Join the Mineral King Preservation Society for a presentation and celebratory refreshments at the Three Rivers Historical Museum as we unveil a new exhibit featuring a mining artifact that tells the story of an exciting period in our local and regional history!

On Saturday, June 17th,  at 10:00am, historical archaeologist Laile Di Silvestro will present “Thieving & Swindling: The History & Mystery of the New England Tunnel & Smelter Company.” Mark Twain purportedly said that a mine is nothing but a hole in the ground with a liar on top. As industrialization made its way into the agricultural frontier in the 1870s, that liar was often a corporation. Was Mineral King’s New England Tunnel & Smelting Company different? Or did it deserve to be nicknamed the New England Thieving and Swindling Company? Join us in a rousing history mystery as we explore the story of the corporation and its impact on the nation. 

Then, at 11:00am, join us for celebratory refreshments and the big unveil! We will introduce you to our new New England Tunnel & Smelting Company exhibit, where you will be able to explore the mystery further and come to your own conclusion.

This project is the result of a collaboration between the Mineral King Preservation Society, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the National Park Service Western Archaeological & Conservation Center, and the Three Rivers Historical Society. This project has been funded in part by a grant from the California Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Additional funding was provided by the Society for Industrial Archeology, the National Park Service, and the Tulare County Historical Society.