Youngstown State University secures grant for preservation of McDonald Steel artifacts

YSU has successfully secured a $4,551 grant from The Youngstown Foundation for the historic preservation of valuable McDonald Steel artifacts, in response to the closure of McDonald Steel. This grant, to be used by The Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor, known locally as the Steel Museum, will provide essential support for the collection, transportation, and preservation of these significant pieces of industrial history.

With the closure of McDonald Steel, many historical artifacts were at risk of being scrapped or lost. Through collaboration with its campus and local partners, including YSU’s Excellence Training Center and the Youngstown Steel Heritage Foundation, YSU will be able to safeguard these items for future generations. The grant will fund the conservation, archival storage, and shelving of the artifacts, which will be accessioned within YSU's collection at the Steel Museum. Supplies including three custom shelving units were purchased to ensure flexibility and to accommodate larger, heavier objects, with volunteers, interns, and a dedicated curator assisting in the project.

Through an agreement with Ohio History Connection and YSU’s History Program, the Museum will continue to curate and care for the McDonald Steel collection as part of its ongoing efforts to preserve Youngstown's industrial heritage.