MONROE — As we celebrate Labor Day, Monroe is home to a museum that honors the struggles and victories of working people.
The Monroe County Labor History Museum is located downtown on West Front Street. It sits inside the historic Philip Murray Building, which once served as a union hall for steelworkers and labor organizers.
The museum’s exhibits share stories of local workers who fought for fair wages and safer conditions. One highlight is the 1937 Newton Steel Strike, when Monroe workers joined a national labor campaign that shaped union rights across the country.
The museum is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with free admission and tours available by appointment.
Community leaders say keeping this history alive helps remind us that labor rights were won through sacrifice — and remain important today.