Mine History, Miners' Equipment and the Cultural Dimension of the Miners' Feast – Barbórka

The narrative of one of the main and most important permanent exhibitions at Stara Kopalnia focuses on the working day of the miner, as well as the historical and cultural sphere associated with the operation of mines in Wałbrzych.

In the former lamp room, elements of miners' equipment are presented, from identification tags and escape apparatus that ensure safety to miners' lamps. The exhibition also includes miners' maps, a rich photographic record documenting past events, mine banners, and original miners' uniforms with decorations. The Miners' Day celebrations are illustrated by invitations, commemorative tankards from beer taverns, and stocks (dyby).

The exhibition also includes objects illustrating the dangers of working underground, e.g. a wooden prop

with a shovel stuck in it, evidence of the striking force of a methane explosion in the „Bolesław” shaft at KWK „Nowa Ruda” on 1 September 1958, or authentic equipment of a German mine rescuer who took part in the rescue operation after the largest pre-war mining disaster in Wałbrzych at the „Szybach Siostrzanych” (Sister Shafts) on 29 July 1929.

The lamp room also houses a model of the historic Lisia Sztolnia, reflecting its elements in great detail, and the museum's oldest material historical souvenirs of former mines, namely boundary stones.