Story By: Cypris Wilkinson

MONTEVALLO Ala. – Just a mile and a half from Montevallo, nestled in the remnants of what was once a coal mining town, stands the Aldrich Coal Mine Museum.

The museum is a testament to Alabama’s rich coal mining past, and it exists because of the dedication of one man to keeping its history alive. The museum was founded by Henry Emfinger, a passionate local historian and Air Force veteran. He dedicated his life after the Air Force to preserving the history of the Aldrich Mining community through the museum.

“ It’s one of the things that Daddy wanted to do, is preserve, and it’s hard ’cause he has Alzheimer’s now… It’s up to us, and we really don’t know a whole lot. You know, just what we were growing up, learning. But, it’s mostly a tribute to him.”

Veronica Bailey

But Emfinger already had a personal connection to Aldrich, spending most of his childhood there. His father was a coal miner who moved the family to Aldrich in 1942, just before the Aldrich mine ceased operations. 

“He has always been interested in history,” said Veronica Bailey, Emfinger’s oldest daughter. “His dad was a miner and so, you know, he knew about following the mines and following the work, you know, and whatever and that is how they ended up here.”

Then years later, driven by a desire to preserve the town’s history, Emfinger purchased the former Montevallo Coal Mining Company store, a white frame wooden building that was built around 1928, and transformed it into the museum.

History of the Mine & The Museum

The Aldrich Coal Mine was officially named in 1875 when industrialist Truman H. Aldrich purchased the land and surrounding mines. His brother, William Aldrich, later took over operations, leasing convict labor to work the mines. Almost everyone who lived in Aldrich worked in the mines, with the company building and owning most of the structures in the town.

The Montevallo Coal Mining Company closed in 1942, but many of the town’s original structures, like the Montevallo Company Store which now houses the museum, Farrington Hall, and some of the original houses built by the company still remain. However, other buildings, including churches, a school, stores, and a prison, are now just remembered throughout the museum in pictures.

Visitors to the museum can step into the past inside the former company store, which still houses its original sales counter and cash register. The museum showcases historical photographs, mining tools, and artifacts contributed and donated by community members. 

Just outside the museum stands the only coal miner monument in Alabama. It was dedicated in 1997 to honor those who died while working in the mine.

Across the street, stands Farrington Hall. Built in 1908 as an office and library for William Aldrich, the building features a grand entrance that was once adorned with three sets of stairs with one only Mr. Aldrich could use. Farrington Hall is is named after Aldrich’s son, who tragically died of typhoid fever after cleaning one of the mine’s reservoirs.

Emfinger Family

For Emfinger’s family, preserving the Aldrich Coal Mine Museum is about more than just maintaining a collection of artifacts, it’s about keeping a community’s history alive. 

Today, Henry Emfinger faces illness, and his children have taken on the responsibility of maintaining the museum, honoring both the legacy of the mine and their father’s lifelong dedication to keeping its story alive.

“ It’s one of the things that Daddy wanted to do, is preserve,” Bailey said. “And it’s hard ’cause he has Alzheimer’s now. So, you know, it’s up to us, and we really don’t know a whole lot. Just what we were growing up, you know, learning. But, it’s mostly a tribute to him.”

By continuing their father’s work, Emfinger’s children will not only ensure that future generations will understand what it was like to live in Aldrich, but also help people understand why it’s so important to share and preserve history. 

The Aldrich Coal Mine Museum stands as a powerful reminder of Alabama’s coal mining heritage. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of one family, this hidden gem remains a place where history is not only remembered but honored.

To visit the Aldrich Coal mine Museum, you can call and make an appointment anytime, (205) 665-2886, or visit them during open hours:

  • Thursday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Sunday: 1-4 p.m. 

If you would like to financially support the museum, you can make a donation to Henry Emfinger’s oldest daughter, Veronica Bailey, through her venmo @Veronica-Bailey-37.