In September 1906, the leader of the Socialist Party of America gave a speech before a large audience in Schuylkill County.
Eugene V. Debs and Socialism – A 1906 speech in Pottsville’s Union Hall
Pottsville Freedmen’s School teachers arrive in Tennessee – 1867
A newspaper clipping from March 1867 provided an update about the efforts of the Pottsville Freedmen's Relief Association teachers.
Frederick Douglass in Scranton – November 1867
Frederick Douglass used his speech in Scranton to criticize Andrew Johnson, a racist president he viewed as a despot.
“Give all men a chance and fair play” – Frederick Douglass in Pottsville
Frederick Douglass gave two speeches in Pottsville, Pennsylvania in October 1867.
Pottsville teachers resign to head south and open school for freedpeople – February 1867
Fannie Couch and Hannah Streeper prepared to leave Schuylkill County to teach black students in Tennessee in 1867.
“Heroic cause of education” – Pottsville established a “Freedmen’s Relief Association” in 1867
In December 1866, a committee was formed in Pottsville that sought to fund and carry out education for former slaves in the war-torn South.
“Fire in My Bones” – Pottsville native and Civil Rights leader Charles H. King’s memoir
Charles H. King Jr. lead seminars about race in America and participated in the Civil Rights movement. He grew up in Schuylkill County.
A story from 1918 reveals chaos as “Spanish flu” raged through Schuylkill County
In early October 1918, pandemic influenza descended on Schuylkill County and left thousands dead.
A powerful editorial from Pottsville’s black community – 1940
In the summer of 1940, a new minister at Pottsville's Bethel AME Church sought to reach out to the Coal Region's white community for economic cooperation.
“LIQUOR SCARCE” – The quiet end of Prohibition in Pottsville and Schuylkill County
"Pottsville celebrated the advent of the new wet era with one of the driest evenings in its history."
