Culture
“Labor’s Crossroads” Tour Spotlights Region’s History
< < Back to labors-crossroads-tour-spotlights-regions-historyThe role of Ohio coal miners in the nation’s early labor movement will come to life on Sept. 12 as the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council hosts a day-long guided tour that travels the path of early labor pioneers from the canal and railroad eras.
Led by interpretive guides, the tour will explore the history of immigrant laborers who settled the coal camps and fought for power over their own lives. Visitors will experience firsthand the sights and sounds of what quickly came to be known as the “Little Cities of Black Diamonds.” The tour begins and ends in Logan and includes transportation and two meals.
The Labor’s Crossroads tour features the story of the early labor leaders in the towns of New Straitsville, Shawnee, Corning and Rendville and the idealistic legacy of the popular Knights of Labor, centered in the Hocking Valley Coal Fields.
From the Knights of Labor Movement came a diversity of leadership and progress, which led to the formation of one of the nation’s most powerful unions, the United Mine Workers of America.
The tour will be led by Cheryl Blosser, local historian and certified interpretive guide with the National Association of Interpreters, and Jeff Wunderly, AmeriCorps member and certified interpretive guide.
The tour includes van transportation, snacks and lunch during the tour, and a hearty dinner at the Old Dutch restaurant in Logan to cap off the day. Registration cost is $95 per person with discounts available for Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council members.
Pre-registration is required and available on-line at littlecitiesofblackdiamonds.org, by phone at 740-394-3011 or via e-mail at lcbd@ohiohills.com.