Battle of Homestead Calendar

The Battle of Homestead Foundation(BHF) offers a summer lecture and film series, free and open to the public, at the Pump House, 880 East Waterfront Dr., Munhall, 15120. The BHF is a diverse organization of citizens, workers, educators and historians which aims to preserve, interpret and promote a people's’ history focused on the significance of the dramatic labor conflict at the Homestead Works in 1892.

Below are our programs for April – June, 2016

Thursday, April 21, 1-3pm- COMMEMORATION –- A new marker commemorating The Battle of Homestead of 1892 will be unveiled with an event at the Pump House. The ceremony features music and readings by students from Steel Valley High School, presentations from local dignitaries, followed by a reception. The new interpretive marker highlights solidarity between the steelworkers and townspeople of Homestead, defending their jobs against scabs and notes the significance of this confrontation in the turbulent struggles of industrial relations in our country. The film THE RIVER RAN RED will be shown at 7:30 pm. A gripping account of a community’s struggle to preserve its way of life, the film employs documentary techniques, primary sources, dramatically staged scenes and lyrical commentary found in poetry, song and fiction. Produced by Steffi Domike and Nicole Fauteux. (60 mins.)

Sunday May 15- 2 pm- PANEL PRISON NATION –THE PRISON-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX: Why are so many people – especially people of color – behind bars in the United States? We will learn about programs for re-entry, and movements for reform for juvenile lifers, people in solitary, and others. Panelists include Martha Conley, Jules Lobel and Tiffany Sizemore-Johnson(facilitator)

Thursday, May 26- 7:30pm- FILM - LOST IN THE HYPE- (45 mins) Analyzing racism in sports, this locally-produced documentary explores the roles of players, fans, owners, media and your tax dollars in perpetuating this phenomenon. It features interviews with Pittsburgh African-American leaders in many sports, as well as commentators, interspersed with photos and sports videos. Rob Ruck will lead Q&A and discussion to follow.

Saturday, June 11 – 1:30pm- PANEL- BUILDING STRONG AND VIBRANT UNIONS - The subject of this discussion will be organizing, engaging workers to maximize power, growing union membership and defending existing contracts. The panel features organizing directors from two Pittsburgh-based unions--Maria Somma of the Steelworkers, Gene Elk from United Electrical Workers, and a member of the Academic Workers Association discussing strategies and techniques, successes and challenges facing workers today.

Thursday, June 23- 7:30 pm- FILM BUILDING PITTSBURGH (45 minutes). America’s oldest and most stable trade unions have sprung from the craft labor and skilled trade jobs essential to constructing our buildings, bridges, factories, and infrastructure such as transportation and utilities. Former BHF President Charlie McCollester and Steffi Domike produced this fascinating documentary about Pittsburgh’s own building trades unions and members. Rediscover how these unionists are an essential part of our city’s history and built environment. Rick Okraszewski from the Carpenters Union will tell us about their apprenticeship program.

The Battle of Homestead Foundation is a diverse organization of citizens, workers, educators and historians which aims to preserve, interpret and promote a peoples history focused on the significance of the dramatic labor conflict at the Homestead Works in 1892.

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