Hungry, unemployed men march at the State Capitol in Harrisburg | 1931

In April 1931, as the Great Depression tightened its grip, hundreds of hungry, unemployed men - among them out-of-work Coal Region miners - marched on the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg. They filled the streets, met with lawmakers and Governor Gifford Pinchot, and demanded millions in relief money, only to be turned away empty-handed. It’s a stark snapshot from the early years of the nation's worst economic crisis. Read the full story.

A visit to the historic Rockville Bridge near Harrisburg, PA | 2023

Rockville Bridge north of Harrisburg, PA railroad history Jake Wynn Public Historian

I made a visit to the historic Rockville Bridge in March 2023 - still a vital rail link across the Susquehanna River since 1902. In under half an hour, three freight trains thundered past. Beneath the span: a builders’ plaque and spray-paint flood marks from 1972 and 1996. Read the full story.

Illustration of threats against non-union mineworkers in Schuylkill County| 1871

Mineworkers across strike line attacked by mob at Mahanoy City, PA

In a vivid 1871 illustration, striking workers and families jeer non-union miners walking through the crowded streets of Mahanoy City. Explore the early days of labor organization in Pennsylvania’s anthracite region and the conflicts that shaped coal country’s future. Read the full story.

“Never been so terrified in my life” – Interview with a survivor of the 1977 Porter Tunnel Disaster

An account from the 1977 Porter Tunnel Disaster offers a chilling first-person perspective on a deadly wall of water rushing through a Pennsylvania mine. Discover how these miners fought for survival and faced unimaginable terror deep underground. Read the full story.

Photograph of a mineworker during the Porter Tunnel disaster rescue efforts | March 1977

Discover the story behind a poignant 1977 photograph capturing an exhausted miner during rescue efforts at the Porter Tunnel disaster near Tower City. An unforgettable chapter Schuylkill County history. Read the full story.

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.