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Final Centennial Anniversary Cement City Walking Tour For 2017

The second in a series of our seventh annual Cement City Home and Walking Tours will be scheduled for Sunday, October 15 at 1 p.m. and possibly Saturday, October 14 at 1 p.m.

Cement City

if Sunday fills up. The tour will start at the museum with a photo, artifact and blueprint presentation on Donora’s National Historic District – Thomas Edison’s Cement City. The photos are from our Bruce Dreisbach glass plate negative collection and were taken during all phases of construction in 1916 and 1917. The presenter is Smog Museum curator and Cement City resident Brian Charlton. A walking and home tour follows to point out various architectural and social details. The tour concludes by touring the interiors at least two homes with rooms restored to the period. The cost is $12/person and space is limited. Please call or email to RSVP and your flexibility to attend either Sunday or Saturday.

Christmas Fundraiser
The Donora Historical Society is now taking orders for Christmas wreaths, garland or roping, candy canes and crosses. The wreaths, candy canes and crosses are made of Frasier fir, come with a waterproof red velvet bow, and are dipped in an anti-transparent to preserve needle retention. The wreaths measure two feet in diameter and sell for $15. The candy canes and crosses are very full and sturdy and sell for $17. The garland or roping is made of long needle white pine, measure 30 feet and sell for $12. Call 724-379-5693 or 724-379-6999 to place your order by October 31. If delivery is not arranged, pickup will be at the Donora Smog Museum and Historical Society during Thanksgiving week – November 22, 24 and 25. Note: the prices above could be subject to a slight increase.

Seeking Link’s Dari Delight Photos and Stories

This month, we are sending out a request regarding Link’s Dari Delight on McKean Avenue, opened in 1954. Inspired by a recent acquisition of a Link’s sign that once hung on the drive-in ice cream parlor and now hangs in the Smog Museum, we would like to learn more about the business. The original storefront still stands and has been occupied by various food-related businesses since its closing. We would be interested in photos that we can scan, memorabilia, and/or stories that tell the story of this popular Donora hangout.

Recent Group Visits
Recently, the Air Quality program staff of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of Pennsylvania visited the Smog Museum to learn more about the history of the 1948 Smog via a presentation. After a lunch at Duke's Café, DEP staff reciprocated by presenting information on the topographical, weather, and pollution conditions that caused the event and the numerous safeguards in place to prevent a repeat occurrence. Staff from Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation from Homestead also attended.

Also, the Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) - Women of Philanthropy Giving Circle visited the Smog Museum to not only hold their quarterly meeting, but to view the photos that were most recently developed from 100-year-old glass plate negatives from a WCCF Hart Fund History Grant that was awarded in 2016.

Additional Info
If you have additional questions about the subjects mentioned above, the historical society, museum, presentations or volunteering, stop by on Saturdays or by special appointment (with at least a week’s notice), email us at DonoraHistoricalSociety@gmail.com, call us at 724-823-0364 and leave a message, visit us on the web at www.DonoraHistoricalSociety.org, or follow us and like us on Facebook at “Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum.”

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