Dolomite extracted from the mine was used to make Rosendale cement which was widely used in the 19th century, contributing to the base of the Statue of Liberty among other structures.

[6][7] Entrances to the Widow Jane Mine were created to be large enough to accommodate wagons and horses and for the transportation of waste rock and dolomite.

After the decline in demand for Rosendale cement, mines in the area were used to grow mushrooms for Campbell's Soup, for trout farming, and for storing corn.

[10] Widow Jane Mine has been likened to an underground pillared room,[11] and hosts frequent events in the summer taking advantage of the unique acoustics.

An event called "Rave in the Cave", held at Widow Jane Mine in 1996, was attended by at least 3000 people and caused severe traffic issues and a fire.

The city of Rosendale sued the Century House Historical Society and a judge limited the occupancy of the mine to 750 people.

[15] The Widow Jane Mine has been the site of a fencing tournament,[16] equinox rituals,[17] shadow puppetry,[18] art exhibitions,[19] Taiko drumming, "Halloween horror shows and role-playing vampire games".

[20] The 1997 album From the Caves of the Iron Mountain by Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta and Steve Gorn was recorded in the mine.

[23][24] The Century House Historical Society oversees the mine as well as 19 acres and the 1809 structure where Jacob Lowe Snyder once lived.