The indicative structures of a bygone era within the rust belt represent a manufacturing sector that was once a vibrant and thriving industry. Now in various stages of eradication and remaining structures lay in uncertainty. At the height the major industrial culture in this sector, communities were comprised of migrants and immigrants from all over the globe. These transformative villages contained multicultural nationalities that comprised the labor force for the manufacturing of commodities. Facilities described as monolithic structures comprised of a labor-intensive occupation as its workforce. From the excavation of fossil fuels, for heating homes to institutions in the metallurgical process of steel creation and its production and finally the power generation sector; all relied on human machines to deliver an end product.

Pennsylvanian communities procreated from those initial generational settlements colonized by contrived structures carved within the landscape. The decline of industrialization and its movement towards new technologies and new implementations of them became less dependent on coal, altering the landscape once again. Colonization of metropolitan cities was the new frontier and communities that once thrived on manufacturing, now left to forgotten in nature. Communities had their population dwindle with very little interest in rural life or maintenance once propelled by labor. Fast-forward to modern day shifting to remediation the lands; its structures therein and change in the demographics of the communities within. Various factors applied from ecological awareness of contaminated lands to both political forces, as well as corporations that are solely interested in monetary gain. The cycle restarts, eradication to the panorama of its historical markers.

The purging of structures changes the inherent qualities of an area, in removing embedded historic culture in the lands therefore changing community identities. Industrialized structures contain the very essence of the human condition, imprinted from its community’s culture. Some of the locations addressed in this document are no longer in existence others are a mere fragment of their former glory. Certain organizations foster the preservation of structures, facilities, and the traditional way of life that once prospered. Other organizations have mandates that are concentrated in the rehabilitation of locations for future generations. Various other groups focus on educational awareness in heritage and maintenance of facilities. All aforementioned groups and organizations work in conjunction and or collaborate for the betterment of their objectives. Tours of these locals are available; other facilities offer these landmarks as touristy destinations for entertainment value. Whatever the modus operandi of the organizations there is a cohesive and unifying theme, the preservation in whatever capacity for future generations.

Aftermath is an ongoing manuscript that is comprised of 10 plus years of travel, dedicated to the preservation of the artifacts of the landscape and of its historical relevance. These objects preserved as film negatives, a correlation to the physicality of the materials and technological advancements achieved. Aftermath; Anthracite folklore, is a collection of visual imagery and text of archived material. Disseminated via web and print, this is the basis and definition of folklore and the transmittal of knowledge, and finally the notions and values of an industrialized culture. Industry, technology and the human condition have always shared a unifying trait, the advancement of modern day megacities and the urbanization that followed. Industry and humanity will always have a bond that drives progress; in whatever capacity it may be at or result in. The historical fragment has individuals and groups dedicated with a passion for preservation.