Miners’ Institute Foundation is a volunteer non-profit 501c3 organization operating and restoring historic Miners Theater.
The Miner’s Institute Building was built in 1918 by the local coal mining unions, as a labor temple. The keystone was laid by the Kirtch Architectural firm on October 12, 1917. Each miner donated 1% of his salary for one year to the construction of the building. Total construction costs were about $90,000, in comparison a three-bedroom home at the time was $3000-$4000. The building was utilized by the unions as a “home away from home”. Meetings, entertainment, dances, relaxation, and a place to bring their families, this was the place you came to be with your friends and co-workers. In fact, the Miner’s shut down one other theatre and an opera house in town, because other unions would only support the Miner’s.
We also provide service in Alton, Belleville, Edwardsville, Fairview Heights, Granite City, O'Fallon, and the surrounding communities.