Quecreek Aquires Exhibits and Artifacts
Posted February 18, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bill Arnold
Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation
(814) 445-5090

Equipment And Artifacts From Quecreek Mine Rescue Brought Together At Mine Rescue Site In Somerset

Somerset, Pa (Oct. 24)-- The Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation and the Windber Coal Heritage Center announced an agreement this week to consolidate equipment and other artifacts from the 2002 mine rescue at the visitors center at the rescue site in Somerset County.

“Bringing together equipment and other artifacts from the Quecreek mine rescue in one place will further enhance our ability to educate the public about this incredible event.” said William Arnold, Executive Director of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation. “We could not have taken this step without several key partners: Congressman Mark Critz, who proposed the idea, Rosebud Mining Company and the Windber Coal Heritage Center.”

"As a volunteer during the rescue effort, I fully understand the importance of the rescue site and the mission of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation. This is where these artifacts belong," said Congressman Mark Critz. “I had the opportunity to talk with John Garcia, of Rosebud Mining Company, at the tenth anniversary celebration of the rescue in July and I’m very pleased things have worked out.”

"We at Rosebud Mining Company are happy to support the efforts of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation. The rescue site does an excellent job of celebrating the successful rescue of all nine Quecreek Miners, and we are proud to support their efforts." said John Garcia, Business Development and Government Affairs of Rosebud Mining Company.

"Cliff Forrest, Rosebud Founder and President, has always been active in supporting the communities in Western Pennsylvania. We are amazed at his generosity in donating these exhibits to the (Quecreek Mine Rescue) Foundation." Said William Arnold, Executive Director of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation. "The timing is perfect, added Arnold, the building is nearly complete, and we are beginning to develop the exhibits".

On July 24, 2002 miners broke through into an abandoned, water-filled mine flooding the Quecreek Mine with over 150 million gallons of water. Nine miners scrambled to safety, but nine were trapped in a pocket of air in the dark, cold, water filled mine. They were rescued four days later through the combined efforts of state and federal mine rescue agencies and hundreds of workers and volunteers.

The Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that relies on support from the public to educate the public about the rescue and to maintain and operate the mine rescue area and a visitor’s center.

Contact the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation or make a donation by writing: 140 Haupt Road, Somerset, PA 15501, calling 814-445-5090 or by visiting www.9for9.org.

Travel Channel Show Featuring Quecreek
Posted October 19, 2011

Don't miss a show featuring the Quecreek Mine Rescue Site on the Travel Channel! The show will air on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 9pm ET on the Travel Channel, with a show called "Mysteries at the Museum"! Make sure to tune in!

Ninth Anniversary of the Quecreek Mine Rescue!
Posted July 19, 2011

Come and join us for the Ninth Anniversary of the Historic Quecreek Mine Rescue!
Saturday, July 23, 2011 beginning at 10am.
Special guest Keith Newlin from Flight 93 will be here to accept the retired flag in honor of the tenth anniverssary of 9/11 and UAL Flt. 93.
Morning refreshments available, there is no charge for this event. come help us "celebrate the miracle"

One Day, 8 states, 3 countries, 2 continents
Posted September 9, 2010

On Sept. 1st 2010 we hosted visitors from 8 states, PA. WV. MO. NY. WA. IL. NC. AZ., and three countries, Canada, (Ottawa), the USA, and England.
( that also means two continents, North America, and Europe.)
Wow! Thanks for stopping!
And if that is not enough, the "New Yorkers" were actually here to do a news story for NTB, a Japanese news agency!

Visitor Comments
Posted September 9, 2010

I was there a week or so after the rescue. I just returned for a visit (8 yr later) on Sat. and was amazed of the changes. A young college age girl gave us a tour and she was excellent. I just finished reading the book by the owner and it was very well written. It's so nice to see that you are keeping this piece of history alive. You are wonderful people ... thank you!
Garrett, Huntington,PA

Chile mine rescue
Posted August 25, 2010

We celebrate with the 33 families of the Chilean miners that they are all alive and pray for their rapid and safe return to their families.

Visitor Comments
Posted August 5, 2010

I will never forget the learning experience we had that day as we listened to your passionate recall of those tense days.
Ellie P.
Charolette, NC.

Visitor Comments
Posted August 5, 2010

Hi There!
Congratulations on your wonderful site.
J.V.
Witbank, AL

Ohio Comments
Posted July 28, 2014

On behalf of the Penn-Ohio Tour we want to thank you for your story telling on the rescue.We really appreciate you generous time and snacks.I for one did not want to see the site but after we arrived and listened to your tale i was so impressed with your emotional talk, we all had emotions running high. And for our crowd to be quiet for that length of time was as credit to you. Thanks for every thing.
Tom P.
Wintersville, Ohio

Visitor Comments
Posted August 5, 2010

Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed your book. Also, thank you for your kindness to us while we were there and for your testimony,
Vicky M.
Bentleyville, PA.

Comments
Posted August 5, 2010

On 7/2, we had the pleaure of visting your site. Our son Samuel was born on 7/28/02 and the Quecreek miracle always held a special place in our heart. Your family's welcoming attitude and introduction to Joseph Sbaffoni made the visit an amazing experience.

Thanks for giving us an oral history about the rescue and making so real!!!!

We will recommend your site to our friends and relatives.


Sidney O.
Philia. PA

Visitor Comments
Posted August 5, 2010

I am a native of Western Pennsylvania and recently visited the site. I am so impressed with the greater story of the miracle of the rescue and your dedication to honor the event.
Beth W.

Vista,Ca.
July 2010

Heinz History Center press release
Posted June 4, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bill Arnold
Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation
(814) 442-2359

Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation Becomes
An Affiliate of the Senator John Heinz History Center

May 3, 2010, Somerset, Pa. – The Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation in Somerset County is now an official affiliate of the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, the largest history museum in Pennsylvania and home of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum and the Library & Archives.

"We are very pleased to be part of the History Center and its network of organizations preserving the history of Pennsylvania," said Bill Arnold, Director Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation. "Our mission as a Foundation is to educate the public about our coal mining heritage and the 2002 Quecreek Mine Rescue is part of that heritage."

On July 24, 2002 miners broke through into an abandoned, water-filled mine flooding the Quecreek Mine in Somerset County with over 50 million gallons of water. Nine miners scrambled to safety, but nine were trapped in a pocket of air in the dark, cold, water-filled mine. They were rescued four days later through the combined efforts of state and federal mine rescue agencies and hundreds of workers and volunteers.

“The History Center is proud to join the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation in telling the stories of hard-working Pennsylvania miners that have helped to shape our region over the past 250 years,” said Andy Masich, president and CEO of the History Center. “The History Center’s affiliates program includes more than 125 regional historical societies and organizations dedicated to preserving local history. We are happy to have the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation on board as our newest affiliate.”
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Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation – Page 2

"As an affiliate we will have access to the librarians, curators and museum specialists at the Heinz History Center to help us better design and present the story of the Quecreek Rescue in our new Visitors' Center and how it fits in with our region's coal mining history," said Arnold. "It will also help promote visits to the rescue site by many types of groups who might normally not think to visit."

Now more than 10,000 people a year visit the rescue site looking to learn more about the "Quecreek Miracle." The site became part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Historical Marker Program in 2006.

The Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that relies on support from the public to educate the public about the rescue and to maintain and operate the mine rescue visitors' area.

Contact the Foundation by writing: 151 Haupt Road, Somerset, PA 15501, calling 814-445-4876 or by visiting www.9for9.org

About the Senator John Heinz History Center
The Senator John Heinz History Center is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in Pennsylvania. The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is a museum within a museum, comprehensively presenting the region’s remarkable sports story through hundreds of artifacts and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. The History Center and Sports Museum are located at 1212 Smallman Street in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, and are open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission includes both the History Center and Sports Museum: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors over 61, $5 for students with ID, $5 for children ages 4-17, and free to members and children under 3. More information is available at www.heinzhistorycenter.org.