Southwestern Pennsylvania has a strong history in the coal, coke, and steel industries that helped shape the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Existing communities expanded, and new towns were built by mining companies. The available jobs attracted people from around the United States and the world, creating a melting pot of different cultures, ethnicities, and beliefs.
Regiments from Chester County fought bravely in all theaters of World War II, while locals at home took extraordinary measures to support the Allies. West Chester resident G. Raymond Rettew developed a process to mass produce vitally needed penicillin while a peaceful farm transformed into the bustling Valley Forge General Hospital in 1943. Women entered labor positions at companies, including Lukens Steel, to meet production demands. The Coatesville YMCA created and distributed a newsletter to soldiers so the boys on the front had the news from back home. Author Marion Piccolomini celebrates the resilience and perseverance of Chester County residents in the midst of total war.