This work compiles a portrait of the many ways the textile and garment industries impacted Slate Belt life. It includes numerous photos, maps, a listing of over 375 textile and blouse mills, plus over two years of research and interviews from a number of local industry veterans and Slate Belt Heritage Center volunteers. Foreward by Adriana Trigiani.
Pre-order a copy of the book via this link. Quantities are limited. Our Passport to History partner Slate Belt Heritage Center will also host an exhibit on the textile industry after the Coronavirus shutdown.
About the Authors
Marc Blau is a retired Bangor High School History teacher who presently serves as the Vice President of the Slate Belt Heritage Center. He has co-authored two other Heritage Center books, Letters to Homefront Magazine, and A Miracle Happened Here.
Karen Brewer is the Secretary of the Slate Belt Heritage Center. Karen worked as an Aide in the Bangor Elementary Schools and has recently retired. She is also active in the Bangor Public Library. Karen co-authored Letters to Homefront Magazine and is presently working on a history book of Lower Mt. Bethel Township.
Dan Carrescia is retired from the garment industry where his family owned and operated The Roseto Box Factory. Dan later converted the Box Factory into a cutting room and operated it until he retired. The textile book was Dan’s idea from the start and his dream has come true. Dan was also a Pen Argyl Councilman and is a member of the Board of Trustees at the Heritage Center.
Fred Derea is a long-time resident of Roseto and worked in the garment industry his entire life. The authors could not find a more experienced and knowledgeable man to help us put this book together. Fred’s memory of the garment industry was unbelievable, because he lived and worked it. The book could have never been completed without Fred’s help.
Tom Starner is a free-lance writer who was raised in Bangor and is now living near Philadelphia. Tom assisted us in the writing and editing of the book. He also served as our technology guy, since the other authors need a little assistance with the computer world.