ONLINE EXHIBIT

Workers formed associations and unions to give them more rights, assure safety, and for the miners in the camps to have better living conditions. In the 1930's, miners began organizing such unions. The organization of unions did not come without conflict.

Despite the companies' objections, unions were formed and many programs were developed. These programs included: The Derby burial fund to help to pay for funeral expenses of miners, strike funds to help miners when on strike, improved safety which lef to the formation of the Occupation Safety and Health, equal paying jobs for all miners, and many other benefits for belonging to the union. This area of Southwest Virginia had large amounts of union members. After the organization of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), the company began to negotiate contracts, treat employees as specified in the contracts, and work with the unions for the betterment of the company and the workers.

Derby Coal Camp
 

During the 1950's, after the World Wars, life changed dramatically for the residents of the coal camps. Economic troubles began and many of the company facilities were dismantled. With more automobiles in use, the need to live closer to work was not a big issue. As machinery increased, the number of workers needed decreased, Many moved to Ohio and Indiana to work in the automotive industry. With workers leaving the coal camps, stores, theatres, and everything else began to close. Many of the immigrants had left the area just prior to this time. Most of the coal camps are still in existence, except for Pardee. Where houses and stores once stood is now open fields or part of a local lumber and strip mine company. The remaining camps are now small communities with maybe a church and a small post office. The stores, hotels, theatres, recreation halls, and the like are all but memories.

The Southwest Virginia Museum would like to thank Garnett Gilliam, The Harry Meador Coal Museum, Daisey Lambert, Paul Hylton, Sr., Howard Cummins, Carliss Early, Ralph Early, Carroll Sharpe, Deborah and George Polly, Betty Williamson, Vivian Hall, and Beecher Powers for their contributions toward this exhibit. We extend a very "special thank you" to each of them.