Miners Hall Museum Dragline Endowment

Specific Need

Mission

Profile

Through a remarkable pledge to Miners Hall Hall Museum Foundation, Wendell and Lynda Wilkinson are donating a Page 618 Walking Dragline to us for preservation and restoration.  The dragline was purchased by and used by the Wilkinson Coal Company, Weir City, Kansas which operated from 1917 to 1979.  Bringing the dragline to Franklin will benefit Southeast Kansas, bringing visitors, tourists,  authors, and students from across the nation, creating local business revenue and an interest in our unique coal mining history. 

Keith Haddock, co-founder of the Historical Construction Equipment Association in Bowling Green, Ohio, is the leading expert on earthmoving and surface mining equipment. He is a professional engineer, author, freelance writer, and TV guest. Mr. Haddock states: "I believe that saving the Page dragline is of the utmost importance and the top of the list for all items to be preserved in America."

Anthony Lucibello, Heavy Equipment Preservationist Collector, Northford, Connecticut has agreed to be a "volunteer" consultant for this project. He stated: "The preservation of this machine would increase the tourism to the area. I can attest that I have travelled all the way from Connecticut to put my eyes on this machine and the others in the area, and would do so again just to see this Page 618."

Dr. Christopher Childers, MHM Board Member, stated: "This is not the first major project Miners Hall Museum has undertaken to preserve the region's mining history. From our museum facility to Franklin Community Park and its outdoor exhibits to the relocation and restoration of the Miner's House on the museum grounds, MHM has a record of dreaming big and delivering results."