PENNSYLVANIA WELSH 1998
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Welsh miners left their native Wales and their famillies behind, to begin a new life in the Unitied states of America. Their skills were needed to mine coal, as they had the skills needed to explore the vast coal seems in the state of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, many were killed underground. They were burried in local cemeteries, as it was too expensive to ship the bodies back to Wales. Washburn Street Cemetery, near Scranton, is an example where deceased miners were buried. Jones, Griffiths, Thomas and Williams are common names marked on grave stones. Once the Americans became more familliar with coal mining techniques, cheaper labour came from countries such as Ireland, Poland and Germany.
Welsh communites grew around the Scrandon area and are present today. Americans are very proud to say that they have Welsh descendancy, as they look to find where their ancesdors derived. Regular Welsh cultural events such as Gloddfa Ganol (Eisteddfod), St David's day and learning the Welsh language are held in small communities. Welsh decendants are in minority, compared to the Irish community.
Pennsylvania's coal mining industry, while declining, remains a significant economic force, employing thousands and producing millions of tons of both anthracite and bituminous coal, with a focus on electricity generation and metal production.
Welsh communites grew around the Scrandon area and are present today. Americans are very proud to say that they have Welsh descendancy, as they look to find where their ancesdors derived. Regular Welsh cultural events such as Gloddfa Ganol (Eisteddfod), St David's day and learning the Welsh language are held in small communities. Welsh decendants are in minority, compared to the Irish community.
Pennsylvania's coal mining industry, while declining, remains a significant economic force, employing thousands and producing millions of tons of both anthracite and bituminous coal, with a focus on electricity generation and metal production.
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APPALACHIAN COAL MINING COMMUNITIES 1997-2002
Communities grew up around the coal industry within the states of Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee. Coal was a major employer and the primary region for the American fossil fuel in the Appalachian mountains.
Deep coal mining has considerably reduced, although strip mining or open cast, is a source of mining the vast seems of coal today. Communities in the mountains have suffered with the loss of employment; many becoming ghost towns.
I began my photographic journey in 1997, visiting these former mining communities. I remember visiting and photographing in a few coal towns in West Virginia. Towns like War and Coalwood, in Mc Dowel County. I spent a few weeks there, staying in the War Hotel. There were photographs on the wall, illustrating the coal industry in days gone by. The edely owner told me that the hotel used to be full, with mine engineers and managers visiting the mines. In 1997, my wife and I were the only ones staying there! When we revisited in 2002, the hotel had burnt down and the few shops that were there, had closed.
As with many areas globaly, drugs have become a major problem amongst young people.
Deep coal mining has considerably reduced, although strip mining or open cast, is a source of mining the vast seems of coal today. Communities in the mountains have suffered with the loss of employment; many becoming ghost towns.
I began my photographic journey in 1997, visiting these former mining communities. I remember visiting and photographing in a few coal towns in West Virginia. Towns like War and Coalwood, in Mc Dowel County. I spent a few weeks there, staying in the War Hotel. There were photographs on the wall, illustrating the coal industry in days gone by. The edely owner told me that the hotel used to be full, with mine engineers and managers visiting the mines. In 1997, my wife and I were the only ones staying there! When we revisited in 2002, the hotel had burnt down and the few shops that were there, had closed.
As with many areas globaly, drugs have become a major problem amongst young people.
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