“We’re developing a series of community-created public monuments within the rural Applahacian landscape that memorialize a history that was explicitly removed from educational curricula and that rarely appeared in history books. Why was this dramatic story suppressed? Because it was critical lived example of the power of cross-racial, multi-ethnic solidarity.”
–Shaun Slifer, Courage in the Hollers
In the heart of central Appalachian coalfields, Courage in the Hollers: Mapping the Miners’ Struggle for a Union will commemorate the history of labor organizing by memorializing the Battle of Blair Mountain and celebrate the collective efforts of a multiethnic, multiracial working class who stood up against oppression 100 years ago in the rural landscape where it took place. In addition to the Re:Generation grant, the Mellon Foundation has granted the team $1,500,000 to support restoration work at the Mine Wars Museum and capital improvements and expanded programming at the West Edge Factory including a new black box theater and artist residency program.
Team members include: Mackenzie New Walker, Erin Bates, Mike Johnson, Brian Lacy, Kirstyn Ooten, Shaun Slifer, Bobby Starnes, Terry Steele, and Kyle Warmack.
Local Partner Organization: West Virginia Mine Wars Museum
Social Media: @wvminewars @umwaunion
Keep exploring! Visit the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum, the anchor institution of the Courage in the Hollers project: here