The Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation today marked the construction of a new visitors center to help celebrate the sixth anniversary of the rescue of nine miners in Somerset County.

About 75 people attended the 30-minute ceremony. It was billed as an official groundbreaking even though the building overlooking the rescue site is partially completed, said Dorcas Arnold, whose son, Bill Arnold, is the foundation's president.

The Arnold family farm was the site of the rescue effort. Among those who attended the ceremony, Mrs. Arnold said, was Dennis Hall, one of the rescued miners.

The miners were trapped in the Quecreek Mine on July 24, 2002. Their rescue four days later drew international attention.

The new, 2,400-square-foot center will include educational displays and parts of the old Sipesville Fire Hall, where mine families waited for news during the rescue. The building was torn down to make way for a new fire hall.

About half of the $200,000 needed to finish the new center has been raised, Ms. Arnold said.

More than 10,000 people visit the rescue site every year, her son said in a statement.

"The new visitors center will help us tell the story of the Quecreek miracle," he said.