Mount Union borough
The Paint Rebellion

In the early years at Kistler, the company painted interior walls in bright, deep shades of green, blue, brown, and grey. The residents who lived in those houses complained. When they did, the company provided a lighter palette of beiges and pastels instead.
A small story, but entirely human. The company held the power to choose the colors, but the people who lived inside the houses had a voice. They spoke up. The company responded.
It may be one of the gentlest labor stories in Kistler's history: no strike, no great protest, just residents who asked for something different and a company that listened. The walls changed color.
If you lived in a Kistler house, what color were your walls? We would like to hear.
Sources
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Checked 2026-10-11 · Historic Mount Union collection
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