Proposed Coal Mining Museum: Museum site doubt expressed (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: real estate, violent crime)

[Riverside4ever]

Originally Posted by varmintblaster

Just what WB needs - another bar.

The pols hung around Patties Sports Bar, made their bets and back door deals, until someone Ratted them out and their sky fell.

They have a new hangout in Plains Township now - right down the road to their #1 PimpCash Cow - the Mohegan Sun Casino.

Ahhh Figures , Go where the money Is ..

The only thing I know about WB is where my custom made snare was made by a friend of mine ..

Breaker Boy Drums and Percussion - A Custom Drum Company

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by varmintblaster

Why do you think Eckley needs a makeover?

The visitor center is a modern building with plenty of parking.
The patch town is a living history museum, people actually live in the houses circa 1920's style - at least when the tourists are around.



I think it would be a great idea if the promoters of such projects were required to provide a 5 year business plan for public review - to show how much teat will be chomped.

As someone else mentioned, there is not enough $ to go around for basic services, and folks support dumping $ on pipe-dreams (other people's $).

p.s. - I notice the govt $ available was from gambling.. Perhaps the county should revert those funds back to taxpayers (e.g. - senior citizens on fixed incomes) - ala the original snake oil sales line used to garner support for the casinos.

After taxpayer rebates, the county should hold the line on spending.
Lead by example in these trying economic times.

What a Concept !!!

I guess your Mayor is too busy sniffing out possible back-door real-estate deals connected to this project and does not have time for proper business sense!!

I think Eckley needs to open up the miners' homes so people can tour them. What's the use of having a bunch of old, worn houses rotting into the ground? That doesn't teach history.

I never said I supported using tax payer money for such projects so you can save the speech.

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by Riverside4ever

I bet there are LOTS of upgrades to that old bank to bring it to current code . prob asbestos in it also ..

That would make a nice bar/rest Call it The Vault , and have a raw bar or sushi in the safe

Its a good looking building . Maybe it really has NOT been empty. Maybe all the pols in the county use that place to hold their secret meetings , and figure out how they can put more money in their pockets

The downtown does *not* need more bars or restaurants right now.

[Riverside4ever]

So would be taking my kids on the Eckley miners tour wort it or is it a waste of $$$$?

We were just talking about taking them there soon

[Riverside4ever]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

The downtown does *not* need more bars or restaurants right now.

I understand .. Seems like there are lots of bars in every town , Its a Cash cow ..

In Honesdale and Hawley there are a few bars that open at 7 am and there are people in there drinking at that hr ..


Not the working class type of people either .

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by Riverside4ever

So would be taking my kids on the Eckley miners tour wort it or is it a waste of $$$$?

We were just talking about taking them there soon

Don't get me wrong. It is a neat place to see. I just think it could be so much more than what it is right now.

It's a cheap day out, so yes, I think it's worth it.

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by Riverside4ever

I understand .. Seems like there are lots of bars in every town , Its a Cash cow ..

In Honesdale and Hawley there are a few bars that open at 7 am and there are people in there drinking at that hr ..


Not the working class type of people either .

We have a few of those bars in WB unfortunately. Nothing but trouble.

[varmintblaster]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

I think Eckley needs to open up the miners' homes so people can tour them. What's the use of having a bunch of old, worn houses rotting into the ground? That doesn't teach history.

I never said I supported using tax payer money for such projects so you can save the speech.

The State Tourism bureau has a deal with the residents of Eckley.

They dress up & play coalminer during the warmer tourist months- all activities are performed on the porches and yards of the houses.

They are free to decorate the inside as they wish, and possess modern day appliances.

I'm not sure how many applications you will get for free-rent living actors if they need to use outhouses and oil lamps and give up the boob tube.

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by varmintblaster

The State Tourism bureau has a deal with the residents of Eckley.

They dress up & play coalminer during the warmer tourist months- all activities are performed on the porches and yards of the houses.

They are free to decorate the inside as they wish, and possess modern day appliances.

I'm not sure how many applications you will get for free-rent living actors if they need to use outhouses and oil lamps and give up the boob tube.

I understand perfectly what happens at Eckley Miner's Village. I happen to disagree with how the state runs it.

There are many, many dilapidated, disused miners' homes in the complex to which I was referring.

[Clark Park]

I personally am fascinated by the history of the anthracite coal miners of eastern Pennsylvania. I would gladly travel from Philly to Wilkes-Barre to see such a museum. However I wonder how many people share my interest? Not too many, I'll wager. I am also dying to stay at the Stegmeier Mansion Bed & Breakfast.

For the last time (I had to point this out in another thread) if you want to see the insides of the miner's homes in Eckley Miner's Village you must go on those weekends during the warmer months when they are open and there are costumed interpreters describing life in a 19th century coal "patch town." Yes they do open several of the houses, which are restored and furnished to illustrate the type of living quarters a laborer or slate-picker would have; a recently arrived immigrant miner; an established skilled miner; the doctor's office; the company store; the mine owner's mansion; the Catholic and Protestant churches, etc.