Bradford County Historical Society

BCHS Releases New Photo Book in Commemoration of County Bicentennial

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:38:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society announces the release of its latest publication, “Bradford County Bicentennial – A Photographic History.” The book was recently released in time for Christmas and just prior to the beginning of Bradford County’s bicentennial year in 2012.

“Bradford County Bicentennial – A Photographic History” commemorates the 200th anniversary of the formation of Bradford County, which will occur in 2012. The one-inch thick hardcover photo book features over 650 photographs, many of which have never been published before. Several photographs came from glass plate negatives in the historical society collection.

Numerous photos also came from the private collections of people from around the county and also from the collections of some of the county’s other museums.

Each township is represented by photographs which depict buildings and scenes taken as much as 150 years ago and others taken as recently as 2011.

The photos for the book were chosen and captions researched by the Bicentennial Committee of the Bradford County Historical Society. Book design and layout was done by Historical Society Manager/Curator, Matthew Carl.

This book is an excellent addition to any local history library. The book can be ordered by downloading an order form from the Bradford County Historical Society website at www.bradfordhistory.com and mailing it in with your payment. The book is $40.00 plus $2.40 tax for Pennsylvania residents and $8.00 if shipping is required. If the book is needed before Christmas, you may purchase one by stopping by the Bradford County Historical Society, Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This book along with a large selection of local history books published by the Bradford County Historical Society can be purchased at the Ben Franklin store in Towanda. All proceeds benefit the historical society. The Ben Franklin store carries the largest selection of the historical society’s local history books, including Barclay Mountain books, county histories, and Civil War histories, making it convenient to support the Bradford County Historical Society just by stopping in and shopping for books at the store during regular business hours.

The bicentennial book is also available at the Canton Independent-Sentinel office, the LeRoy Heritage Museum gift shop (by appointment), and from the following historical society board members: Henry Farley, Sayre; Lois Crandell, Troy; Guy Abell, Rome; and Mary Skillings, Wyalusing.

The publication of this book marks the beginning of the year-long observance of the bicentennial of Bradford County.

For more information call the Bradford County Historical Society at 570-265-2240 or go online to the Society website, www.bradfordhistory.com. For the latest news from BCHS, visit the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

The Bradford County Historical Society is supported in part by the Bradford County United Way.

New Poll Question on the BCHS Website

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:50:00 +0000

A new poll question has been posted on the BCHS website at www.bradfordhistory.com. Cast your vote and then see the answer to the last question!

BCHS featured on WNEP this week

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:51:00 +0000

Click on the link to view the video of the WNEP report done at the Bradford County Historical Society this week about county documents which were threatened by the September flood.

http://www.wnep.com/videobeta/?watchId=d09fd490-5d75-4667-81cb-28bdcf85a29d

“Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania” to be presented at BCHS, October 21

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:57:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania" scheduled for Friday, October 21, 2011 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

This lecture explores the widespread and sometimes violent opposition to the Civil War by people in the Appalachian lumber country of northern Pennsylvania. Many are unaware that this sparsely-settled region was home to divided communities that provided a safe haven for opponents of the war and deserters from the army, prompting federal officials to lead a military expedition in 1864.

We examine the social, political and economic factors that explain the antiwar opposition, much of which stemmed from the difficulties of Appalachian life. Timely themes are highlighted including the meanings and traditions of dissent in wartime, the debate over loyalty to the nation, the impact of partisan politics and the difficulties faced by the state in enforcing unpopular laws.

This program is presented by Robert Sandow, Associate Professor of History at Lock Haven University.

Robert M. Sandow grew up in the Laurel highlands of Southwestern Pennsylvania, where family trips to its famous battlefields sparked a lifelong passion for Civil War history. Sandow completed a Bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College in 1992 before earning a Ph.D. in 2003 from the Richards Civil War Era Center at Penn State University.

His research specialties include the Northern home front during the Civil War, with particular interest in issues of dissent, partisan politics, and opposition. He is currently an Associate Professor of History at Lock Haven University, where he teaches classes on American History up to the Civil War, Military History, Modern Japanese History, and introductory courses on Public History and Museum Studies.

Dr. Sandow recently published a monograph entitled Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in the Pennsylvania Appalachians, by Fordham University Press in April 2009.

This program is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

This event is held in the Great Room at the Bradford County Historical Society, located at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA. Free refreshments will be provided and the museum is open from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society and its programming schedule, museum or research center, visit www.bradfordhistory.com or check out the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

SIX SEATS AVAILABLE FOR GETTYSBURG TRIP THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:23:00 +0000

Due to some last minute cancellations, six seats have become available for the Gettysburg bus trip THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8. Cost is $100 per person. If you would like to go, call 265-2240 and leave a message. We will fill the seats in the order that we receive the calls until there is no more room. We will return your call. Payment arrangements will be made during the return call. Click on the link for information about the trip: http://www.bradfordhistory.com/index.asp?pageId=181

"Hotels of Bradford County" Program Postponed

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:24:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society’s regular Friday Night at the Museum program scheduled for September 16, 2011 has been postponed. The program, entitled, “Hotels of Bradford County,” will be rescheduled in the future. Patrons are reminded however, that the poetry reading with Craig Czury scheduled for Wednesday, September 21, at 6 p.m. will be held as planned. Registration for the poetry reading is not required.

Hotels of Bradford County to be presented at the Bradford County Historical Society, September 16

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:50:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "Hotels of Bradford County" scheduled for Friday, September 16, 2011 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

Over 100 years ago, most towns in Bradford County, whether large or small, had a prominent building in the center of the community that served as a hotel. These buildings provided overnight accommodations for visiting family as well as stage coach travelers.

This program will discuss some of the well known hotels such as Minnequa Springs and some of the lesser known hotels throughout the county. This PowerPoint presentation will be accompanied by approximately 100 photos.

The program will be presented by Matthew Carl, manager/curator at the Bradford County Historical Society.

This program is part of the 2011 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series that is held the third Friday of each month from May through October. Each event is held in the Great Room at the Bradford County Historical Society, located at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event.

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2011 include: Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania, October 21.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society and its programming schedule, museum or research center, visit www.bradfordhistory.com or check out the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

BCHS to host Internationally Acclaimed Poet, Craig Czury, September 21

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:13:00 +0000

Bradford County Historical Society presents internationally acclaimed poet Craig Czury reading his poems in the Great Room on Wednesday, September 21 at 6 p.m. There is no charge for admission but donations are accepted. Participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com. The museum will open at 5:30 p.m. for those who wish to browse the exhibits prior to the program. This event is a supplement to the normal monthly program schedule.

A native of the Wilkes-Barre Back Mountain, and resident of Reading, where he is Berks County’s Poet Laureate, Craig has relocated to Springville to develop a regional writing project, COMMON GROUND: A Community Conversation about Natural Gas and Northeastern PA.

Author of 20 books of poetry, most notably GOD’S SHINY GLASS EYE, poems from the anthracite coal region, Craig has lived as a folklorist and cultural documentarian in old hotels throughout his home anthracite region, developing a poetry that was hard and dark like anthracite, masculine as rock drills and blasting caps, foreboding as sink holes and black lung. His pioneering work and the profound sense of place that emerges in all of his poetry and workshops gained international recognition. He was invited to be the keynote speaker at the National Summit of Mining Communities, held in Butte, Montana in 2009. His books have been translated into several languages, and he is the recipient of international awards for poetry. Later this year he will be presented the prestigious Honorary Member of Ditët e Naimit award by the Albanians for his literary bridge building between U.S. and Albanian cultures.

A poet in education through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and various national and international arts foundations, Craig spent a year with AmeriCorps’ WritersCorps in Washington, D.C., conducting poetry workshops with inmate-patients at St. Elizabeth’s Psychiatric Hospital, and creating environmental multi-voice poetry performances with urban elementary students to be presented at the Library of Congress. An Americans For The Arts artist exchange fellow, Craig developed a series of poetry performances, through the Derry Playhouse, uniting Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland for BBC Radio Foyle. He has created a community documentary with poetry throughout Berks County with his National Endowment for the Arts-sponsored Berks Poetry. His intergenerational Scranton Poem Opera staged the varied voices of one community, winning him the Key to the City of Scranton. He was also Poet-In-Residence at Towanda Elementary School.

This program is part of COMMON GROUND: A Community Conversation about Natural Gas and Northeastern PA, a partnership program of Keystone College, Countryside Conservancy, Edward L. Rose Conservancy, North Branch Land Trust, Cabot Oil and Gas, Craig Czury Poetry Project, and Summerhouse Grill.

For more information about Craig Czury, visit www.craigczury.com. Additional information about the Bradford County Historical Society can be found at www.bradfordhistory.com. The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way.

BCHS Gettysburg Bus Trip, October 8

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:13:00 +0000

Join the Bradford County Historical Society on a bus trip to the famous Civil War battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The event, entitled, “Follow the Footsteps of History,” is a special observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and the 141st PA Volunteer Infantry’s involvement in the battle at Gettysburg.

Engage in a walking tour as we retrace the footsteps where the brave men of the 141st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry marched into the gathering strife. See the still existent spherical cannon shot permanently lodged into the wall of an outbuilding on the Trostle farm. March to the brow of the hill where the "Peach Orchard" looms ever present even today. Realize its coveted importance to Confederate General Longstreet.

Peer through the haze of history while local historian, author, reenactor and Civil War lecturer, Kurt D. Lafy, lifts the veil of time and transports you back 148 years to the war torn day when the 141st stood alone against General Barksdale's Mississippians as they rushed forward in an attempt to overwhelm the Union forces.

Hear the personal stories of the Bradford County men who fought there on that momentous day.

The bus trip leaves the Bradford County Historical Society's parking lot at 6 a.m., October 8, 2011. A per person cost of $100.00 entitles you to a thrilling day of an on-the-bus continental breakfast, a visit to the Gettysburg National Military Park's famous Cyclorama, the visitor center's introductory movie, a self guided tour of the visitor center's museum, two hours of free time along Steinwehr Ave., "souvenir alley", where plenty of fine places to have lunch are within blocks of each other, a walking tour into the Peach Orchard with Kurt D. Lafy, dinner at General Picket's Buffet (actually located on a segment of the battlefield where General Pickett's men tried, and failed, to breach the Union's lines), and a showing of the movie, "Gettysburg" during our ride home to Bradford County. The price is all-inclusive except for lunch and any additional shopping you would like to do.

Each participant will receive a BCHS tote bag filled with goodies including a signed copy of Lafy’s book, “George – A Civil Warrior.” Membership in the Society is not required to attend the tour, however, all participants who are members will have the special opportunity to purchase a copy of the hardcover book, “Our Boys in Blue,” in the BCHS Gift Shop prior to boarding the bus for only $20, which is a 50% discount off the cover price. Originally a two volume set (now printed as one book) “Our Boys in Blue” details Bradford County’s involvement in the Civil War and includes personal stories and lists of soldiers from the county. Non-members may purchase the book at full price, but by becoming a member that morning, they can also receive the discount. Only participants in the bus trip will be entitled to this special price.

Pre-registration and payment is required by September 30th by visiting the Bradford County Historical Society website at www.bradfordhistory.com, clicking on Ticket Office and using a credit card. Checks may also be mailed to the Bradford County Historical Society at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA 18848. Be sure to include the names of the people who will attend. For questions or further information call 570-265-2240 or email info@bradfordhistory.com.

Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way.

Stephen Foster: Father of American Music II at BCHS, August 18

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 15:45:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "Stephen Foster: Father of American Music II" scheduled for Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM WILL BE HELD ON A THURSDAY. Although the event is free, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864), known as the “father of American music,” was the pre-eminent songwriter in the United States in the 19th century. His songs, such as “Oh! Susanna”, “Camptown Races”, “Old Folks at Home” (“Swanee River”), and “Beautiful Dreamer”, remain popular over 150 years after their composition.

This program will be presented by Guy Abell, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bradford County Historical Society. Foster musical selections will also be performed during the program by Jim & Marie Parks and Terry & Lois Gray.

Come learn about Foster, listen to his music, and understand his connection to Bradford County. This program is back by popular demand from 2010 but will feature additional Foster music not performed last year as well as some old favorites.

This program is part of the 2011 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series that is normally held the third Friday of each month from May through October. Each event is held in the Great Room at the Bradford County Historical Society, located at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event.

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2011 include: Hotels of Bradford County, September 16; Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania, October 21.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society and its programming schedule, museum or research center, visit www.bradfordhistory.com or check out the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

Civil War Music to be performed at BCHS, July 15

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 15:51:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a program entitled "Bluelady Sings the Civil War" scheduled for Friday, July 15, 2011 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free to attend, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

The Civil War lasted for four long years, and during these years, numerous songs and ballads were composed. While many documents and artifacts of the Civil War have not survived, most of the music played and enjoyed during that period still survives today.

This program will feature songs from the Civil War period, performed by Mary Hawthorne, who will also share a composition that she wrote about her ancestor who was killed execution style by rebel guerrillas in 1864.

Mary Hawthorne is a 1980 graduate from Mansfield State College, now Mansfield University, with a BA in music. She completed her teaching certificate in 1985. She was choir director of the Windfall United Methodist Church for 23 years and is presently the choir director of the First United Methodist Church in Troy. She has also been a performer on Trombone and percussion for many local productions of Broadway musicals. She has taught music for the Troy Area School District, Troy, PA for the past 25 years. She and husband Charles, also an accomplished musician, reside in Troy, PA.

This program is part of the 2011 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series that is held the third Friday of each month from May through October. Each event is held in the Great Room at the Bradford County Historical Society, located at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event. This program also continues the year-long observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Participants will have the opportunity to view this season’s featured exhibit, “Our Boys in Blue – Bradford County in the Civil War.”

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2011 include: Stephen Foster: Father of American Music II, August 18; Hotels of Bradford County, September 16; Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania, October 21.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society and its programming schedule, museum or research center, visit www.bradfordhistory.com or check out the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

Living History of the PA Game Commission to be presented at BCHS, June 17

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Sat, 28 May 2011 20:58:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a program entitled "Living History of the Pennsylvania Game Commission" scheduled for Friday, June 17, 2011 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free to attend, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

Experience the history of game conservation and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Dressed as an old time game refuge keeper, Bill Bower will depict the life and work of early game protectors. Bradford County is home to the lowest numbered game lands in Pennsylvania - SGL #12 located on Barclay Mountain. Sunfish Pond was once the site of a game refuge. Come and hear the stories of a refuge keeper.
In 1995 the Pennsylvania Game Commission celebrated its 100th anniversary. It was formed in 1895 when a law was passed authorizing the Governor to appoint six men to this new commission. These men were to be sportsmen and serve without salary and pay at their own expense. No money was appropriated to run this new commission, and many thought it would fail before it even got started.
The commission was very unpopular with some of the hunting public. No longer could a man hunt whatever or whenever he wanted. Now he had to obey certain laws and hunt only during the open season, and there were some animals he could not hunt at all. To say that these new game protectors were unpopular would be unjust; actually most were hated by the hunters. In the first year, 14 game protectors were shot at, seven were hit, and four killed.
The state's forests were all cut over and forest fires were a common thing. Gone were the elk, the bison, the passenger pigeon, and the beaver. The state's wildlife community was in deplorable condition and needed help, badly.
Today a Game Protector is called a Wildlife Conservation Officer. Although his job is still basically law enforcement, the type of work has changed drastically in the last 100 years.
Bill Bower is a retired Wildlife Conservation Officer for western Bradford County.

This program is part of the 2011 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series that is held the third Friday of each month from May through October. Each event is held in the Great Room at the Bradford County Historical Society, located at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event.

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2011 include: Bluelady Sings the Civil War, July 15; Stephen Foster: Father of American Music II, August 18; Hotels of Bradford County, September 16; Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania, October 21.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society and its programming schedule, museum or research center, visit www.bradfordhistory.com or check out the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

Canton Newspapers Now Available for Research

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:20:00 +0000

BCHS now offers for research a digitized version of the Canton World, Canton Sentinel and Canton Independent-Sentinel newspapers. These papers together cover the years 1875 to 2000. This is the first time that this resource has been available at BCHS and it is also the first time that copies can be made from the newspapers. If you are looking for genealogical information from the Canton area, make plans to do research at BCHS or send in a research request.

Click on the link below to visit the Research Request page on our website and found out how to have our volunteers research for you!

Research Requests

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Exhibit Opening & Reception, May 22

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:15:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society invites its members to an Exhibit Opening & Reception to officially begin the 2011 season.

This event will be held Sunday, May 22, 2011, 2-4 p.m., at the Bradford County Historical Society. The event will begin in the Great Room at 2 p.m. with an introduction of this year’s new exhibits followed by a tour of the new exhibits by Matthew Carl, BCHS Manager and Curator.

The featured exhibit for 2011 is entitled, “Our Boys in Blue: Bradford County in the Civil War.” Approximately 150 Civil War related items have been pulled from storage for this exhibit in remembrance of the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. In addition, a total of nine other permanent or rotating exhibits have been substantially or completely changed throughout the museum. As a result, the Bradford County Historical Society is offering more new and updated exhibits this year than it has in several years.

An invitation to this event is a benefit of your membership in the Bradford County Historical Society. Free refreshments will be served during the event. Don’t miss out on the new exhibits at BCHS!

Also, don’t forget that our Friday Night at the Museum programming season begins this Friday, May 20, at 6 p.m. Visit our website at www.bradfordhistory.com for more information on our 2011 programming schedule. Don’t forget to register for this Friday’s program on the history of the 141st Regiment in the Civil War by Kurt Lafy. Civil War re-enactors in full uniform will also be present. Free refreshments. No cost to attend.

See you at these events!

BCHS to Host Archives Workshop, June 7 & 8

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Tue, 10 May 2011 16:25:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a two day workshop entitled “Archives Without Tears” on June 7-8, 2011. This workshop is for those who work or volunteer in organizations that deal with the past – whether it’s a museum, historical society, historic house, city or county government office, library, historic site, church, local school archives, or college archives. Registration for the workshop is required and must be received at the Historical Society by June 1. Seating is limited so early reservations are recommended.

Archives Without Tears will cover a variety of topics and participants will receive practical advice, sample forms and policies, and learn basic, valuable practices for collecting, preserving, and assisting researchers with the historical treasures in their care.

Day one of the workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and covers the Basics of Archives and Records Management. Specific topics include: the definition of historical records; managing, receiving, and evaluating collections; protecting collections from theft; dealing with copyright issues; general care of historical records; how to organize your records; where to find archival help, grants, and resources; and much more.

Day two runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and covers Disaster Planning for Historical and Vital Records and finally, Photographs and Special Media Care.

The workshop will be presented by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and will feature presenters, Jerry Ellis, Linda Ries, and Joshua Stahlman, archivists with PHMC.

The registration fee is $15 per person for one day or $25 per person for the full two day event. The fee includes lunch which will be provided to participants both days as well as materials for the workshop. Participants will also be able to tour the Bradford County Historical Society including the museum and research center.

A registration form can be downloaded from the Historical Society website at www.bradfordhistory.com or may be picked up in the museum lobby or in the research center Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Again, the registration and payment is due by June 1.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society museum or research center, visit www.bradfordhistory.com or check out the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

141st PA Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War to be Discussed at BCHS, May 20

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:06:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society is set to begin another new season of Friday Night at the Museum programs. The first program of the 2011 season is entitled "A Most Compelling Story – 141st PA Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War" scheduled for Friday, May 20, 2011 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free to attend, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

The 141st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry originated in Bradford County. Listen to a Towanda native relate the trials and hardships of our ancestors. Learn of the true history of the “men from Bradford” as they left their farms and families and went to war to preserve the Union. Understand the hardships they endured, the disease, the death, the tragedy of it all.

The program will be presented by Kurt D. Lafy, author of the book, “George – A Civil Warrior” and also a Civil War re-enactor.

This program is part of the 2011 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series that is held the third Friday of each month from May through October. Each event is held in the Great Room at the Bradford County Historical Society, located at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event.

This event also begins our season-long observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Other Civil War related programs are scheduled throughout the year and an extensive new Civil War exhibit will open on May 26th and will be available during the 2011 season.

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2011 include: Living History of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, June 17; Bluelady Sings the Civil War, July 15; Stephen Foster: Father of American Music II, August 18; Hotels of Bradford County, September 16; Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania, October 21.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society and its programming schedule, museum or research center, visit www.bradfordhistory.com or check out the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

BCHS Receives Contribution from Chesapeake Energy

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:40:00 +0000

Bradford County Historical Society recently received a contribution from Chesapeake Energy for $10,000 in support of the society’s energy project. Matthew Carl, Manager/Curator at the Bradford County Historical Society, is presented the honorary check from Jane Clements, Coordinator of Corporate Development at Chesapeake’s Towanda office. The funding will be matched with a contribution from the Allen F. Pierce Foundation to complete upgrades that were suggested in an energy audit that the historical society had done last year. The current focus of the project is the research library where improvements in heat retention and insulation will be made. Besides its own research material and collections, the Bradford County Historical Society is a repository for Bradford County’s oldest public records including deed books, mortgage books, tax records, court records and much more. The historical society’s research library will be closed from December 24 until March 31 to undertake several energy improvements. For more information about the Bradford County Historical Society, visit www.bradfordhistory.com or visit the society’s Facebook page.

“The End of an Era” painting donated to BCHS

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:00:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society recently received a painting entitled, “The End of an Era,” as a gift from Cheri Burchard, a native of Towanda and now a painter from Dawsonville, Georgia.

The painting shows a barn and silo set in a country landscape, a scene that reminds Cheri of her childhood in Towanda during the 1940’s and 50’s.

Cheri Fitzgerald Burchard’s journey as an artist began with her first art lesson at age nine with her mother, Dorothy Young Fitzgerald, in the basement of Harden’s Store in Towanda. The lessons were taught by an artist from Elmira. Cheri remembers, “We took the class to help us through the grief of losing my father, William Paul Fitzgerald, in a car accident on the bridge over the railroad tracks in Waverly.”

She continued painting and later trained at the National Cathedral School and at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Subsequently, Cheri studied art at Sweet Briar College, sculpture at the American University, design at the International Institute of Interior Design, sculpture at La Escuella Belles Artes in Mexico City and has also studied at the Louvre in France.
Cheri has taught the history of art, rendering, mechanical drawing, art practicum, and the psychology of color at Bay Path College, Teikyo Post University, and the University of Connecticut, respectively.

Cheri makes brilliant use of confident colors and textures in her paintings, describing herself as a post-impressionistic colorist. She describes painting as a spiritual experience and she hopes that her paintings will bring joy, beauty and blessing to their owners.

These paintings have hung in galleries in New England, Virginia Beach, and Georgia to name a few. Her art is also displayed in the United States Senate building (Georgia office) in Washington, DC.

Despite Cheri’s success, many of her most cherished memories are of times spent in her hometown.

“My heart will always love and be thankful for my youth in Bradford County,” explained Cheri. “Some Sunday afternoons my family would take a ride out on dirt roads to see the animals, farms and beautiful scenery. This was a real treat because gas was rationed. When I was child dairy farming was our major industry.”

“The End of an Era” will be on display when the Bradford County Historical Society museum reopens next Spring for the 2011 season.

For more information on Cheri Burchard and her art, visit her website at www.cheriburchard.com. More information about the Bradford County Historical Society can be found at www.bradfordhistory.com. The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of PHMC and the Bradford County United Way.

New Poll Question on BCHS Website

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:30:00 +0000

A new poll question has been posted on the Bradford County Historical Society's website. The question is, "Housing was built along the riverbank in French Azilum for who?" Go to www.bradfordhistory.com to cast your vote and to see the answer to the previous poll question.

Annual Book Sale, December 5

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:23:00 +0000

Our annual Christmas book sale will be held Sunday, December 5, 11 am - 3 pm at the Bradford County Historical Society, 109 Pine Street, Towanda. Our new 1858 Bradford County atlas will be released that day and other publications will be on sale.

Research Library to Close for the Winter, December 23

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:21:00 +0000

A reminder to researchers that the BCHS research library will close for the winter at the end of business on December 23, 2010. Be sure to visit the research library before then during regular business hours. We will reopen on April 1. Due to the elimination of state funding, it is necessary for us to cut expenses where possible. Research letters will continue to be accepted during the winter.

New 1858 Atlas to be Released December 5th! Preorder now!

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:26:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society's new atlas, "Map of Bradford County, Pennsylvania - 1858" will be released on December 5th, the day of the Society's Christmas book sale. Similar to the 1869 atlas reprinted by the Bradford County Historical Society in 1999, this book features a map of each township and borough that shows the location of houses, mills and public buildings in 1858. The entire set of maps is indexed, making it easy to quickly locate your ancestor. 128 pages. Full color. High quality hard cover binding. All preordered books will be shipped the first week of December, in time for Christmas!

Visit our website at http://www.bradfordhistory.com/ and download a preorder form on the front page of the site.

"Laquin: Behind the Photos" Coming to Sayre Theatre, October 30

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:17:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society is coming to the Sayre Theatre to present the program, "Laquin: Behind the Photos," on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 1 p.m. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8 per person in advance and may be purchased at the Bradford County Historical Society, Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. Tickets may also be ordered online by visiting www.bradfordhistory.com and clicking on Ticket Office, or by phone at 570-265-2240. Online and phone orders must be received at BCHS by October 25th. Tickets cannot be held at the door.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $10 each. No guarantee is made that tickets will be available at the door.

Please note that this program has sold out in the past and tickets go fast each time it is presented. This is the final time that this program will be presented so plan accordingly to ensure a seat at this event!

Proceeds from the event will be used to cover the cost of bringing the program to Towanda and will also be used to support special projects at the Bradford County Historical Society.

"Laquin: Behind the Photos" is a unique program that takes the audience on a tour of the lumber town of Laquin, located on Barclay Mountain in Bradford County. Using over 100 images which are supplemented by maps, the program makes it possible for the audience to learn about the history of the town by actually seeing its buildings, factories, and people. Each photograph in the program is described during the presentation to allow participants to understand what they are viewing.

Many of the images were made from glass plate negatives in the Historical Society collection. In addition, the program will also feature photographs that have been received by the society since the publication of the book, "Barclay Mountain – A History," in 2007.

"If you have an interest in Barclay Mountain, and especially Laquin, don’t miss this event," said Matthew Carl, Manager/Curator at the Bradford County Historical Society, who developed the program. Carl is very familiar with the topic, having led walking tours on Barclay Mountain for the past five years. He also designed the Barclay Mountain book, and among other contributions, chose the photographs that would be published.

Copies of the book, "Barclay Mountain – A History," that have been signed by the authors and designer will be on sale at the theatre during the event. This will be an excellent time to pick up a copy for Christmas!

For more information about the program or updates about this event, visit the Bradford County Historical Society’s Facebook page by visiting www.bradfordhistory.com and clicking on the Facebook link.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

The Frisbie Family of Orwell Township, October 15

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:50:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "The Frisbie Family of Orwell Township: A 19th Century Saga of Bradford County and Beyond" scheduled for Friday, October 15 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

After settling in Orwell Township in 1800, Levi Frisbie and his family became actively involved in the business, educational, and political life of Bradford County. Likewise, throughout the nineteenth century, various family members also gained notoriety in government and industry beyond Bradford County.

This presentation traces the development of the Frisbie family’s business and political influence at home and abroad during this period, as illustrated via the careers of Eaton Frisbie, a two term mayor of Elmira, New York, who was also actively engaged in various coal and railroad-railroad ventures in the northeastern United States; and G. Clayton Frisbie, a U.S. Consular Agent at Rat Portage, Ontario, who was similarly engaged in sundry ventures in Canada and the western United States.

The presentation concludes with a discussion of the major factors that contributed to the diminishment of the family’s influence in the early 1900s.

The program will be presented by Marsha Ann Tate, Ph.D., a librarian and Web site coordinator at the Pennsylvania State University. The author of several books and numerous articles devoted to North American history and media-related topics, Marsha’s current research activities include chronicling the Frisbie family’s business and political activities in the United States and Canada.

This program is the last of the 2010 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series held the third Friday of each month from May until October. Each event is held in the Great Room at the Bradford County Historical Society, located at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA. Free refreshments are provided at each program.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of PHMC and the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society and its programming schedule, visit www.bradfordhistory.com or check out the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

“Canton: Circus Capitol of the East” to be presented at BCHS

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Carl, Manager/Curator) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:56:00 +0000

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "Canton: Circus Capitol of the East" scheduled for Friday, September 17 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

“Canton: Circus Capitol of the East” covers the fascinating history of Canton as a home to many important figures in the circus world in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Aside from being the winter quarters for Charles Lee’s Great London Show, Canton was the home of Charles Siegrist who is enshrined in the Circus Hall of Fame; also home of famous aerialists, Francis “Butch” Brann and his wife Amelia LaPell who performed as “France and LaPell”; and the world renown little couple, Caspar and Mab Weis, among others.

This program will trace Canton’s connection to the circus world and the interesting lives of these circus performers will be discussed. The program will be highlighted with photographs. Equipment used by France & LaPell will also be on display.

The program will be presented by Matthew Carl, Manager/Curator at the Bradford County Historical Society. Anyone who has photographs or original information pertaining to this topic is encouraged to call the Curator’s office at 265-7652 or email curator@bradfordhistory.com so that the program can be as complete as possible.

This program is part of the 2010 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series held the third Friday of each month from May until October. Each event is held in the Great Room at the Bradford County Historical Society, located at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA. Free refreshments are provided at each program.

The final program scheduled for 2010 is: “The Frisbie Family of Orwell Township: A 19th Century Saga of Bradford County and Beyond,” October 15.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of PHMC and the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society and its programming schedule, visit www.bradfordhistory.com or check out the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.