About

Blair Pathways is a multi-media project, the aim of which is to use music and narrative in multiple formats to tell the story of the West Virginia Mine Wars (1900-1921). The West Virginia Mine Wars were, undoubtedly, some of the largest and longest-lasting labor battles in the history of the United States. Between 1900 and 1921, three major periods of conflict arose: the Fayette/Kanawha strikes of 1902, the Paint Creek/Cabin Creek Strikes of 1912-1913 and the Mingo-Logan Wars of 1919-1921. These conflicts were spread across southern West Virginia, which was the nation’s preeminent producer of bituminous coal in the early 20th century. These conflicts culminated with a week-long militant uprising in August of 1921, involving over 10,000 men and women. Much of the fighting was focused at Blair Mountain in Logan County. Blair Mountain currently meets standards to qualify as a national historic battle site, but sadly faces threats from mountain-top removal mining

The Blair Pathways CD:

The Mine Wars story is told through a series of historic music pieces, covered by contemporary musicians, which take the listener step-by-step through the main events and themes of these wars. The CD features 20 tracks along with a fold-out map, which coordinates track numbers to the geographic sites of each historic moment. On our website, this same map links to short essays which detail each historic moment, and explain the thematic connection to the musical piece. Money from sales of the CD will go to benefit Friends of Blair Mountain (FOBM), a non-profit working to save the Blair Mountain battlefield site. Click here for the map and song samples.

The Mine Wars Show:

Performed by Blair Pathways founder Saro Lynch-Thomason, Stories an Songs of the West Virginia Mine Wars is a one-person, multi-media show about the Appalachian Coal Wars, the Battle of Blair Mountain and efforts to save West Virginia’s heritage. The show runs 45 minutes long, and encapsulates the exciting history of over 20 years of battles for union and miners’ rights in the West Virginia coal fields. These struggles included the week-long Battle of Blair Mountain- the largest uprising in U.S. history since the Civil War. Saro uses image, storytelling and song to convey these pivotal moments in America’s history. Click here to learn more.

The Founding

In the June of 2011, several hundred people marched to bring attention to the plight of Blair Mountain and the legacy of the West Virginia mine wars. This event, called “The March to Blair Mountain: Appalachia is Rising” involved coordination between several groups, including the Sierra Club, FOBM and many grassroots organizations. The marchers spent one week retracing the main route used by uprising participants in 1921, starting in Marmet, Kanawha County and ending at the crest of Blair Mountain. As marchers progressed in the summer heat, communal music and song were used constantly as a way to raise moral and create solidarity. This practice inspired the project’s producer, Saro Lynch-Thomason, to seek out the historic music used in Appalachia’s labor struggles.

Through research at the West Virginia State Archives and the Library of Congress, along with several excellent books and a good many helpful scholars and musicians, Saro was able to construct a narrative of the West Virginia mine wars out of Appalachia’s musical heritage. Special attention was paid to Appalachia’s multi-ethnic and political diversity to help broaden and shape the story from perspectives often historically ignored. Music traditions including American hymnody, Appalachian balladry, old-time fiddle and banjo, Italian anarchist anthems, African-American church songs, railroad work songs, labor movement classics and early gospel quartet styles were all selected to help tell the narrative.

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What You Will Find on This Site

You will find the partnering material to the CD: The Map and Historic Narrative. You will also find samples of music linked to track numbers on the Map, and can read about our musicians on the Musician’s Page. We also have an archive of audio recordings of songs from the 2011 March to Blair Mountain, which are worth a listen. You can also, of course, BUY the Blair Pathways CD in physical or digital form.

What is to Come

We are committed to providing media and education about the Mine Wars. Saro is constantly touring with the Mine Wars Show, and would like to come to your community! Updates will continue about progress on the campaign to Save Blair Mountain, and new media for public use in the campaign will be posted as it’s developed.

Thank you for your support and interest in this project!

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