“Constables making an arrest” | Scene from Schuylkill County in the summer of 1875

A crowd gathers as voices rise. A mineworker is pulled away in handcuffs by armed law enforcement as anger spills into the street. This 1875 illustration captures a Coal Region on edge in the aftermath of a crushing strike, where labor, law, and violence collided in the streets. Read the Full Story.

Special police outside the Schuylkill County Prison | June 1877

Special police in Pottsville PA in June 1877 - Molly Maguires

Fearing a last-minute jailbreak before six alleged “Molly Maguires” were hanged, armed police stood guard at the Schuylkill County Prison. Though no rescue came, this scene reveals the era’s intense labor strife and the looming power of the coal industry. Read the full story.

Sketches of the Coal Region from 1877

These remarkable sketches show life in the Coal Region during the middle part of the 19th century, a crucial time in the area's history.