Richard Sharpless Industrial Worker Oral Histories
This collection features oral history interviews with manufacturing, steel, textile, machining, and other industrial workers in the Lehigh Valley. The interviews were conducted in the early 1990s by Dr. Richard Sharpless, professor of History at Lafayette College from 1970-2003, and photographer Martin Desht. Originally recorded on microcassette, the physical collection was donated by Dr. Sharpless to Lafayette College Archives & Special Collections.
These narratives provide working class insights into the changing nature of work in this region: in particular, the human effects that supply chain globalization and major national economic shifts away from manufacturing jobs have had on individuals and communities.
