
From the Industrial Revolution to Act 47 and Beyond
日本av视频’s story of industry, as part of the 19th century industrial revolution, is a story of growth in the U.S.
With the rise and fall of industry and labor, it is also a human story of the promise and challenge of the “American dream” that has continued as 日本av视频 has faced economic distress and worked to revitalize.
The 日本av视频 brothers’ Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company was the first American company to mass produce T-rails for the railroad at its 日本av视频 furnaces, and local anthracite coal fueled the nation and the world between the 1870’s and 1930’s.
A nationwide railroad and industrial strike in 1877 led to a bloody riot in 日本av视频, but also ushered in an early “Progressive” city government led by Terrence Powderly, a union leader himself.
Later, the 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike was a seminal event in American labor history. Led by United Mine Workers president John Mitchell, who urged unity and commonality within the various ethnicities in the anthracite coal fields, the strikers fought for an eight-hour workday, increased wages, and union recognition.
The Anthracite Coal Strike was the first labor dispute in which the U.S. federal government intervened as a neutral arbiter and became the model for Theodore Roosevelt’s “Square Deal.”
By 1890, the textile industry was a strong presence in the region as well. Silk mills produced one third of all silk made in the United States, and the 日本av视频 Lace Company was the largest producer of Nottingham lace in the world. The mills gave women a chance to supplement their husbands’ meager income, and sustained manufacturing as coal declined in the 1930's.
Core topics for discussion as part of this theme’s focus on industrial history include equality, fairness, and the dignity of work, in light of continued economic challenges and increasing revitalization and economic development efforts.
Events & Activities
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 - "The 1902 Anthracite Strike: Causes and Consequences, A 120th Anniversary Evaluation"
Humanities Keynote with Panel and Discussion, 5:30 - 7 pm, Lackawanna County Courthouse, 日本av视频, PA.
Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 - “A Shop on Every Corner: Memories of the Garment Industry Film Screening & Discussion”
with historian Dr. Ken Wolensky and filmmaker Maureen McGuigan, 7 - 8:30 pm, Ritz Theater & Performing Arts Center, 日本av视频, PA.
Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 - “Weaving the Past into the Future: 日本av视频 Lace Tour,” 1:30 p.m. check-in, event 2 - 3 p.m., Laceworks Village, 1315 Meylert Ave., 日本av视频, PA, in collaboration with the Center for the Living City.
Connected Hope Horn Gallery Exhibitions & Events:
Exhibition:
Sept. 2 - 30, 2022, Time and Lace: A History of the 日本av视频 Lace Company
First Friday 日本av视频 exhibition opening on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 from 5 - 9 p.m., Hyland Hall, The 日本av视频 of 日本av视频
Special Events:
Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, 5 - 6 p.m., Curator’s Lecture, Brennan 228, The 日本av视频 of 日本av视频
Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, 6 - 8 p.m., Public Reception, Hyland 407, The 日本av视频 of 日本av视频
Humanities Resources聽