- Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 September 2015 20:47
In the Summer 2015 edition of Heinz History Center’s Western PA History magazine, the Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum was featured in their “Spotlight on HCAP” that highlights one of the History Center Affiliate Program’s (HCAP) members. Read more about the projects that we’ve worked on with Heinz History Center on the “About Us” tab on our website.
In August we hosted Alan Lockwood, M.D., Emeritus Professor of Neurology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of New York at Buffalo and author of “The Silent Epidemic: Coal and the Hidden Threat to Health.” Dr. Lockwood and his family were interested in the “1948 Smog” and other things we were doing at the Historical Society and stopped by for a personal tour.
Also in August, we hosted Donora High School reunion classes of 1953 and 1965 for their own custom tours and presentations. If your reunion class would ever like to remember how things used to be in your day, feel free to contact the Historical Society to arrange a date.
On Saturday, October 10th at 1 p.m., the Donora Historical Society will welcome Monessen native and author Ralph E. Stone for a reading and book signing of his book: “Diary of a First Street Rambler.” Books will be for sale and proceeds will benefit the Donora Historical Society. Stone’s discussion will feature stories about his experiences of growing up in Monessen as a youth, as well as stories about Donora and Stan “The Man” Musial.
On Wednesday, October 21st at 7 p.m., the Donora Historical Society will be on the road as we travel to the Lawrenceville Historical Society where museum curator Brian Charlton will once again present the “1948 Smog.” If you are interested in this topic and would like to attend, please contact us or consult the Lawrenceville Historical Society directly.
The Monessen Amateur Radio Club is sponsoring a special event on October 24th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year the Monessen Amateur Radio Club will be operating a radio station located at Palmer Park, in Donora. The purpose of the event is to announce to Hams throughout the world the historical commemoration of the 1948 Donora Smog. For more information, please contact the Monessen Amateur Radio Club directly at monessenarc@yahoo.com or or by calling Bill at 412-751-4373.
Back by popular demand, the presentation on Saturday, November 14th at 1 p.m. will be a repeat of “Remembering the Donora-Webster Bridge.” The Donora-Webster Bridge was constructed in 1908 and was razed in 2015. To honor the bridge, museum curator Brian Charlton we will be sharing stories, showing photos, artifacts and blueprints of the 107-year-old structure that once spanned the Monongahela River, joining the communities of Donora and Webster. Besides the presentation, the rotating exhibit already features a collection of Donora-Webster Bridge artifacts and is available for viewing now and through the November.
If you have additional questions about the subjects mentioned above, the society, museum, meetings or volunteering, feel free to stop by or email us at DonoraHistoricalSociety@gmail.com or call 724-823-0364 and leave a message. Or visit us on the web at www.DonoraHistoricalSociety.org.
