A regional observance of Mining History Week will take place between January 13-22 at programs in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Pittston, Port Griffith, and Ashley. The annual event focuses on the victims of the Knox Mine Disaster of January 22, 1959, as well as the tens of thousands of mineworkers-men and boys-who toiled, were injured, suffered black lung disease, or died in the area's anthracite mines.

The programs are sponsored by the Anthracite Heritage Museum, the Anthracite Heritage Foundation, King's College, the Lackawanna Historical Society, the Luzerne County Historical Society, the Huber Breaker Preservation Society, the Anthracite Living History Group, the Old Forge Coal Mine, the Greater Pittston Historical Society, and the Knox Mine Disaster Memorial Committee.The public is invited to attend the events free of charge.Sunday, January 13, 10 a.m., St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston, Annual Knox Mine Disaster memorial mass, Williams StreetWednesday, January 16, 7 p.m.-Lackawanna Historical Society, Scranton, Lecture Series, Robert P. Wolensky & William A. Hastie speaking on their new book, "Anthracite Labor Wars: Labor-Management Conflict at Pennsylvania Coal Company Collieries in Scranton and Pittston, 1900-1936," Catlin House, refreshments servedFriday, January 18, 7 p.m.-King's College, Wilkes-Barre, Annual Msgr. John J. Curran Lecture by Prof. Kevin Kenny, Boston College speaking on, "Who Are the Molly Maguires and Why Are They Important to Anthracite History?" Burke Auditorium, McGowan Business School; refreshments at 6:30 p.m. in the adjacent Postupak RoomSaturday, January 19, 3 p.m.-Anthracite Heritage Museum, Scranton, Knox Mine Disaster annual program featuring never before seen video footage of the Knox disaster and its immediate aftermath presented by documentary filmmakers Al and Dave Brocca, folk singer Tom Smith singing his "Knox Mine Disaster" recording, the Hometown Boyz singing their blues recording "Coal Mine Blues," other speakers, Audrey Calvey's memorial embroidery on display, victims' family members, refreshments served Sunday, January 20, 11:15 a.m.-Knox Disaster Memorial Monument and PHMC Marker, Port Griffith, Annual memorial service at the monuments in front of the Baloga Funeral Home (formerly St. Joseph's Church), Main StreetSunday, January 20, Noon-Knox Mine Disaster Site Visit, Port Griffith-Walk to the disaster site along the Susquehanna River, weather permitting; gather at the Baloga Funeral Home at 11:45 a.m. or meet at the disaster site Tuesday January 22, 6:30 p.m.-Huber Breaker Preservation Society, Ashley, Atty. John H. Doran speaking on, "The History of the Blue Coal Corporation's Bankruptcy Case," Earth Conservancy Building, Main Street, refreshments served.