In the mountains above the industrial city of Johnstown, PA, an earthen dam was hastily rebuilt to create a lake at a private summer resort for Pittsburgh’s elite. Despite repeated warnings that the dam could break, nothing was done. On Friday, May 31, 1889, the dam burst – sending a wall of water thundering down the mountain and into Johnstown, killing more than 2,000 people. It was a national tragedy and a national scandal.

Thursday, July 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.