On October 2, 1929, deputies killed six textile workers at the Marion Manufacturing Company mill, marking one of the deadliest labor strikes in the South. This event occurred in conjunction with other strikes that year in Tennessee and Gastonia, North Carolina during a period of fighting over unionization. This episode has been somewhat forgotten in local and Appalachian history and many misconceptions have persisted about its causes and actors. Join us for this virtual program where we will explore the history and memory of this event.
About the Presenter:
First generation college graduate Megan Stevens focused her academic career on researching a relatively dark and unknown aspect of her small hometown’s past. Nestled in the foothills of Southern Appalachia, Marion, NC played host to one of the bloodiest mill strikes of the day. Stevens’ B.A. and M.A. degrees, both from UNC-Charlotte, centered on the causes, strike and ensuing fallout as well as how it affects the region today. She was awarded the Kings Mountain Southern History Scholarship for her work, and is a member of several history organizations.
Stevens currently works in her hometown with the Marion Business Association as the events and small business outreach coordinator and teaches as an adjunct History Professor at McDowell Technical Community College.
Megan Stevens
Tickets: Free for WNCHA members/ $5 for General Admission. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise.