What was life like for coal mining families in Tucker County, West Virginia one hundred years ago?
A community cast will “bring to life” newly-uncovered personal stories from the “handloading era” of West Virginia coal mining, on Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 2:00-4:00 PM at a free, family-friendly program at Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge in Davis, WV.
The historical program features excerpts from a series of 1967 recorded interviews with ten early Tucker County mining families: Mr. and Mrs. Patsy Balassone, Peter A. Barmer, Frank Colabrese, S. L. Elza, Patsy Greco, Frank Lencek, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Losh, Charles Nichols, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Perkins, and Charles Shaffer.
The interviews tell a personal and moving story of pioneer workers and families who built West Virginia. In 1967, the interviewed miners were elderly and had retired, having worked underground during the pick-and-shovel “handloading era” of roughly 1880 to 1930. The miners’ (and their wives’) recollections of this tumultuous time have been stored for nearly sixty years; now they are being brought to life by WVU history students and community groups.
The community cast presenting excerpts from the uncovered 1967 interviews includes Rafe Pomerance, Casey Rucker, Bill Peterson, Chip Chase, Elaine George, Tom Yocum, Ruthie Melnick, Chuck Nichols, and Carl Harr. Local folk musicians Gerry Milnes and Mike Miller will perform.
Participants will listen to actual interview excerpts and dramatic readings, and scholars will discuss this exciting new historical source material. Descendants, friends, neighbors, and relatives of the interviewees are invited to attend this program and to share information, photos, documents, and artifacts. A reception will follow the program.
Admission is free; space is limited. If possible please register in advance at https://saveblackwater.org/early-mining-voices or call 304-345-7663.
The program is being organized by the nonprofit group Friends of Blackwater, partnering with the Tucker County Historical Society; ArtSpring; the Tucker County Highlands History and Education Project; Cottrill’s Opera House; and with financial support from the West Virginia Humanities Council and the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area.
