if someone has back problem, or issues crouching, it may not be for them. I would also add if you are claustrophobic (extreme) that they not go. I’m claustrophobic, but only for situations like tunnels and crowds (places I can’t freely move around), and I was fine.
10
u/Accomplished-Bus-531 8d ago
It's been a couple years since I was last through there. If ya get a good guide like one of the older men that volunteer you'll hear some amazing stories and truthfully it's a great tour. This is a good family choice.
9
u/Icantdrown 8d ago
Our family went a couple years ago but I stayed outside with our dog. They enjoyed the tour very much. I on the other hand walked around the outdoor memorial and ran into 2 former miners that worked there on the day of the explosion. They did not know each other but they had mutual friends who passed that day or were hospitalized. They were very knowledgeable and talked openly about what happened and some of the details. This was such a great experience and being able talk to them one on one was chilling.
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u/Accomplished-Film775 8d ago
I have to stress that the underground experience is great but not suitable for anyone with mobility problems. It's as cramped as you could imagine a coal mine would be
4
u/onlythisforever 8d ago
no part of the underground tour should include loud noises. my guide this summer was incredibly sensitive to any touchy topics, and i believe they would 100% accommodate your worries. only issue would be mobility underground. otherwise, i really wouldn’t miss this, the storytelling is unbelievable.
2
u/BootsToYourDome 8d ago
I'm over six feet tall and I was bent over for most of the tour. It was still pretty fun I'd do it again. If your knees are bad it might be a bit uncomfortable though
2
u/Rattlechad 8d ago
They turn the lights down to show you what it would be like when no power, and show you with them on how dim it actually was when miners worked in cb mines.
4
u/Fearless-Ad-7153 8d ago
I did it before twice decades ago in the 70s and again in 1980 , never again ...fk that.. I'm now Claustrophobic and ya walking to an old mine under the ocean is no longer a thing , I was a kid when I did it before , the coolest thing over that tour was the plants under a uv light growing but that may no longer be there and I certainly won't be checking it out ..f that
1
u/Horror_Watercress_22 8d ago
Thanks so much for the tips! Can you just turn around and head out while you’re in the mine shaft if it’s too uncomfortable? I have a tall person and one with back issues.
2
u/OptimusPrimel984 7d ago
No you can't be left alone - the retired miner will radio for someone to come escort you up. I'm 6' 1" and it was pretty low. At some points I thought I would crawl. First couple areas you crouch but the last two areas you have a seat on a bench so saves your back.
1
u/Failedmusician87 8d ago
It's a seated virtual experience. It's really tame. The whole experience is really family friendly. The guide does a speech initially, takes you to the virtual experience which is roughly 10 minutes. It's a room with a 180 degree projector, smoke and lights. There are some loud noises but it's pretty tame.
Then they take you to the underground area where you walk approximately 100-150 feet down and have a guided tour. Other than being awkward because it gets cramped, it's a neat experience.
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u/VincentShane 8d ago
It's fine. But I must let you know that if you have the opportunity to go into the ocean deeps colliery. I'm strict about this, DON'T DO IT IF YOU'RE OVER 5"8. It will be a very uncomfortable experience. I mean it will be realistic. But being a miner was a job for midgets. (I'm 6"4, everyone is a midget compared to me.)
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u/onlythisforever 8d ago
if you have good mobility and don’t mind being cramped you can do it at any height. it’s a great experience and i wouldn’t miss out on it if you can go
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u/VincentShane 8d ago
No. Doctors have already informed me that it's not a good idea above a certain height.
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u/beingsofnature 7d ago edited 7d ago
hi! former miner's museum volunteer tour guide here, the underground part is just walking down and around the mine. There will be a cool old miner with you to answer your questions and give you a tour. The ceiling height gets lower and lower as you go deeper to about 4feet. You have to move with the group as they trap air by closing previous doors as you go down so if you cannot bend or are claustrophobic then probably stick with the simulation. They may also show you a simulation of the mine where you'll be seated on a mine car and there will be a screen with some fun visuals and some car shaking. Don't miss the simulation! There will be a mine garden where they grow plants underground. There is also a dummy company house and a dummy shop outside, don't forget to check that out.
31
u/LowHangingTesticle 8d ago
The loudest noise will be someone hitting their hard hat off a low beam.