Lecture on steel legacy at Boardman Library

Staff report

BOARDMAN

Rick Rowlands, local historian and founder of the Youngstown Steel Heritage Museum, will give a presentation on the Mahoning Valley’s steel legacy at 10 a.m. Saturday at Boardman Library, 7680 Glenwood Ave.

The lecture is sponsored by the Boardman Historical Society and is free to the public. Reservations are suggested; call Dona Hammond at 330-726-0651.

Rowlands is also the founder of the Youngstown Steel Heritage Foundation, the Tod Engine Project and the Jeanette Blast Furnace Association.

He is a former governing board member of the Brier Hill Cultural Center and the Youngstown Center of Industry and Labor Friends Association, and is a frequent presenter on the area’s steel industry in the region and statewide.

His efforts have led to the preservation of a wide range of industrial relics, which can be seen at his museum at 2261 Hubbard Road, on Youngstown’s East Side. The massive Tod Engine is among the items there.

At Saturday’s program, Rowlands will recall the formation and industrial development of the Mahoning Valley and also his efforts to save the Jeanette Blast Furnace and other heavy- industry artifacts from demolition.

Other topics will include YSHM exhibits, the Tod Engine, steel barons, steam engines and the legendary Youngstown Sheet & Tube logo.

The Boardman Historical Society maintains a museum of Boardman and local artifacts at Boardman Park, in the historic Detchon House. Tours are by appointment only. For information, call BHS president Richard S. Scarsella, at 330-726-8277.