Memorial to the people who died in the Battle of Homestead!

[Bravo Zulu]

The Homestead Labyrinth by artist Lorraine Vullo stands near the Waterfront shopping complex next to the historic Pump House. The installation serves as a memorial to the people who died in the Battle of Homestead, fought between striking workers and Pinkerton guards during the Homestead Steel Strike of 1892

Artist Lorraine Vullo's new installation, the Homestead Labyrinth, lies adjacent to the community's historic Pump House near the sprawling Waterfront shopping complex -- a spot more fitting for a fast-food joint than an outdoor art piece.

But Ms. Vullo says that the 68-foot labyrinth on Waterfront Drive, which opened to the public last Friday, will serve as an enclave for tranquility and meditation.

"Inside the labyrinth, there is no right or wrong way -- just a single path that leads you to the center," Ms. Vullo, 50, said. "It's about the inner journey."

Labyrinths are winding, walkable passages typically found in cathedrals or parks. They are often used for meditation or religious rituals.

It took $90,000 in grants, and more than a month of hard labor for Ms. Vullo to construct the labyrinth on the same site where the Battle of Homestead was fought between striking workers and Pinkerton guards during the Homestead Steel Strike of 1892.

The land is now owned by the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, a foundation dedicated to preserving the history of the Western Pennsylvania steel industry.

Ms. Vullo said her art installation serves as a memorial to those who died in the battle, the most prominent labor conflict in U.S. history. This site, she said, "is sacrosanct."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09165/977328-55.stm
video
http://www.post-gazette.com/multimedia/?videoid=101986

[drmeow]

1. Perhaps I'm missing something

why did that cost $90,000? It would cost less than 1/2 that to completely relandscape my 1/4 acre lot. Did she have to buy the land?

[csziggy]

3. Aside from the labyrinth, maybe there is a parking area and plaques

Or something explaining the history of the site? Those could add significantly to the cost of developing the memorial.

[Kaleva]

4. It does seem pricey

[Mind_your_head]

2. Cool bridge in the background, btw....what kind of bridge is that again??? eom

[truedelphi]

5. Lovely and interesting memorial.

If only we had a labor movement now.

A year after the Homestead uprsing, the Pullman riots occurred in Chicago. To show how much times have changed, back then, the Republican Party supported the strikers.

Now I wonder if we would even have more affluent Dems supporting strikers.