What Would They Think

When the Bradford County Historical Society was formed in 1870, a group of local people basically started from scratch. There had been little attempt made to collect our history in an organized fashion so that it would be available for future generations.

Over the years, the society grew in leaps and bounds to the point where it is today. It is very common for visitors to our museum or research library to comment on what a treasure we have here in Bradford County. Many of these people, myself included, have been to other county historical societies and have seen varying conditions in the quality of research facilities and museum exhibits. We were once there too.

What would our historical society "forefathers" think if they were here now to see the Bradford County Historical Society that we now maintain. I'm sure they would be speechless.

BCHS is entrusted with an important task. Preserving Bradford County history. In a county like ours, that is a huge task! Not only are we the third largest county in the state of Pennsylvania, but our history is very diverse. We played important roles in the Sullivan and Hartley expeditions, we were a vital area for the Native Americans, we were a major coal and lumber producer, we have a vast railroad history, we have an even larger agricultural history, we were home to famous actors, actresses, vaudeville performers, composers, statesmen, and the list goes on and on!

When you become a member of BCHS or make a donation to the society, you are actually making it possible for our county history to be preserved for those young Americans who have not yet been born. After all, the founders of the Bradford County Historical Society were doing the same thing almost 140 years ago. Aren't you glad they did?