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See Ashland Mothers’ Memorial
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The place
About Ashland Mothers’ Memorial
The Mothers’ Memorial is the focal point of a small historic district that also includes the Hoffman Memorial, Veterans’ Memorial, and landscaped sections of Hoffman Boulevard. The group was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2020 for its social history and WPA-era landscape design.
The Ashland Boys’ Association formed in 1901 after mine closures and job losses dispersed Ashland workers. Its “Come on Home” reunions brought former residents back each Labor Day, and the association worked with the borough to fund and construct the memorial landscape with federal Works Progress Administration labor.
Emil Siebern designed and Julius Loester sculpted the bronze mother figure, inspired by James McNeill Whistler’s portrait of his mother. Borough manager Harold Burmeister designed the site, using local stone and the hillside as part of the composition.
What stands out
A coal-town homecoming story
The memorial grew from an organization created when mine closures dispersed Ashland workers.
WPA landscape design
Local stone, formal steps, and the steep site are part of a broader federally assisted memorial district.
A nationally recognized district
The Mothers’, Hoffman, and Veterans’ memorials and their connecting landscape entered the National Register in 2020.
Pair it with the train
Why it belongs in a Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train trip
Stop here before or after Pioneer Tunnel to connect the mine and steam-tour experience with the community that lived through the anthracite industry’s decline. The memorial is in downtown Ashland, roughly a short drive from the Oak Street attraction.
Before you go
Plan your visit
- Visit formatThis is an outdoor public memorial rather than a staffed museum or ticketed attraction.
- CostNo admission price or ticket requirement is published by the borough or state preservation sources.
- Time neededAllow about 15–30 minutes to view the monument, plaques, stonework, and surrounding memorial landscape.
- AccessThe principal monument occupies a steep hillside with stairs. No official step-free route or accessibility statement was found; contact Ashland Borough if access determines your visit.
- ParkingNo dedicated visitor-parking instructions are published. Use legal downtown parking and do not treat the roadway or memorial landscaping as a parking area.
- ContactThe published phone belongs to Ashland Borough, which administers the memorial; it is not an onsite visitor desk.
Regional family extension
Add Knoebels Amusement Resort
Turn a Pioneer Tunnel day into a larger family outing with free park admission and pay-per-ride choices.
Useful answers
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mothers’ Memorial a museum?
No. It is an outdoor public monument and landscaped historic site, not a staffed indoor museum.
Do I need a ticket?
No ticket or admission price is published by the borough or state preservation sources.
Why is it relevant to a Pioneer Tunnel visit?
It explains how mine closures and worker migration shaped Ashland, adding community context to Pioneer Tunnel’s preserved industrial story.
Is the monument wheelchair accessible?
No official step-free route is published, and the principal monument is set into a steep hillside with stairs. Contact Ashland Borough before relying on an accessible route.
Who should I call with a site question?
Ashland Borough administers the memorial and publishes (570) 875-2411; there is no onsite visitor desk.
Trust and accuracy
Sources
Source checked 2026-08-11. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.