Seats Going Fast for "Towanda Queen" Program

We have had many good responses and compliments about our redesigned website. Many people have already used our new PDF forms to submit membership dues, research requests, etc. If you have a question about the Bradford County Historical Society, you will most likely find an answer on the site.

Next week, July 17th, is our next "Friday Night at the Museum" event here at 109 Pine Street, Towanda. Several visitors have commented on the wide range of topics that are being covered in this year's programming. This month, we will be showing the movie, "Towanda's Queen", on the 75th anniversary year of it's debut. This movie was made in Towanda in January 1934 and is believed to be the first "talking" movie made in Bradford County. We had the movie transferred from film to DVD this year. Prior to the movie, I'll be talking about the history of the film using newspaper reports that appeared at the time. We already have 34 people registered for the program and seats are going fast. Call the Bradford County Historical Society at 570-265-2240 and leave a voice message if there is no answer.

Coming up on Tuesday, August 4th, I will be presenting the program, "Laquin - Behind the Photos" at the Susquehanna River Archeaological Center in Waverly, NY. This program features over 100 photographs that will enable you to step back in time and tour the streets of this lumber town on Barclay Mountain. This program was presented at the BCHS Annual Meeting in 2006 but it has been updated to include newly found photographs and updated information. The SRAC press release says, "The doors will open at 6 pm, with the program running from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Admission is $4 Adults, $3 for SRAC members and students. The public is advised that the SRAC gift shop and exhibit hall will also be open during this time as well and to please consider arriving early to browse these areas before the program."

Bradford County Historical Society to Show 1934 Movie Made in Towanda

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "Towanda's Queen" scheduled for July 17, 2009 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. A large attendance is expected so register early.

The program will feature a black and white movie made in Towanda in January 1934 entitled, "Towanda's Queen". The movie features several local residents including the Bradford County Sheriff, Howard L. Bailey; Jean MacLaren; Lang Dayton; Towanda's Justice of Peace, Harry N. White; Mrs. Anne M. Parsons; Mrs. Ernest Sluyter; Richard Wilt; Joanna Gaylord; William Glenn; Hulett M. Turner, Publisher of the Daily Review; Staley Clarke, Daily Review City Editor; and Ashton Merrill, Daily Review Assistant City Editor.

Some of the scenes in the movie feature the Towanda American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps marching on Main Street in front of the courthouse; the Towanda Musical Society; the interior of the Keystone Theatre; the composing room and printing press of The Daily Review; and exterior shots of a couple houses on York Avenue.

The movie was described as a "modern two-reel comedy with talking, singing and musical sequences." It was also announced that this was the "first all-talking movie made in Bradford County." Any movies made prior to this were silent films.

It was reported that "the story centers around a country boy who decides to leave the farm and become an interior decorator. He meets the girl of his dreams, has some difficulties courting her, but at last gets both a job and the girl. The show has a most unusual ending that everyone will enjoy."

The film includes short interviews between Director Don O. Newland and local residents who had shown up to watch the spectacle of a "talkie" being filmed.

A history of the movie and how it was made will be discussed by BCHS Curator, Matthew Carl, prior to it being shown. This year is the 75th anniversary of the making of this film.

This program is part of the 2009 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series that is 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 the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society visit the newly redesigned and updated website at www.bradfordhistory.com.