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Haverstraw Brick Museum

12 Main Street
Haverstraw, NY, 10927
8459473505
Center for Historic Preservation

CENTER FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Haverstraw Brick Museum

  • ABOUT
  • History
    • History of Haverstraw
    • Museum History
    • History of Bricks
    • American History
    • From the Archives
  • EDUCATION
  • Exhibitions
    • On View
  • New Museum Project
  • MEMBERSHIP
  • Contact

BrickTalk: May Day - Acknowledging Labor in the Brickyards

May 1, 2026 Luke Spaltro

Per the donor’s notes, this picture was taken behind Kay Fries Drive, around 1921-22. 2nd Row, second from left is John Dunnigan Sr. 1st row from left is Joseph “Buddy” Reilly, age 5, who died in the same year, and John Dunnigan Jr. 2002.026.001, Donation by Marie Dunnigan, ©Haverstraw Brick Museum Archives.

Haverstraw brickyards would not have functioned without their laborers — 2,000 at the industry’s peak — let alone have been able to become the former brickmaking capital of the world.

What were laborer’s experiences on the brickyards like, and how did they advocate for themselves?

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Tags labor, brickyard, unions

Haverstraw Brick Museum, 12 Main Street, Haverstraw, NY 10927