Fred 'Powerhouse' Powers, a retired educator, former UMWA coal-miner, author and renowned storyteller, has been performing his one-man drama for various audiences since 2005.
Powers has given a voice and a face to the stories of miners and their place in our nation's history. His fervent hope is to convey an understanding of the dangers of underground coal mining and the Appalachian culture.
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
GREG JORDAN
Bramwell hosts history program for local students
March 7, 2018
Retired coal miner, Fred Powers, delivers a living history lesson to local children at the Bramwell Train Depot Tuesday. The lesson about the town of Bramwell and the history of coal mining in the area was a partnership between the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the town of Bramwell.
PRINCETON - Retired miner and storyteller Fred Powers, shows how he would pack a traditional miner's lunch pail at the Princeton Railroad Museum. The museum was crowded with people celebrating West Virginia day with a wide array of displays and vendors.
Powers is a walking repository of West Virginia and Appalachian history.
As a retired educator and former UMWA coal-miner, he has given a voice and a face to the stories of miners and their place in our nation's history.
His oral presentations to various audiences have at times, brought listeners to tears.
It is his mission and fervent hope to convey an understanding of the dangers of underground coal mining and our Appalachian culture to interested audiences. His experiences are only a small reflection of the many untold stories of the coal miner.
