Dante, Virginia is a former Clinchfield company town in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia. Mining began in the area at the beginning of the 20'th century, and what had been the remote Appalachian settlement of Turkeyfoot became Dante: the headquarters of one of the world's largest energy companies and a rapidly expanding hub for mining and railroading in the Southeastern United States with the peak population exceeding 4,000. Characterized by the boom and bust cycles that defined most coal towns in Appalachia, by the 1980s most of the mines were closed, and Dante had been parceled out, almost all of the property sold or demolished. Today, the town is faced with outmigration, economic recession, and a dwindling number of residents.

In 2003, residents of Dante formed Dante Lives On, a 501(c)3 corporation, in order to acquire the town's former bank (constructed in 1913) and renovate it for use as the Dante Coal and Railroad Museum. With the help of several hundred volunteer hours and the contributions of area residents to the displays, the museum is now home to thousands of artifacts and photographs that highlight the historical legacy of the town. Exhibits are based in part by an extensive oral history of Dante, which was recorded as a part of the Memories from Dante project by a member of the organization and reflect the lived experiences of residents, many who have since passed away.

In addition to the museum, the organization's membership has initiated several other projects focused on the heritage and economic vitality of the community, including:

• Founding the annual Dante Reunion Festival that brings former residents and their families back to the town.
• Continuing the tradition of the Dante Apple Butter Stir-Off to promote traditional cuisine and teach new generations how Dante Apple Butter is prepared.
• Building and maintaining the Dante Coal Miners' Memorial in a partnership with Russell County to commemorate miners who have passed away, with special designation for those who died in the mines.
• Building an outdoor stage in the center of town to host weekly
  musical performances by local artists.
• Partnering with the Russell County Chamber of Commerce to host an open-air market for local produce and crafts.
• Serving on the Southwest Virginia Coal Heritage Trail planning committee to seek state and federal designation for a highway trail which passes through Dante and highlights the cultural
  heritage of the Virginia coalfields.
   

Privacy Policy
 Web Design, graphics and maintenance by Michelle Potter.
 Graphics, including banners and buttons, are not to be used, copied, or reproduced in any manner, without written permission.
 This site best viewed with Mozilla Firefox