Thursday, November 29, 2018
Bradford County Historical Society to hold Holiday Open House
The Bradford County Historical Society located at 109 Pine Street in Towanda will be hosting a Holiday Open House on Thursday December 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This will also be the second day of the Societies Annual Book Sale. This will be the last chance for visitors to view the museum exhibits until spring of 2019. December 6 is the feast day of Saint Nicholas and the society has it from a good source that Saint Nick will be making an appearance during the open house. A group of musicians from Towanda High School are also expected to visit during the evening. Several areas of the museum have been decorated for the holiday season and there will be cookies to snack on in the great room of the museum. The book sale offers a chance for customers to purchase Bradford County History books at a discounted price and this only happens in the first week of December each year. There will also be gift certificates for membership available at the event. What a great present for the person that is so hard to buy for. Memberships include THE SETTLER the quarterly magazine of the society. Be sure and stop by the Bradford County Museum on December 6 and visit with the trustees of the society who will be on hand for the evening.
Bradford County Historical Society to hold Annual Book Sale
The annual holiday book sale will be held at the Bradford County Historical Society in Towanda on Sunday December 2nd from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The sale will be held in the museum located at 109 Pine Street in the heart of Towanda’s Historic District.
The book sale will be held two days this year Sunday December 2 from 10-3 p.m. and Thursday, December 6 during the holiday open house to be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event has become a tradition with local history buffs that are looking to add to their collections. It is the only time each year that the society offers books at a discount price. Books range from $7.50 to $70.00.
A great stocking stuffer are the Bradford County Playing Cards there are three versions of the playing cards that have images of famous Bradford County people and Places with a succinct history of the image on the card. The SS. Peter and Paul playing cards and the Wysox Presbyterian Church cards are available as well.
The World War I history which was printed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the war will be available at the sale. The Bradford County Historical Society’s newest publication “Defending Democracy: Bradford County in World War I, A Centennial Remembrance” is the largest new publication released by the Society in over 20 years. Virtually unlike any book previously published by BCHS, Defending Democracy has a beautiful full cover glossy cover with amazing graphics. The book contains 516 pages; 18 chapters with added appendix; 280 previously unpublished black and white photographs; a full list of over 2,100 Bradford County World War I soldiers; a complete surname index; a section to record your own family’s participation in the war; and so much more. The book is filled with personal stories of Bradford County soldiers, news accounts, memories and data that together describe the experiences of Bradford County Soldiers from the time they were drafted to the time they were discharged. Stories of Bradford County’s Red Cross work during the war and participation by our nurses in the war are also recorded. This book will be treasured for generations to come.
Karen Tuton’s book “Jail Birds” a delightful story of her time as a child growing up living in the sheriff’s quarters of the jail is available this year.
The reprint of “History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania-1770-1878,” will be available at the sale. The book was produced using cover material and paper like the original book, making this a collector’s edition for all local history fans and researchers alike. The production of this history in 1878 by Rev. David Craft was the first major project done by the Bradford County Historical Society after it was formed in 1870. Craft was appointed by the society to write the history; it is considered one of the best county histories ever published for that period. The Craft history (as well as all other reprints of the society) contains an added index which makes finding your ancestor or subject much easier as the originals did not include indexes.
The wonderful history of our ghost mountain “Barclay Mountain-A History” will be available at a discounted price. The 359-page book published in 2007 features 32 chapters that are full of historical documentation, interviews and transcriptions of oral history with 400 plus photos of people and places over two centuries.
Also, available will be “Images of Southwestern Bradford County”, the largest photo book ever published about the history of southwestern Bradford County was written and designed by Matthew T. Carl. Proceeds benefit the LeRoy Heritage Museum. The book is hardcover has 400 pages and is over an inch thick. Approximately 700 photos from the collections of LeRoy Heritage Museum, the former Canton Area Historical Society, Ruth Kinney-McIntire, and several private collections. Images are from the townships of Canton LeRoy, Granville, and old Barclay.
Other local Histories published by the Wyalusing Valley Museum and the Camptown Civic Club will be available for the sale.
The Bicentennial photo history of Bradford County is for sale at this event. The Bradford County Historical Society put together a book that contains 653 photographs of towns and townships throughout the county many of the photos have never or rarely been published in the past and offer the reader a glimpse of how our county grew and progressed through time.
Another featured item at this year’s sale will be the 128-page, full color, hard cover, indexed atlas, “Map of Bradford Country, Pennsylvania – 1858,” reprinted by the Bradford County Historical Society. This book features a map of each township and borough that shows the location of houses and buildings and their ownership in 1858. The entire set of maps is indexed, making it easy to quickly locate your ancestor or property.
Reprints of local history such as the “Romance of Old Barclay” along with writings of other local historians will be available at the sale.
The late Staley N. Clarke wrote the “Romance of Old Barclay” in 1928. He tells the story of the mountain and the coal mines along with the stories of some of the people who came to Bradford County to work there. Every little town on the mountain is mentioned in the book. There is also a listing of Barclay Mountain residents employed in the mines.
Some of the other books that will be available include “Our Boys in Blue” Clement Heverly’s history of Bradford County in the Civil War. “Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, 1778-1825”. The new “History of Bradford County.” 1995, which features 1,400 submitted family stories and the histories of town and townships, churches, schools and businesses, industry, military, cemetery and Century Farms. Please note this book can not be reprinted so when the supply available at the museum is depleted it will no longer be available. “Guthrie 100 Years of Health Care” a photo history of Guthrie along with the works of several local authors can also be acquired at the annual sale.
Gift membership certificates will be available at the sale. A membership in the Historical Society includes the quarterly magazine of the Society THE SETTLER which is published four times a year. This booklet contains articles on local history and genealogy.
Bradford County History Books make wonderful Christmas gifts please join society trustees who will be on hand to assist book shoppers during the sale.
The Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way.
The book sale will be held two days this year Sunday December 2 from 10-3 p.m. and Thursday, December 6 during the holiday open house to be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event has become a tradition with local history buffs that are looking to add to their collections. It is the only time each year that the society offers books at a discount price. Books range from $7.50 to $70.00.
A great stocking stuffer are the Bradford County Playing Cards there are three versions of the playing cards that have images of famous Bradford County people and Places with a succinct history of the image on the card. The SS. Peter and Paul playing cards and the Wysox Presbyterian Church cards are available as well.
The World War I history which was printed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the war will be available at the sale. The Bradford County Historical Society’s newest publication “Defending Democracy: Bradford County in World War I, A Centennial Remembrance” is the largest new publication released by the Society in over 20 years. Virtually unlike any book previously published by BCHS, Defending Democracy has a beautiful full cover glossy cover with amazing graphics. The book contains 516 pages; 18 chapters with added appendix; 280 previously unpublished black and white photographs; a full list of over 2,100 Bradford County World War I soldiers; a complete surname index; a section to record your own family’s participation in the war; and so much more. The book is filled with personal stories of Bradford County soldiers, news accounts, memories and data that together describe the experiences of Bradford County Soldiers from the time they were drafted to the time they were discharged. Stories of Bradford County’s Red Cross work during the war and participation by our nurses in the war are also recorded. This book will be treasured for generations to come.
Karen Tuton’s book “Jail Birds” a delightful story of her time as a child growing up living in the sheriff’s quarters of the jail is available this year.
The reprint of “History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania-1770-1878,” will be available at the sale. The book was produced using cover material and paper like the original book, making this a collector’s edition for all local history fans and researchers alike. The production of this history in 1878 by Rev. David Craft was the first major project done by the Bradford County Historical Society after it was formed in 1870. Craft was appointed by the society to write the history; it is considered one of the best county histories ever published for that period. The Craft history (as well as all other reprints of the society) contains an added index which makes finding your ancestor or subject much easier as the originals did not include indexes.
The wonderful history of our ghost mountain “Barclay Mountain-A History” will be available at a discounted price. The 359-page book published in 2007 features 32 chapters that are full of historical documentation, interviews and transcriptions of oral history with 400 plus photos of people and places over two centuries.
Also, available will be “Images of Southwestern Bradford County”, the largest photo book ever published about the history of southwestern Bradford County was written and designed by Matthew T. Carl. Proceeds benefit the LeRoy Heritage Museum. The book is hardcover has 400 pages and is over an inch thick. Approximately 700 photos from the collections of LeRoy Heritage Museum, the former Canton Area Historical Society, Ruth Kinney-McIntire, and several private collections. Images are from the townships of Canton LeRoy, Granville, and old Barclay.
Other local Histories published by the Wyalusing Valley Museum and the Camptown Civic Club will be available for the sale.
The Bicentennial photo history of Bradford County is for sale at this event. The Bradford County Historical Society put together a book that contains 653 photographs of towns and townships throughout the county many of the photos have never or rarely been published in the past and offer the reader a glimpse of how our county grew and progressed through time.
Another featured item at this year’s sale will be the 128-page, full color, hard cover, indexed atlas, “Map of Bradford Country, Pennsylvania – 1858,” reprinted by the Bradford County Historical Society. This book features a map of each township and borough that shows the location of houses and buildings and their ownership in 1858. The entire set of maps is indexed, making it easy to quickly locate your ancestor or property.
Reprints of local history such as the “Romance of Old Barclay” along with writings of other local historians will be available at the sale.
The late Staley N. Clarke wrote the “Romance of Old Barclay” in 1928. He tells the story of the mountain and the coal mines along with the stories of some of the people who came to Bradford County to work there. Every little town on the mountain is mentioned in the book. There is also a listing of Barclay Mountain residents employed in the mines.
Some of the other books that will be available include “Our Boys in Blue” Clement Heverly’s history of Bradford County in the Civil War. “Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, 1778-1825”. The new “History of Bradford County.” 1995, which features 1,400 submitted family stories and the histories of town and townships, churches, schools and businesses, industry, military, cemetery and Century Farms. Please note this book can not be reprinted so when the supply available at the museum is depleted it will no longer be available. “Guthrie 100 Years of Health Care” a photo history of Guthrie along with the works of several local authors can also be acquired at the annual sale.
Gift membership certificates will be available at the sale. A membership in the Historical Society includes the quarterly magazine of the Society THE SETTLER which is published four times a year. This booklet contains articles on local history and genealogy.
Bradford County History Books make wonderful Christmas gifts please join society trustees who will be on hand to assist book shoppers during the sale.
The Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
BCHS Annual Antique Appraisal Day Scheduled
On Sunday November 18, 2018 from Noon to 3 p.m. the Bradford County Historical Society will be hosting an Antique Appraisal Day. We all have items that have been handed down over the years things they we tuck away in a safe place and look at occasionally and wonder what this item might be worth. The Antique Appraisal Day will give you the opportunity to have a professional examine your item and give you the good or bad news of the value of the item.
Mr. Bullock appraised over 70 items at the 2017 event.
This event will be held in the great room of the Bradford County Museum located at 109 Pine Street in Towanda, PA. The appraiser for the day will be long time local antique dealer Chuck Bullock. Mr. Bullock was born and raised on his family farm in Auburn Township in Susquehanna County, PA and after attending C.C.B.I in Syracuse and Bucknell University he had a long career in banking. Mr. Bullock owns Sanford and Sons Antiques in Wyalusing the shop noted for its very colorful lawn ornaments along Route 6. Mr. Bullock also conducts on site estate sales in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties.
The appraisal is open to the public and there will be a charge of $3 per item for Historical Society members and $ 5 per item for nonmembers.
The museum will also be open for tours and the gift shop will be open for any persons interested in purchasing local history books or you may want to buy a 2019 society membership for that hard to buy for person on your Holiday giving list. Memberships include the society publication THE SETTLER a magazine of local history and genealogy four times a year.
So, dig out that item you have stored away dust it off and bring it to the Bradford County Museum on November 18 for what will surely be a fun filled and interesting afternoon. We will be unable to allow fire arms at the appraisal.
Mr. Bullock appraised over 70 items at the 2017 event.
This event will be held in the great room of the Bradford County Museum located at 109 Pine Street in Towanda, PA. The appraiser for the day will be long time local antique dealer Chuck Bullock. Mr. Bullock was born and raised on his family farm in Auburn Township in Susquehanna County, PA and after attending C.C.B.I in Syracuse and Bucknell University he had a long career in banking. Mr. Bullock owns Sanford and Sons Antiques in Wyalusing the shop noted for its very colorful lawn ornaments along Route 6. Mr. Bullock also conducts on site estate sales in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties.
The appraisal is open to the public and there will be a charge of $3 per item for Historical Society members and $ 5 per item for nonmembers.
The museum will also be open for tours and the gift shop will be open for any persons interested in purchasing local history books or you may want to buy a 2019 society membership for that hard to buy for person on your Holiday giving list. Memberships include the society publication THE SETTLER a magazine of local history and genealogy four times a year.
So, dig out that item you have stored away dust it off and bring it to the Bradford County Museum on November 18 for what will surely be a fun filled and interesting afternoon. We will be unable to allow fire arms at the appraisal.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
BCHS to Feature “The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and its Effect on Bradford County”
The Bradford County Historical Society will host a program titled, “The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and its Effect on Bradford County,” scheduled for Friday, October 19, 2018 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There is no admission charge but donations are appreciated. To reserve a seat, participants are requested to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.
The 1918 flu pandemic was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic that infected 500 million people around the world and resulted in the deaths of 50 to 100 million (three to five percent of the world's population), more than were killed in World War I. The pandemic reached Bradford County and resulted in quarantines, temporary hospitals, and other measures to protect our citizens. Learn about Influenza’s effect on Bradford County and how we recovered from one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history.
The program will be presented by Matthew Carl, Bradford County Historical Society Manager/Curator.
This program is a part of the 2018 Friday Night at the Museum programming series that is held the third Friday of each month from May through October.
This is the final event of the 2018 season. 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.
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 on Facebook or Twitter.
The 1918 flu pandemic was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic that infected 500 million people around the world and resulted in the deaths of 50 to 100 million (three to five percent of the world's population), more than were killed in World War I. The pandemic reached Bradford County and resulted in quarantines, temporary hospitals, and other measures to protect our citizens. Learn about Influenza’s effect on Bradford County and how we recovered from one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history.
The program will be presented by Matthew Carl, Bradford County Historical Society Manager/Curator.
This program is a part of the 2018 Friday Night at the Museum programming series that is held the third Friday of each month from May through October.
This is the final event of the 2018 season. 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.
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 on Facebook or Twitter.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Bradford County Historical Society to Feature “The French Legacy in Bradford County”
The Bradford County Historical Society will host a program titled, “The French Legacy in Bradford County,” scheduled for Friday, August 17, 2018 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There is no admission charge but donations are appreciated. To reserve a seat, participants are requested to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.
The impact of the French settlers from Azilum on Bradford County was significant, although much has now been subsumed into what we today consider to be usual. However, there is a distinct difference between the ethos and milieu of Bradford and those of its neighboring counties, which must in part be due to the lasting influences of the French colony at Azilum. Infrastructure, landscape design, and animal husbandry are just some of the areas in which the French excelled and passed their expertise on to their Bradford County neighbors. Deborah deBilly dit Courville, herself descended from French Nobility although not from any Azilum settlers, will explore these and other factors in the French legacy, and discuss the ways in which such elements are featured in her book about the founding of Azilum, The Laporte Inheritance.
This program is a part of the 2018 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.
Other programs scheduled for this season are: September 21 – Lumbering Heritage in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Sponsored by Citizens & Northern Bank; and October 19 – The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and its Effect on Bradford County.
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 on Facebook or Twitter.
The impact of the French settlers from Azilum on Bradford County was significant, although much has now been subsumed into what we today consider to be usual. However, there is a distinct difference between the ethos and milieu of Bradford and those of its neighboring counties, which must in part be due to the lasting influences of the French colony at Azilum. Infrastructure, landscape design, and animal husbandry are just some of the areas in which the French excelled and passed their expertise on to their Bradford County neighbors. Deborah deBilly dit Courville, herself descended from French Nobility although not from any Azilum settlers, will explore these and other factors in the French legacy, and discuss the ways in which such elements are featured in her book about the founding of Azilum, The Laporte Inheritance.
This program is a part of the 2018 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.
Other programs scheduled for this season are: September 21 – Lumbering Heritage in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Sponsored by Citizens & Northern Bank; and October 19 – The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and its Effect on Bradford County.
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 on Facebook or Twitter.
Friday, July 6, 2018
BCHS to Host Hammered Dulcimer Musician, Ted Yoder
The Bradford County Historical Society will host a program titled, “A Hammered Dulcimer Concert with Ted Yoder,” scheduled for Friday, July 20, 2018 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by Chief Oil & Gas and the United Way of Bradford County. There is no admission charge but donations are appreciated. To reserve a seat, participants are required to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com. NOTE: Due to the popularity of this event, there are already only 30 seats that remain available by reservation only. Anyone who attends without a reservation will not be able to get in.
Critically acclaimed musician Ted Yoder profoundly reimagined his instrument of choice, inventing a fresh musical vocabulary along the way. He is a National Hammered Dulcimer champion and has released five beloved and critically acclaimed solo albums, as well as become a master educator of the instrument. In 2016, Ted became something of a household name when a Facebook Live video of him playing Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” went viral and has been viewed over 102 million times since then. Ted brings his music to Bradford County for an evening concert at BCHS.
This program is a part of the 2018 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.
Other programs scheduled for this season are: August 17 – The French Legacy in Bradford County; September 21 – Lumbering Heritage in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Sponsored by Citizens & Northern Bank; and October 19 – The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and its Effect on Bradford County.
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 on Facebook or Twitter.
Friday, June 8, 2018
Friday Night at the Museum to Feature “Bradford County Civil War Music”
The Bradford County Historical Society will host a program titled, “Bradford County Civil War Music,” scheduled for Friday, June 15, 2018 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.
This is the 150th anniversary of the dedication of a monument in the Riverside Cemetery in Towanda that was placed by Watkins Post #68, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). Recently restored by the Sons of Union Veterans, Silas Gore Camp #141, the monument was rededicated this May. The Sons of Union Veterans are pleased to present a program that will venture into the world of Civil War music from a Bradford County perspective, as well as an overall look, both north and south. The highlight of the evening will be recently composed music performed by Gary Wells, of Binghamton.
This program is a part of the 2018 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.
Other programs scheduled for this season are: July 20 – A Hammered Dulcimer Concert with Ted Yoder, Sponsored by Chief Oil & Gas; August 17 – The French Legacy in Bradford County; September 21 – Lumbering Heritage in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Sponsored by Citizens & Northern Bank; and October 19 – The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and its Effect on Bradford County.
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 on Facebook or Twitter.
This is the 150th anniversary of the dedication of a monument in the Riverside Cemetery in Towanda that was placed by Watkins Post #68, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). Recently restored by the Sons of Union Veterans, Silas Gore Camp #141, the monument was rededicated this May. The Sons of Union Veterans are pleased to present a program that will venture into the world of Civil War music from a Bradford County perspective, as well as an overall look, both north and south. The highlight of the evening will be recently composed music performed by Gary Wells, of Binghamton.
This program is a part of the 2018 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.
Other programs scheduled for this season are: July 20 – A Hammered Dulcimer Concert with Ted Yoder, Sponsored by Chief Oil & Gas; August 17 – The French Legacy in Bradford County; September 21 – Lumbering Heritage in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Sponsored by Citizens & Northern Bank; and October 19 – The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and its Effect on Bradford County.
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 on Facebook or Twitter.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Bradford County Museums Promote “Passport Through History” Contest
The museums of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, have released a newly revised 20-page guide highlighting the twelve museums of Bradford County. The guide is now available at over 60 locations in New York and Pennsylvania as well as each museum. It can be supplied to other locations upon request.
The full-color glossy booklet, titled "A Comprehensive Guide to Bradford County Museums" features an introduction to local history, a list of popular history topics and the museums where those topics can be explored, a map identifying museum locations in the county, and a "Passport through History." Each museum is featured on its own page with a photo, description, months of operation, contact information, driving directions, GPS coordinates and a QR Code that when scanned by a QR code app, will instantly connect the user directly to the respective museum website.
The "Passport through History" found in the guide is a yearly challenge. Visitors carry their "passport" as they visit all twelve museums in one season and collect a unique sticker or mark from each location. When the passport is filled, it can be turned in to the Bradford County Historical Society and added to a drawing at the end of the tourist season. The drawing will take place at the October meeting of the museums of Bradford County. The winner will receive one year of family membership in one of the Bradford County museums, or a comparable prize if the museum they choose does not offer family membership.
Bradford County’s museums include the Bradford County Heritage Association (Farm Museum and Historic Village), Bradford County Historical Society, French Azilum historic site, Home Textile Tool Museum, LeRoy Heritage Museum, Manley-Bohlayer Farm, P.P. Bliss Gospel Songwriters Museum, Sayre Historical Society, Tioga Point Museum, Wyalusing Valley Museum, Tuscarora Township Historical Society and the Troy Historical Society (currently under construction). Some of the museums have limited hours or are only open for special events. Contestants may need to contact some of the museums to find out the best time to get their passport stamped.
Filling the passport makes a great summer project for families and students by providing an opportunity to learn about local history and to visit local attractions during several day trips.
A free pdf of the guide can be downloaded for use on either a computer or phone by visiting www.bradfordhistory.com and clicking on Plan a Visit and then County Museums in the left column.
The guide was sponsored by the Bradford County Room Tax Fund and the Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency.
The full-color glossy booklet, titled "A Comprehensive Guide to Bradford County Museums" features an introduction to local history, a list of popular history topics and the museums where those topics can be explored, a map identifying museum locations in the county, and a "Passport through History." Each museum is featured on its own page with a photo, description, months of operation, contact information, driving directions, GPS coordinates and a QR Code that when scanned by a QR code app, will instantly connect the user directly to the respective museum website.
The "Passport through History" found in the guide is a yearly challenge. Visitors carry their "passport" as they visit all twelve museums in one season and collect a unique sticker or mark from each location. When the passport is filled, it can be turned in to the Bradford County Historical Society and added to a drawing at the end of the tourist season. The drawing will take place at the October meeting of the museums of Bradford County. The winner will receive one year of family membership in one of the Bradford County museums, or a comparable prize if the museum they choose does not offer family membership.
Bradford County’s museums include the Bradford County Heritage Association (Farm Museum and Historic Village), Bradford County Historical Society, French Azilum historic site, Home Textile Tool Museum, LeRoy Heritage Museum, Manley-Bohlayer Farm, P.P. Bliss Gospel Songwriters Museum, Sayre Historical Society, Tioga Point Museum, Wyalusing Valley Museum, Tuscarora Township Historical Society and the Troy Historical Society (currently under construction). Some of the museums have limited hours or are only open for special events. Contestants may need to contact some of the museums to find out the best time to get their passport stamped.
Filling the passport makes a great summer project for families and students by providing an opportunity to learn about local history and to visit local attractions during several day trips.
A free pdf of the guide can be downloaded for use on either a computer or phone by visiting www.bradfordhistory.com and clicking on Plan a Visit and then County Museums in the left column.
The guide was sponsored by the Bradford County Room Tax Fund and the Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
BCHS to Host Research Day for Members
On Saturday May 19, The Bradford County Historical Society will offer a research day. This will be an opportunity for members of the society to come in when the library is closed to receive a tour of the library and its holdings. The society library is a treasure trove of information for the genealogist or local historian. The session will begin at 10 a.m. and is by reservation only. There is no charge for this program to members of the Bradford County Historical Society. A non-member will be charged $35 which is a research membership for a year. Society president Henry Farley will be leading the workshop which will last about two hours. Call 570-265-2240 to register.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Friday Night at the Museum to begin with, “A Chronicle of the Underground Railroad and ‘Black Soldiery’”
The Bradford County Historical Society will host a program titled, “A Chronicle of the Underground Railroad and ‘Black Soldiery’,” scheduled for Friday, May 18, 2018 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.
Based on the book, “Embattled Freedom”, author Jim Remsen explores the life and times of a group of remarkable fugitive slaves who fled north on the Underground Railroad and found safe haven in Jim’s own boyhood hometown in the mid-1800s. The town is Waverly, Pa., a white farming village near Scranton, Pa. In the face of local skepticism, a cadre of white villagers and nearby farmers set up the black runaways with jobs, land and other material support, thus establishing a settlement known as “Colored Hill” that endured into the 1920s. When the Civil War came and the call went out for black recruits, a dozen men and boys left the safety of Colored Hill to return South and fight in the Union army.
This program is sponsored by:
This program is a part of the 2018 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.
Other programs scheduled for this season are: June 15 – Bradford County Civil War Music; July 20 – A Hammered Dulcimer Concert with Ted Yoder, Sponsored by Chief Oil & Gas; August 17 – The French Legacy in Bradford County; September 21 – Lumbering Heritage in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Sponsored by Citizens & Northern Bank; and October 19 – The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and its Effect on Bradford County.
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 on Facebook or Twitter.
Friday, May 4, 2018
BCHS Opens with Hundreds of New Items on Display
The Bradford County Historical Society (BCHS) opened for the 2018 season the first week of May with seven complete display cases changed, two entire rooms changed, and the large lumbering exhibit completely redesigned to include objects from many different industries or businesses in Bradford County.
Historical Society Manager/Curator, Matthew Carl, has worked for the past few years to substantially change the original exhibits that were built when BCHS first moved to 109 Pine Street. Out of 25 exhibit rooms in the museum, 13 have been substantially or entirely changed so far. This year alone, over 300 new items were brought out of storage and placed on display while other items that have been on display for years have gone into storage.
“That’s how a museum is supposed operate,” said Carl. “Items being rotated in and out so that visitors have a new experience and learn new things each time they’re here.”
Over the past 10 years, there have been new items on display every year, but only within the last two or three years has Carl finally been able to dedicate time to a significant overhaul of the museum. While a handful of items will always be on display due to their importance, the majority of pieces can be changed out every so often.
“The museum is a living history book that tells the stories of Bradford County as a whole,” said Carl.
Since Bradford County is the second largest county in terms of land area in Pennsylvania, the Bradford County Historical Society has a challenging job telling all of the stories, which is what makes regularly changing exhibits so important. As each year passes, new exhibits come and go and they bring new stories to light.
In addition to all the changes made this year, the World War I exhibit is still available during the ongoing centennial anniversary of the war. The award-winning book that accompanies the exhibit is still on sale in the museum Gift Shop.
A new season also brings new programming and this year’s Friday Night at the Museum series is sponsored by the United Way of Bradford County, Chief Oil & Gas, and Citizens & Northern Bank. The series features a mix of historical programs and musical performances and begins May 18th, continuing on the third Friday of each month until October.
Museum and research center hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 am – 4 pm, and the first Saturday of each month, 10 am – 2 pm.
For more information about the Bradford County Historical Society, visit the website at www.bradfordhistory.com. BCHS is sponsored in part by the United Way of Bradford County.
Historical Society Manager/Curator, Matthew Carl, has worked for the past few years to substantially change the original exhibits that were built when BCHS first moved to 109 Pine Street. Out of 25 exhibit rooms in the museum, 13 have been substantially or entirely changed so far. This year alone, over 300 new items were brought out of storage and placed on display while other items that have been on display for years have gone into storage.
“That’s how a museum is supposed operate,” said Carl. “Items being rotated in and out so that visitors have a new experience and learn new things each time they’re here.”
Over the past 10 years, there have been new items on display every year, but only within the last two or three years has Carl finally been able to dedicate time to a significant overhaul of the museum. While a handful of items will always be on display due to their importance, the majority of pieces can be changed out every so often.
“The museum is a living history book that tells the stories of Bradford County as a whole,” said Carl.
Since Bradford County is the second largest county in terms of land area in Pennsylvania, the Bradford County Historical Society has a challenging job telling all of the stories, which is what makes regularly changing exhibits so important. As each year passes, new exhibits come and go and they bring new stories to light.
In addition to all the changes made this year, the World War I exhibit is still available during the ongoing centennial anniversary of the war. The award-winning book that accompanies the exhibit is still on sale in the museum Gift Shop.
A new season also brings new programming and this year’s Friday Night at the Museum series is sponsored by the United Way of Bradford County, Chief Oil & Gas, and Citizens & Northern Bank. The series features a mix of historical programs and musical performances and begins May 18th, continuing on the third Friday of each month until October.
Museum and research center hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 am – 4 pm, and the first Saturday of each month, 10 am – 2 pm.
For more information about the Bradford County Historical Society, visit the website at www.bradfordhistory.com. BCHS is sponsored in part by the United Way of Bradford County.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
BCHS World War I Book to Receive Statewide Award
The Bradford County Historical Society (BCHS) is pleased to announce that it has been selected to receive a PA Museums Institutional Achievement Award. Formerly known as the Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and Historical Organizations, PA Museums (Pennsylvania’s statewide trade association), serving museum professionals and institutions, award program recognizes exemplary work going on in museums and history organizations in Pennsylvania.
BCHS was chosen for this award as a result of its project titled, "Defending Democracy: Bradford County in World War I, A Centennial Remembrance." During 2017, Historical Society Manager/Curator, Matthew Carl, created both an exhibit about Bradford County in World War I, and a book covering the story of the county’s involvement in the war from beginning to end.
During the PA Museums Annual Statewide Museum Conference in April, BCHS will be honored at the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Centre County.
The book published by the Bradford County Historical Society was researched, edited and designed by Matthew Carl with the assistance of a number of volunteers and staff who helped with typing and proofreading. Featuring 516 pages, 18 chapters, 260 photographs, a list of soldiers who registered and were chosen for service from Bradford County, and a complete surname index, the book has been very popular.
Following a different plan from other military histories, "Defending Democracy" focuses on personal stories of the soldiers along with information about what was happening on the home front in Bradford County throughout the war. Send-off and welcome-home parades, Red Cross work, and other unusual details not often found in histories of this nature can be found in this book.
"That is what makes the book so interesting," explained Matthew Carl. "The details of everyday life allow the reader to get a sense of what it would have felt like to live during that time."
A total of 70 families submitted information and photographs to be included in the book and these contributions filled in several gaps in the story. Many original documents that were issued to soldiers, or images of soldiers and nurses, tie the story together.
Over 2,100 soldiers were selected from Bradford County for service in the Great War. Each township and borough provided men for service. Several provided nurses. This project has created a record of their sacrifices for generations to come.
The exhibit will continue to be available while the 100th anniversary of the war goes on through the coming season. The book is still available at www.bradfordhistory.com or by stopping by the Bradford County Historical Society research center, Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. Other sales locations around the county can be found on the BCHS website.
BCHS was chosen for this award as a result of its project titled, "Defending Democracy: Bradford County in World War I, A Centennial Remembrance." During 2017, Historical Society Manager/Curator, Matthew Carl, created both an exhibit about Bradford County in World War I, and a book covering the story of the county’s involvement in the war from beginning to end.
During the PA Museums Annual Statewide Museum Conference in April, BCHS will be honored at the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Centre County.
The book published by the Bradford County Historical Society was researched, edited and designed by Matthew Carl with the assistance of a number of volunteers and staff who helped with typing and proofreading. Featuring 516 pages, 18 chapters, 260 photographs, a list of soldiers who registered and were chosen for service from Bradford County, and a complete surname index, the book has been very popular.
Following a different plan from other military histories, "Defending Democracy" focuses on personal stories of the soldiers along with information about what was happening on the home front in Bradford County throughout the war. Send-off and welcome-home parades, Red Cross work, and other unusual details not often found in histories of this nature can be found in this book.
"That is what makes the book so interesting," explained Matthew Carl. "The details of everyday life allow the reader to get a sense of what it would have felt like to live during that time."
A total of 70 families submitted information and photographs to be included in the book and these contributions filled in several gaps in the story. Many original documents that were issued to soldiers, or images of soldiers and nurses, tie the story together.
Over 2,100 soldiers were selected from Bradford County for service in the Great War. Each township and borough provided men for service. Several provided nurses. This project has created a record of their sacrifices for generations to come.
The exhibit will continue to be available while the 100th anniversary of the war goes on through the coming season. The book is still available at www.bradfordhistory.com or by stopping by the Bradford County Historical Society research center, Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. Other sales locations around the county can be found on the BCHS website.
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