2015 Events and Projects

Special Events and Projects completed in 2015
  • displayed a new rotating exhibit honoring Donora war veterans (January).
  • presented "Greetings From Donora" - history of Donora thru postcards (February).
  • provided photos and info for a Stan Musial book by James Giglio titled: "Stan Musial: Baseball Hero" that is part of the "Notable Missourians" series (February).
  • hosted the Heinz History Center's travelling Civil War Exhibit at the Donora Public Library for six weeks - supplemented with 21 presentations held on Saturdays for over 1,000 visitors that included close to 500 school students, teachers and chaperones. Raised funds for the Donora Public Library and Donora Historical Society (March/April).
  • helped graduate student from Wesleyan University, Connecticut on "1948 Smog" research.
  • presented "1948 Smog" at the Mount Lebanon Historical Society (March).
  • presented "1948 Smog" at the South Park Historical Society (March).
  • presented "Donora Historical Society Events" for the Charleroi Golden Agers luncheon (April).
  • conducted our fifth annual Cement City Home and Walking Tour - Spring edition (May).
  • displayed a new rotating exhibit - display of the Donora-Webster Bridge (May).
  • presented "Donora-Webster Bridge" to recognize its upcoming razing (June).
  • hosted Wild Travels TV from Chicago, a travel series who were interested in filming a program on the events of the "1948 Smog" (June).
  • hosted Steve Schaeber of the Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide (MACS) near Philadelphia, on his article for the ACtion Magazine on the parallels between our current Air Conditioning emissions and the 1948 Smog (June).
  • submitted and were awarded a Washington County Chamber of Commerce/Tourism Marketing Grant for Cement City brochures (July).
  • presented "Stan 'The Man" Musial" during History Enthusiasts Lunch and Learn at the Mon Valley UMCA (July).
  • hosted Jerry and Cindy Rombach - Stan Musial fans from Kenai, Alaska (July).
  • In the Summer 2015 edition of the Heinz History Center's Western PA History magazine, the Historical Society was featured in their "Spotlight on HCAP" that highlights one of the History Center Affiliate Program's (HCAP) members (August).
  • 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." Lockwood and his family were interested in the "1948 Smog" (August).
  • provided research info on the 1948 Smog for various publications: The Wall Street Journal, EPA Alumni Association Magazine, Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) - Pittsburgh Chapter, and the Kentucky Division of Air Quality.
  • hosted Donora High School alumni for the reunion presentations - "Class of 1953 Remembers" and "Class of 1965 - 50th Anniversary" (August).
  • hosted Attorney Michael Jacks from WV for his presentation on his research of the "Zinc Works Remediation Study" (September).
  • conducted our fifth annual Cement City Home and Walking Tour - Fall editions - Saturday and Sunday (October).
  • launched our football and basketball game film transfer to DVD and fundraiser (October).
  • hosted Monessen native and author Ralph E. Stone on his reading and book signing of "Diary of a First Street Rambler" (October).
  • presented "1948 Smog" at the Lawrenceville Historical Society (October).
  • displayed a Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum display at the Donora Smog Race at the start/finish line at the Donora Skating Rink (October).
  • presented "Donora-Webster Bridge - Redo" (November).
  • complete our annual Christmas Wreath and Garland fundraiser (November).
  • acquired additional Donora Dragons football game films from the 1960's to be transferred to DVD (November).
  • held our annual Christmas Party at Duke's Cafe (December).
  • Acquired Stan "The Man" Musial letters during his minor league and WWII Navy days (December).