Saturday, August 28, 2010

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

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.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

New Poll Question

Check out the new poll question on the BCHS website:

Choose one or more reasons why the North Branch Canal closed.

To participate in this poll and to see the answer to the last poll, visit our website at www.bradfordhistory.com.

Also join our Facebook page and see who else has already joined by visiting our website!

Stephen Foster: Father of American Music, August 19

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "Stephen Foster: Father of American Music" scheduled for Thursday, August 19, 2010 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.

Come learn about Foster, listen to his music, and understand his connection to Bradford County.

This program is part of the 2010 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series that is normally 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.

Other programs scheduled for 2010 include: Canton: Circus Capitol of the East, September 17; and 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.