Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor announces Downtown Merchants Lecture Series

The Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor is opening a new exhibition and has announced the Fall lineup of the Downtown Merchants Lecture Series.

The museum will host the grand opening and reception for “Women at Work: Change and Continuity, 1940s- 2010s” 6 p.m., Thursday, September 14. The exhibition delves into conditions in the workplace and how they have changed over time, asking the question: “What has improved and what still needs revision to make workers, both men and women, happier employees?”

The Downtown Merchants Lecture Series kicks off 5:30 p.m., Thursday, September 28. Former trainman in the mills and founder and director of the Mahoning Valley Railroad Heritage Association, Carl Jacobson, will present the story of trains and their pivotal role in keeping the mills in operation.

Jacob Harver, a local entrepreneur and doctoral student at Kent State University, will recount his rides along the Ohio Canals and the industries of a bygone era 4:30 p.m., Friday, October 13.

The steel museum will host the closing reception of the “Women at Work” exhibit 6 p.m., Friday, November 10. The event will feature a discussion with Sherry Linkon, Ph.D., director of the writing program at Georgetown University and professor of English. Linkon was Co-Director of the Center for Working-Class Studies at Youngstown State University from 1997 to 2012. Her most recent book, “The Half-Life of Deindustrialization: Working-Class Writing about Economic Restructuring” examines contemporary American working-class literature and media.

Allison Bye, assistant director of YSU Alumni Engagement, will discuss the importance of community engagement and the role local citizens and alumni play in promoting local organizations 5:30 p.m., Thursday, November 16.

Jonathan Cambouris, president of the Hellenic Preservation Society of Cleveland will speak on Greek culture and its community contributions to industry and labor 5 p.m., Friday, December 8.

All events are free and open to the public, reservations can be made by calling 330.941.1314. Reservations are preferred but not required.