Aldrich Coal Mine Museum
Housed in the old Montevallo Mine Company Store, this museum tells the story of the coal mining industry that shaped Montevallo's history.
The Aldrich Coal Mine Museum preserves and shares the story of Montevallo’s significant coal mining heritage. Housed in the historic Montevallo Mine Company Store building, the museum was founded in 1984 by the Montevallo Historical Society and stands as one of the few remaining reminders of the industry that drove much of the town’s early economic development.
Montevallo’s Mining History
Coal mining came to the Montevallo area in 1856, when a mine was established near town that would prove foundational to the local economy. The deposits of high-quality bituminous coal beneath Shelby County attracted investment and workers throughout the latter half of the 19th century and well into the 20th. The mines shaped the town’s growth, its workforce, and its physical landscape in ways that can still be traced today.
What You’ll See
The museum’s collections include:
- Mining tools, lamps, and equipment from working mines
- Historic photographs documenting miners and mining operations
- Company store artifacts and records
- Exhibits tracing the industry’s rise and eventual decline
- Local genealogy and history resources
The company store building itself is a piece of history — a reminder of the paternalistic economic system by which mining companies often controlled workers’ access to goods and housing.
Visiting
The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Visits by appointment can be arranged by calling (205) 665-2886. Admission is free, and the museum warmly welcomes visitors of all ages.