A ceremony marking the start of construction will be held July 26 beginning at 9am local time. At completion, the 2,400-square-foot building will overlook the rescue site and feature educational displays.

"With more than 10,000 visitors every year to the rescue site, we were just getting overwhelmed. The new visitors' center will help us tell the story of the Quecreek miracle," said Foundation president Bill Arnold

"This is a working farm and we used our own storage building to display the rescue capsule, drill bit and other equipment used in the rescue."

Arnold also said that the center will feature salvaged parts of the Sipesville Fire Hall, which became famous as the family gathering place where loved ones and friends waited for rescue news. A new fire hall has since been constructed.

"Incorporating parts of the old Sipesville Fire Hall we thought was important to help preserve the history of the mine rescue and to recognise the important role the fire company played," said Arnold, who noted the floors and doors were just a few things used.

"It's also another way to remember the lows and highs the families experienced during the rescue," he said, adding that about half of the total money the group needs to complete construction - $US200,000 - has been raised to date.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission officially recognised the site as part of the state Historical Marker Program in 2006.