Kennedy Gold Mine

It takes a team to move a drill. Luckily the Kennedy Mine has a great group of volunteers.

The crew from the University of Nevada Alert wildfire project installed a fire camera in the wheel house of the Kennedy Mine headframe. Soon you will be able to access the camera online at www.alertwildfire.org . It is listed in the Tahoe region.

In just 18 days, on April 24th, the new tunnel will be open for tours. Book your tour (guided or self guided) on the website - www.kennedygoldmine.com. If you can’t make it on the 24th, no problem. The mine will be open every Saturday and Sunday until November

If you’ve always wondered what it would be like to be at the top of the headframe...looking down at the hoist and air compressor building foundations from 130’... This is what donations today on Giving Tuesday will help preserve. THANK YOU!

Have you ever wondered why the Kennedy Mine doesn't have underground tours? Since the mine closed in 1942 the shaft has been flooded. It is naturally occurring ground water. When the mine was in operation, skips were used to bail water out of the mine each night. It wasn't unusual to remove 60,000 gallons each day. Records in the Kennedy Mine Archives show the daily records. Today we pump water into a holding tank for irrigation. This keeps the lawns green for events and fire safety.

Mark your calendar ... Giving Tuesday will soon be here.

Great workday at the mine! Lots of volunteers-many projects....tunnel, shed, panning trough, gift shop inventory. A lot is happening. The Kennedy will have a lot of changes when it reopens! Thank you to all the great volunteers!!!

Mark your calendar for Giving Tuesday. Your support is especially important this year as Amador County’s historic sites remained closed during their peak season impacting their ability to continue preservation and restoration projects. Help preserve Amador County’s History. Plan to donate.

Last year the Kennedy Mine received TOT funds from the City of Jackson to recreate the tunnel in the Change House that was lost in the fire several years ago. A group of devoted volunteers have been working to create a new tunnel - making the best of the mine’s closure due to COVID-19. Progress is slow but steady, volunteers work Tuesdays and Thursday mornings. Interested in volunteering ? In addition to the tunnel, there are projects in the works. Stop in, email [email protected] or leave a message (209) 223-9542.

When the Kennedy Mine Foundztion was formed, the mission was to insure Sybil Arata’s wish to preserve the property for its historical significance, natural beauty and wildlife. Since the start of the year volunteers at the Kennedy Mine have cleaned up over 13 homeless camps on the Kennedy and Argonaut properties. While we are cognizant of the issues regarding the homeless, we are also critically aware of fire danger (thank you Jackson Fire for your quick response last year ...to a fire started in a camp) and the impact to the property with the detritus (over 15 tents, numerous sleeping bags, propane tanks, children’s toys, needles, and and abundance of clothing) left behind in camps. With over five trips to the landfill and several dumpster loads ( thank you Aces for your support) and hours of volunteer time to clean up the areas, we hope that those providing support to the homeless consider the impact of unmonitored donations. We have removed unopened food, unused clothing and over 20 abondoned tents. Perhaps there might be a better way to address their needs. See more

Even though the Kennedy Mine isn’t currently open for tours, the volunteers are working on several projects. The new storage shed now has 2 walls! Interested in helping? We will be completing the shed, working on the tunnel and redecking the head frame in the next few months. For more information contact us at [email protected].

The Kennedy Mine has suspended tours indefinitely due to COVID restrictions and concern for our volunteers. We will use the time to continue to work on preservation and restoration projects. Thank you for your support and understanding. We look forward to seeing you in the future.

Due to COVID 18 restrictions, the mine will be closed for tours until August 8-9 when it will be open for outdoor tours and gold panning from 10-3. The gift shop will also be open. We hope to see you then. We are sad to announce we will be remaining closed until further notice.

The Amador Sawmill and Mining Association Machine Shop trailer will be at the mine on Saturday. Stop in a see a mini-operating version of what would have been in the Kennedy Machine shop when the mine was in operation.

Stop by on the 4th to see the blacksmiths in action or visit our new stamp mill model in the Change House. The Kennedy will be open from 10-3 with guided and self guided tours.

Now open weekends for tours - stop in! We’re be open FRIDAY, Saturday, and Sunday THIS WEEKEND.

Come in for a tour, a picnic, or just the view.

We will be open weekends starting Saturday, June 6th! Social distancing will be in place( but we have lots of space). The voodoo lily is just finishing blooming, the new trail from the Mine Office to the parking lot is open, and the tunnel is beginning to take shape in the Change House. Come visit - self guided tours are free ($5/ family if you’d like to see the 1914 movie of the mine in operation) or take a guided tour 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm. Reservations are advised as spaces are limited. (Www.kennedygoldmine.com).

Thank you Native Sons!! We are excited to begin the Head Frame preservation project. Look for new decking, a viewing area for the shaft and more. It’s a BIG Project, so watch for the progress over the next year. Thank you Pat for all your work facilitating this.