New Exhibit Depicts Lives of Bethlehem Steel Workers

Visitors to a new exhibit at the Goundie House, 505 Main St., in Historic Downtown Bethlehem will meet the men and women who worked at Bethlehem Steel in a multimedia experience that includes life-size portraits, audio interviews and memorabilia from the times.

The exhibit The Steel Way of Life aims not to tell the story of the company, Bethlehem Steel, but to showcase the workers’ perspectives of life in the shadow of the steel giant.

Through collaboration with the Steel Workers’ Archives, Historic Bethlehem Partnership is sharing steel workers’ stories with the public for the first time in a free and long-term exhibit that pairs arresting portraits with fascinating oral histories.

Bruce Ward, a former steel worker, edited and repurposed the oral histories for use in the exhibit. Ed Leskin, a local photographer, photographed and edited the portraits.

Ten former employees of Bethlehem Steel are featured in the exhibit, including Jeanne Brugger, Vincent Brugger, Hank Barnette, Helen Weaver, John Deutsch, Lester Clore, Joe Wilfinger, Bob Burkey, Jerry Green and Richie Check. An attempt to portray all areas of jobs, levels of employment and gender was made.

As a compliment to the portraits and oral histories, many artifacts are on display, including a hard hat, lunchbox, brass checks, Bethlehem Steel time books and overtime forms.

Also on display are two painted murals, completed by Freehand Murals. One is a view of a South Bethlehem street, serving to transport guests from the Goundie House to the Southside. The second is a life-size look at the Welfare Room, the locker-like space where steel workers stored their personal belongings. Two real welfare baskets hang from the ceiling. One former steel worker in the presence of the mural said, “My god, I’m there again.”

The exhibit reinforces the importance of collecting and sharing our histories with family, friends and younger generations.

The entrance to the exhibit includes a Community Memory Wall. Visitors are encouraged to bring their memories of life around Bethlehem Steel to share with the public. Photos, letters and personal histories can be copied or written and left on the wall for the duration of the exhibit. All stories will be added to Historic Bethlehem Partnership’s archives.

The exhibit will be open to the public through 2013. Admission is free.

Goundie House hours are held Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, 11am-4pm. Private tours and educational opportunities are also available.