Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and comedian Jim Gaffigan explored Gaffigan's family connection to the Coal Region on "Finding Your Roots"
Jim Gaffigan’s Coal Region connections featured on “Finding Your Roots” on PBS
As Pottsville rapidly expanded in the 1820s, it was missing something important: beer
As Pottsville transformed into a bustling Coal Region town in the 1820s, it was missing a key ingredient: beer. With a population thirsty for more than whiskey, the stage was set for David G. Yuengling to establish the iconic Yuengling Brewery in 1829, forever linking Pottsville with America’s oldest brewery. Read the Full Story.
A colorized postcard of Millersburg, Pennsylvania
This newly acquired postcard shows Millersburg, Pennsylvania and the wide Susquehanna River as it winds through the mountains.
A rare photograph of Shamokin’s East End in the 19th century
We recently acquired a new image of this Coal Region community in Northumberland County.
An 1835 visit to the mines at Wiconisco Township
In 1834 and 1835, a scientist named Constantine Samuel Rafinesque traveled widely through Pennsylvania in order to document the geology and biology of the Keystone State. In the spring of 1835, the Turkish-born polymath traveled north from Harrisburg aboard canal boats alongside the Susquehanna River to Millersburg. In his book, A Life of Travels, Rafinesque details … Continue reading An 1835 visit to the mines at Wiconisco Township
Photograph from the 1860s shows incredible detail of the Shenandoah City Colliery
Pottsville photograph A.M. Allen made a trip to northern Schuylkill County to capture an image of the Shenandoah City Colliery.
A Scottish immigrant’s remarkable working history in 1850s Schuylkill County (Part 2)
Discover the remarkable journey of Scottish immigrant Robert Weir in 1850s Schuylkill County. From his work as a hoisting engineer in Pennsylvania's coal mines to his experiences in the California Gold Rush, explore his vivid recollections and the impact of the Civil War on his life. Read the full story.
“My brains and my wits” – A Scottish immigrant recalls his arrival in Schuylkill County in 1852
Discover the journey of Scottish immigrant Robert Weir, who arrived in Schuylkill County's Coal Region in 1852. This historical account explores 19th-century Pennsylvania coal mining, immigrant challenges, and community life. Unearth rich cultural history in this captivating 1914 interview. Read the full story.
A photograph of Shenandoah from the collections of the New York Public Library
The photograph by Michael Dockweiler shows the Schuylkill County mining community as it appeared in the late 19th century.
“Richmond has fallen! Richmond is ours!” | A victory poem from April 1865
Claude Merchant's April 1865 poem summed up the feelings in Pottsville, Pennsylvania after the Confederate capital fell to US forces.