ABOUT THE EVENT
Books on Tap, Phoenixville Public Library’s book discussion group for adults in their 20s and 30s, will meet Tuesday, February 25, 7:00 PM, at La Patrona Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar, 400 Bridge St., Phoenixville. The group will discuss The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough. At the end of the 19th century, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was a booming coal-and-steel town filled with hardworking families striving for a piece of the nation’s burgeoning industrial prosperity. In the mountains above Johnstown, an old earth dam had been hastily rebuilt to create a lake for an exclusive summer resort patronized by the tycoons of that same industrial prosperity, among them Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, and Andrew Mellon. Despite repeated warnings of possible danger, nothing was done about the dam. Then came May 31, 1889, when the dam burst, sending a wall of water thundering down the mountain, smashing through Johnstown, and killing more than 2,000 people. It was a tragedy that became a national scandal. It also offers a powerful historical lesson for our century and all times: the danger of assuming that because people are in positions of responsibility they are necessarily behaving responsibly. Copies of the book and audiobook may be reserved at https://chesp.na.iiivega.com. eBook copies may be reserved at https://chester.overdrive.com. This event is free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Email Faith Donaher at fdonaher@gmail.com for more information.
610-933-3013 x132
