Cooper’s Gem Mine is a fun and educational tourist attraction & educational center located in historical Blountville, TN. Miners whom come to our facility are able to sluice authentic mine ore straight out of the Appalachian Mountains, from the tip of Florida to upstate New York in our over 300 feet onsite flumes. With great pride and joy we are ADA complaint; in addition we also offer covered seating or outside standing areas for all our miners, the best part is you get to choose. When you find it, you keep it!
Historical Timeline
· August 1985- John & Barbara Lawson open “The Rustic Shop” selling local homemade crafts.
· June 1991- Amy & Johnny Cooper get married in July, go on honeymoon where Amy falls in love with gem mining.
· September 1991- Johnny worked with Barbara to draw up the plans for what would become “Cooper’s Gem Mine”.
· June 1992- Cooper’s Gem Mine opens and has first guest Mr. & Mrs. Warfield.
· July 1992- Amy & Johnny Anniversary. First large field trip to Cooper’s Gem Mine where Amy was not able to be there, due to giving birth to first son Jonathan Cooper.
· July 1992 through July 2000- Cooper’s Gem Mine offers a cool volcano experience. The experience was kids got a hand poured, hand painted volcano that they are able to take home. The volcano had baking soda prefilled in it and the kids go to pour white vinegar into it creating a simulated eruption; as if it was mimicking the real thing.
· July 2001- Major expansion for Cooper’s Gem Mine, as John and Barbara Lawson officially retire from The Rustic Shop and turn the business entirely over to Amy. This year Cooper’s Gem Mine added enough working flumes to accommodate more guest, in addition to becoming more ADA friendly. This expansion equaled to over 300 feet of flumes.
· May 2003- First portable gem mine was built- adding a service where we could bring it to our guest, thus enhancing our guest offerings and experiences.
· June 2003- Triple J’s Snow Shack was established. It was operational in Blountville, TN for over a year and was also at Speed Way in Lights in Bristol, TN for the Christmas season which benefited both the business and helped support local children’s charities. Triple J’s offered a variety of unique foods like chocolate dipped cheesecake, Fudge Puppies, Smores on a stick, Snow Cones and Popcorn both regular and caramel in the ball shape.
· 2004- Cooper’s Gem Mine added a Blacksmith shop where all kinds of things were made and educational opportunities therefore expanding the Cooper Enterprise brand.
· May 2006- Kids sand buckets were introduced; where kids could find shells and trinkets. The idea came from a visit to the beach with the family; expanding the inclusivity of Cooper’s Gem Mine and its primary umbrella company Cooper Enterprises.
· May 2008- The second portable gem mine was built this one added over 30 feet of working space both on the ground and on a trailer; making us even more compliant with the ADA.
· June 2010- John Lawson builds the first edition of the barrel train which him and Amy had seen on another family trip. This edition of the barrel train was handcrafted by John including the iron work in which he hand-forged in his own blacksmith shop.
· June 2015-New website created www.coopersgemmine.education to offer educators and others more learning opportunities.
· May 2016- Jonathan partnered with local archaeologist S.D (David) Dean to create a Fossil, Arrowhead and combination bucket. This was a huge hit making the brand even more family inclusive by offering more options.
· May 2017- Cooper’s Gem Mine celebrates 25th anniversary. Throws birthday bash and has giveaways.
· June 2026- Cooper’s Gem Mines parent company Cooper Enterprises converts to Cooper Enterprises: Education, Entertainment & Foods LLC adding more offerings and services.
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