Steel Stories
2021
For women’s history month in March, "Steel Stories — America’s
Cup” hosts Dawn Riley, one of the best-known sailors in the world as our speaker.
Join Tyree Warner and Larry Freeman at 6 PM on Steelmuseum.org as they explore
World War II Liberty Ships featuring the 17 ships named in honor of African Americans.
Join us as we celebrate Rebecca Lukens' birthday as we watch a living-history
presentation featuring “Charles Schwab” and “Rebecca Lukens”
performed at the 1998 Bethlehem Steel Management Meeting.
2020
Rich Smith look at the Valley Iron Works, one of eight local rolling mills that
helped to make the Coatesville area a center of boiler plate production in the mid
eighteen hundreds.
Bob Holliday looks at the Brandywine River and how it has it has shaped, and
been shaped, by the people and business along its banks.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum's yearly commemoration of
the 2001 attack.
Christopher Densmore, Curator at the Friends Quaker Library at Swarthmore College,
looks at Chester County's early Quaker women.
Harry Lewis and Jane Kennedy will lead the discussion about this local landmark
and its 2016 listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Dr. Karin E. Gedge, professor at West Chester University, looks at the "Life
and Times of Rebecca Lukens."
2019
Dr. Anne E. Krulikowski from West Chester University presents "Utopia for
Workers: Housing and Planned Industrial Communities."
Vonie Long, President of USW Amalgamated Local 1165, is joined by Dave McLimans,
former 1165 Vice-president and current President of the Chester County Central Labor
Council, to look at the history of the USW both nationally and in Coatesville.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum's yearly commemoration of
the 2001 attack.
Bob Lesutis explains and demonstrates blacksmithing by making decorative utensils
from steel.
The 2019 recipient of the Rebecca Lukens Award archivist and local preservationist
Sandra S. Momyer has devoted most of her life to preserving the history of the people,
places and heritage of Chester County.
Professor Thomas Legg, West Chester University, speaks about the changes in the
1800s maritime world as it transitions from wood to iron ships. The presentation
illustrates both the technological change and its impact on society.
Ellen Endslow, Director of Collections at the Chester County Historical Society,
presents a program about quilts made in Chester County.
Steel workers - men and women, retired and active, talk about their experiences
working in a steel mill.
Celebrating the anniversary of Rebecca Lukens' birth we meet and question the
woman herself (as portrayed by Susannah Brody) in a living history program.
2018
Richard Smith, Manager, Process and Product Design — ArcelorMittal Coatesville,
looks at Coatesville's 206" Rolling Mill, which is celebrating 100 years of operations
in 2018. The 206" was once the largest mill in the world and is still making
steel for American ships and submarines.
Then, the last generation of Lukens Steel workers was invited to tell their stories
and have their portraits taken. In the background are the oldest sections of the mill,
which are now in disuse, filled with dusty steel shavings and now quiet motors from
a bygone time of steel making.
The Youngstown District had one of the largest influences upon our nation's iron
and steel history. Youngstown, Ohio and the surrounding Mahoning Valley supplied
the iron that helped transform the United States into an industrial powerhouse. The
region rose from a mid-scale iron producer in the 1800s to the "Steel Valley"
in the 1900s. It is a story of innovation, stagnation, and change.
Features James Stuber, author of "What if Things were Made in America Again:
How Consumers Can Rebuild the Middle Class by Buying Things Made in American Communities."
Why and how many of the tridents still standing after the collapse of the World
Trade Center towers were moved to the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum in
Coatesville Pennsylvania.
The Rebecca Lukens Award honors individuals who exhibit the qualities of Rebecca Lukens
— resilience, leadership, courage, and strategic outlook.
Dan Graham, local iron historian, speaks about the women that had great influence
on our region's early iron industry.
Meet Thaddeus Stevens, as portrayed by Steve Anderson... attorney, abolitionist,
and politician.
Celebrate the anniversary of Rebecca Lukens' birth by meeting the woman herself
(as portrayed by Susannah Brody).
2017
Jason Hall, Curator of Battleship New Jersey, looks at the ship's history, lore, and
behind the scene stories.
Ronald Medlock, VP - Technical Services, of High Steel Structures (Lancaster) and
Dylan Alexander, Project Engineer, at ArcelorMittal (Coatesville) discuss the steelmaking
and fabrication processes of bridges, including the recent Tappan Zee Bridge project.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum hosts the 2017 Coatesville Remembers
September 11, 2001 Commemoration ceremony.
The Lukens Concert Band and the Forty Niners Chorus present a concert of remembrance
of the events of September 11, 2001.
Coatesville Youth Initiative 2017 summer intern for NISHM Kristian W looks at
the use of steel in World War II.
J.P. & Kristian, Coatesville Youth Initiative 2017 summer interns at NISHM, look
at the residents of Coatesville PA using photographs from the NISHM collections.
Kristian & J.P., Coatesville Youth Initiative 2017 summer interns at NISHM, look
at Coatesville PA businesses using photographs from the NISHM collections.
The Rebecca Lukens Award honors individuals who exhibit the qualities of Rebecca Lukens
— resilience, leadership, courage, and strategic outlook.
Join us for our Women's History Month program, titled "Coatesville Steel: The
Women's Experience."
Black steelworkers will take a trip down memory lane and share their working experience
at the Coatesville steel site.
Susannah Brody portrays Rebecca Web Lukens in honor of the 223rd anniversary of Rebecca's
birth.
2016
Chester County author and storyteller Susannah Brody looks at the long term business
connections between three generations of the Dowlin family and Rebecca Lukens and
her descendants.
ArcelorMittal's Richard Smith explores 300 years of iron and steelmaking in Pennsylvania.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum hosts the 2016 Coatesville Remembers
September 11, 2001 Commemoration ceremony.
Local historian and world traveler Eugene DiOrio will be showing photographs from
his trips to Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia, home to part of the
Huston Family.
Like many people World War I historian Bob Ford is a collector. But Bob isn’t
just a collector of things from World War I. He is also a collector of the stories
of the people of The War to End All Wars.
The 2016 Rebecca Lukens Award presented to Barbara Cohen honors individuals who exhibit
the qualities of Rebecca Lukens — resilience, leadership, courage, and strategic
outlook.
In association with NISHM's "Shipbuilding the Age of Iron & Steel" exhibit
Gene DiOrio, and his ever handy slide projector, tour the Queen Elizabeth II during
her construction from a visit he made to Scotland in 1968. As an added bonus Gene
talked about and showed slides of the SS United States.
Author Robyn Young talks about her new book, and her work to erect PA historical markers
in honor of the contributions made by Pennsylvania women.
Starting a Conversation - African American Before and During the Age of Iron &
Steel.
A living history presentation in celebration of 222nd anniversary of the birth of
Rebecca Lukens, America's first female industrialist.
2015
Dr. Thomas Heinrich, author of the book "Ships for the Seven Seas: Shipbuilding
in the Age of Industrial Capitalism," talks about shipbuilding in the Philadelphia
area.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum presents its 2015 award to Mary Ann
Rossi, Partner at MacElree Harvey.
Christopher Densmore, Curator at the Friends Quaker Library at
Swarthmore College presents “The Underground Railroad in Chester County.”
NISHM welcomes Mr. Densmore in celebration of Black History Month!
A living history presentation in celebration of 221st anniversary of the birth
of Rebecca Lukens, America's first female industrialist.
2014
Eugene
DiOrio takes on a tour of 12 industrial locations looking at buildings, machinery,
gardens and how the locations have influenced modern day society.
Ranger Tom Simek and Friends of Hibernia's John Ross look at
the history of the park through photographs.
The annual Lukens Reunion Barbecue and Service Awards honoring current ArcelorMittal
Coatesville employees.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum hosts the 2014 Coatesville Remembers
September 11, 2001 Commemoration ceremony.
On August 28, 1984 Bill Fischer, Mary Sullivan, Rosie Long and Gene DiOrio signed
the Articles of Incorporation creating The Graystone Museum Society of Coatesville.
Join Gene as he remembers the beginning.
An evening of great food, drink and music on the beautiful grounds of the Lukens Historic
District.
This year's keynote speaker Sheila Fleming, Senior Planner for Conservation Design at the Brandywine Conservancy, presents :The Brandywine Creek Greenway: the Heart and Soul of Chester County". Other highlights are the presentation of the 2014 Eugene L. DiOrio Volunteer of the Year Award to Sharon Bower, and the presentation of the Charles Lukens Huston Scholarship Award to two graduating seniors from Coatesville Area Senior High School, Morgan Flynn and Steven McFarland.
Larry Freeman, Graystone Society member and docent at the S.S. John Brown Liberty
Ship, presents a lecture including photos and a virtual tour of the ship.
President Scott Huston, Program Manager Juliette Honsinger, Collections Manager Kathy
Bratton, and Executive Director James Ziegler with an insider's look at activities
at the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum.
Join Gene DiOrio and his trusty slide projector as he continues to take us along on
his 1968 trip to Great Britain. Along the way we will visit great estates, quaint
villages, impressive cathedrals and other important familiar, and not so familiar,
landmarks.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum presents its 2014 award to Molly Keim
Morrison, President of the Natural Lands Trust.
Learn how the Coatesville Ladies Aid Society was formed, the work they did to collect
and send hospital supplies to the troops at the front, and about the local merchants
who collaborated with them during the Civil War. Presented by Dr. Flo Williams.
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the ruling in Goodman vs. Lukens Steel Co. as
well as the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964. Dr. Craig Stutman, Assistant Professor of History and Policy Studies
at Delaware Valley College, will share his noted research on the case and its influence
on American society.
In recognition of Rebecca Lukens' birthday storyteller Susannah Brody presents Rebecca's
story in Rebecca's words.
2013
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum hosted the 2013 Lukens Reunion and brought
back a long standing tradition, service pins honoring active employees at the Coatesville
steel mill.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum hosts the fourth annual Coatesville
Remembers September 11th commemoration.
Eugene DiOrio shows slides and talks about
his 1968 trip to Scotland.
Author Bruce Mowday discusses his newest
book.
The Graystone Society, Inc. holds it's
2013 annual meeting April 19th
Nancy Webster discusses important Quaker
women in Chester County.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage
Museum presents the 2013 award to Regina Horton Lewis.
Commemorating the birthday of
Rebecca Lukens the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum presents Rebecca as portrayed
by Susannah Brody.
2012
A historical overview of the people
and events that made the Delaware River the most important commercial waterway of
the 18th and 19th centuries.
Author Dan Toomey talks about "The
War Came by Train" The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad During the Civil War
The National Iron & Steel Heritage
Museum's 2012 Garden Party, held June 16th on the grounds of the Lukens National Historic
District.
Chester County historian Eugene DiOrio
talks on the connection with Lukens Steel and the creation of the Chester Valley Bank.
Marking the 150th anniversary of
the Battle of Hampton Roads Jason Hall, VP Curatorial Affairs & Education at the
Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial, presents "Battleship Development,
from the Monitor to the New Jersey"
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum presents the 2012 award to Tamara (Tammy) C. Cansler.
Dr tonya thames taylor from West Chester University will present the 2012 Black History Month lecture 'Fighting for Freedom: Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation, and the US Colored Troops'.
Commemorating the birthday of Rebecca Lukens
the Graystone Society presents Rebecca as portrayed by Susannah Brody.
2011
Scott Huston explores the Lukens Athletic Association.
Gene DiOrio and his slide projector take us around the world by
boat and train.
The Lukens National Historic District hosts Coatesville's 2011 commemoration of the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
The Coatesville Historic Commission's remembrance of the 100th anniversary
of the murder of Edgar Rice and the lynching of Zachariah Walker.
The Graystone Society's 2011 Members Garden Party, held June 18th on the grounds of
the Lukens National Historic District.
A panel of former Lukens employees discuss the reason Lukens was a special place to
work.
Lukens' involvement in the Leonardo da Vinci's Horse Project.
Susannah Brody portrays Rebecca Lukens, America's first woman industrialist.
The Graystone Society presents the 2011 Rebecca Lukens Award award to the late Nancy
Penn Smith Hannum.
In partnership with Hopewell National Historic Site, we present our inaugural Black
History Month lecture, "The African American Experience". This lecture is
presented by Frances Delmar, Chief of Interpretation at Hopewell Furnace National
Historic Site.
2010
Susannah Brody talks about her new book, Remembering Chester County, From Valley Forge
to Coatesville.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum hosts its Inaugural 9/11 Memorial Event
at Gateway Park in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. 7:30 AM until 10:30 AM.
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of iron & steel production in Coatesville the
Graystone Society plants a rose garden at Brandywine Mansion, home of Rebecca Lukens.
The Graystone Society celebrates the 200th anniversary of iron & steel production
in Coatesville, PA, with the dedication of a historical marker in the Lukens National
Historic District.
Paul Paskoff, Professor of Economics at LSU, lectures on tariffs and the American
Iron & Steel industry at the Graystone Society's Spring Lecture #2.
200 Years of Rolling Along the Brandywine - The Story
of the Brandywine Iron Works and Nail Factory and the many other
rolling mills of the Brandywine Valley. Presented by Richard Smith at
May 6th for the The Graystone Society's 2010 Lecture Series
Welcome ceremonies for the steel "trees", still standing after the collapse
of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, returned to Coatesville PA the home
of the former Lukens Steel Company who made and cut the steel shapes used to manufacture
the "Trees".
Over Forty years ago, the last trainload carrying the structural shapes (known as
"trees") destined for the World Trade Center in New York City pulled out
of Lukens Steel in Coatesville, PA. They were the last, of many, which would
frame the first nine floors and soaring lobbies of the North and South Towers of the
world's tallest buildings at that time.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum presents the 2010 award to Gladys Flamer.
2009
In the early 1800s Rebecca Lukens became one of America's first female industrialists
after her husband died. She took on the running of the Lukens steel plate rolling
mill in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. She helped her business survive some rough times
and triumphed through many personal tragedies. The mill she ran still makes steel
today. Her house still exists as do her children's houses. The historic district of
Coatesville is very much the historical district of the mill and her descendants.
See and hear about how iron and steel are made. Iron is the raw material for
many metal products. Steel is iron that has been mixed into an alloy with other materials
and had the carbon content manipulated to create special qualities for the steel.
The The Graystone Society has created the National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum
in Coatesville. Many buildings and artifacts already exist. The Graystone Society
is also a part of this collection of entities interested in preserving the history
that surrounds the longest running steel mill in America. Rebecca Lukens, one of America's
first female industrialists, established the mill back in the early 1800s.
Lukens steel of Coatesville was one of the most successful steel plate rolling
mills in America. Learn about the process here. How ingots are heated and rolled to
form plate. The mill still exists now owned by ArcelorMittal. Visit this historic
district in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
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