Gift Shop

History

The building currently occupied by the museum gift shop was the rectory for the Church of the Immaculate Conception next door to it. Both buildings were constructed in 1861, and the rectory housed the Catholic priest of the village from that year until 1902, when the church was demoted to a mission church and regular masses were transferred to St. Ann’s Church in nearby Freeland. At that time, Eckley’s rectory became a private residence.

Today the Immaculate Conception Church rectory serves a different purpose in the operation of the village as a living history museum– the Eckley Miners’ Village museum store. A visit to the village is not complete until a visitor takes a look around at the little treasures and souvenirs that the gift shop has to offer. There is something for everyone, including t-shirts, books, photos, movies, mugs, jewelry, and so much more.