Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial, Whitesville, WV
The Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial was designed as a way to honor the memory of 29 miners who died in the April 5, 2010 disaster. The centerpiece of the memorial is a 48-foot long, 8-foot high, granite monument cut to reflect the mountains of West Virginia and etched with silhouettes to represent the lost miners. The back of the monument is etched with the miner tributes and the history of mining in West Virginia. Other smaller tributes and memorials are located within the memorial park. The memorial was designed to be very visible from the highway and yet also provides intimate spaces for quiet contemplation and opportunities for learning about West Virginia's coal heritage.