Upcoming events for Anthracite Mining History Month

WILKES-BARRE — The Anthracite Heritage Foundation and King’s College this week announced several events as part of the regional observance of Anthracite Mining Heritage Month taking place during January.

During the month-long observation, a variety of programs will be featured in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Hazle Township, Ashley, Plymouth, Nanticoke, Pittston, Bethlehem, Shamokin, and Pottsville.

The annual event focuses on the history and culture of the anthracite region of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

• Wednesday Jan. 25 — Greater Pittston Historical Society, public program: A Forum on Five Northeastern Pennsylvania Ethnic Groups; speakers: Stephanie Longo, The Italians; Beth Landmesser, The Welsh; Jim McFarland, The Irish; Jan Lokuta, The Polish and The Rusyns.

Venue: Cosgrove Room, Pittston Memorial Library (47 Broad St., Pittston); Time: 7 p.m.–8:30 pm; Moderator: Julio Caprari, GPHS; refreshments.

• Thursday Jan. 26 — WVIA TV-Public Broadcasting, Two Public Programs: (1) Knox Mine Disaster (A documentary film produced and directed by David Brocca, 2019; narrated by Lex Romaine; sound by Albert Brocca); Time: 12 p.m..

To be immediately followed by (2) Knox … A Disaster (A WVIA documentary film written and narrated by Erika Funke, 1984); both available on WVIA-TV.

• Thursday Jan. 26 — King’s College and the Anthracite Heritage Foundation, Commentary on The Miners Park; Speaker: Rev. Thomas P. Looney, President, King’s College; Venue: Miners Memorial Park, in front of the Richard Alley Center (Public Square, Wilkes-Barre); Time: 5:30 p.m.; Moderator: Robert Wolensky, King’s College and AHF.

• Thursday Jan. 26 — The McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, King’s College (Bernard Prusak, Director), and the Anthracite Heritage Foundation, Public Program: The Annual Msgr. John J. Curran Lecture; Speaker: Philip Mosley, Penn State University-Scranton, Emeritus.

Topic: Telling of The Anthracite: A Pennsylvania Posthistory (presentation on Prof. Mosley’s book published by Sunbury Press; book signing to follow); Welcome: Rev. Tom Looney, President, King’s College.

Venue: King’s College Richard Alley Center Auditorium (Public Square, Wilkes-Barre); Time; 6:30 p.m.–8 p.m.; moderator: Thomas Mackaman, King’s College and AHF; refreshments.

(Note: The lecture will be preceded by Sue Hand’s presentation to Rev. Thomas Looney of her painting of the Dorrance Colliery Breaker, an anthracite building that once stood near King’s College.)