Deep in the mountains of Harlan County, the entrance to “Portal 31” stands, a mine where generations of miners have worked. Shuttered in 1963, the old mine found new life in 2009 when it opened as an immersive tour and museum. Visitors step into rail cars and travel into the mine, hearing the stories of miners and experiencing the complex history of the industry that shaped the region.
In 2023, the exhibits got an overhaul and update, thanks to key grant funding and local leadership. However, its online presence still didn’t convey the full experience of what it is like to descend into the darkness of a historic coal mine.
According to Jeff Wilder, Portal 31’s chairman, the website was outdated and difficult to navigate. Visitors struggled to find basic information like hours, ticketing, or what to expect. Though they have visitors coming already from all 50 states and overseas, the staff still knew they needed a change to honor the site’s significance with the visibility it deserved.
That’s when they contacted the Mountain Association for website development training and support through our Business Support program.
Understanding the immense value Portal 31 holds for regional tourism, Mountain Association invested in their project, contracting with Letcher County based consultant Malcolm Wilson to help them build a fully redesigned website that better tells their story.
Working closely with the Portal 31 team, Malcolm took his iconic, vivid photos from inside the mine and paired them with streamlined ticketing information and an easy‑to‑use layout. They added information about nearby local attractions like the RV park and overlooks, as well as information on their miners memorial.
For the staff who pour their hearts into keeping the mine’s history alive, the transformation was energizing.
“Thanks to Mountain Alliance and Malcolm Wilson, we were able to enhance our online presence that is equally as impressive as the tour itself,” said Wilder.
Today, with its newly updated exhibits and its website, the story of coal mining in Eastern Kentucky can travel far beyond the mountains, inviting people everywhere to journey underground and discover the history that shaped our communities and the nation as a whole.
Visit the site: portal31minetour.org
