The Scotian Women Collection, 1970-1981

Abstract

The Scotian Women, a play written by Kentucky author Lee Pennington, was inspired by the events of the Scotia Mine Disaster which occurred at Oven Fork, Kentucky in 1976. This collection documents the creation of the play and contains newspaper clippings, notes, various drafts and a final copy of the script, as well as promotional materials from the University of Kentucky's Guignol Theater production in February 1981.

Descriptive Summary

Title
The Scotian Women Collection, 1970-1981
Creator
Pennington, Lee.
Extent
0.45 cubic ft.
Subjects
Scotia Mine Disaster, Oven Fork, Ky., 1976.
Coal mine accidents -- Kentucky -- Letcher County.
Mine explosions -- Kentucky -- Letcher County.
Scripts.
Clippings.
Finding Aid Author
Processed by Beth Eifler; machine-readable finding aid created by Beth Eifler
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Lee Pennington, author and dramatist, was born in the Appalachian community of White Oak in Morgan County, Kentucky. Inspired by Jesse Stuart, his high school principal and friend, Pennington published over 1,000 poems, 100 articles, eleven books, and four plays.
The Scotian Women, a play in two acts, is a story of the women who awaited news of their loved ones after the Scotia Mine Disaster at Oven Fork, Kentucky in Letcher County. Twenty-six men died in the disaster after two separate explosions occurred in the mine on March 9 and 11, 1976. The play was produced and performed at the University of Kentucky's Guignol Theater in February 1981.
Scope and Content
These materials relate to The Scotian Women, a play by Lee Pennington. The collection contains newspaper clippings, notes, various drafts and a final copy of the script, as well as promotional materials from the UK Theater production in February 1981. The clippings, primarily from Louisville's Courier-Journal, not only cover the Scotia Mine Disaster and subsequent investigation, but also the funerals and personal stories of the men who died and of the families and friends they left behind.

Contents of the Collection

CLIPPINGS

SCOTIA MINE DISASTER

March-May 1976, March 6, 1977, and August 16-17, 1980

  • Box 1
  • Folder 1
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n.d., sources unknown

  • Box 1
  • Folder 2
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RELATED MATERIALS

December 6, 1970-August 25, 1981, n.d.

  • Box 1
  • Folder 3
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NOTES

Handwritten notes from clippings

  • Box 1
  • Folder 4
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Miscellaneous script notes, January 31-March 4, 1980 and February 5-13, 1981

  • Box 1
  • Folder 5
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Notes after start of production, January 1981

  • Box 1
  • Folder 6
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PLAY

Concept

  • Box 1
  • Folder 7
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Characters

  • Box 1
  • Folder 8
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Carbon copy of early draft

  • Box 1
  • Folder 9
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Rough drafts of script additions

  • Box 1
  • Folder 10
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Script with handwritten changes

  • Box 1
  • Folder 11
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Final complete script

  • Box 1
  • Folder 12
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Author's note, program from the UK Theater production, flyer, and review from The Lexington Leader.

  • Box 1
  • Folder 13
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.