Building a People’s Museum from Below

Who gets to tell workers’ history? Artist and “community-taught historian” Shaun Slifer shares how the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum grew from a grassroots vision into a community institution in Matewan. From installing homemade historical markers in Pittsburgh to preserving a red bandana carried toward the Battle of Blair Mountain, Slifer explores how working people reclaim their stories. Along the way, he reflects on listening to coalfield communities, collaborating with union miners, and building trust through the everyday objects families choose to share. Recorded September 5 at the Reuther-Pollack Symposium, “The Art of Labor,” in Wheeling, West Virginia. Our thanks to the organizers, the Wheeling Academy of Law and Science Foundation and the Ohio County Public Library. Patrick Dixon recorded the session. Produced by Chris Garlock. Questions, comments, or suggestions are welcome, and to find out how you can be a part of Labor History Today, email us at [email protected] Labor History Today is produced by the Labor Heritage Foundation and the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor. #LaborRadioPod #History #WorkingClass #ClassStruggle @GeorgetownKILWP #LaborHistory @UMDMLA @ILLaborHistory @AFLCIO @StrikeHistory #LaborHistory @wrkclasshistory