FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BETHLEHEM, PA – Steel Weekend returns Friday, Saturday and Sunday September 20-22, 2024. Steel Weekend is presented by the National Museum of Industrial History and the Steelworkers’ Archives in partnership with ArtsQuest, Bethlehem Area Public Library, Bethlehem Area School District, National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum, Northampton Community College, SouthSide Arts District and the South Bethlehem Historical Society.
This annual celebration of all things steel will focus in 2024 on women in the steel industry with a Women in Steel keynote and discussion panel featuring former Bethlehem Steel employees, a Women in Steel art exhibit and tour, guest lectures on the life and legacy of female industrialist Rebecca Lukens and the artwork of Milly Johnstone. A special Women in Steel film screening will also take place. Women from all walks of life worked jobs in the plants, offices and in research and contributed significantly to the success of Bethlehem Steel, the second largest steel producer in the nation. Nineteen women of Bethlehem Steel, many of whom have never publicly relayed their experiences before, have shared their incredible stories. These remarkable oral histories have been compiled into a video project showcasing the dedicated, smart and hardworking Women of Steel.
On Friday, September 20th, from 10 AM to 2 PM, NMIH will host a “Metal Health” workshop led by Veteran and artist Jay Elias of Evolution Art Studios. Elias, a former United States Marine, served during the Gulf War era. The workshop will introduce the process used to create three-dimensional sculptural forms in cast iron —patternmaking, mold-making and casting. This workshop is free for veterans and $40 for the general public. Pre-registration is required.
On Saturday, September 21st at 7pm, a public iron pour demonstration will take place outdoors in the Museum’s Foundry Park (weather permitting) with the participation of “Metal Health” workshop registrants. Whether they attended the workshop the day before or not, anyone from the public is invited to watch the pour, where scrap iron will be recycled and melted down in a visually stunning process of fire and molten metal. Bonn Place Brewing and Dinky’s Food Truck will be on hand selling refreshments. After cooling down from 2700 degrees Fahrenheit, the resulting cast iron sculptures and objects will be on exhibit for the public on Sunday, September 22nd during Steel Weekend before their makers bring them home.
Additional activities include a Steelworkers Reunion, Steelworkers Portrait Studio and Portrait Exhibit with photographer Ed Leskin, a Songs of Steel musical performance by Roland Kushner, a series of live demonstrations, film screenings, hands-on youth activities, and Bethlehem Plant site walking tours. More information and a full schedule of events can be found at https://www.nmih.org/steelweekend.
Leading up to that weekend, the Bethlehem Area Public Library will feature children’s books focusing on women in STEM in their main branch youth department. On Thursday, September 19th, at 5:30pm a sculpture unveiling with artist Vaughn Randall will take place at the Visitor’s Center at SteelStacks. The sculpture is the latest installation in the annual Sculpture at SteelStacks exhibition program and was selected through a national call to artists by the Steel Weekend Arts Sub-Committee, consisting of representatives from ArtsQuest, the SouthSide Arts District, the National Museum of Industrial History and the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission, and local artists.
Steel Weekend is generously sponsored by Hank & Joanne Barnette, WDIY 88.1FM, MMZ Foundation, Nugent Sand, Koller Concrete, Lehigh Valley Press and the American Institute for Steel Construction. This program was funded in part with funding from the Hotel Tax Grant Program through the County of Northampton Department of Community & Economic Development and Lehigh County Quality of Life Grant program. The Borgenicht Foundation and Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation also provided grant funds that support free arts and cultural activities at the 2024 Steel Weekend celebration.
ABOUT NATIONAL MUSEUM OF INDUSTRIAL HISTORY
A Smithsonian Institution-affiliate, the National Museum of Industrial History is dedicated to preserving America’s rich industrial heritage. Housed in an 18,000-square-foot, 110-year-old former Bethlehem Steel facility on the largest private brownfield in America, the Museum is home to exciting exhibits, engaging programs and amazing history. Learn more at nmih.org.
Media Contact:
Megan Pildis, Director of Development, National Museum of Industrial History, [email protected] 610-428-3053 (cell)