Anthracite Mining Heritage Month
Songs and Stories of Coal Country
Robert Wolensky is a historian and sociologist with a special interest in our region’s coal mining heritage. He joins singer-songwriters Tom Flannery and Jay Smar for “Songs and Stories of Coal Country." It’s part concert, part discussion.
Robert Wolensky, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Adjunct Professor at King's College & founder and coordinator of Anthracite Heritage Mining Month, speaking about the events to be held in January 2025 in the region, running from January 8 through February 1. For information: www.ahfdn.org/ or www.wvia.org/mining
Dr. Darlene Miller-Lanning, Director of the Hope Horn Gallery and member of the faculty of the Art & Music program at the University of Scranton, speaking with WVIA's Mindy Cronk about celebrated artist Franz Kline who was inducted into the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame on November 8, 2024. For more information: www.facebook.com/LCAEHOF
Bob McCormick, Artist & Author, and Mark Peterson, Executive Director of the Hazleton Art League, speaking about the exhibition of McCormick's work titled, "Reclamation: From Coal Dust to Hope," which will open at the HAL Gallery on December 6, 2024 and run through January 19, 2025. There will be an opening reception on December 6th from 5:00 to 8:00 and a Coffee Talk on December 8th from 1:00 to 3:00. There is a companion book of the same title that will be available as well. The HAL Gallery is in the Hayden Family Center for the Arts at 31 West Broad Street in Hazleton, and for more information: www.hazletonartleague.org/
Lex Romane, Singer-Songwriter, speaking about his life in music and his new album, "All Over the Map," in anticipation of his induction into the Luzerne County Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame on Friday, November 8, 2024. The ceremony will be held at the FM Kirby Center on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre at 6:00, with an opening reception at 5:00. For more information: www.kirbycenter.org and www.lexromane.us/
Dr. Bode Morin, Site Administrator of the PA Anthracite Heritage Museum, the Scranton Iron Furnaces & Eckley Miners Village, and
Anthracite Photographer Scott Herring, speaking about Herring's 288,000 images of the anthracite region & its history and culture, and the current exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of his documentary project, "The Hardcoal Chronicles," at the PA Anthracite Heritage Museum, McDade Park in Scranton now through January 2026. www.anthracitemusuem.org/ www.hardcoalchronicles.com/
Michael L. Sena, internationally-known expert in telematics, digital map databases, location-based services and navigation, and a native of Scranton, who now lives and works in Sweden, speaking about his family life in Scranton and his novel, "The Coal Men".
www.michaellsena.com/
This is the first of a two-part series.
Michael L. Sena, native of Scranton & internationally-known expert in telematics, digital map databases, location-based services & navigation, speaking about his recent novel, "The Coal Men" set in the Anthracite Coal region with 6 men trapped in a mine "squeeze."
For more information: www.michaellsena.com./
Richard Stanislaus, Guest Curator & Art Collector, and Dr. Darlene Miller-Lanning, Director of the Hope Horn Gallery at the University of Scranton, speaking about the exhibition, "John Willard Raught: Beauty Lies Close at Home,"
Photographer Niko Kallianiotis, Co-Founder of the Rust Belt Biennial, speaking about his recently published collection of photographs, "America in a Trance" issued by Damiani.
Robert Wolensky, Prof. Emeritus at the Univ. of Wisconsin/Stevens Point; Richard Healey of the University of Portsmouth, England, and William Jones, Prof. Emeritus at the Univ. of Cardiff, Wales, speaking about the Avondale Mine Disaster of 1869 on the occasion of a conference to mark the 150th Anniversary of the tragedy in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Photographer Yoav Friedlander, Co-founder of the Rust Belt Biennial, and Heather Sincavage, Director of the Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University,
Schedule of Events
Contact: Prof. Bob Wolensky, Anthracite Heritage Foundation & King’s College
Contact Phone: 715-252-6742; email: rwolensk@gmail.com
A regional observance of Anthracite Mining Heritage Month will take place during January 2025. A variety of programs will be featured in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Plymouth, Pittston, Ashley, Hazleton, Hazle Township, Bethlehem, and Pottsville. The annual event focuses on the history and culture of the anthracite region of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The programs are sponsored by the Anthracite Heritage Foundation, Anthracite Heritage Museum, King’s College, Lackawanna Historical Society, Luzerne County Historical Society, WVIA-Public Broadcasting, McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, Eckley Miners Village, Plymouth Historical Society, Greater Pittston Historical Society, Earth Conservancy Inc., Wilkes-Barre Preservation Society, No. 9 Mine Tour and Museum, The Underground Miners, Everhart Museum, National Museum of Industrial History, Anthracite Chapter-Society of Mining Engineers, Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR), Lehigh Engineering, Alvernia University, Baloga Funeral Home, Susquehanna Brewing Company, The Avondale Mine Disaster Memorial Committee, and The Knox Mine Disaster Memorial Committee.
The public is cordially invited to attend the events free of charge, except where indicated.
Throughout January 2025, WVIA-FM—Public Radio in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania—will offer anthracite region-related programming at the WVIA website, wvia.org/mining, which will include episodes from Erika Funke’s ARTScene.
Jan. 9 Eckley Miners Village (PHMC), Public Program: Artist Bob McCormick Reclamation: From Coal Dust to Hope; Moderator: Bode Morin, PHMC; Speaker: Robert McCormick, artist; Time: 7 – 8:30 pm; Venue: Zoom—sign up and links at https://eckleyminersvillage.com/event/art-of-bob-mccormick/.
Jan. 10 EPCAMR and Earth Conservancy, Public Program: Digging into Our Anthracite Mining History: Famous People, Historic Preservation, and Abandoned Mines; Moderator: Bobby Hughes, EPCAMR, Update on EPCAMR and Earth Conservancy Projects; Speakers: Chris Murley, Underground Miners, The Process of Opening the Brooks Mine in Scranton; Ed Philbin, Industrial Archives & Library, Dan Flood’s Direction on the Use of Anthracite Coal for U.S Military Bases during the War; Don Kane Jr. and Bill Landmesser, Huber Breaker Preservation Society, Plans for the Wanamie Lokie No. 9, the Multi-Media Center/Museum, and the No. 5 Slope Opening and Huber Breaker History; Mike Korb, Anthracite Chapter-Society of Mining Engineers, The Carnegie Hero Medal Awardees from the Anthracite Region; Venue: Earth Conservancy (101 S. Main Street, Ashley, PA); Time: 6 - 8:30 pm; Refreshments.
Jan. 12 Greater Pittston Historical Society, Public Program: Historical Places, Historical Markers; Moderator: Julio Caprari, GPHS; Speakers: Lucia Dailey, The Strike of 1877 Historical Marker (Scranton); Bill Best, Anthracite Preservationist—The Huber Breaker Memorial Park (Ashley); Thomas Mackaman, King’s College and Anthracite Heritage Foundation, The Baltimore Tunnel Mine Disaster (1919) Marker, Wilkes-Barre Township; Vinnie Rotondaro, Historical Researcher, The Need for an Historical Marker for the Murdered (in 1920) Pittston Police Detective Samuel Lucchino; Venue: St. Joseph Morello Hall (237 William St., Pittston); Time: 6:00 – 7:30 pm; Refreshments.
Jan. 15 Wilkes-Barre Preservation Society, Public Program: A Guided Tour of the Luzerne County Court House; Guide: Tony Brooks, Member, WBPS; Meet: Court House Lobby; Time: 12 noon – 1 pm.
Jan. 15 Eckley Miners Village (PHMC), Public Program: Discovery Discourse Virtual Lectures—Foodways of the Past (focusing on the ways in which food has been the catalyst for everything from community building in anthracite to wartime propaganda); Moderator: Nicole Negron, PHMC; Speaker: Justin Nordstrom, Penn State–Hazleton; Venue: Virtual; Time: 1 – 2 pm. Login:
http://eckleyminersvillage.com/event/discovery-discourse-virtual-lectures-foodways-of-the-past/
Jan. 16 Penn-Anthracite Society of Mining Engineers, Public Program: Moderator: John Ackerman, Penn-Anthracite SME; Speaker: David Williams, Mining Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor; The Battle of the Crater and the 48th Pennsylvania, July 30, 1864; Venue: Hazle Township Building (101 W. 27th St., Hazle Township, PA); Time: 6 – 7:30 pm; Refreshments.
Jan. 17 A Reception and Discussion for the “The Knox Mine Disaster” Documentary Exhibit; With Filmmaker Dave Brocca; Mineworker Chris Murley, The Underground Miners; and Researcher Bob Wolensky, King’s College; Venue: Everhart Museum (1901 Mulberry St, Scranton, PA); Music: Lex Romaine; Time: 6 – 7:30 pm; Entry Fee to the Museum required; Cash Bar and Refreshments available.
Jan. 18 Anthracite Heritage Museum, Informational Program: An Industrial History Tour to the United Kingdom, May 12 – May 20, 2025; Sponsored by the Anthracite Heritage Museum; A discussion of the itinerary, lodgings, guided tours, and costs will be presented including the Itinerary in Scotland, the Itinerary in England; and the Itinerary in Wales; Tour Leaders: Bode Morin, Beth Landmesser, and Bob Wolensky, who will be accompanied on the trip by UK Blue Badge Guides; Venue: AHM; Time: 12:30 – 1:45 pm; Refreshments. (View the tour at https://www.anthracitemuseum.org/united-kingdom-industrial-heritage-tour-2024/)
Jan. 18 Anthracite Heritage Museum, Public Program: The Annual Knox Mine Disaster Commemoration—The Importance and Bright Future of Mining: An Overview and Exhibit; Moderator: Bode Morin, Administrator, AHM; Speaker: John Voight, Section Delegate, Penn-Anthracite Section SME; Bryan Glahn, Teacher, Northwest Area High School, Comment on the Knox Mine Disaster; Music: Don Shappelle and Don Sennett; Mining Artifacts Exhibit: Mike and Linda Mostardi, Wayne, PA; Venue: AHM (22 Bald Mountain Road, Scranton, Scranton, PA); Time: 2 – 3:30 pm; Refreshments; Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86319215430?pwd=r3biRhxqXqJode5XH0k3578FSdefGr.1
Jan. 19 Knox Mine Disaster Memorial Mass: Venue: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (36 William St., Pittston, PA); Time: 9 am.
Jan. 19 Knox Mine Disaster Historical Markers Commemoration: Venue: Baloga Funeral Home (1201 Main St., Pittston), Pittston; Time: 10:15 am.
Jan. 19 Annual Walk to the Knox Mine Disaster break-in Site at the Susquehanna River (weather permitting); Venue: Meet at Baloga Funeral Home at 10:45 am; Walk Leaders: Bill Best and Bill Landmesser.
Jan. 19 An Afternoon of Anthracite Region Music; Performers: Don Shappelle and the Pickups, Coal Mining Songs; Doug Smith, Jimmy Waitlich, Tom Hamilton, and R. J. Kennedy Band, Contemporary and Jazz; John Stanky & The Coal Miners, Polkas, Waltzes, and Traditional; Venue: Susquehanna Brewing Company (635 S. Main St., Pittston, PA); Time: 4 — 6 pm; Refreshments available.
Jan. 20 Plymouth Historical Society, Public Program; Speakers: Joe Slusser, PHS, The Tools that Kept the Miners Working: The Howell Mine Drilling Company; and David Youells, Mining Lamps in Anthracite; Venue: First Welsh Baptist Church (163 Girard Ave and Shawnee Ave., Plymouth PA); Time: 6:30 pm; Refreshments.
Jan. 22 Anthracite Heritage Museum, Public Program: Six Anthracite Region Personalities. Moderator: John Fielding, AHM; Speakers: Lucia Dailey, William W. Scranton: A Man of His Times; Anne Flaherty, Who Was John Kehoe?; Sarah Piccini, Msgr. John Curran, The Labor Priest; Maureen McGuigen—Min Matheson, Ladies Garment Union Leader; William Conlogue, Thomas Meredith: Early Mining in the Lackawanna Valley; Bob Wolensky, Mary Harris ‘Mother Jones,’ Labor Organizer; Venue: Anthracite Heritage Museum (22 Bald Mountain Road, Scranton, Scranton, PA); Time: 6:30 – 8 pm; Refreshments.
Jan. 23 King’s College and the Anthracite Heritage Foundation, Public Program: The Annual Msgr. John J. Curran Lecture; Speaker: Anne Flaherty, The Kehoe Foundation, St. Leonard, MD; John Kehoe: “Molly Maguire” or Hibernian Pacifist?; Moderator: Thomas Mackaman, King’s College; Venue: Burke Auditorium, King’s College (133 N. River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA); Time: 7 – 8:30 pm; Refreshments.
Jan. 23 Anthracite Heritage Foundation, Book Award for 2025; Presenter: Bob Wolensky, King's College; Recipient: Anne Flaherty, Kehoe Foundation (for The Passion of John Kehoe and the Myth of the “Molly Maguires,” Hibernian Press, 2023); Venue: Burke Auditorium, King’s College; Time: immediately preceding the Annual Curran Lecture (see above).
Jan. 24 Two Screenings of “The Knox Mine Disaster” documentary with an introduction by the filmmaker, David Brocca; Venue: The Scranton Arts Haus Theatre (301 Lackawanna Ave, Scranton, PA); Screening Times: 6:20 pm and 8 pm; Purchase tickets at Knox Mine Disaster Facebook Page ($10); Refreshments (including dinner) will be available for purchase.
Jan. 25 Eckley Miners Village (PHMC), In-person Public Program; Moderator: Bode Morin, Administrator; Speaker: Justin Emershaw, Atlantic Carbon Inc., The Hazleton Shaft Colliery: Dethroning Hazleton's Industrial Era; Venue: Eckley Miners Village (2 Eckley Main St., Weatherly, PA; Time: 2 — 3:30 pm; Refreshments.
Jan. 25 Underground Miners, Public Program: Free Guided Tours of the Brooks Mine; Tour Guides: Mark Izak, Scott Kerkowski, and Chris Murley; Venue: Brooks Mine (Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA); Time: 3:45 pm – 5 pm.
Jan. 26 Lackawanna Historical Society, Public Program: Artistic Expressions in Anthracite; Host: Mary Ann Moran-Savakinus, LHS; Moderator: Philip Mosley, Emeritus, Penn State-Scranton; Speakers: Charles Petrillo, Wilkes-Barre (Film); Chester Kulesa, Scranton (Photography); Richard Stanislaus, Scranton (Art); Venue: Catlin House, LHS (232 Monroe Ave, Scranton, PA); Time: 2 – 3:30 pm; Refreshments.
Jan. 26 National Museum of Industrial History, Public Program: Moderator: Mike Piersa, Historian, NMIH; Speaker: Dane Rhys, Visual Journalist, A Visit to the Last Operating Anthracite Mine in Wales; Venue: NMIH (602 E. 2nd St., Bethlehem, PA); Time: 1 – 2:30 pm.
Jan. 29 Reading Anthracite Company; Moderator: Eric Bella, Mining Engineer; Speaker: Mike Szilagyi, AICP; The Schuylkill Navigation Canal System; Venue: Alvernia University–Pottsville Towne Campus (500 Progress Ave., Pottsville, PA); Time: 6 – 7:30 pm; Refreshments.
Jan. 30 Luzerne County Historical Society, Public Program: Speaker: Mark Riccetti, Director of Operations and Programs, LCHS; Jacob Cist (1782-1825), Pennsylvania Anthracite Pioneer; Venue: LCHS Museum (69 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA); Time: 7 – 8:30 pm; Refreshments.
Jan. 30 A Lehigh Engineering Public Program: Moderator: Eric Bella, Mining Engineer; Speaker: Nick Zmijewski, Industrial Archives & Library; In Search of the Wanamie Colliery: A Journey Through the Lens of Michael A. Eagleson; Venue: Alvernia University–Pottsville Towne Campus (500 Progress Ave., Pottsville, PA); Time: 6 – 7:30 pm; Refreshments.
Feb. 1 Underground Miners and the Everhart Museum, Public Program: Closing One of the Last Anthracite Deep Mines in Northeastern Pennsylvania, 2021; Presenters: Chris Murley, Underground Miners, and Tim Holmes, Everhart Museum; Venue: Everhart Museum (1901 Mulberry St, Scranton, PA); Time: 2 – 3:30 pm; free.
Feb. 1 Underground Miners, Public Program: Free Guided Tours of the Brooks Mine; Tour Guides: Cris Murley, Mark Izak, Scott Kerkowski; Venue: Brooks Mine (Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA); Time: 3:45 – 5 pm.