Mission Statement
The Sophia Coxe Foundation and Education Center was established in 2014 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, working to promote, preserve, and interpret the philanthropic life work of Sophia Coxe, the influence of her husband Eckley B. Coxe on the mining industry, the history of Northeastern Pennsylvania anthracite mining heritage, and to provide a learning center with hands-on training in the traditional trade skills.
Sophia Coxe Memorial Foundation & Education Center | Heritage & Hands-On Learning in Freeland
The Sophia Coxe Memorial Foundation & Education Center, a nonprofit organization based in Freeland, PA, honors the legacy of one of the region’s most generous and impactful philanthropists. Sophia Coxe, known as the “Angel of the Anthracite Region,” devoted nearly 90% of her wealth to supporting coal mining families and other charitable efforts throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Rather than embracing the comforts of her elite status, she dedicated her life to service, education, and compassion for those in need.
Preserving a Legacy of Generosity
Founded in 2014, the Foundation has meticulously restored Sophia Coxe’s grand Victorian mansion—once a beacon of hospitality and generosity—to its historic splendor. Today, the estate serves as both a memorial and educational resource, where visitors can take guided house tours that explore the lives of Sophia and Eckley Coxe and the broader context of NEPA’s coal mining history. Through artifacts, storytelling, and preservation, the tours bring to life the challenges and humanity of the anthracite era.
A Hub for Traditional Arts & Skills
In addition to its historic preservation work, the Sophia Coxe Education Center offers a robust calendar of workshops and events focused on traditional trades. Visitors of all ages can learn blacksmithing, spinning, engraving, weaving, sewing, and other hands-on skills that connect past to present. These experiences encourage creativity, community involvement, and an appreciation for craftsmanship that defined life in the coal region.
The Sophia Coxe Memorial Foundation & Education Center honors local heritage through historic preservation, philanthropy education, and traditional skill-building in Freeland.
