Dante Lives On ~ About Us

Dante Lives On, Inc.

Preserving, restoring, and promoting the heritage of Dante, Virginia

Dante residents created Dante Lives On, Inc, in October of 2003 to revitalize our community. Nestled in the mountains of southwest Virginia, Dante was once the headquarters of the Clinchfield Coal Corporation but has been in a long economic decline since the last coal mine shut down in 1959. Determined to see our community survive and move forward, our residents are preserving, restoring, and promoting their coal mining and railroading history. All activities are planned and supervised by the local volunteer Board of Directors, elected by the membership annually, and appointed committees.

We realized a major goal in 2007 by completing the ambitious project of renovating the old bank building thereby creating the Dante Coal Mining and Railroad Museum. Various fund raising events are held throughout the year, as well as special social occasions, such as the annual Dante Reunion, held the second Saturday of August. In good weather, local musicians entertain on our outdoor stage on Friday evenings, and every fall we stir off apple butter over an open fire and bottle up dozens of jars of the tasty jam.

Board and Community meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. monthly on the third Tuesday at the Museum. The Board meets at 6:00 p.m.

Our community partners include the Clean-Up Crew which brightens up downtown Dante, planting flowers, mowing, and keeping things neat; CRADD, a drug and alcohol education project; the Dante Fire Department; the Dante Rescue Squad; and several local churches. We are thankful for all these resources which make Dante a good place to live. It not for our neighbors and friends, Dante would be long forgotten.

Museum hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 11:00 am - 3:30 pm; Second and Fourth Saturdays 11:00 am - 3:30 pm.

If you would like to make a contribution to Dante Lives On, the museum or other projects

we are working on, we welcome them! Contributions are tax deductible to the extent of the law and are most appreciated! Call the museum at 276-495-1903 or send them to:

Dante Lives On

PO Box 336

Dante, VA 24237

Above: Right: Dante Reunion: Left: The new outdoor stage rises. Jim Holbrooks and Bob Hupman pull a post into place while Paul Cline checks for plumb.

Dante Lives On, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and is recognized by IRS as a 501(c)3 organization.

Who We Are

Board Officers:

Frances (Bobbie) Gullett, President

Thelma Bolling Cline, Vice President

Mary Ruth Sproles, Secretary

Beulah Worley, Treasurer

Board Members:

Lillie Mabry

Elsie Cook Keith

Velma House

Norma Addington

Shirley Sproles

CPA: Kathy Smith

The Board meets on the second Tuesday at 5:15 at the old Clinchfield office building. The annual Dante Lives On membership meeting and election is held annually. Membership costs $5.00 each year for the first person in a household, and $1.00 for each additional member. The DLO community meeting is held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 in the old Clinchfield office building. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Jack Wallace, a Dante resident and retired coal miner, maintains the Dante Friends email list of several hundred people. Jack sends out current news, such as events, obituaries, and other items of interest. If you would like to join this list, please email Jack at the address below. Replace the AT with @.

Jack Wallace

Dante Lives On, Inc.
PO Box 336
Dante, VA 24237

276-495-1903 voice/museum
276-495-1904 fax
276-495-1785 after hours only

Jack Wallace: danteliveson AT gmail.com

Dante Lives On, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and is recognized by IRS as a 501(c)3 organization.

Links of Local Interest

The Russell County Library has a comprehensive local history collection: http://www.russell.lib.va.us/

Clinch Mountain Press - Publishing books of oral history, memoirs, and vintage pictures from Southwest Virginia : www.clinchmountainpress.net

Dickenson County Online Information ~ Government, business, and local attractions plus regional links : http://dickenson411.com/

Dickenson County, Virginia ~ Showcases many Dickenson County attractions and family history information: http://www.dickensoncounty.net/

Ralph Stanley Museum in Clintwood ~ http://www.ralphstanleymuseum

DANTE LIVES ON, INC.