may, 2024
The Sharon Historical Society, in collaboration with The Block by Nova Destinations, is pleased to welcome regional historian and author Sean T. Posey of Youngstown, Ohio for a special lecture entitled “Beware the Black Hand! Early Organized Crime in Ohio and Pennsylvania: True Crime & Cocktails.” We will explore the beginnings of organized crime in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys, and trace the evolution of the dreaded Black Hand secret society and its reign of terror in Ohio and Pennsylvania during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Organized crime is a hot topic for many in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys. There are stories about the hold that the mafia had on the area during the 1900s, but the idea of organized crime started long before that. Many immigrants to the United States in the 1800s were threatened by a very dark, and terrifying secret group known as “the Black Hand” that extorted people for money. People would often receive a threatening letter with a black hand imprinted on it, some were kidnapped, others would lose their homes or businesses to arson, and many were murdered at the hands of this group.
The special event, which is open to the public but does require tickets, will take place at The Block by Nova Destinations, second-floor, 23 Chestnut Avenue, Sharon, PA 16146 on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 6:00 pm. To 7:30 p.m. Steps are required to attend the event. Ticket includes one (1) alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage per ticket holder.
This event requires tickets as space is limited to 100 seats. Tickets, which include a FREE alcoholic beverage or non-alcoholic beverage, must be purchased through the Society’s website at: SharonHistoricalSociety.com.
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