The Youngstown Historical Center of Industry & Labor (YHCIL), known locally as the “Steel Museum,” announced the launch of the YHCIL Support Fund, the first endowment in the museum’s 32-year history. The announcement was made during a public reception held Friday evening at the museum, marking a major milestone in the Center’s long-term sustainability and growth.

The inauguration of an endowment represents a significant step forward for YHCIL, which has long served as a unique educational resource for students, educators, and the greater Mahoning Valley community. The museum has hosted countless academic and public programs in partnership with Youngstown State University’s Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education. The new fund will be administered by YHCIL’s Management Team through YSUs History Program and will provide donors an opportunity to help expand collections, enhance operations and advance the Center’s mission for generations to come.

“This is a proud moment for our institution,” said Jonathan Cambouris, museum administrator. “On behalf of the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry & Labor, we are honored to announce the launch of the YHCIL Support Fund, the first endowment in our 32-year history. This milestone builds upon the foundation laid by the hardworking men and women whose stories we preserve—aptly reflected in our permanent exhibit, By the Sweat of Their Brow. This endowment represents a new layer upon that foundation, a true fruit of industry and labor.”

Paul McFadden, president of the YSU Foundation, emphasized the importance of the fund’s long-term impact. “Endowments are among the most powerful tools we have to ensure lasting educational and cultural impact,” McFadden said. “The YHCIL Support Fund strengthens the future of this vital institution while honoring the people and industries that shaped our region. The YSU Foundation is proud to partner in preserving this history and sustaining its relevance for future generations.”

Cambouris also expressed gratitude to Martha Pallante, the Charles Darling Endowed Chair in Early American History, whose generosity helped seed the endowment in memory of Giuseppe and Lucia Clemente Pallante. He further acknowledged the stewardship of the Ohio History Connection, YHCIL’s parent organization, as well as key partners including Youngstown State University, the Friends of YHCIL and the YSU Foundation.

The reception coincided with the museum’s February kickoff of America 250, part of a monthly thematic series focusing on Business, Innovation & Work, underscoring YHCIL’s continued role in connecting the region’s industrial past to its future.

Established in 2025 by friends and supporters of the Center, the YHCIL Support Fund is designed to provide ongoing financial assistance to support general operations, curation, research activities, exhibits, supplies, personnel needs, and emergency repairs. Through this endowment, supporters seek to ensure the continued preservation and interpretation of the steel industry’s enduring legacy in Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. Annual distributions from the fund will be administered by the History Program Coordinator.

For nearly two centuries, the steel industry shaped the identity and livelihood of the region. Through immersive exhibits featuring artifacts, oral histories, and full-scale recreations of steelworkers’ lives and workplaces, YHCIL remains committed to helping students, families, and organizations understand why industry—and the people behind it—still matters.