Tour-Ed leaders envision adding natural energy center at former Fawn mine

Administrators of Tour-Ed Mine & Museum in Fawn already tout the site as “one of the coal-est” attractions in the region.

Director Bob Black wants to add to the lure of the 170-year-old facility by building a natural energy center.

“We give good tours here,” said Black of Plum, who retired after 50 years as a coal miner in Greene County. “We take people underground and talk from experience.”

The new facility would draw experts to talk about wind, solar, geothermal and other sources of energy.

“Everybody has a story, and it would be fun to listen to,” he said. “I have the best old man’s job in the world. That’s why I’ll never retire. I’ve got lots of ideas.”

Black, 72, envisions a stand-alone building to house educational tours for all ages. He said there is plenty of room at Tour-Ed, a 100-acre property off Ridge Road, near the Tarentum exit (Exit 14) of Route 28.

As proposed, an 80-by-200-foot steel building would cost about $750,000. He envisions an amphitheater with smaller classrooms for breakout groups, along with hands-on activities.

There would be an operational windmill and solar panels.

Black is seeking private grants to help pay for the cost. He believes the idea could become a reality in about two years.

“I think it would be a perfect fit, and it would help carry on the legacy of our founder, Ira Wood,” Black said. “He always wanted this place to be for the people.”

The former mine dates to 1850. It once was operated by Allegheny Steel, which used the coal at its Brackenridge Works steel mill.

Today, the mine operations are abandoned, but the site is busy year-round, especially with tours that run May through September.

In the fall, volunteers transform the mine, 300-feet underground, into a haunted attraction that draws people from far and wide.

Visitors also enjoy touring the property’s railroad caboose, 1785 log cabin, strip mine and early 1900s horse-drawn farm wagon.

Wood bought the mine in the 1960s, and its coal was used during that time by Tarentum Power and PPG.

Since it closed, more than 1 million tours have been given.

Said retired miner and tour guide Nick Mottillo: “It would be great to broaden the appeal and educate people on different energy resources and how they are used.

“Everybody enjoys the tours when we take them in the coal car and talk about the history — young boys starting in the mines at 9 years old to clean the stalls. This would be great for the community to teach them the history and uses of other energy.”

Mottillo and Black also are kicking around ideas for the property that would benefit other nonprofits. They said the land would be a perfect place to host movie nights, concerts, dances or other community-oriented events.

“The fact that we have the property really lets us think big,” Black said.