Anthracite Heritage Conference – 150th Anniversary Avondale

In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Avondale Mine Disaster, we will be hosting a weekend-long conference from September 6-8. If you are interested, please contact the Lackawanna Historical Society at lackawannahistory@gmail.com, or call 570-344-3841.

Please see the attached registration form or contact the Lackawanna Historical Society for registration! Registration is $15 with additional cost for optional meals.

Please consider joining us for part of all of the weekend! See the great schedule of events below:

Friday, September 6, 2019

6:30 pm, Anthracite Heritage Museum. Anthracite Coal Breakers of the Avondale Era: An Overview of the Early Stereographic Record.

Richard Healey, Professor Emeritus, University of Portsmouth, UK

Saturday, September 7, 2019

9:30 am, Anthracite Heritage Museum. The Welsh of Scranton during the 1860s and 1870s.

William Jones, Professor Emeritus, University of Cardiff, Wales

11:30 am, Washburn Street Cemetery (If inclement weather, the Anthracite Heritage Museum) Tribute to the Avondale Mine Disaster Victims

Program hosted by Richard Sedlisky will include description of the site, dedication of new marker listing names of the 58 Avondale victims buried in the Washburn Cemetery, a short memorial service, and a reading of the names of each victim by Avondale descendants and local students, plus Welsh songs . (Transportation & Lunch available).

1:30 pm – 3 pm, Anthracite Heritage Museum. Avondale Disaster, An Overview

Panel Discussion moderated by Bode Morin, AHM Site Administrator with:

Railroads – Richard Healey, Professor Emeritus, University of Portsmouth, UK

Causes – William Jones Professor Emeritus, University of Cardiff, Wales

Consequences – Robert Wolensky, Professor of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point/Kings College

3:15 pm – 4:45 pm, Anthracite Heritage Museum. Remembering the Avondale Disaster

Panel Discussion moderated by Mark Riccetti Jr., Director of Operations and Programs, Luzerne County Historical with Steve Konrad, Plymouth Historical Society, Bob Hughes, EPCAMR; Torry Watkins, Avondale Commemoration Committee

6:00 pm, Anthracite Heritage Museum. Pennsylvania Labor History Society Annual Dinner and Awards Program

Mother Jones Award: Robert Wolensky, Professor of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point/Kings College

William Sylvis Award: Walter Klepaski, United Way Labor Liaison, Greater Wilkes-Barre Area Labor Council

John Brennan Award: Paul Tucker, Author and Editor of The Union News

Sunday, September 8, 2019

10:00 am, First Welsh Baptist Church Plymouth Township; Noon, Avondale Site. 150^th Commemorative Memorial of the Avondale Mine Disaster. Presented by the Plymouth Historical Society