DC LaborFest: HISTORY Events
Organized and presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, the DC LaborFest features a wide-ranging selection of art about work, workers and workers’ issues.
MOTHER JONES MEMORIAL WREATH-LAYING: Mon, May 1
AFL-CIO HEADQUARTERS TOUR (NEW!); Tue, May 2, 12p – 1p
LABOR HISTORY WIKIPEDIA EDIT-A-THON: Fri, May 5; 12:00pm
WORKING WOMEN IN AMERICA BIKE TOUR (NEW!): Sun, May 7, 9am
FDR AND LABOR: Sun, May 7, 6pm
LABOR AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY (NEW!):
Mon, May 8, 12:00pm
IBEW MUSEUM TOUR: Wed, May 10, 12:00p
DIGGING WHERE WE STAND: UNCOVERING OUR OWN LOCAL LABOR HISTORIES: Wed, May 10, 6:00p
LABOR HISTORY BIKE TOUR: Sat, May 13, 9:30a
IRON WORKERS HISTORY TOUR: Weds, May 17, 12:00p
SOLIDARITY FOREVER AWARDS: Fri, May 19, 5:30p
LABOR HISTORY WALK: Sat, May 20, 10:00a
TEAMSTERS HISTORY TOUR: Wed, May 24, 12:00P
MOST EVENTS ARE FREE; See below for detailed event write-ups and links to purchase tickets or RSVP.
MOTHER JONES MEMORIAL WREATH-LAYING: Mon, May 1
AFL-CIO HEADQUARTERS TOUR (NEW!); Tue, May 2, 12p – 1p
LABOR HISTORY WIKIPEDIA EDIT-A-THON: Fri, May 5; 12:00pm
WORKING WOMEN IN AMERICA BIKE TOUR (NEW!): Sun, May 7, 9am
FDR AND LABOR: Sun, May 7, 6pm
LABOR AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY (NEW!):
Mon, May 8, 12:00pm
IBEW MUSEUM TOUR: Wed, May 10, 12:00p
DIGGING WHERE WE STAND: UNCOVERING OUR OWN LOCAL LABOR HISTORIES: Wed, May 10, 6:00p
LABOR HISTORY BIKE TOUR: Sat, May 13, 9:30a
IRON WORKERS HISTORY TOUR: Weds, May 17, 12:00p
SOLIDARITY FOREVER AWARDS: Fri, May 19, 5:30p
LABOR HISTORY WALK: Sat, May 20, 10:00a
TEAMSTERS HISTORY TOUR: Wed, May 24, 12:00P
MOST EVENTS ARE FREE; See below for detailed event write-ups and links to purchase tickets or RSVP.
MOTHER JONES MEMORIAL WREATH-LAYING
Mon, May 1, FREE; AFL-CIO, 815 16th Street NW; details & RSVP here
Hosted by Saul Schniderman, AFSCME 2910 and the Labor Heritage Foundation; wreath provided by UnionPlus
Wreath-laying celebrating the birth of legendary labor organizer Mary Harris “Mother” Jones and marking the official launch of the annual DC LaborFest. We'll also have a life-size cutout figure of Mother Jones available for everyone to take a selfie with! Plus the poster for "Matewan" and the rest of the ongoing labor film poster exhibit in the AFL-CIO lobby.
NOTE THE NEW LOCATION!
Hosted by Saul Schniderman, AFSCME 2910 and the Labor Heritage Foundation; wreath provided by UnionPlus
Wreath-laying celebrating the birth of legendary labor organizer Mary Harris “Mother” Jones and marking the official launch of the annual DC LaborFest. We'll also have a life-size cutout figure of Mother Jones available for everyone to take a selfie with! Plus the poster for "Matewan" and the rest of the ongoing labor film poster exhibit in the AFL-CIO lobby.
NOTE THE NEW LOCATION!
AFL-CIO HEADQUARTERS TOUR (NEW!)
Tue, May 2, 12p – 1p; AFL-CIO, 815 16th Street NW, Washington DC
FREE but you must rsvp here
This new tour features stunning mosaics of marble, glass and gold that pay tribute to America's working families at the headquarters of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, or AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions. Also included in the tour: a historic Ralph Fasanella painting, the Labor Film Poster Exhibit and displays honoring key figures in American labor history.
FREE but you must rsvp here
This new tour features stunning mosaics of marble, glass and gold that pay tribute to America's working families at the headquarters of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, or AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions. Also included in the tour: a historic Ralph Fasanella painting, the Labor Film Poster Exhibit and displays honoring key figures in American labor history.
LABOR HISTORY WIKIPEDIA EDIT-A-THON
Fri, May 5; 12:00pm – 3:00pm; AFL-CIO, 815 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20006
FREE; sign up here
Help tell labor’s untold story; learn how to be a Wikipedia editor (it’s easy)! Bring your laptop and join a community interested in promoting labor history by editing entries in the popular online encyclopedia. WikimediaDC will be on hand to give a short presentation on how to edit in Wikipedia, and be available with expert help during the editing time. We’ll focus on developing entries related to the Labor History Collections at the University of Maryland, including the AFL-CIO Archives. Participants will receive complimentary issues of Labor’s Heritage journal. No editing experience necessary - Basic computer skills needed - Virtual editors welcome!
FREE; sign up here
Help tell labor’s untold story; learn how to be a Wikipedia editor (it’s easy)! Bring your laptop and join a community interested in promoting labor history by editing entries in the popular online encyclopedia. WikimediaDC will be on hand to give a short presentation on how to edit in Wikipedia, and be available with expert help during the editing time. We’ll focus on developing entries related to the Labor History Collections at the University of Maryland, including the AFL-CIO Archives. Participants will receive complimentary issues of Labor’s Heritage journal. No editing experience necessary - Basic computer skills needed - Virtual editors welcome!
WORKING WOMEN IN AMERICA BIKE TOUR (NEW!)
Sun, May 7, 9am-12:00pm; meet at the National Mall Carousel, 900 Jefferson Dr SW Washington, DC 20560; BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike and helmet)
FREE but you must RSVP here
Women have ALWAYS been workers! Explore the evolution of the working woman from Colonial times, through two World Wars, and into today as you bike the National Mall. We'll bike within view of our majestic Capitol building, WWII and other war memorials, stop at the FDR Memorial and cruise around Hains Point before returning to the Tidal Basin and the Mall.
FREE but you must RSVP here
Women have ALWAYS been workers! Explore the evolution of the working woman from Colonial times, through two World Wars, and into today as you bike the National Mall. We'll bike within view of our majestic Capitol building, WWII and other war memorials, stop at the FDR Memorial and cruise around Hains Point before returning to the Tidal Basin and the Mall.
FDR AND LABOR (NEW!)
Sun, May 7, 6pm; FDR Memorial 1850 West Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242
FREE but you must RSVP here
U.S. Park Ranger Mike Balis leads a tour of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial through the lens of FDR’s long and complex history with the American labor movement and the nation’s workers.
FREE but you must RSVP here
U.S. Park Ranger Mike Balis leads a tour of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial through the lens of FDR’s long and complex history with the American labor movement and the nation’s workers.
LABOR AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY (NEW!)
Mon, May 8, 12:00pm-2pm; 14th St and Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001
FREE but space is limited and you must RSVP here
Join us for a very special two-part guided labor tour of the National Museum of American History! First, we will go behind-the-scenes to uncover the museum’s labor history collections with Harry Rubenstein, chair and curator in the Division of Political History. Then we will join Mireya Loza and Kathleen Franz as they walk us through working class history objects in the Division of Work & Industry.
FREE but space is limited and you must RSVP here
Join us for a very special two-part guided labor tour of the National Museum of American History! First, we will go behind-the-scenes to uncover the museum’s labor history collections with Harry Rubenstein, chair and curator in the Division of Political History. Then we will join Mireya Loza and Kathleen Franz as they walk us through working class history objects in the Division of Work & Industry.
IBEW MUSEUM TOUR
Wed, May 10, 12:00p; IBEW, 900 Seventh Street N.W. Washington, DC.
FREE but space is limited and you must RSVP HERE
A very special guided tour of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) museum. The IBEW museum presents an interactive history of the IBEW from its founding until today, tracing the fascinating development of the electrical industry over the last century through displays of equipment used by members going back to the 1890’s, including a collection of lightbulbs spanning more than a century. The tour will be led by IBEW Museum Curator Curtis Bateman.
FREE but space is limited and you must RSVP HERE
A very special guided tour of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) museum. The IBEW museum presents an interactive history of the IBEW from its founding until today, tracing the fascinating development of the electrical industry over the last century through displays of equipment used by members going back to the 1890’s, including a collection of lightbulbs spanning more than a century. The tour will be led by IBEW Museum Curator Curtis Bateman.
DIGGING WHERE WE STAND: UNCOVERING OUR OWN LOCAL LABOR HISTORIES
Wed, May 10, 6:00p; Northeast Library, 330 7th St. NE, Washington, DC
FREE but you must RSVP here:
A lively and fascinating exploration of how to use your local public library to uncover working people’s history in our own communities. With AFSCME Local 1808 (DC Public Library Employees) President and Education Specialist Anntoinette White-Richardson and AFSCME Local 2910 (Library of Congress Professional Guild) Steward Director and librarian David Fernández-Barrial, and David Gillette and Wendell Kellar of DCPL.
FREE but you must RSVP here:
A lively and fascinating exploration of how to use your local public library to uncover working people’s history in our own communities. With AFSCME Local 1808 (DC Public Library Employees) President and Education Specialist Anntoinette White-Richardson and AFSCME Local 2910 (Library of Congress Professional Guild) Steward Director and librarian David Fernández-Barrial, and David Gillette and Wendell Kellar of DCPL.
cancelled! DC LABOR HISTORY BIKE TOUR
Sat, May 13, 9:30a-12:30p; Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
$15 donation ($25 per couple) benefits DC Jobs with Justice
Sign up here
A rollicking ride by bike through DC's history of working-class struggle, the tour will highlight sites and stories of resistance from the distant past to recent events, some memorialized in stone, others paved over and nearly forgotten. Tour pamphlets provided, as well as a commemorative spoke card for all participants.
$15 donation ($25 per couple) benefits DC Jobs with Justice
Sign up here
A rollicking ride by bike through DC's history of working-class struggle, the tour will highlight sites and stories of resistance from the distant past to recent events, some memorialized in stone, others paved over and nearly forgotten. Tour pamphlets provided, as well as a commemorative spoke card for all participants.
IRON WORKERS HISTORY TOUR
Weds, May 17, 12:00p; Iron Workers, 1750 New York Avenue NW, Washington DC (meet in lobby)
FREE but you must RSVP here
Exclusive guided tour of the Iron Workers headquarters, featuring handmade motorcycles, a spectacular wall mural, historic tools, photos, convention paraphernalia, World Trade Center mementos and more!
FREE but you must RSVP here
Exclusive guided tour of the Iron Workers headquarters, featuring handmade motorcycles, a spectacular wall mural, historic tools, photos, convention paraphernalia, World Trade Center mementos and more!
SOLIDARITY FOREVER AWARDS
Fri, May 19, 5:30p-7:00p
CLICK HERE for tickets
Hosted by the Labor Heritage Foundation
This year’s Solidarity Forever Award goes to Newton B. Jones, president of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, for his outstanding leadership in preserving labor history and culture through the Boilermaker History Preservation Department. In addition to creating award-winning historical documentaries, the Boilermakers honored Betty Reid Soskin, 94, for her Home Front support during World Ward II and her current work at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park and Museum in Richmond, Calif. Soskin is the oldest full-time National Park Ranger in the United States.
CLICK HERE for tickets
Hosted by the Labor Heritage Foundation
This year’s Solidarity Forever Award goes to Newton B. Jones, president of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, for his outstanding leadership in preserving labor history and culture through the Boilermaker History Preservation Department. In addition to creating award-winning historical documentaries, the Boilermakers honored Betty Reid Soskin, 94, for her Home Front support during World Ward II and her current work at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park and Museum in Richmond, Calif. Soskin is the oldest full-time National Park Ranger in the United States.
LABOR HISTORY WALK
Sat, May 20, 10:00a; meet at AFL-CIO, 815 16th Street NW, Washington
$11 per person donation benefits Jews United for Justice.
Sign up here
From the Labor Hall of Fame to Joe Hill’s ashes, worker’s history is around just about every corner in our nation’s capitol, if you know where to look. This 3-hour walking tour of downtown DC reveals labor’s often-untold story of protest and resistance. Metro Washington Council Union Cities Coordinator Chris Garlock - who usually helps local and national activists make history on DC’s streets - leads the tour. NOTE: it's an easy 2.5-mile walk but wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.
Tour highlights: AFL-CIO lobby murals; 1953 CIO headquarters; The Real Roosevelt Memorial; Joe Hill’s ashes; Bas relief depictions of labor & trade; 1895 Knights of Labor HQ; Bonus Expeditionary Force & more.
$11 per person donation benefits Jews United for Justice.
Sign up here
From the Labor Hall of Fame to Joe Hill’s ashes, worker’s history is around just about every corner in our nation’s capitol, if you know where to look. This 3-hour walking tour of downtown DC reveals labor’s often-untold story of protest and resistance. Metro Washington Council Union Cities Coordinator Chris Garlock - who usually helps local and national activists make history on DC’s streets - leads the tour. NOTE: it's an easy 2.5-mile walk but wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.
Tour highlights: AFL-CIO lobby murals; 1953 CIO headquarters; The Real Roosevelt Memorial; Joe Hill’s ashes; Bas relief depictions of labor & trade; 1895 Knights of Labor HQ; Bonus Expeditionary Force & more.
TEAMSTERS HISTORY TOUR
Wed, May 24, 12:00P; Teamsters, 25 Louisiana Ave NW, Washington, DC
FREE; RSVP here
Find out how the horses on the Teamster logo got their names and lots of other fascinating Teamster labor history at this guided tour of the historical exhibits at the Teamsters headquarters building. Teamster historian Karin Jones leads the tour.
FREE; RSVP here
Find out how the horses on the Teamster logo got their names and lots of other fascinating Teamster labor history at this guided tour of the historical exhibits at the Teamsters headquarters building. Teamster historian Karin Jones leads the tour.
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