Tonopah Historic Mining Park Foundation

The Tonopah Historic Mining Park Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of mining heritage in Nevada and surrounding areas.  In pursuit of this purpose, the Foundation maintains, preserves, expands and improves the entity known as the Tonopah Historic Mining Park and support all of its activities of preservation, exhibition, storage, maintenance, education and legislative endeavors pertaining to the goals of the Foundation and the Tonopah Historic Mining Park.

The Foundation has undertaken three major Headframe Restoration Projects.

The first phase is underway with the Mizpah Collar.  The strength and stability of the collar of the mine shaft has been a source of great concern in the recent past.  Professional Mining Engineers have examined the collar and determined that it is unstable, unsafe and needs to be reconstructed

The second phase will be the restoration of the Silver Headframe.  In operation from 1902 to 1948, the Silver Top Head Frame is  maintained in a state of arrested decay and features one of three complete hoisting works on the park property.  The restored mine collar allowed visitors to take a view down the lighted 1200 foot shaft. The failure of the front foundations have caused the front feet to drop and pull away from the rear feet.  A stress crack has developed in one of the rear foundation footings, the cage rails have been broken and several structural trusses have pulled loose and fallen.

The third and final stage of our Restoration Project is the Desert Queen. One of the major diagonal frame members is completely rotted-off at the footing.  Several structural trusses have pulled loose and fallen

The Foundation budget does not have funds allocated to accomplish this vast restoration. Your donation will help ensure the preservation of this iconic mining history. As time passes foundations crumble, superstructures need wood replacement, and steel needs repair.  Please help us restore and preserve these uniquely wonderful pieces of mining history for all to enjoy.  Your support is necessary for the success of these projects and is appreciated by those of us Foundation Board of Trustees, as well as, the thousands of visitors to the Park each year.  Thank you.