Appalachian Studies: Images

In 1939, a general strike was in effect in Harlan County, Kentucky, and all mining operations among the numerous coal companies were shut down. On May15th, 1939, some 900 Kentucky National Guard, under the command of General Ellerbe Carter, were ordered by Governor A. B. 'Happy' Chandler to Harlan to intervene between striking miners and mine operators. Owned by University of Kentucky.

Originally photographed for Consolidation Coal Company, the 204 images document life in Jenkins from 1911 to 1913. All images are mounted on 9 X 12 gray matting board. A handwritten identification of place and date the photograph was taken is handwritten underneath each image. Held by University of Kentucky.

The 46 images represented on this site comprised a 1978 exhibit entitled 'Coalfield Life'. The photographs were taken by Russell Lee in 1946 as part of a Federal survey of health conditions in the U.S. bituminous coal industry. Owned by University of Kentucky.