Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor facts for kids
The Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor is a museum in Youngstown, Ohio. It helps us remember the important history of the steel industry. Steelmaking was a huge part of life and work in Youngstown for most of the 1900s. The museum is owned by the Ohio History Connection. It is run by Youngstown State University. A famous architect named Michael Graves designed the building. It looks a bit like a steel mill, even with cool-looking smokestacks!
Contents
How the Museum Started
Idea for a Steel History Museum
The idea for this museum came about in 1977. An Ohio State Senator named Harry Meshel first suggested it. He wanted a place to remember the community's steel industry. At that time, the steel industry was starting to decline.
Building the Center
In 1978, an office was opened in downtown Youngstown to plan the museum. The state approved $3 million for the project in 1983. This money helped make the museum possible. A special ceremony to start construction happened in 1986. Building work began in 1989. Michael Graves and the Raymond J. Jaminet Partners firm led the construction.
Opening the Doors
The center first opened its doors in 1990. It had temporary exhibits for visitors to see. The museum then created its permanent collection. It was officially dedicated in 1992.
What You Can See and Do
Exploring the Steel Valley Past
The museum's main exhibit is called "By the Sweat of Their Brow: Forging the Steel Valley." This exhibit explores Youngstown's industrial past. You can see videos, old photographs, and real objects. There are also recreated scenes from the past. These help you understand what life was like for steelworkers.
Visiting the Center Today
Even though the museum focuses on Youngstown's past, it has faced some challenges. Not many local people visited the center for a while. Some people thought the museum's hours were not good for working residents. This made it hard for them to visit.
The Museum's Future
Despite these challenges, the Ohio History Connection still supports the museum. The Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor has continued to operate. It has even survived rumors that it might close. In the 2006–2007 year, over 8,000 people visited the center. This was a good increase from the year before.
