“The old story” – A short editorial on opposition to vaccines and its consequences… from Pottsville in 1903

Amid a smallpox epidemic in Schuylkill County, a newspaper editor threw up their hands at those who refused to be vaccinated, despite very real danger.

Photographs show makeshift emergency hospital in Lykens, Pennsylvania during 1918 pandemic

These incredible photographs show the tent field hospital set up in Lykens during the darkest month in American history.

Letters from War – Ideas for a World War II memorial in Pine Grove and a dislike of monuments – 1945

As World War II drew to a close, Sgt. Irvin Schwartz laid out a proposal to honor the Pine Grove area servicemembers when they returned home.

Letters from War – A letter from an army hospital describing wounds received in Germany – 1945

German artillery shells struck down Sergeant Irvin Schwartz on February 27, 1945. He wrote home to his parents to comfort them that he wasn't severely wounded.

Letters from War – Awarded the Bronze Star and wounded in action – 1945

In March 1945, Irvin Schwartz's hometown newspaper published news of his Bronze Star. A week later they shared the news he had been wounded.

“Heroic Work” – The incredible effort of Schuylkill County residents to fight the 1918 influenza pandemic

As influenza killed hundreds in Schuylkill County in 1918, volunteers stepped up to save lives.