Every year, an event called Patchtown Days is held at Eckley Miners’ Village in northeastern Pennsylvania. In 2024 it will be held on June 15th & 16th.
Eckley is a preserved 19th century coal town, or patch, and the event celebrates the heritage of the coal region.
I love Eckley and am a proud descendant of some of its earliest residents. I’ve written a book about another of its earliest inhabitants–a young mule driver who became a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. On Sunday June 16th I’ll be giving a book talk about the book– “You Dream Every Night That I am Home.” It’s filled with the real letters of John Williamson back home to his wife in Eckley. The book also shows how I followed John’s path from Eckley down to Virginia, taking photos and doing research, all the way to the place of his final battle.
While at Eckley, when I’m not giving the book talk I’ll be set up at a table in the village with my this and my other two books–“Coal Country Connections” and “Conversations with the Court House Deer” as well as prints of some of my artwork of Eckley:
At Patchtown Days there will be live music and performances, food and drink, skilled crafters and vendors…what a great way to experience and enjoy the heritage of the anthracite coal region.
ChessieWriter 