Interpreting Ohio's Little Cities of Black Diamonds Microregion: The Untold Story of the Hocking Valley Coal Era
FAIN: GE-50227-10
Ohio University (Athens, OH 45701-1361)
Frans Doppen (Project Director: August 2009 to December 2011)
Planning for a place-based interpretation of the Hocking Valley Coal Era (1870-1930) and the pioneering role of miners in the formation of the United Mine Workers of America.
This project will plan a place-based interpretation of the boom-to-bust Hocking Valley Coal Era (1870-1930). This story of national significance highlights: The pioneering role of these miners in the formation of the United Mine Workers of America. How the ethnically and racially diverse miners struggled and cooperated among themselves and with the mine owners, including breaking of the color barrier through leadership roles by African Americans in the early labor union movement. The historic and on-going role of federal programs begun in the 1930's aimed at recovery from mine environmental degradation. We are planning a variety of materials to interpret this story: downloadable audio-pods; an audio tour (with map); interpretive signage and site improvements; docent scripts; lesson plans; and an interactive web site to support a multi-site and multi-path interpretive approach.