West Virginia Libraries and Watts Museum Collaborate to Celebrate May Day

 WVU Libraries and the Watts Museum plan May Day celebrations.

The history of labor organizing in West Virginia has much to teach us about this moment in our country. What better way to dive into this history than a celebration of one of its heroes?

Monday, May 1, is traditionally a day of international worker solidarity. It is also believed to be the birthday of Mary Harris “Mother” Jones. Jones, a labor organizer in several industries, became most well known for her work with coal miners during an era of unsafe mining practices and few labor laws. She touched the lives of many miners and their families around the country and became a symbol of workers’ struggles.

WVU will celebrate her accomplishments at receptions to be held in the WVU Libraries’ Alumni Lobby, located on the first floor of its Downtown Campus location, from noon-1 p.m., or in the atrium of the Mineral Resources Building, adjacent to the Royce J. and Carolyn B. Watts Museum, on the Evansdale Campus, from noon-4 p.m. Refreshments will be served at both locations.

The parties are extension of similar celebrations happening throughout the region. In Matewan, the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum is hosting a Mother Jones Birthday Party on Saturday, April 29, from 6-8:30 p.m. That same morning, the Mother Jones Museum in Mt. Olive, Illinois, is hosting its Second Annual Mother Jones Museum May Day Celebration from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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