Library Guides: Anthracite Coal Mining Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania: Archives

Archives documenting Anthracite history

Archives are the permanent records of an organization or person. They are primary sources that document the history of a business, organization, or individual. They may be online, in a library or official archive, or forgotten in an attic. The archival records of the Anthracite Coal Mining Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania are scattered across the country. Rather than attempt to compile a complete, comprehensive list, this guide will contain information about some of the more easily-accessible collections. It is always a good idea to contact individual museums, libraries, and archives to ask about their contents.

Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company Records
Courtesy of Lehigh University. After its founding in 1822, the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company (LCNC) became one of the most important companies in the emergence of the American Industrial Revolution for its innovative approach to canal systems, iron production and coal mining. LCNC transported anthracite coal from Mauch Chunk (now Jim Thorpe) to Easton and Philadelphia, reaching New York by the 1830s. The collection includes drawings of canal locks, gates, boats, dams, and maps that include the locations of the locks and the property lines surrounding the canals, providing a snapshot of a regional technological and industrial history.