Featured Image: The \u2018last cast\u2019 at Bethlehem Steel\u2019s South Bethlehem plant on November 18, 1995. <\/i>From the Bethlehem Steel Archival Collection at the National Museum of Industrial History.<\/i><\/p>\n
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BETHLEHEM, Pa \u2013 On November 18, 1995, the iconic blast furnaces and the basic oxygen furnace at Bethlehem Steel\u2019s South Bethlehem plant produced their last iron and steel and fell forever silent.\u00a0\u00a0Now, 25 years later, the Bethlehem community is coming together to commemorate and relive the final hours of steelmaking.<\/p>\n
Last Cast 25<\/em>\u00a0will take place at the National Museum of Industrial History (NMIH) on Saturday, November 14th<\/sup>.\u00a0 A collaboration between\u00a0PBS39<\/a><\/u>,\u00a0Bethlehem Area Public Library<\/a><\/u>,\u00a0Artsquest<\/a><\/u>,\u00a0Steelworkers Archives<\/a><\/u>,\u00a0Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites<\/a><\/u>,\u00a0Wind Creek Bethlehem<\/a><\/u>, and NMIH, the event will feature guest speakers, never-before seen photos of the last cast, limited edition merchandise, free lunches for former Bethlehem Steel employees, and free admission to the museum from 10am to 1pm.<\/p>\n \u201cThis event is the culmination of many months of hard work with our partners, and we\u2019re so excited that despite all the challenges 2020 has brought to all of our organizations, that we\u2019re able to still find a way to remember this important chapter in the nation\u2019s industrial history,\u201d said Kara Mohsinger, President and CEO of NMIH.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019ve put together a day of activities that can be enjoyed by guests of all ages and we encourage everyone from former steelworkers to families to mask up, socially distance, and join us for a day full of history.\u201d<\/p>\n Former steelworkers can sign up for a free \u2018overtime lunch\u2019 at\u00a0nmih.org\/lunch<\/a>. The menu consists of items that came in lunches given to employees who worked four hours extra on top of their eight-hour shifts. Provided by Bethlehem\u2019s Deja Brew Coffeehouse & Deli, the brown-bag lunches will include a variety of sandwiches, chips, an A-Treat soda, a hard-boiled egg, an apple, and a Tastykake. \u00a0Two hundred lunches are available by RSVP Only and are limited to one per person. Lunches will be distributed at approximately 12pm.<\/p>\n The day will begin at the Hoover Mason Trestle. Closed to the public since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers have arranged access for small groups to tour the trestle from 9am to 10am and get up-close-and-personal with the blast furnaces that made the last iron.\u00a0\u00a0Patrons will then reconvene at 11am at the museum\u2019s plaza and socially distance themselves as guest speakers including Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure, NMIH President and CEO Kara Mohsinger, Bethlehem Steel Chairman Emeritus Curtis H. \u201cHank\u201d Barnette, former research supervisor Trevor Shellhammer, and former blast furnace foreman Roger Malitzki Sr. deliver remarks.<\/p>\n Tom Baker, an amateur photographer who has captured images of the plant over several decades, was present during the last cast and will detail his experience via a video showcasing his imagery leading up to the final days of steelmaking at the plant.\u00a0\u00a0The museum will also be showing nearly 100 images recently uncovered in the Bethlehem Steel corporate archives of the final hours in the blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace.<\/p>\n Screens inside and outside the museum will rotate photos from the Banana Factory\u2019s \u2018Faces of Steel\u2019 series, images from former Bethlehem Steel employee Ed Leskin, and amateur and professional footage shot in the blast furnaces during their last years of operation.\u00a0\u00a0From 10am to 1pm former steelworkers will be able to sign a beam recovered from the wreckage of Martin Tower which will later be placed outside of the South Bethlehem Visitors Center.<\/p>\n At 12:30pm families can join in a special story time in the museum\u2019s plaza featuring \u201cTug,\u201d a children\u2019s book featuring one of the museum\u2019s brightest artifacts.\u00a0\u00a0The book is a collaboration between NMIH and Bethlehem Area Public Library and will be available for purchase at the Last Cast event.\u00a0\u00a0Other limited-edition Last Cast 25 merchandise will be available in the museum\u2019s gift shop.\u00a0\u00a0The Steelworkers Archives are offering a Last Cast poster for pre-sale. Interested parties can sign up to purchase one at NMIH prior to the Last Cast event.<\/p>\n The day will culminate with an iron pour at 2:30pm (weather permitting), where museum staff and volunteers will cast commemorative Last Cast 25 medallions.\u00a0\u00a0While the medallions will not be available for sale on-site on the 14th<\/sup>, guests may sign up to purchase medallions in the future.<\/p>\n The Steelworkers Archives will be offering walking tours on Saturday, November 14th<\/sup>\u00a0and Sunday, November 15th<\/sup>\u00a0at 9:30am, 11:30am, and 1:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at\u00a0steelstacks.org<\/a>. PBS39 will also broadcast the \u2018Faces of Steel\u2019 photo series on its outdoor video screen throughout the weekend.<\/p>\n All guests must wear a mask and social distance for indoor and outdoor activities.\u00a0\u00a0Guest speakers and most outdoor activities are rain or shine.\u00a0\u00a0A tent and heaters will be provided for comfort.<\/p>\n Last Cast 25 is generously sponsored by Hank and Joanne Barnette, Lehigh Valley Public Media, OneGroup, MMZ Foundation, Northampton County DCED, Lehigh Heavy Forge, Steelworkers Archives, and the National Museum of Industrial History.<\/p>\n About NMIH<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Featured Image: The \u2018last cast\u2019 at Bethlehem Steel\u2019s South Bethlehem plant on November 18, 1995. From the Bethlehem Steel Archival Collection at the National Museum of Industrial History. BETHLEHEM, … Continue reading Last Cast 25 to Feature Photo Displays, Free Steelworker Lunches, Free Museum Admission, and More<\/span>
\nA Smithsonian Institution-affiliate, the National Museum of Industrial History is dedicated to preserving America\u2019s rich industrial heritage. Housed in an 18,000-square-foot, 100-year-old former Bethlehem Steel facility on the largest private brownfield in America, the Museum is home to exciting exhibits, engaging programs and amazing history. Learn more at\u00a0nmih.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nInformation provided to TVL by:
\nGlenn Koehler
\nDirector of Marketing and Public Relations
\nNational Museum of Industrial History
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