47th Annual Conference and 150th Anniversary Commemoration of the Avondale Mine Disaster September 6, 7, 8, 2019

At the Anthracite Heritage Museum, Scranton

Friday, September 6^th, 6:30 pm – 8 pm, Richard Healey, University of Portsmouth, England, “Anthracite Coal Breakers of the Avondale Era:  An Overview of the Early Stereographic Record”

Saturday, September 7th, 9:30 – 11 am, William Jones, University of Cardiff, Wales, “The Welsh of Scranton during the 1860s and 1870s”

 At the Washburn Street Cemetery, Scranton (transportation provided)

Saturday, September 7th, 11:30 am – 12:30 am, Washburn Street Cemetery, Commemoration of Avondale Victims

At the Anthracite Heritage Museum, Scranton

1:30 pm – 3 pm, Panel Discussion, An Overview of the Avondale Disaster

Panelists:  William Jones, “The Causes”, Richard Healey, “The Role of the Railroads”, Robert Wolensky, “Safety and Other Consequences”

Moderator:  Bode Morin, Anthracite Heritage Museum

3:15 pm – 4:45 pm, Panel Discussion on Remembering the Avondale Disaster

Panelists:  Steve Kondrad, Plymouth Historical Society; John Pasevento, Pesavento Monument Inc.,

Robert Hughes, EPCAMR; Fiona Powell, The Welsh Community; Bill Best, Huber Breaker Preservation Society

Moderator:  Mark Riccetti, Luzerne County Historical Society

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Saturday, September 7^th, 5:30, Pennsylvania Labor History Society Awards Dinner and Program

Awardees:

Mother Jones Award: Robert Wolensky, Professor of Sociology, University of Wisconsin

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

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

 In Plymouth and Plymouth Twp., PA

Sunday, September 8^th, 10 – 11 am, First Welsh Baptist Church service (the church of several Avondale victims)

Sunday, September 8^th, 12:00 noon – 1 pm, Disaster Site, Memorial Program

Sunday, September 8^th, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, Plymouth Historical Society, refreshments and a social gathering.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE: $15

MEAL OPTIONS
Opening Reception, Friday, September 6 at the Anthracite Heritage Museum
FREE Dessert reception following program by Richard Healey Ph.D.

Lunch, Saturday, September 7 at Washburn Street Cemetery (following program about the Avondale victims)
$15, $5 bus transportation

Pennsylvania Labor History Awards Dinner on Saturday, September 7 at the Anthracite Heritage Museum
$35 Dinner (buffet with cash bar)

To request a registration form, questions, concerns: contact kwolensky@comcast.net or jyoung17102@gmail.com