Export Historical Society dedicates sign at former Westmoreland Coal Co. fan house

Export Historical Society members took a step toward conveying more of the borough's history to residents and visitors on Sept. 25, dedicating the first of what society officials hope will be a series of informative signs.

Funded through a grant from the Community Foundation of Murrysville, Export and Delmont, the sign marks the site of the Westmoreland Coal Company's former fan house.

“(Borough councilman and historical society member) John Nagoda said the fan house was originally designed to bring fresh air underground for the miners,” said borough councilwoman and fellow society member Melanie Litz. “And that's kind of what we're trying to do with these projects: breathe some more life into our town.”

Litz has said the society would like to install additional signs as funding permits for other historic areas of the town including the Italian-American Club on Kennedy Avenue, which was formerly the Westmoreland Coal Company's boiler house, the former site of the Pennsylvania Railroad station and Duff Manor, which at one time was Duff School.

In addition, Litz announced that the foundation agreed to help the society continue with its project, and was willing to fund a second grant in 2018 for another sign.

“This is a tribute to our ancestors who toiled in the mines and sacrificed so much so that we could have what have here today,” she said. “It honors their legacy and shows that we're dedicated to making this town a great place to live.”

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-2862, pvarine@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MurrysvilleStar.