Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial

Whitesville, WV “Come to Me, All You Who Labor, And I Will Give You Rest”
How can you help?
As this project moves into the fundraising stage our hope is to secure
enough money to create a memorial plaza that serves three purposes. It
will commemorate the terrible tragedy that occurred at the Upper Big
Branch coal mine, acknowledge the sacrifice of West Virginia coal miners
and educate visitors on the proud history of the coal mining industry in the
Mountain State. We feel this proposed memorial plaza accomplishes our
goal. To complete this project we need to raise $500,000 and we invite
you to join us on our journey.

Donations Can Be Mailed To:

Upper Big Branch Mining Memorial, Inc.
25586 Coal River Rd.
Orgas, WV 25148

The Memorial:
It will be a permanent granite structure that will represent the majesty of the
Mountain State’s greatest resources, its mountains and its coal industry. On one
side it will celebrate the rememberance of the 29 men that lost their lives in the
Upper Big Branch mine disaster, and on the other show a timeline of events on
that day, April 5th, 2010, as well as a brief history of the mining industry in West
Virginia.

Fence Screen Memorial Entrance Sign

To Library WV-3/ Coal River Rd. To Whitesville

The Plan:
The proposed site for the memorial is the current location of the temporary gazebo memorial. This site has taken on a special
meaning for the community and is known as the location for memoralizing this disaster and our hope is to maintain that connection.
The vegetation on site will be a mix of native evergreen and deciduous plants so that necessary screening will be maintained year
round. Flowering plants will be chosen for their ability to bloom in early spring near the time of the disaster.
This conceptual design is for fund raising purposes. Final design, material selection, and construction
documentation will be completed after funds are available.