I Am Coatesville Steel

The year long "I Am Coatesville Steel" photography project began in the fall of 2017 with the goal of recording the portraits and stories of the last generation of Lukens Steel workers. Under the leadership of photographer Darcie Goldberg, from Art Partners Studio in Coatesville, a team of volunteer local photographers was trained.
Then, the last generation of Lukens Steel workers was invited to tell their stories and have their portraits taken. In the background are the oldest sections of the mill, which are now in disuse, filled with dusty steel shavings and now quiet motors from a bygone time of steel making.
The story of these workers is the story of industry in the United States and how the well-being of a company was interwoven with the wellbeing of its workers. Many of project's participants can claim uninterrupted generations of their family working in the mill, some as far back as the founding of the mill itself in the 18th century.
The former Lukens Steel Company Coatesville mill, part of ArcelorMittal when these photographs were made, began in 1810 as the Brandywine Iron Works and Nail Factory. It is the oldest continually operating operating mill in commission in the United States.

[@joshuachaires7220]

My dad has worked at Lukens now Cliffs Steel for 35 years. It’s amazing to see how these workers helped pave the way for future generations that work there.

[@terrieberly8109]

My grandfather, Bill Porter, my father, Willie Porter, my uncles, Joe Gavrish and Ron Porter all worked there. This was when Coatesville was great!!

[@ERLC-Action5News]

I started working for Hitech alot of the people in the mill are awesome learned alot from my team and the mill guys just in the week I've been here.

[@carwashadamcooper1538]

This is a great production! Thank you for sharing this.

[@steelmuseum]

We're glad you enjoyed it!

[@wantingoneangel8976]

My Late Grandfather worked at Lucan steel company as a supervisor and retired in the early 1970s! When my Late Grandfather was retired from Lucan steel company, every Christmas he and other workers would put on a Christmas party for children and my Late Grandfather would always bring home one of the yummy lollipops 🍭 that had a delicious and unique cherry flavor as well as a small toy from the event for my brother and I!😃😊!! My Mom was born and raised in the Coatesville area, but my Mom married my Dad and moved out of the area. Thanks for sharing the very fun, interesting, and informative stories of all the workers from Lukens Steel company😊😃!

[@averagegardener4266]

My dad Donald Johnson and Grandfather James Nowlin both was employed at Lukens Steel. I remember the smell when they got off work. I remember the long thermost plaided green and black and filled with coffee. Both welders. I remember my dad's breakfast before I went to school. He was the only one who drank Old Crow Whisky in Coatesville besides Mr.Winky. Christmas was always beautiful even though one year I got 2/ Three litter sodas and fresh overalls jeans from JC Penny for Christmas. And 2 bags of BBQ (Herrs) potato chips. I miss my pop pop and Dad. The BBQs 😢

[@216robh]

Loved seeing this. My grandpa was the CEO of Lukens in the 80’s and 90’s!

[@rockgodoftheuniverse]

My grandpa worked there for 25 years ending in about 1964. My dad's family lived on Harmony ST and my mom's on Oak St. Some of my earliest memories include Lukens going all night and LONG trains coming over the bridge. You could see and hear a lot from Oak ST which is on a hill. Both parents went to Coatesville High with the well known true crime writer Ann Rule in early 1940s.

[@sylvialawrence4431]

My husband was 3rd generation, beginning when it was Luken's. He retired after 32 years (Electric Furnace).

[@sylvialawrence4431]

Oops...LUKENS, 😊 (and finally Mittal)

[@Xantylon74]

So many steel collumns from the original world trade center laying around everywhere in this video. Tridents, core collums, perimeter steel. What will happen to this steel?

[@james-kinkajanitorial5202]

My grandfather worked there Harvey "Buck" Feaster

[@johnmclaughlin6672]

My father retired from lukens John McLaughlin.