Mining Memories: Honoring Those Who Built Our Communities
Our Three-Year Collaborative Effort is a Landmark

 
The Monument - June 2010 

Mining Memories is a project of the non-profit Mon Valley Media with a vision of
creating a memorial with a  life-size bronze miner and complementary media material. 
The miner is presented as integral with his community, other roles are represented in relief. 
The miner works his tools, alongside timbers, and rails.
From his efforts rise the obvious product, coal.
Through the coal, we see the results of his efforts:
his building of community is representated by the architectural components in a coal jetty. 
 

As we recollect the miner's life, we honor and cherish what we have inherited from his experience
- those values, traditions, and strength of character that built our communities. 
In many mining towns, such as "Harmarville" where the long-standing tipple of the Harmar mine is no longer visible,
 the landscape has changed, a community bonded by a proud heritage remains.
This monument began as a tribute to the miners who built our community
in Harmar Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania -- we've extended across the area,
and believe such a project serves beyond our locale.
Our goal is to revive the spirit of community and civic engagement,
as we revisit the characters, the historic settings in which these miners worked and lived.  
We explore social solidarity and ethnic lines, personal struggles and historical and industrial progress,
virtually experiencing the closeness that is common to mining towns everywhere.

Harmar Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 hosts the physical monument.
Mon Valley Media, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, is the Sponsor.
Stephen Paulovich is the Artist and Sculptor donated his labor for design and construction.
Jeanne Svitesic Cecil produced and administers the project.

Thanks to everyone who provided support for this effort!

This project is partially funded by
The PA Labor Education Center at Indiana University of PA,
PA State System of Higher Education,
Website: www.iup.edu/laborcenter
Additional Sponsors Include:
 Carlucci Construction Company (Don Carlucci), Cheswick, PA
CONSOL Energy
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Rosebud Mining Company
United Steelworkers - USW International and Local 9445
United Mine Workers of America - UMWA International and Local 4426
The Nury Family
James "Jim" Howard
Chevron Humankind Matching Grants
Gaggiotti and Halasowski Families
In Honor of Gaggliardi and Markijohn Families
Major donors include:
Michael Fogle, Liberati Family, Mrs. Nellie Domian, Pierce Transportation
and many other community members, families, and local businesses...


Please contact us by email: MinersMemorial (at) AOL (dot) com   - symbols replaced to avoid spam