Friday Night at the Museum to Host “Conrad Weiser – A Walk Through Oscoluwa”

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a program titled, Conrad Weiser – A Walk Through Oscoluwa, scheduled for Friday, June 17, 2016 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.

A colonial hero travels through Bradford County on his way to strengthen the British position against the French. A dangerous journey that sets the stage for Sullivan's March, building forts in the Ohio Valley, the Louisiana Purchase and ultimately blocks a French claim on Towanda.

This program will be presented by Bill Brasington of the Troy Historical Society. This program is part of the 2016 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 15 – Towanda Water System – “The Between Years”; August 19 – John Mitchell: An American Hero; September 16 – Sayre – 100+ Years Ago; and October 21 – A Glimpse from the Past: John Philip Sousa and Towanda (musical program).

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 Abby Shenot

ITEM #1 - Cayuta Wheel and Foundry Company

The Cayuta Wheel and Foundry Company is older than the borough of Sayre, Pennsylvania. The Cayuta Wheel and Foundry Company was founded in 1873, and was merged with other plants into the National Car Wheel Company in 1903. In 1925 the company changed their name to the Southern Wheel division of the American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company. The company would go on to produce freight car wheels for the railroad and later branched out into the manufacture of valves, fire hydrants, and water and gas works machinery. The case pictured contains foundry patterns created in the production of various parts over the years. Along with this case, there are other items from the Cayuta Wheel and Foundry Company on display in our museum.

Visit the Bradford County Historical Society Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm to see this and hundreds of other local history pieces. This week, the museum will also be open on Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm.

BCHS MUSEUM NOW OPEN FOR 2016 SEASON

The Bradford County Historical Society museum has opened for the 2016 season. Hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, and the first Saturday of the month, 10 am to 2 pm. Group tours are available by appointment. The museum is closed on national holidays. The research center also has the same hours and is open all year.

This year, the summer tour guide is Abby Shenot, of Sayre, who recently completed her sophomore year at Mansfield University, majoring in History Education. As an intern, she will be conducting tours of the museum, operating the gift shop, and working on other research projects.

This year’s featured exhibit is “Civil Defense in Bradford County” and includes displays of Civil Defense survival supplies, radiation detection equipment, a child size gas mask, Red Cross material, World War II Civilian Defense brochures, Cold War era posters, and a Civil Defense Auxiliary Police outfit.

Foundry patterns from the Cayuta Wheel Company of Sayre are also on display.

Several changes have been made to the exhibits in the jail cells such as a new labeling system that allows new items to be added to these displays. This ongoing project has made it possible to make changes and additions to many of the permanent exhibits. Many new items from the museum collection are on display this year. Work will continue on updating the labeling system throughout the year.

For more information about the Bradford County Historical Society, museum or research services or programming, call the museum during regular business hours at 570-265-2240 or email info@bradfordhistory.com.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a member agency of the United Way of Bradford County.