Commemorative series on the Johnstown Flood begins May 1
The water pushed down the river and flooded many communities in the area during the 1889 flood.
Johnstown, Pennsylvania endured one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history in May 1889 when a dam failure resulted in a catastrophic flood, claiming more than 2,200 lives. To honor the legacy and impact of this event, the Dover Public Library will host a series of events throughout May.
The initiative was inspired by Jim Gill, the library director, who reflected on a childhood experience visiting Johnstown.
“I remembered a family trip to Johnstown when I was 12,” he said. “Even then, I found it impactful and stunning. I thought to myself, ‘I need to visit there again.’”
Following discussions with adult program specialist Sherrel Rieger, the two began developing a program that would highlight this moment in American history.
“It’s an iconic part of American history,” Rieger said.
The series aims to draw parallels between Johnstown’s history and that of the local community.
The series will begin May 1 at 6:30 p.m. with Disastrous Floods and the Demise of Steel in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Patrick Farabaugh, a professor and author, will present the history of Johnstown’s floods — those of 1889, 1936 and 1977 — and outline their economic effects. Attendees also will have the chance to participate in a book signing afterward.
On May 7 a book discussion centered around David McCullough’s “The Johnstown Flood” will take place at 6:30 p.m. Considered a definitive account of the disaster, the book dives into the preventable nature of the tragedy set against the backdrop of Gilded Age America, providing context and insight into the flood’s causes and consequences.
On May 15 attendees can hear from Rev. H.L. Chapman, who served as a Methodist pastor in Johnstown during the flood. His program titled Rush of the Torrent will recount his experiences and the community’s responses during the event.
“I think many people will enjoy Rev. Chapman’s portrayal,” Rieger said.
The series also will include a program May 19 at 6:30 p.m. titled Rising Waters: A History of the Floods of Tuscarawas County. Led by local history librarian Kim Jurkovic, this presentation will focus on the history of flooding in Tuscarawas County, with particular emphasis on the Great Flood of 1913.
Jurkovic will share images of the devastation wrought across Dover, Tuscarawas County and Ohio. The 1913 flood had many lasting effects on the region. It spelled the end of the Ohio Erie Canal and marked the beginning of the flood control system of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.
The commemoration will culminate in a field trip to the Johnstown Flood Museum May 30 at 11 a.m. Participants can explore landmarks including the historic Stone Bridge, a vital refuge during the flood, and the remains of the South Fork Dam. Museum admission is set at $10, and attendees are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Those interested in participating are encouraged to contact Rieger or Gill.
Gill is committed to ensuring historical narratives remain relevant to contemporary audiences.
“If we can expose kids to history and they can see, smell and touch it, it makes it real to them,” he said. “That impacted me as a kid.”
Call the Dover Public Library at 330-343-6123 or visit www.doverlibrary.org.