Letters from War – “I believe the end is coming soon,” March 1945

In a March 1945 letter, Sgt. Irvin Schwartz shared insights about Nazi Germany's desperate "total war" efforts to turn back Allied attacks.

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 – 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.

In 1842, Irish immigrants in Schuylkill County began an international war of words over slavery in America

In 1842, a group of Irish immigrants in Schuylkill County came together to oppose their countrymen's call for racial equality and an end to slavery in the US.

Charles Kershner describes Pottsville in the 1850s and details his service in the US Army after the Civil War

In part two of this interview from 1927, Charles Kershner reveals his experiences on the western frontier with the 5th United States Cavalry.

Remembering the local emergency response to the Porter Tunnel Disaster – March 1977

On March 1, 1977, water poured into the Porter Tunnel mine in western Schuylkill County. Emergency crews raced to the scene.

Letters from War – The West Schuylkill Press-Herald reports on a soldier’s 1944 visit to war-time London

The West Schuylkill Press-Herald summarized what Irvin Schwartz reported seeing in the bomb-damaged capital of Great Britain in March 1944.