The Darkest Month
Dec. 1, 2007 - Sept. 21, 2008
Fourth Floor
Magovern Gallery


Recent news headlines surrounding mining disasters continue to bring attention to the perilous work performed by coal miners everyday.

But none compare to the incidents that occurred throughout the nation in December 1907.


Mine explosions across the country claimed the lives of more than 700 coal miners, nearly 600 of which were the result of two local mine calamities:
    Dec. 6 - Monongah Mine in West Virginia
    Dec. 19 - Darr Mine in Jacobs Creek, Pa. (Westmoreland County)

The History Center's exhibition, The Darkest Month, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the worst month in coal mining history and examines the local mining experience in 1907 and the lessons learned from those horrific events.

The Darkest Month exhibit features:
  • In-depth profiles and personal stories of those affected by the tragedies, such as a mine inspector, first responders, miners' widows, and a 12-year old child


  • Tools of the mining trade from the early 1900s, such as mining picks, an explosive detonator device, and drilling augers


  • A documentary video display of the Monongah Mine disaster produced by Argentine Productions


  • Items from the homes of early local mining families, such as a steel washtub used for bathing and washing mine workers' clothes