Mike Matejka & Bucky Halker will present on Illinois’ rich coal mining history, a story that is complete with immigrants, hard labor, union battles and tragedies.
The event is free and open to the public. Illinois Labor History Society members and Illinois Humanities Council, “Road Scholars,” Halker and Matejka will present together. Halker’s program is entitled, Down in the Mine: American Coal Miners and Their Songs, 1890-1960, and Matejka will add historical background.
Dr. Bucky Halker is a long-time, popular Road Scholar who has extensive knowledge of Illinois folk music and labor history. He has performed in venues throughout Illinois, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and Canada for over 30 years. Matejka is the ILHS President and has researched labor history across Illinois.