A local group of people have organized as a committee and taken the first step toward placing a state historical marker at the site of the Sheppton Mine Disaster.
Carol Zielinski chairs the eight-person committee, which she described as dedicated area people who want to make residents and tourists more aware of the contribution of hard-working miners with a great work ethic who risked their lives in the anthracite coal industry.
"My inspiration to get involved was to spread the word about the area's anthracite coal heritage," Zielinski said.
The currently unnamed committee has filed an application for the marker with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which will review the application and make a decision at its meeting in March.
Once approval is received, the committee will decide what words will be appropriate for the marker and where it will be placed.
"Our goal is to eventually build a museum in honor of all miners," Zielinski said. "We need more professional people and anyone else that could volunteer their time and expertise to raise funds for the museum and plan it."
Zielinski said completing the application for the historical marker was a task but the committee got a lot of help from various people throughout the state.
"The application form was close to 40 pages because the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission requires proof and documentation about the Sheppton Mine Disaster and the events surrounding it," Zielinski said.
The committee also includes J. Ronnie Sando; Patrick "Porcupine Pat" McKinney, environmental coordinator for the Schuylkill Conservation District; Tom Pesock; John Bova, a son of Lou Bova, whose body was never recovered from the mine cave-in; John's wife, Bonnie, and Joan and Benjamin Farris.
The East Union Township board of supervisors named the members of the committee and approves of its goals, according to Zielinski.
Zielinski is the niece of David Fellin, who along with Henry "Hank" Throne were safely rescued from the mine in August 1963. The event brought worldwide attention to the area due to the rescue methods used to bring the miners to safety on the surface from 300 feet below.
The "borehole rescue" is a method now used to rescue other miners who are trapped in accidents around the world.
According to Zielinski, the state historical commission will review the 37 pages of documentation that is considered proof of what happened and events that followed.
A major step - finding an organization willing to pay for the marker - was accomplished through a request by John Patton, Standard-Speaker operations manager, who is also on the board of the CAN DO Community Foundation.
The foundation's board has agreed to pay $1,900 toward the plaque that will be placed somewhere near the site of the mine disaster, Zielinski said.
The Greater Hazleton Historical Society also helped with the application and will assist the committee with the wording on the plaque once the commission approves it, she said.
"We want to celebrate our anthracite heritage and draw attention to the hard work ethics of the coal miners in our region who taught us how to work and sacrifice for the good of America," Zielinski said.
She also praised the cooperation the committee has received from around the state, including from mining professionals and administrators and officials from the United Mine Workers of America.
"It was long overdue to nominate the Sheppton Mine Disaster for consideration of a marker to memorialize and honor the miners now and in the past," Zielinski said.
The committee welcomes others to assist with the planning of the museum and necessary fundraising. Anyone who is interested in getting involved can call Zielinski at Faberge Follies, 570-401-3388, or email fabfol@ptd.net.