Humanities Kansas has awarded a $10,146 grant to Salina Media Connection to produce a documentary about Minersville, a forgotten coal mining community that once thrived north of Concordia.
The documentary, "Minersville: The Town, the Mines, the People, the Legacy," will explore the history of what was once a bustling town of 500 residents spread across 320 acres. From 1869 through the 1920s, Minersville's lignite coal powered homes and businesses within a 75-mile radius. The town's 28 mines gradually closed as railroads brought higher-quality coal from the east, with the final mine shuttering in 1940.
"This project gives us a unique opportunity to bring the human experience of the past into present day," said Julie Mulvihill, Humanities Kansas Executive Director.
The film will feature local interviews, historical photos, artifacts, and a walking tour of the former mining site, which remains privately owned by descendants of the original homesteaders.
Salina Media Connection has formed Burning Prairie Production group to create the documentary in partnership with Wichita's Method Productions. The production team includes Greg Stephens as project director, archaeologist Debi Aaron, and former Bethany College instructor Tom Fleming.
Premieres are planned for spring 2025 in Concordia, Belleville and Salina. The project received additional funding from Cloud County Community Foundation, Republic County Community Foundation, and private donors.
