WVU Tech Professor Talks Coalfield History in PBS Documentary

WVU Tech history professor Dr. Paul Rakes was recently featured in “The Mine Wars,” a PBS American Experience documentary covering labor wars in the coalfields of West Virginia. Dr. Rakes worked with the show during production to provide guidance in historical research, help separate legends from historical facts and connect the show with other scholars.

Check out the “Fighting Strikebreakers” chapter below:

Read Dr. Rakes’ take on violence and political expression during the period in a  supplemental interview.

Watch the full documentary and explore more of “The Mine Wars” on the  PBS website.