Photo: Thaynes 2023 Damage – Exterior Entrance to Shaft Room – Major Subsidance and Tilting – Try to Save

PARK CITY, Utah — For the Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History, the summer season means the beginning of a short window of opportunity to stabilize and restore at-risk mining structures that are integral to Park City’s history.

To fund their work, the committee of the Park City Museum will host its third annual “Music For The Mines”, a cocktail fundraiser featuring local piano legend Rich Wyman on Wednesday, July 1, at the Pendry Hotel in Park City.

Guests at the fundraiser will bid to hear requested songs, trying to outbid their neighbors to ensure their preferred tunes take center stage on the Killer Keys dueling pianos. Wyman will be joined by pianist Eddie Thompson to perform head-to-head.

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Proceeds from the bids will fund the stabilization of the historic Thaynes Mining complex at Park City Mountain, according to the committee.

Situated south of today’s Thaynes chairlift loading station, the Thaynes mine shaft was constructed in 1937. When the price of silver plummeted and the mine closed, owners got creative as they opened the Treasure Hill ski area and utilized the shaft as a “Skier Subway.”

After the record-breaking winter of 2022-23, heavy snows damaged many of the buildings in complex. The Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History have been working in recent years to restore the buildings.

“We like to say this event puts the fun in fundraising for restoring the Thaynes mine complex at Park City Mountain, a key project in our 2026-27 mission,” said Donald Roll, co-chairman of the committee.

Event tickets also include free valet parking, one complimentary lawn ticket for Concerts On The Slopes, a carabiner mug commemorating the event, and a tee shirt printed with an illustrated map of the Park City Historic Mine Route, a new storytelling 7-mile hike that links historic silver mining structures.