A Steelworkers reunion party, public art project featuring Bethlehem beams, the opportunity for students to discover local history from steelworkers, and the creation of a new children’s book that tells the story of a ‘Tug’ tractor that pulled buggies at Bethlehem Steel are among the highlights of the “Last Cast 25,” commemorating the 25th anniversary of the last time steel was made at the Bethlehem Steel plant on Bethlehem’s southside.

“Last Cast 25,” which includes in-person and virtual programming and events throughout the fall, is presented through a partnership between Bethlehem Area Public Library, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, Lehigh Valley Public Media, the National Museum of Industrial History, Steelworkers’ Archives, and Wind Creek Resort and ArtsQuest.

“Last Cast 25” begins Sept. 26-27 with the “Steel Weekend” at the National Museum of Industrial History, Bethlehem.

November marks the 25th anniversary of the last steel made in Bethlehem when on Nov. 18, 1995, the last cast of iron from a blast furnace in Bethlehem, with the Basic Oxygen Furnace, which converted iron into steel, shutting down afterwards. The Electric Furnace Melt Shop was the last steelmaking shop to end melting Nov. 22, 1995.

“Bethlehem Steel’s ‘last cast’ holds a symbolic place in the hearts of many steelworkers and community members. It’s an indelible final chapter in the history of a storied company,” said National Museum of Industrial History President and CEO Kara Mohsinger.

“While the plant’s final days were a sad time for Bethlehem, we’re glad we can come together now, 25 years later, and remember the worldwide impact Bethlehem’s steelworkers had on our town and our country,” Mohsinger said.

“Last Cast 25” programs include:

“The First Cast,” 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept 26, National Museum of Industrial History - Miniature iron-melting furnace casting demonstration, 3 p.m. with creation of commemorative Last Cast 25th Anniversary medallions.

“Faces of Steel,” beginning Sept. 26, SteelStacks Campus - Photo gallery online at steelstacks.org and on outdoor screens on the SteelStacks campus.

Steelworkers Reunion Party, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Oct. 3, ArtsQuest Center’s Air Products Town Square

“Tug” children’s book - The Bethlehem Area Public Library (BAPL) and the National Museum of Industrial History are publishing a children’s book in conjunction with “Last Cast 25.”

“Tug,” which tells the story of a tractor made by TUG Technologies Corp. that pulled buggies at Bethlehem Steel Corp. southside plant, was written by BAPL children’s librarian Catherine McCafferty and illustrated by Jim Atherton. Tug an been seen at the museum as a working artifact.