Nov. 14 -15 Cherry, Illinois
On November 13, 1909, a fire broke out in the Cherry, Illinois coal mine. 259 lives were lost, one of the worst accidents in American industrial history. In response to Cherry, new safety laws were passed. A century later, the town will dedicate a new monument. Please come join this celebration of life and commemoration of these miners. Cherry is on Rt. 89, fi ve miles north of I-80, in Bureau County.
Read more about the Cherry Mine disaster.
Schedule of events
Saturday, November 14
8 a.m. Library and Museum opens
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Trolley and walking tours of mine site & memorial cemetery
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Film on the Cherry mine (continuous), Cherry Fire Station
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Displays, book tables, history fair projects
11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Genealogy workshops, Cherry Grade School
12:15 p.m. Coal mining music, featuring Bucky Halker
1 p.m. Dedication of new monument: Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson;
State Senator Gary Dahl; State Rep. Frank Mautino, Illinois AFL-CIO
President Michael Carrigan; United Mine Workers Vice-President
Steve Earl and other invited speakers
2 & 3 p.m. Mother Jones fi lm, Village Hall
Food & refreshment all day at Bruno’s, Cherry Supper Club and J.T.’s.
Sunday, November 15
8 a.m. Cherry Library and Museum opens
9 am. – 2 p.m. Trolley and walking tours
Film on the Cherry Mine, Cherry Fire Station
12:45 p.m. Procession from the Cherry Grade School to the Miners’ Cemetery
1 p.m. Memorial Service at the Cemetery, Alessandro Motta, Italian Consul
General, Charles Bernardini and Silvia Bartolini.
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