Learn about the legacy of Big Mine Run Colliery, opened in 1854 and by the 1880s employing 356 workers to produce 750 tons of anthracite daily. From steam engines powering the breaker to company‑owned tenements, explore this colliery at the height of Schuylkill County’s coal boom. Read the full story.
Fearing a last-minute jailbreak before six alleged “Molly Maguires” were hanged, armed police stood guard at the Schuylkill County Prison. Though no rescue came, this scene reveals the era’s intense labor strife and the looming power of the coal industry. Read the full story.
John Hale’s firsthand account plunges you into 1860s Bellevue Colliery, where miners cut props by hand, hoisted cars with mules, and battled gas in dark chambers. Discover the grit and ingenuity that defined early anthracite mining in the vicinity of Scranton. Read the full story.
Explore Eckley Miners’ Village in Luzerne County We stepped back in time at this preserved 1850s patch town - the filming site of "The Molly Maguires" – and learned more about patch towns in the Coal Region. Read the full story of our visit and how you can plan your own trip.
Discover how vibrant Ukrainian dance groups showcased their heritage in Schuylkill County’s Lakewood Park. In 1936, dazzling costumes and folk music brought together Ukrainian-Americans for a joyful celebration of cultural identity in the heart of the anthracite coal fields. Read the full story.
An illustration shows Pennsylvania mineworkers receiving their pay at a company store. Read the full story. The company store system kept workers and their families attached to the colliery and was often exploited to keep them trapped in a form of exploitation.
Explore Lewis Hine’s 1911 photograph of breaker boys in Pittston, Pennsylvania, capturing the harsh realities of child labor in the coal mines. This image, part of Hine’s work for the National Child Labor Committee, highlights the young workers’ lives and the efforts to reform labor practices. Read the Full Story.
The Pottsville Republican newspaper delivered the news to Schuylkill County on January 17, 1920 that nationwide Prohibition had gone into effect at midnight. Read the story.
Experience a Pennsylvania soldier’s unique 1862 Christmas in Washington, D.C., as he shares festive camp celebrations alongside news of the Fredericksburg disaster. From decorated tents to races and somber reflections, this letter captures a wartime holiday like no other. Discover a vivid piece of Civil War history. Read the full story.
On Thanksgiving Day 1943, as World War II raged on, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania marked the holiday with a quieter tone. Many residents continued to work in essential industries, while others gathered for church services and family reunions. Discover how the Wyoming Valley adapted to the war-time holiday and embraced the hope of victory on the horizon. Read the full story.