Preserving Our Past: The Thomas E. Leary Memorial Fund
This special fund, established by the Anthony Spano Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to preserving our industrial heritage. By aiding the conservation of archival collections, documents, artifacts, and other resources related to labor, business, and technology, the fund helps safeguard the stories and contributions of workers and industries that shaped our world.
About Thomas Edward Leary
Thomas Edward Leary was a renowned historian and expert in industrial history, born in Rochester, NY. His passion for understanding the evolution of work and machinery led to groundbreaking contributions in his field. After earning his undergraduate degree at St. John Fisher College, Tom pursued a Ph.D. in History at Brown University. During his graduate studies, he served as Curator of the Slater Mill Historic Site, conduLink text cting innovative research on industrial work skills and processes.
Tom’s career was defined by his dedication to preserving industrial heritage. As Director of Interpretation at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, he led significant projects like documenting Buffalo’s industrial past and co-authoring a comprehensive study on Bethlehem Steel’s Lackawanna plant with his wife, Elizabeth Sholes. His meticulous work with the Historic American Engineering Record preserved key industrial sites and provided valuable insights into the history of labor and machinery.
Later, as a professor at Youngstown State University, Tom inspired and trained a new generation of students in industrial history and museum practices. His legacy lives on through the students he mentored, the projects he led, and the lasting impact of his work on preserving industrial heritage.
Supporting Tom’s Legacy
The Thomas Edward Leary Industrial Heritage Fund ensures that Tom’s passion for public history and education continues to make a difference. By supporting nonprofits engaged in preserving industrial history, the fund honors Tom’s life’s work and helps future generations understand and appreciate the importance of our industrial past.
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