Courage in the Hollers: Interpreting Coal Miners’ March and Battle on Blair Mountain

FAIN: BR-307328-26

West Virginia Mine Wars Museum (Matewan, WV 25678-0764)
Mackenzie New Walker (Project Director: January 2025 to present)

The Museum will use an implementation grant to launch the third phase of Courage in the Hollers: Interpreting Coal Miners’ March and Battle on Blair Mountain (working title), a two-year public humanities project. The initiative explores three key themes: the scope of democratic rights, "Uneasy Solidarity: Challenging Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Divides," and "Public Memory: Who Gets to Tell the Story." The project will bring the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain—the largest armed labor uprising in U.S. history—to life with free interpretive materials and permanent public installations. Focusing on miners’ defense of union recognition and civil liberties, it will examine their collective efforts to overcome racial, ethnic, and gender divisions. Spanning 50 miles across four counties, it features physical and digital installations, including historical signage, audio posts, an interactive website, and Clio app entries, ensuring Blair Mountain's legacy remains publicly accessible.