Friday Night at the Museum to host Civil War historian, Kurt Lafy, July 17

The Bradford County Historical Society host a program titled The Last Hurrah scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2015 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There is no admission charge for this event but donations are appreciated. To reserve a seat, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

Join Kurt D. Lafy, author and lecturer on the American Civil War as he speaks on the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, the last battle of Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia. Learn how local men gave their all in the “final furry” of our Civil War.

This program is part of the 2015 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. Refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open a half-hour prior to the event.

Upcoming programs are: August 21 – Visions of Teaoga: Insights Into the Region’s Indian-Settler History; September 18 – Preserving Bradford County: Local Historians and the Books and Museums they Developed; and October 16 – Marcel Singer: The Gentle Butcher of Hong Kew.

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

BCHS MUSEUM FAVORITES - by Heather Palmer

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#5 - CIVIL WAR SOUVENIRS

Since Independence Day is right around the corner, here is a display of souvenirs brought back by Bradford County men who fought in the Civil War nearly 150 years ago. Bradford County soldiers brought home a variety of souvenirs from the Civil War. This case contains a sample of these souvenirs including artillery shrapnel, fired and unfired Minie balls, wood cut from tree that contained Minie balls, a fork stuck in a tree branch, canteens, and other interesting items.

Visit the Bradford County Historical Society Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm to see this and hundreds of other local history pieces.

Carrie Hooper and Accordion Players at BCHS Friday, June 19

Friday Night at the Museum is tomorrow night! Have you registered for "Tunes of Broadway and the Silver Screen"? Carrie Hooper will be here to sing along with two accordion players! Doors open at 5:30 pm and the program starts at 6:00 pm Friday night. Refreshments available after the program. Call to reserve your seat - 570-265-2240 or email info@bradfordhistory.com.

BCHS MUSEUM FAVORITES - by Heather Palmer

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#4 - LILLEY LEAF COLLECTION

This exhibit was collected and assembled by A.T. Lilley, LeRoy, in 1908. This cabinet contains leaves from all trees native to Bradford County. The panels within the cabinet were attached to strings that when pulled moved each panel to show different plants and other specimen. Lilley, a past president of the Bradford County Historical Society, was a geologist and used this collection to educate museum visitors about the county’s natural resources.

Visit the Bradford County Historical Society Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm to see this and hundreds of other local history pieces.

BCHS MUSEUM FAVORITES - by Heather Palmer

Click the title to visit the Curator's Blog if the photo does not appear above. 

#3 - The Albany Cutter 

This sleigh is often mistaken by the younger patrons for one owned by jolly old St. Nicholas. Unfortunately we do not have an antique sleigh of Santa’s on display, but maybe one will be donated in years to come. The sleigh that we do have is located on the second floor and is the Albany Cutter. It is a sleigh that was made by the “Manual Arts Class” at Towanda High School in 1906. This beautifully crafted sleigh was indeed a project done in the Towanda High School and the craftsmanship used to create it could beat most clocks made in most high school shop classes today.

Visit the Bradford County Historical Society Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm to see this and hundreds of other local history pieces.

Friday Night at the Museum continues June 19 with ‘Tunes of Broadway and the Silver Screen’

The Bradford County Historical Society host a program titled Tunes of Broadway and the Silver Screen scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2015 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There is no admission charge for this event but donations are appreciated. To reserve a seat, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

Enjoy a concert and sing-along with Carrie Hooper, soprano, and Bob MeInyk and Tony Ciccariello on the accordions. This program will include many favorite tunes from Broadway and the Silver Screen that will be sure to bring back memories of days gone by.

This program is part of the 2015 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. Refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open a half-hour prior to the event.

Upcoming programs are: July 17 – The Last Hurrah (Civil War Anniversary); August 21 – Visions of Teaoga: Insights Into the Region’s Indian-Settler History; September 18 – Preserving Bradford County: Local Historians and the Books and Museums they Developed; and October 16 – Marcel Singer: The Gentle Butcher of Hong Kew.

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

Bradford County Historical Society Releases ‘Historical Markers & Monuments’ Guide

The Bradford County Historical Society has released a new full-color 40-page guide titled, “A Traveler’s Guide to Bradford County Historical Markers & Monuments.” Copies are available at the Bradford County Historical Society, LeRoy Heritage Museum, Sayre Historical Society and are available to any business, organization, or school that would like to distribute them.

The free guide, published during the winter with funds from a Bradford County Room Tax grant, provides details on over 80 markers and monuments throughout Bradford County. Each listing also includes directions, GPS coordinates, date of dedication, the first sentence of text and other information.

The guide covers several types of markers such as the blue roadside markers, boulders with plaques, engraved stones and statues. Those interested in local history will find many different topics from which their own driving tour can be planned. Topics include City, County and State; French Asylum; Medicine; Military – Battle of Lime Hill; Military – Hartley’s Expedition; Military – Sullivan’s Expedition; Military – War Memorials; Music; Native Americans; Notable People; Public Service; Religion; Transportation; and Utilities.

“This is the most complete guide of its kind that has ever been published to highlight historical markers in Bradford County,” said Matthew Carl, manager and curator of the Bradford County Historical Society. Carl compiled and updated the information, gathered GPS coordinates, and traveled over 100 miles around Bradford County verifying the information, location and condition of many of the monuments. Many old photos of monument dedications are in the guide.

“We felt it was important to provide a free high-quality guide for travelers with GPS coordinates so a person could pinpoint the exact site of each marker,” Carl said. As a full-color publication printed on glossy paper, the guide will be a great addition to any local history library or anyone interested in learning more about local history on a weekend drive. The Society is now distributing copies of the guide during school tours at the museum.

While many of the monuments in the county are the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Bradford County Historical Society has worked with the commission in the past to have markers repaired and returned to the proper locations. Society president, Henry Farley, has also worked to research the history of the monuments and markers in Bradford County and has been instrumental in the placement of new ones over the years.

Some of the markers in the guide, particularly the blue roadside markers, are listed as “missing”. Unfortunately, these signs were either stolen in the past or may have simply been damaged and later picked up by the township where it is located. The Historical Society urges anyone who knows the location of a missing marker to contact the Society at 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com. Markers are often too costly to replace so retrieving the original makes it possible for the state to refurbish and reinstall it for travelers to enjoy.

Get a copy of the guide by stopping by the Bradford County Historical Society Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. Mailing is also available although a cost of $2.00 for shipping will apply.

The Bradford County Historical Society is located at 109 Pine Street, Towanda. For more information about museum tours, research services, and programming at the Historical Society, visit www.bradfordhistory.com. The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the United Way of Bradford County and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

BCHS MUSEUM FAVORITES - by Heather Palmer

Click the title to visit the Curator's Blog if the photo does not appear above.

#2 - THE "CANNONBALL" SAFE 

This exhibit is a fan favorite and is often mistaken for an old washing machine. On the contrary, the “Cannonball” safe dates from 1889 and was used in the First National Bank in New Albany. It features a “triple time lock,” which is a set of three clocks, located inside the safe door, that are wound with a clock key. When the time lock is on, the safe will tick. It is impossible to open the door until the time, set by the banker, has expired. It is rumored to be so tough to crack that even Jesse James could not even break into one of these “Cannonball” safes. The safe we have at the museum weighs about 2,400 lbs. So, good luck trying to drag it home.