For Educators
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES
NOTE: Scheduled groups are limited to 60 participants. For school groups or summer camps, this includes children, teachers, chaperones and bus drivers. If your group has more than 60 people, it must be split between several days. Reed Gold Mine cannot accept scheduled groups on Saturdays at this time.
Visitor Center / Orientation Film
The visitor center has several exhibits covering the history of North Carolina mining including actual gold nuggets, mining machinery and gold related artifacts. The 9-minute orientation film, Carolina Gold, is shown for all groups throughout the day.
Guided Tour
NOTE: Guided tours are offered per staff availability. 45-minute guided tour of Little Meadow Creek and the underground mine. Tour tickets for the underground mine are $2.00 for visitors 13 and older, $1.00 for visitors aged 5-12, and visitors under 5 will be free. Any adult or sibling that is part of the group and wishes to tour the underground mine must purchase tour tickets for themselves inside the Visitor Center.
Upper Hill Workings
After exiting the mine, groups can continue to the top of Upper Hill to see the headframe above Morgan Shaft, Engine Shaft and the foundation and chimney of the Mill House.
Stamp Mill
The 1898 10-Stamp Mill is operated daily between April 1 and October 31, pending mechanical issues. This mill, from the Coggins Mine in Montgomery County, is like the original Reed mill, since both were made by the Mecklenburg Iron Works in Charlotte. Stamp mills crushed the quartz and mixed with water before trapping the gold along the copper plates or in the con concentrating table ridges.
Gold Panning
Child groups 8 years old or older and adult groups can try their luck finding gold in the panning area beside Little Meadow Creek. Panning is available Tuesdays through Fridays only between April 1 and October 31, weather permitting. Panning tickets are $2 per pan per person, plus tax if applicable. Panning demonstrations are available for groups with children up to 7 years old or adult groups unable to pan, pending staff availability. Cost is $5.00 for groups up to 30 people.
A maximum of 60 visitors in a group may pan at the same time. Scheduled groups will be put in the next available panning session by staff. Sessions are determined by the arrival time of groups.
NOTE - Panning will not be available during periods of moderate to heavy rain or if thunder and lightning are detected. If thunder is detected, panning will close for 30 minutes and then reassessed for opening. Panning may remain open during periods of light rain, pending staff approval. Panning will close whenever the heat index reaches above 105 degrees for the safety of staff and visitors.
Picnic Area
A picnic area is available on a first come, first served basis for groups wanting to eat lunch or snacks while on site.
Gift Shop
The site offers a small gift shop for groups wanting to purchase souvenirs of their visit. For larger groups, a limit of 10 people at a time will be instituted due to space limitations. Prices range from 50 cents to $20.00 for most items. Along with cash, VISA, MASTERCARD and DISCOVER are accepted for payment.
The expected time for groups to visit Reed Gold Mine range from 2 to 3 hours, depending on activities chosen during their experience.
OFF-SITE PROGRAMS / ACTIVITIES
Panning Demonstrations
Reed staff can set up a portable panning demonstration showing how miners worked the dirt to sift out the gold. Demonstrations can be held indoors or outdoors, just need a close water supply. These demonstrations must be reserved at least two (2) weeks of the activity date. Panning Demonstrations are $5.00 for groups of 30 people.
Panning Activity
Reed staff can set up portable panning troughs to allow children 8 and older or adults to pan for gold. Site staff will help panners providing instructions for those who have never participated in this activity. Due to site guidelines, this activity charges $2 per person or a flat fee can be determined based on expected number of participants. This activity must be reserved at least two (2) weeks of the scheduled date. A deposit may be required depending on the size of the event.
School / Civic Group Presentation
Reed staff, pending availability, can visit civic group meetings or schools for gold mining presentations. These can be given to individual classes or multiple ones in an auditorium. Reed does not charge a fee for these presentations which last 30-45 minutes and can include mining related items for display.