GOLDVEIN DAY TRIP. A few weeks ago, we took a day trip to visit the Gold Mine Museum near Goldvein, one of the few gold mining camps in early 1900's Virginia. Here are some photos. The buildings are new, but historically accurate, since the mining camps no longer exist.

A typical camp layout.


The camp mess hall; the bunkrooms were similar in design, with room for up to 30 miners crowded within.


The Assayer's Office. The building is similar to the others, and the equipment visible is of that period.




Hornet balls. They were filled with ore, then rolled around the mine floor to crush the ore from which the gold was extracted.


The docent was very knowledgeable, and we enjoyed the visit.