The World War II years will be examined later this month when Eckley Miners' Village celebrates life during the 1940s.

With a theme of "1940s Weekend - The World War II Years" and "The 1940s Swing Dance," Eckley will present life on the home front, starting Saturday, July 27 through Sunday July 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.The focus will be on the daily routine of typical Eckley residents circa 1944, with a glimpse of the chores of a mining patch town during the war years.Organizers say visitors will be able to experience the warfront and visit Allied and Axis military encampments, see demonstrations, skirmishes, weaponry, cavalry and military vehicles. Attendees will witness the entertainment of the Big Band era and enjoy live musical performances by the Friar's Point Band, the Vinatieri Sisters, the Liberty Band and more.Also, the memoirs of Holocaust survivor Severin Fayerman will be presented as Fayerman recounts his life in Poland, the time spent in the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Buchenwald and finally his new in Pennsylvania.Eckley's Main Street features preserved and interpreted homes of miners' families, and historic buildings opened to the public and staffed with interpreters.Active military personnel get in free.On Saturday, July 27 from 6 to 10 p.m., visitors are welcome to swing the night away at the Freeland Public Park Pavilion which is located on Front Street in Freeland. Live music will be provided by the Hazleton Philharmonic Big Band Sound. Although there will be an admission fee, it will be reduced for those in 1940s era attire or uniform.Eckley is located just off Route 940 on Highland Road in Luzerne County, 10 miles east of downtown Hazleton and outside of Freeland. Additional information is available at the Village at (570) 636-2070 or visit

www.eckleyminersvillagemuseum.com or on Facebook.Eckley Miners' Village is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission with very active support from the Eckley Miners' Village Associates.