May 28, 2006 By Jackie Beranek 4 min read

DUNBAR – The Dunbar Historical Society has undertaken a huge project that will bring visitors to the area and take advantage of the town’s rich history. Historical Society Secretary Donna Myers said with the loss of most of the industrial heritage in the Dunbar area, the means to educate residents and visitors about the past has become more and more difficult.

“Today’s generation has little knowledge of the struggle that took place in this region by the men and women who tried to eke out a living in the dirt and smoke of the coke oven era,” said Myers.

“It is hard to imagine the coke ovens in full blast and the environment our ancestors endured to create the town we know as Dunbar. When the opportunity presented itself to recreate, preserve and educate residents and visitors about a significant part of our region’s history, society members answered the call.”

Myers said historical society members have agreed to establish a “Coke Oven Park and Education Center,” in which they will revitalize the downtown area by providing a place for residents and tourists to visit and learn about the industrial heritage of the area and to “see and touch” a real coke oven.

There will be a park area, where a coke oven will be built to original blueprints, and an education center located in the historic former U.S. Post Office Building (built in 1898), where people can learn about the rich industrial heritage of the Dunbar area.

In cooperation with Dunbar Borough Council, which owns the original Atlas Coke Oven site, the third component will consist of a “Coke Oven Walk” where visitors can view 100-year old ovens in their natural setting.

Myers said the park area and the education center will be located between and directly adjacent to the proposed Sheepskin Trail and new Fayette Central Railroad tourist train and will provide tourism opportunities for Dunbar Borough and the central part of Fayette County.

Myers said permission will be sought to include the park, as a trailhead for the Sheepskin Trail and trail users will be provided with a safe place to park their bikes and purchase refreshments while they visit the park and educational center or take a ride on the train.

She additionally said the economic impact on local businesses will serve to provide a reason for visitors to stop.

Historical Society President George Myers said, “Our only sticking point is finding the right size firebrick for the oven. If anyone can help with this we would really appreciate a call.”

Historical society member Bonnie Zurick added, “We are fortunate to have former coke oven builder and lifelong Dunbar resident Cutty Caruso as a consultant for our coke oven project.

“We have some great photos of Cutty building ovens near Homer City in our pictorial album collection.”

Myers said in cooperation with the Coal and Coke Heritage Center, located at Penn State-The Eberly Campus, educational programs will be offered that will provide information and encourage exploration of the history of the region.

“The park component will offer a hands-on experience where students can view and touch a real reconstructed coke oven,” said Myers. “Community activities will also take place at the park and the Dunbar historical society’s education center component will house extensive local history photos, news articles, books, tapes and local memorabilia,”

Myers said students, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to visit the center year-round to research, read and reminisce about the heritage of the region. She additionally said this is an exciting and vital project that promises to give the town of Dunbar a chance to once again use its industrial heritage to “put Dunbar on the map.”

Myers said a coke oven display will be set up at the Franklin Memorial Methodist Church on Connellsville Street beginning at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day. She also said that beehive collector banks will be sold in addition to paperweights with either a panoramic view of the Dunbar Honor Roll or the Pennsylvania Wire Glass Company emblem.

Baked goods will also be on sale at the church.

Myers said the historical society needs $11,000 to purchase the old post office building. They have about $5,000 right now. The historical society is looking for “charter member project partners” to help them make the Coke Oven Park project become a reality.

Myers said anyone who would like to become a partner (individuals and/or businesses) could do so by donating $50 or more. She said the name designated on the application form will be placed on a plaque that will be dedicated at the completion of the project.

Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to the Dunbar Historical Society, P.O. Box 366, Dunbar, Pa. 15431.

For more information, call Myers at 724-277-8448.