My Coal Country: People Defining Their Place is a photo gallery that began in early 2004 with the idea to create a new documentary record of life in the Appalachian Pennsylvania Anthracite Region.

After researching photographers who visited coal country in the heyday of King Coal, Christine Goldbeck decided that a new documentary -- one that tells our story from past to present -- one that shows our resiliency and our work to rebuild -- is needed. In partial fulfillment of degree requirements for a Master of Fine Arts-Interdisciplinary Arts Degree at Goddard College, Vermont, Goldbeck began to organize what has become this multimedia gallery.

People from Pennsylvania's hard country country, known thanks to John O'Hara as "The Region," were asked to photograph their definition of life in coal country and submit their entries to a photography contest.

W.E. " Bill" O'Brien, of Ellengowan, donated hundreds of photographs of many historic and contemporary sites in Northern Schuylkill County, Frank Crepack, Shenandoah, shared his collection of historic photographs, articles and postcards and Elizabeth Parker of Shenandoah Heights shared United Mine Worker documents and 1930s mining paystubs, among other fascinating artifacts that belonged to her father.

The music and poetry you will hear throughout is from "Poems, Ballads, Songs and Readings of the Anthracite," recorded in 2003 by Chucker Barr, Stu Richards, Tommy Symons Sr., Tommy Symons Jr. and O'Brien. This group rescued the old songs as found and recorded by George Korson. Barr and the troupe travel throughout coal country to re-introduce the musical art of our ancestors to contemporary coalcrackers. "Up to the boyos," Chucker and gang. Thanks for the work you do.

Anyone who wishes to submit photographs to the never-ending story may do so by mailing them to My Coal Country, 66 Swatara Road, Shenandoah, PA 17976. Emailed jpegs and gifs are also acceptable. Remember to include your name and information about the photograph. All rights to your photographs remain with you.

Photographs of contemporary coal region scenes and people are encouraged. Not only do we want to document our history; we want to create a new story of life in the anthracite region today.

Email your attached photographs here.