Rumors were flying back home about hungry, mistreated soldiers at Camp Slifer. Michael McCarty — a County Longford man turned Luzerne County coal miner — had heard enough. He shared a letter from his friend Corporal Devenney at the front to set the record straight. Devenney had gained four pounds since enlisting in the US Army. Read the full letter.
A young student from Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, PA traded his classroom for an army camp near Chambersburg in the spring of 1861. He and wrote back to a classmate about the food, the boredom, and his burning desire to meet the rebels in battle. Read the full letter.
In the summer of 1838, John Silver’s restaurant in Pottsville’s Pennsylvania Hall advertised a menu featuring fresh seafood, meats, and imported wines. Located on Centre Street, the refectory offered a taste of refinement in the booming coal town, catering to travelers and locals alike. Read the full story.
I recently reflected on Stanley Tucci’s “Tucci in Italy,” where each episode blends history, regional culture, and mouthwatering cuisine - from Lazio’s vineyards to Adriatic fishing villages. Tucci’s passion and storytelling took me back to my own Italian travels and inspired anew. Read the full story.
Ever wondered what families paid for everyday essentials a century ago? This eye-opening report shows how food costs varied across Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal fields—revealing stark differences that shaped daily life. Read the full story.
Journey through Pottsville, Pennsylvania, on a Saturday night with us! We explored history, architecture, and drank some local brew. From dinner at the Eagle Tavern to haunting views near the Schuylkill County Prison, experience how this Coal Region community with a storied past can be experienced today. Read the full story.
Meet the “Huckleberry Miners” of 1913 Discover how Coal Region women foraged berries to feed their families and even formed a union to demand fair prices. Read the full story.
In 1964, the West Schuylkill Herald featured Mrs. Mione’s classic Italian lasagna recipe, a staple at her family’s table in Tower City, PA. Decades later, Mione’s Pizza remains a beloved local institution, still serving up flavors rooted in tradition. Read the full story and recipe.
A lunch scene in the coal mines of Northeastern Pennsylvania was depicted in an 1873 edition of Harper's Weekly Magazine.
A fascinating letter from Pfc. Irvin Schwartz about dining with a French family after liberation of their town.