The federal Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded a $50,000 grant to Eckley Miners’ Village in Luzerne County for the development of a strategic plan.

The plan will explore sustainable funding and management options to ensure a stable future for the National Register-listed historic site in the Anthracite Region.

Eckley Miners’ Village is administered by the PA Historical and Museum Commission.

“Eckley is one of the most significant state historic sites in Pennsylvania representing the experiences of the many families who immigrated to this country, found work in our burgeoning and often dangerous industries, and laid the foundation of our rich and dynamic American culture. It is also one of only a few company towns actively preserved and interpreted in a heritage context in the United States today,” said Brenda Reigle, director of PHMC’s Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums. “Unfortunately, maintaining and operating a mile-long, 200-structure townsite with limited fiscal resources presents a long-term challenge to the PHMC mission to preserve the Commonwealth’s heritage.” 

With the $50,000 ARC award and the $50,000 PHMC match, a total of $100,000 will be dedicated to funding a strategic plan aimed at identifying new revenue streams and producing a long-term sustainable future for the site.

Founded in 1854, Eckley was a company town for several anthracite mining companies before serving as the location set for the 1970 film The Molly Maguires. The site also offers education programs and sponsored events at the site since 1971.

Also supporting the site and its operations is the nonprofit Eckley Miners’ Village Associates.

For more information, visit the Eckley Miners’ Village website.

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[Posted: Oct. 26, 2018]

10/29/2018