Press Releases

Below are all of our latest press releases. The most recent can be found first.

2013

May 23, 2013
Bradford County Historical Society Announces New Tour Guide, New Exhibits and New Hours

 

The Bradford County Historical Society announces the opening of its 2013 museum season.

 

The Society’s summer tour guide is Heather Palmer of Canton. Heather is a History and Religious Studies major at Albright College. She is available to give tours of the museum during regular business hours. Heather will also work on various projects for the historical society during the summer.

 

Museum hours have changed and are now the same as the research library. They are Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and the first Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The facility is closed during major holidays. Please call to confirm Saturday hours. While the research library is open all year, the museum is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Group tours are available and may be scheduled by calling 570-265-2240. Admission to the museum is a donation.

 

The Bradford County Historical Society recently held an Exhibit Opening and Reception for members to highlight the various changes made in the museum this year.

 

The featured exhibit can be found in the gift shop display case. It is a wonderful collection of models such as airplanes, a ship, a stage coach, and many more items made entirely of Popsicle sticks. While the material used sounds unusual, the objects created are stunning and intricate. The exhibit has already become a favorite of visitors and children especially, who enjoy seeing large airplanes suspended from the ceiling above the display case. The models are on loan from the family of Robert Coats Sr. who passed away earlier this year. Robert was a carpenter in Towanda several years ago and also a veteran. Come and enjoy his works of art this season.

 

The historical society added two new lighted display cases to the second floor during the bicentennial year and are now offering a special exhibit in each one. The first exhibit is a large collection of canning jars dating back to the mid-1800’s. Several jar brands, sizes and colors are displayed with a history of the canning jars. A jar of unopened canned fruit from 1898 is also displayed. It was offered as a wedding gift that year and never opened. All of the jars were found in Bradford County and used by local families.

 

The second new display case features advertising products from towns all over Bradford County. These products include gift boxes from stores in Towanda and Sayre; souvenir china from Overton, Laquin, South Waverly; a hanger from Canton and much more. Each item has the name of the local town on it including Wyalusing, Wysox, Troy and many more.

 

A display of candy boxes from local stores can be found this year. The boxes include “Chicken Dinner Candy” and one of the first Butterfinger candy bar packing boxes. Several have already enjoyed seeing an A&W Root Beer cardboard funnel in which Root Beer could be purchased years ago. Visitors have remarked that this item brings back many memories.

 

On the first floor, a new exhibit about the Meredith Bottling Works in Towanda features Meredith wooden shipping boxes, and a variety of bottles and labels. A Blood Orange bottle, along with the accompanying Blood Orange cooler sign are in the display. Blood Orange soda pop was a local favorite.

 

The museum now offers some technological improvements including a digital screen in the gift shop that features hand colored postcards from around Bradford County. The screen also randomly scrolls through announcements for visitors, such as the upcoming program schedule.

 

The Historical Society is also excited to introduce the addition of QR codes throughout its museum. QR codes are similar to a bar code and can be scanned using a smartphone equipped with any QR scanner app. The app is free and smartphone users can download it from their favorite app store. There are currently five codes placed throughout the museum and all of them tell about life in the building when it was the county jail. When visitors scan each code, they can read first hand reports of executions, escapes, and prison violence from the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the very room where it happened. Those who don’t have access to a smartphone can also read the same stories from home by logging on to the museum website.

 

Matthew Carl, Curator and Manager of the Bradford County Historical Society, is pleased with the new additions made over the past winter. He also reminds patrons that the 2013 Friday Night at the Museum programming season has begun. A schedule of free programs can be found on the museum website.

 

For more information about the Bradford County Historical Society, visit the website at www.bradfordhistory.com or call 570-265-2240 during regular hours, Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Get the latest news and announcements by “Liking” the historical society Facebook page. The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way.

2012

June 29, 2012

Bradford County Historical Society to host "A Tour of American Music," July 20

 

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "A Tour of American Music" scheduled for Friday, July 20, 2012 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free to attend, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

 

Enjoy a concert featuring folk songs, gospel songs, a march, rag time, and show tunes. Carrie Hooper will sing Beautiful Dreamer, It is Well with My Soul, and show tunes. She will also lead the audience in singing two songs. Ed Clute, pianist, will perform Washington Post, Maple Leaf Rag, Tea for Two, and several other selections.

 

Both are professionally trained musicians and they will delight the audience with a variety of music including pieces written by Stephen Foster and P.P. Bliss who were associated with Bradford County.

 

This is the second performance that Carrie Hooper has given at the Historical Society.

 

This program is part of the 2012 "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. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event.

 

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2012 include: The Towanda of 1972, August 17; Minnequa: A Spring, A Hotel, A County, September 21; Towanda’s Silk Industry, October 19.

 

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

 

May 31, 2012
Bradford County Historical Society to host "Personal Stories of the Civil War," June 15

 

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "Personal Stories of the Civil War" scheduled for Friday, June 15, 2012 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free to attend, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at info@bradfordhistory.com.

 

The observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War continues this year with a program by Kurt Lafy. Mr. Lafy will open the portals of time and whisk us back to the war torn years of the American Civil War. He will unveil the pathos of this great war through dramatic, tragic and even humorous tales of our Bradford County boys’ war time experiences.

 

Mr. Lafy received Bradford County Historical Society’s 2011 Leo E. Wilt Historian of the Year award and has been a favorite speaker on the topic of Bradford County in the Civil War at the Historical Society and at venues across the county.

 

Join us for an informative and entertaining evening.

 

This program is part of the 2012 "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. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event.

 

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2012 include: A Tour of American Music, July 20; The Towanda of 1972, August 17; Minnequa: A Spring, A Hotel, A County, September 21; Towanda’s Silk Industry, October 19.

 

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

 

April 19, 2012
Passport Through Time to Feature Museums of Bradford County, May 18-20

 

The museums of Bradford County invite you to participate in a special Bradford County Bicentennial year event entitled, "Passport Through Time," scheduled for May 18, 19 and 20, 2012.

 

Bradford County is unique in that it has 10 history museums. Passport Through Time will feature all of these museums. During the three day event, each museum in the county will offer free admission, giving county residents and visitors the opportunity to check out the wide variety of sites that are preserving local history in the county.

 

Visitors may start their tour at any of the museums and can continue visiting as many of the museums as they wish in any order. "Passports" will be available at each site in the form of a brochure that will list all of the museums with their locations. While visiting each museum, patrons can have a unique sticker from each site placed inside the passport brochure.

 

Participants may continue to collect stickers after the event until the June 22 deadline; however, not all locations will have regular hours after the three-day event is over. Therefore, in order to collect all 10 stickers, participants will need to visit all 10 museums in three days.

 

If all 10 stickers are collected, participants have the opportunity to fill out their contact information and submit the brochure to the Bradford County Historical Society. All entries will be placed in a drawing to take place during Bradford County Old People’s Day, scheduled for June 23, 2012. An adult and a child winner will be chosen. Winners receive a collection of local history books and products donated by each museum in the county.

 

Bradford County features a wide variety of museums, each specializing in a different area of the county and/or a different topic.

 

In Troy, participants will find the Bradford County Heritage Association and Farm Museum where an extensive history of agriculture in our region can be explored. Aside from the museum, visitors will discover the historic village including the Gregory Inn, the Carriage House, Barber Shop, Children’s Church, School House, and Sugar Shack. During this event, free admission will be granted to the museum building, however, admission will be charged for those who would like to continue on through the historic village.

 

In Sayre, participants can visit the Sayre Historical Society, located in the restored Lehigh Valley Railroad Depot. The museum exhibits are professionally arranged throughout the building and tell the history of Sayre with particular attention to railroad history. All railroad buffs will enjoy learning something new about our local railroad heritage.

 

A short drive from Sayre will take visitors to the Tioga Point Museum in Athens where they can learn about the world through the eyes of people who traveled the globe and brought home splendid examples of Native American, Japanese, Turkish, Chinese, European and Middle Eastern art and cultural objects. The museum also features local & non-local Native American exhibits; Revolutionary War & Civil War collections; portraits of the early settlers of Athens and surrounding areas; exhibits on local canal and railroad history and much more.

 

In East Canton, the Manley-Bohlayer Farm will welcome visitors to visit various historic buildings located at the southern end of their site, such as the Blacksmith Shop, the Hoagland School, the Cider Press, and more. The farm house will not be open to the public that day. Participants should enter the gate at the southern end of the grounds.

 

After a 10-minute drive west of the Manley-Bohlayer Farm, patrons will arrive in LeRoy, the home of LeRoy Heritage Museum. Here, visitors will discover the story of LeRoy and Granville Townships as well as that of Bradford County’s most remote area, Barclay Mountain. The LeRoy Heritage Museum features objects from the abandoned lumber town of Laquin, exhibits about the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Game Refuge at Sunfish Pond. The collection includes a wide range of objects to please all ages and interests.

 

The Bradford County Historical Society is located in the former Bradford County Jail in Towanda. The building was built in 1871 and used until 1990 as the county jail. See jail cells with their original doors, inside of which are exhibits outlining the extensive history of the county as a whole. The museum exhibits include objects from over 200 years of county history. Experience the dungeon cell and see the exercise yard where executions were performed.

 

At French Azilum Historic Site, visitors can learn the fascinating history of the place where French exiles found refuge in the 1790’s during the French Revolution. Settlers here hoped that this would be the home of Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France, but she was executed before she could escape France. The site features the LaPorte House which was built in 1836 by John LaPorte, a son of Matthew Bartholomew LaPorte, one of the founding settlers of the colony.

 

The P.P. Bliss Gospel Songwriters Museum can be found in Rome. The museum is housed in the home Bliss bought in Rome where he lived before moving to Chicago to pursue his career as a gospel songwriter. Bliss is known in churches everywhere for hymns such as Rock of Ages and It Is Well with My Soul. The museum has on exhibition many items that belonged to the Bliss family, along with copies of almost all of his published music.

 

In Orwell is the site of the Home Textile Tool Museum. At this museum, not only can you see old spinning wheels, looms and tools of early America being used as they were 150 years ago; you can touch, and even try using them yourself. Today we live in a world where no one needs to make anything and all of us are dependent on everyone for everything. Learn what life was like when you had to make everything for yourself by hand.

 

Last but not least is the Wyalusing Valley Museum. In the Bixby house you will find a large collection of arrowheads, war memorabilia, and much more, all from the Wyalusing area.  In the carriage house you can find two rock-away carriages and the Wyalusing Hook and Ladder fire truck with leather buckets.  In the barn are displays of farm tools, signs, a Pennsylvania license plate collection and a replica of the old Welles Mill building.

 

More information including contest rules, links to each museum website and other information can be found online at /admin/ or call 570-265-2240.

 

 

February 2012

Bradford County Bicentennial Events Scheduled

 

The Bradford County Commissioners and the Bradford County Historical Society are pleased to announce the special events that will take place during this the bicentennial year of Bradford County.

 

On the 24th of March, 1812, an act was passed which provided for the election of County Officers at the regular election of the next October, and for organizing the County for judicial purposes and for changing its name from Ontario to that of Bradford.

The official observance of the county bicentennial will begin on Saturday March 24, 2012 exactly 200 years to the day that the county was formed as Bradford.

 

On March 24, there will be an open house at the courthouse which will begin at 10:00 a.m. until noon, with a photo exhibit arranged through the three floors of the courthouse. The photos will be scenes from every town and township in the county to include over 100 photographs many of which were recently published the Bradford County Historical Society’s Bicentennial Photographic History. Anniversary cake will be provided by the county in the rotunda and tours of the courthouse led by county staff, the county commissioners will be on hand to meet and greet the citizens of the county.

 

The Bradford County Historical Society will present a recreation of the county centennial program which was originally preformed on March 23, 1912. This historic program will take place at the museum located at 109 Pine Street in Towanda beginning at 1:00 p.m. Saturday March 24. Members of the County Historical Society will do readings from the 1912 program and musical interludes of music from Bradford County composers to include Stephen Foster, Philip P. Bliss, Pat Ballard and Daniel B. Towner will be preformed by the Wyalusing Swing Choir. Refreshments and museum tours will follow the Historical Society program.

 

The historical society is asking that people call ahead (265-2240), so that enough seating can be provided for the program.

 

According to Henry G. Farley, President of the Bradford County Historical Society other events planned for the bicentennial year are: May 18-20 “Passport through Time,” an event featuring special hours and free admission at museums throughout the county. June 23, “Old Peoples Day” a century old Bradford County Tradition will be held in and around the courthouse with historical displays, demonstrations, reenactments, programs, a bicentennial parade and much more. October 13, the first election in Bradford County will be commemorated with a special exhibit and reception at the Bradford County Historical Society. This event is happening 200 years to the day of the original election. December 6, a special bicentennial gala will be held in the Great Room at the Bradford County Historical Society to officially bring the bicentennial year to a close.

 

2011

December 16, 2011

BCHS Releases New Photo Book in Commemoration of County Bicentennial

 

The Bradford County Historical Society announces the release of its latest publication, “Bradford County Bicentennial – A Photographic History.” The book was recently released in time for Christmas and just prior to the beginning of Bradford County’s bicentennial year in 2012.

 

“Bradford County Bicentennial – A Photographic  History” commemorates the 200th anniversary of the formation of Bradford County, which will occur in 2012. The one-inch thick hardcover photo book features over 650 photographs, many of which have never been published before. Several photographs came from glass plate negatives in the historical society collection.

 

Numerous photos also came from the private collections of people from around the county and also from the collections of some of the county’s other museums.

 

Each township is represented by photographs which depict buildings and scenes taken as much as 150 years ago and others taken as recently as 2011.

 

The photos for the book were chosen and captions researched by the Bicentennial Committee of the Bradford County Historical Society. Book design and layout was done by Historical Society Manager/Curator, Matthew Carl.

 

This book is an excellent addition to any local history library. The book can be ordered by downloading an order form from the Bradford County Historical Society website at www.bradfordhistory.com and mailing it in with your payment. The book is $40.00 plus $2.40 tax for Pennsylvania residents and $8.00 if shipping is required. If the book is needed before Christmas, you may purchase one by stopping by the Bradford County Historical Society, Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

This book along with a large selection of local history books published by the Bradford County Historical Society can be purchased at the Ben Franklin store in Towanda. All proceeds benefit the historical society. The Ben Franklin store carries the largest selection of the historical society’s local history books, including Barclay Mountain books, county histories, and Civil War histories, making it convenient to support the Bradford County Historical Society just by stopping in and shopping for books at the store during regular business hours.

 

The bicentennial book is also available at the Canton Independent-Sentinel office, the LeRoy Heritage Museum gift shop (by appointment), and from the following historical society board members: Henry Farley, Sayre; Lois Crandell, Troy; Guy Abell, Rome; and Mary Skillings, Wyalusing.

 

The publication of this book marks the beginning of the year-long observance of the bicentennial of Bradford County.

 

For more information call the Bradford County Historical Society at 570-265-2240 or go online to the Society website, /admin/. For the latest news from BCHS, visit the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

 

The Bradford County Historical Society is supported in part by the Bradford County United Way.

 

GO TO THE FRONT PAGE OF THIS SITE AND DOWNLOAD AN ORDER FORM FROM THE RIGHT COLUMN

 

 

October 5, 2011

“Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania” to be presented at the Bradford County Historical Society, October 21

 

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania" scheduled for Friday, October 21, 2011 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 .

 

This lecture explores the widespread and sometimes violent opposition to the Civil War by people in the Appalachian lumber country of northern Pennsylvania. Many are unaware that this sparsely-settled region was home to divided communities that provided a safe haven for opponents of the war and deserters from the army, prompting federal officials to lead a military expedition in 1864.

 

We examine the social, political and economic factors that explain the antiwar opposition, much of which stemmed from the difficulties of Appalachian life. Timely themes are highlighted including the meanings and traditions of dissent in wartime, the debate over loyalty to the nation, the impact of partisan politics and the difficulties faced by the state in enforcing unpopular laws.

 

This program is presented by Robert Sandow, Associate Professor of History at LockHaven University.

 

Robert M. Sandow grew up in the Laurel highlands of Southwestern Pennsylvania, where family trips to its famous battlefields sparked a lifelong passion for Civil War history. Sandow completed a Bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College in 1992 before earning a Ph.D. in 2003 from the Richards Civil War Era Center at Penn State University. 

 

His research specialties include the Northern home front during the Civil War, with particular interest in issues of dissent, partisan politics, and opposition. He is currently an Associate Professor of History at Lock Haven University, where he teaches classes on American History up to the Civil War, Military History, Modern Japanese History, and introductory courses on Public History and Museum Studies. 

 

Dr. Sandow recently published a monograph entitled Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in the Pennsylvania Appalachians, by Fordham University Press in April 2009.

 

This program is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

 

This event is held in the Great Room at the Bradford County Historical Society, located at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA. Free refreshments will be provided and the museum is open from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.

 

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society and its programming schedule, museum or research center, visit /admin/ or check out the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

 

 

September 9, 2011

Hotels of Bradford County to be presented at the Bradford County Historical Society, September 16

 

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "Hotels of Bradford County" scheduled for Friday, September 16, 2011 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 .

 

Over 100 years ago, most towns in Bradford County, whether large or small, had a prominent building in the center of the community that served as a hotel. These buildings provided overnight accommodations for visiting family as well as stage coach travelers.

 

This program will discuss some of the well known hotels such as Minnequa Springs and some of the lesser known hotels throughout the county. This PowerPoint presentation will be accompanied by approximately 100 photos.

 

The program will be presented by Matthew Carl, manager/curator at the Bradford County Historical Society.

 

This program is part of the 2011 "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. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event.

 

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2011 include: Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania, October 21.

 

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society and its programming schedule, museum or research center, visit /admin/ or check out the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page.

 

 

August 26, 2011

Bradford County Historical Society to host Internationally Acclaimed Poet, Craig Czury, September 21

 

Bradford County Historical Society presents internationally acclaimed poet Craig Czury reading his poems in the Great Room on Wednesday, September 21 at 6 p.m. There is no charge for admission but donations are accepted. Participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at . The museum will open at 5:30 p.m. for those who wish to browse the exhibits prior to the program. This event is a supplement to the normal monthly program schedule.

 

A native of the Wilkes-Barre Back Mountain, and resident of Reading, where he is Berks County’s Poet Laureate, Craig has relocated to Springville to develop a regional writing project, COMMON GROUND: A Community Conversation about Natural Gas and Northeastern PA.

 

Author of 20 books of poetry, most notably GOD’S SHINY GLASS EYE, poems from the anthracite coal region, Craig has lived as a folklorist and cultural documentarian in old hotels throughout his home anthracite region, developing a poetry that was hard and dark like anthracite, masculine as rock drills and blasting caps, foreboding as sink holes and black lung. His pioneering work and the profound sense of place that emerges in all of his poetry and workshops gained international recognition. He was invited to be the keynote speaker at the National Summit of Mining Communities, held in Butte, Montana in 2009. His books have been translated into several languages, and he is the recipient of international awards for poetry. Later this year he will be presented the prestigious Honorary Member of Ditët e Naimit award by the Albanians for his literary bridge building between U.S. and Albanian cultures.

 

A poet in education through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and various national and international arts foundations, Craig spent a year with AmeriCorps’ WritersCorps in Washington, D.C., conducting poetry workshops with inmate-patients at St. Elizabeth’s Psychiatric Hospital, and creating environmental multi-voice poetry performances with urban elementary students to be presented at the Library of Congress. An Americans For The Arts artist exchange fellow, Craig developed a series of poetry performances, through the Derry Playhouse, uniting Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland for BBC Radio Foyle. He has created a community documentary with poetry throughout Berks County with his National Endowment for the Arts-sponsored Berks Poetry. His intergenerational Scranton Poem Opera staged the varied voices of one community, winning him the Key to the City of Scranton. He was also Poet-In-Residence at Towanda Elementary School.

 

This program is part of COMMON GROUND: A Community Conversation about Natural Gas and Northeastern PA, a partnership program of Keystone College, Countryside Conservancy, Edward L. Rose Conservancy, North Branch Land Trust, Cabot Oil and Gas, Craig Czury Poetry Project, and Summerhouse Grill.

 

For more information about Craig Czury, visit http://www.craigczury.com/. Additional information about the Bradford County Historical Society can be found at www.bradfordhistory.com. The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way.

 

 

August 25, 2011

Bradford County Historical Society to Host Gettysburg Bus Trip, October 8

 

Join the Bradford County Historical Society on a bus trip to the famous Civil War battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The event, entitled, “Follow the Footsteps of History,” is a special observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and the 141st PA Volunteer Infantry’s involvement in the battle at Gettysburg.

 

Engage in a walking tour as we retrace the footsteps where the brave men of the 141st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry marched into the gathering strife. See the still existent spherical cannon shot permanently lodged into the wall of an outbuilding on the Trostle farm. March to the brow of the hill where the "Peach Orchard" looms ever present even today. Realize its coveted importance to Confederate General Longstreet. 

 

Peer through the haze of history while local historian, author, reenactor and Civil War lecturer, Kurt D. Lafy, lifts the veil of time and transports you back 148 years to the war torn day when the 141st stood alone against General Barksdale's Mississippians as they rushed forward in an attempt to overwhelm the Union forces.

 

Hear the personal stories of the Bradford County men who fought there on that momentous day.

 

The bus trip leaves the Bradford County Historical Society's parking lot at 6 a.m., October 8, 2011.  A per person cost of $100.00 entitles you to a thrilling day of an on-the-bus continental breakfast, a visit to the Gettysburg National Military Park's famous Cyclorama, the visitor center's introductory movie, a self guided tour of the visitor center's museum, two hours of free time along Steinwehr Ave., "souvenir alley", where plenty of fine places to have lunch are within blocks of each other, a walking tour into the Peach Orchard with Kurt D. Lafy, dinner at General Picket's Buffet (actually located on a segment of the battlefield where General Pickett's men tried, and failed, to breach the Union's lines), and a showing of the movie, "Gettysburg" during our ride home to Bradford County. The price is all-inclusive except for lunch and any additional shopping you would like to do.

 

Each participant will receive a BCHS tote bag filled with goodies including a signed copy of Lafy’s book, “George – A Civil Warrior.” Membership in the Society is not required to attend the tour, however, all participants who are members will have the special opportunity to purchase a copy of the hardcover book, “Our Boys in Blue,” in the BCHS Gift Shop for only $25, which is a nearly 50% discount off the cover price. Originally a two volume set (now printed as one book) “Our Boys in Blue” details Bradford County’s involvement in the Civil War and includes personal stories and lists of soldiers from the county. Non-members may purchase the book at full price, but by becoming a member that morning, they can also receive the discount.

 

Pre-registration and payment is required by September 30th by visiting the Bradford County Historical Society website at www.bradfordhistory.com, clicking on Ticket Office and using a credit card. Checks may also be mailed to the Bradford County Historical Society at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA 18848. Be sure to include the names of the people who will attend. For questions or further information call 570-265-2240 or email .

 

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

 

 

July 30, 2011

Stephen Foster: Father of American Music II at Bradford County Historical Society, August 18

 

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "Stephen Foster: Father of American Music II" scheduled for Thursday, August 18, 2011 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 .

 

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 and Terry & Lois Gray.

 

Come learn about Foster, listen to his music, and understand his connection to Bradford County. This program is back by popular demand from 2010 but will feature additional Foster music not performed last year as well as some old favorites.

 

This program is part of the 2011 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series that is normally 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. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event.

 

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2011 include: Hotels of Bradford County, September 16; Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania, October 21.

 

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

 

 

July 2, 2011

Civil War Music to be performed at the Bradford County Historical Society, July 15

 

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a program entitled "Bluelady Sings the Civil War" scheduled for Friday, July 15, 2011 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free to attend, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at .

 

The Civil War lasted for four long years, and during these years, numerous songs and ballads were composed. While many documents and artifacts of the Civil War have not survived, most of the music played and enjoyed during that period still survives today.

 

This program will feature songs from the Civil War period, performed by Mary Hawthorne, who will also share a composition that she wrote about her ancestor who was killed execution style by rebel guerrillas in 1864.

 

Mary Hawthorne is a 1980 graduate from Mansfield State College, now Mansfield University, with a BA in music. She completed her teaching certificate in 1985. She was choir director of the Windfall United Methodist Church for 23 years and is presently the choir director of the First United Methodist Church in Troy. She has also been a performer on Trombone and percussion for many local productions of Broadway musicals. She has taught music for the Troy Area School District, Troy, PA for the past 25 years. She and husband Charles, also an accomplished musician, reside in Troy, PA.

 

This program is part of the 2011 "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. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event. This program also continues the year-long observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Participants will have the opportunity to view this season’s featured exhibit, “Our Boys in Blue – Bradford County in the Civil War.”

 

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2011 include: Stephen Foster: Father of American Music II, August 18; Hotels of Bradford County, September 16; Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania, October 21.

 

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

 

 

May 28, 2011
Living History of the Pennsylvania Game Commission to be presented at BCHS, June 17

 

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a program entitled "Living History of the Pennsylvania Game Commission" scheduled for Friday, June 17, 2011 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free to attend, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at .

 

Experience the history of game conservation and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Dressed as an old time game refuge keeper, Bill Bower will depict the life and work of early game protectors. Bradford County is home to the lowest numbered game lands in Pennsylvania - SGL#12 located on Barclay Mountain. Sunfish Pond was once the site of a game refuge. Come and hear the stories of a refuge keeper.

In 1995 the Pennsylvania Game Commission celebrated its 100th anniversary. It was formed in 1895 when a law was passed authorizing the Governor to appoint six men to this new commission. These men were to be sportsmen and serve without salary and pay at their own expense. No money was appropriated to run this new commission, and many thought it would fail before it even got started.

The commission was very unpopular with some of the hunting public. No longer could a man hunt whatever or whenever he wanted. Now he had to obey certain laws and hunt only during the open season, and there were some animals he could not hunt at all. To say that these new game protectors were unpopular would be unjust; actually most were hated by the hunters. In the first year, 14 game protectors were shot at, seven were hit, and four killed.

The state's forests were all cut over and forest fires were a common thing. Gone were the elk, the bison, the passenger pigeon, and the beaver. The state's wildlife community was in deplorable condition and needed help, badly.

Today a Game Protector is called a Wildlife Conservation Officer. Although his job is still basically law enforcement, the type of work has changed drastically in the last 100 years.

Bill Bower is a retired Wildlife Conservation Officer for western BradfordCounty.

 

This program is part of the 2011 "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. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event.

 

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2011 include: Bluelady Sings the Civil War, July 15; Stephen Foster: Father of American Music II, August 18; Hotels of Bradford County, September 16; Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania, October 21.

 

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

 

April 26, 2011
141st PA Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War to be Discussed at BCHS, May 20

 

The Bradford County Historical Society is set to begin another new season of Friday Night at the Museum programs. The first program of the 2011 season is entitled "A Most Compelling Story – 141st PA Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War" scheduled for Friday, May 20, 2011 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Although the event is free to attend, participants are asked to register by calling 570-265-2240 or by email at .

 

The 141st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry originated in Bradford County. Listen to a Towanda native relate the trials and hardships of our ancestors. Learn of the true history of the “men from Bradford” as they left their farms and families and went to war to preserve the Union. Understand the hardships they endured, the disease, the death, the tragedy of it all.

 

The program will be presented by Kurt D. Lafy, author of the book, “George – A Civil Warrior” and also a Civil War re-enactor.

 

This program is part of the 2011 "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. Free refreshments are provided at each program and the museum is open prior to the event.

 

This event also begins our season-long observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Other Civil War related programs are scheduled throughout the year and an extensive new Civil War exhibit will open on May 26th and will be available during the 2011 season.

 

Other Friday Night at the Museum programs scheduled for 2011 include: Living History of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, June 17; Bluelady Sings the Civil War, July 15; Stephen Foster: Father of American Music II, August 18; Hotels of Bradford County, September 16; Deserter Country: Civil War Opposition in Pennsylvania, October 21.

 

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

 

2010

October 5, 2010
"Laquin: Behind the Photos" Coming to Sayre Theatre

The Bradford County Historical Society is coming to the Sayre Theatre to present the program, "Laquin: Behind the Photos," on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 1 p.m. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8 per person in advance and may be purchased at the Bradford County Historical Society, Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. Tickets may also be ordered online by visiting /admin/ and clicking on Ticket Office, or by phone at 570-265-2240. Online and phone orders must be received at BCHS by October 25th. Tickets cannot be held at the door.
Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $10 each. No guarantee is made that tickets will be available at the door.
Please note that this program has sold out in the past and tickets go fast each time it is presented. This is the final time that this program will be presented so plan accordingly to ensure a seat at this event!

Proceeds from the event will be used to cover the cost of bringing the program to Towanda and will also be used to support special projects at the Bradford County Historical Society.

"Laquin: Behind the Photos" is a unique program that takes the audience on a tour of the lumber town of Laquin, located on Barclay Mountain in Bradford County. Using over 100 images which are supplemented by maps, the program makes it possible for the audience to learn about the history of the town by actually seeing its buildings, factories, and people. Each photograph in the program is described during the presentation to allow participants to understand what they are viewing.

Many of the images were made from glass plate negatives in the Historical Society collection. In addition, the program will also feature photographs that have been received by the society since the publication of the book, "Barclay Mountain – A History," in 2007.

"If you have an interest in Barclay Mountain, and especially Laquin, don’t miss this event," said Matthew Carl, Manager/Curator at the Bradford County Historical Society, who developed the program. Carl is very familiar with the topic, having led walking tours on Barclay Mountain for the past five years. He also designed the Barclay Mountain book, and among other contributions, chose the photographs that would be published.

Copies of the book, "Barclay Mountain – A History," that have been signed by the authors and designer will be on sale at the theatre during the event. This will be an excellent time to pick up a copy for Christmas!

For more information about the program or updates about this event, visit the Bradford County Historical Society’s Facebook page by visiting /admin/ and clicking on the Facebook link.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

September 30, 2010
BCHS to host "The Frisbie Family of Orwell Township," October 15

 

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "The Frisbie Family of Orwell Township: A 19th Century Saga of Bradford County and Beyond" scheduled for Friday, October 15 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.

 

After settling in Orwell Township in 1800, Levi Frisbie and his family became actively involved in the business, educational, and political life of Bradford County. Likewise, throughout the nineteenth century, various family members also gained notoriety in government and industry beyond Bradford County.

 

This presentation traces the development of the Frisbie family’s business and political influence at home and abroad during this period, as illustrated via the careers of Eaton Frisbie, a two term mayor of Elmira, New York, who was also actively engaged in various coal and railroad-railroad ventures in the northeastern United States; and G. Clayton Frisbie, a U.S. Consular Agent at Rat Portage, Ontario, who was similarly engaged in sundry ventures in Canada and the western United States.

 

The presentation concludes with a discussion of the major factors that contributed to the diminishment of the family’s influence in the early 1900s.

 

The program will be presented by Marsha Ann Tate, Ph.D., a librarian and Web site coordinator at the Pennsylvania State University. The author of several books and numerous articles devoted to North American history and media-related topics, Marsha’s current research activities include chronicling the Frisbie family’s business and political activities in the United States and Canada.

 

This program is the last 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 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.

 

September 5, 2010
“Canton: Circus Capitol of the East” to be presented at the Bradford County Historical Society

 

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.

August 5, 2010

Stephen Foster: Father of American Music at Bradford County Historical Society, 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 .

 

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.

 

July 2010

Bradford County Historical Society to Host "The Barns and Agriculture of Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier," July 16

 

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "The Barns and Agriculture of Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier" scheduled for July 16, 2010 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 .

 

This program will feature the film documentary, “The Barns and Agriculture of Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier.” In the Northern Tier region and in other parts of rural America, barns are the most prominent architectural feature on our landscape. For many, they evoke nostalgia for an agrarian past when life seemed simpler.

 

This documentary takes a look at the history of the barn structure, how to identify its origins, and the role it plays in past and present agriculture. Many barns in Bradford County and neighboring counties are pictured. At the conclusion, project coordinators from the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance will briefly discuss the video.

This documentary was created in 2008 to document and celebrate the barns and agriculture of Pennsylvania’s northern tier. It uses barns as a window into our agricultural history and as a key to understanding the farming systems used in our region, past and present. This project covered the counties of Susquehanna, Bradford, Tioga, Potter, Wyoming and Sullivan.

 

This program is part of the 2010 "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.

 

Other programs scheduled for 2010 include: Stephen Foster: Father of American Music, August 19 (note this program will be held on a Thursday evening); 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.

 

June 3, 2010
Bradford County Historical Society Museum Now Open, New Tour Guide Announced

 

The Bradford County Historical Society announces that its museum is now open for the 2010 season.

 

The museum is located in the former Bradford County jail, located at 109 Pine Street in Towanda. The museum features two floors of exhibits that can be found in the former jail cells and other rooms. Each exhibit features an accompanying easy-to-understand descriptive panel that includes stories, statistics and photographs. Many reminders of the jail still exist, including the original jail doors, a dungeon cell, prisoner exercise yard, Sheriff’s house, and much more.

 

Visitors will find six new rotating displays this season including an exhibit about Charles Carroll of Carrollton who was the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence and owned over 1,000 acres of land in Bradford County.

 

A photography exhibit is spread throughout three different cases and includes a variety of cameras from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s along with examples of various types of photography from the last 150 years.

 

Another case tells the history of “Old People Day,” an event sponsored by the Bradford County Historical Society in the early 1900’s. The main lobby display has an interesting display of odd and unusual items from the Society collection including souvenirs from famous buildings and ships, a saw back bayonet, a piece of human skull from the Civil War and other objects collected over 100 years ago.

 

BCHS also announces that Shannon Funk is this year’s summer tour guide. Shannon is a 2009 graduate of Bloomsburg University, earning her Masters in Education and her Bachelors in History and Anthropology. She will be glad to give you a tour of the museum when you visit this summer.

 

Museum hours are Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Research Library is also open and the hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

The Bradford County Historical Society is supported in part by the Bradford County United Way and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. For more information about the Society visit www.bradfordhistory.com or join the Bradford County Historical Society Facebook page for the latest news.

 

 

June 3, 2010

Bradford County Historical Society to Host "The Music of World War II"

 

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "The Music of World War II" scheduled for June 18, 2010 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.

Presented by Dr. Phillip Atteberry, this presentation examines the most popular song genres of World War II — propaganda songs, work songs, army life songs, separation songs and reunion songs. Through a “musical” PowerPoint presentation, Atteberry asks audiences to consider how these songs, at times, reflected the attitudes and morale of the moment and how they, at times, shaped those attitudes and morale. The Music of World War II includes excerpts from well known standards as well as period pieces that have become obscure.

Dr. Philip Atteberry has taught seminars in jazz and American popular music for the last ten summers at the Chautauqua Institute. He also teaches the History of Jazz at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville and hosts a popular weekly radio program, “Sunday Night Jazz,” on WQLN-FM, Erie’s public broadcasting station.  Atteberry holds a Ph.D. in English from Washington University-St. Louis.

This program is made possible by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Free refreshments will be provided and the museum will be open from 5:30 until the program begins.

 

Other programs scheduled for 2010 include: The Barns and Agriculture of Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier, July 16; Stephen Foster: Father of American Music, August 19 (note this program will be held on a Thursday evening); 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.

January 25, 2010
"Laquin: Behind the Photos" Coming to Keystone Theatre

The Bradford County Historical Society is coming to the Keystone Theatre in Towanda to present the program, "Laquin: Behind the Photos," on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 1 p.m. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.

Tickets are $6 per person in advance plus $2 shipping (for any number of tickets). All advance tickets must be either ordered online by visiting /admin/ and clicking on Ticket Office, or by phone at 570-265-2240. Tickets are not available for pickup and cannot be held at the door. Advance orders must be received at BCHS by February 16th.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $10 each. No guarantee is made that tickets will be available at the door.
Please note that this program has consistently sold out each time it has been presented. Plan accordingly to ensure a seat at this event!

Proceeds from the event will be used to cover the cost of bringing the program to Towanda and will also be used to support special projects at the Bradford County Historical Society.

"Laquin: Behind the Photos" is a unique program that takes the audience on a tour of the lumber town of Laquin, located on Barclay Mountain in Bradford County. Using over 100 images which are supplemented by maps, the program makes it possible for the audience to learn about the history of the town by actually seeing its buildings, factories, and people. Each photograph in the program is described during the presentation to allow participants to understand what they are viewing.

Many of the images were made from glass plate negatives in the Historical Society collection. In addition, the program will also feature photographs that have been received by the society since the publication of the book, "Barclay Mountain – A History," in 2007. Many of these photos have never been in a public display.

"If you have an interest in Barclay Mountain, and especially Laquin, don’t miss this event," said Matthew Carl, Managing Curator at the Bradford County Historical Society, who developed the program. Carl is very familiar with the topic, having led walking tours on Barclay Mountain for the past four years. He also designed the Barclay Mountain book, and among other contributions, chose the photographs that would be published.

Copies of the book, "Barclay Mountain – A History," that have been signed by the authors and designer will be on sale in the theatre lobby during the event. This will be an excellent time to pick up a copy for Christmas!

For more information about the program, visit the Bradford County Historical Society Curator’s Blog where there will be commentary about this topic during the last two weeks leading up to the event. The blog can be found online at http://www.bradfordcurator.blogspot.com/. Also check for updates about the event on the Bradford County Historical Society’s Facebook page.

The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. More information about the society can be found online by visiting /admin/.

2009

Friday, June 5, 2009
Bradford County Historical Society Museum Now Open, New Tour Guide Announced

The Bradford County Historical Society announces that it is now open for the 2009 season.

The museum is located in the former Bradford County jail, located at 109 Pine Street in Towanda. The museum features two floors of exhibits that can be found in the former jail cells and other rooms. Each exhibit features an accompanying easy-to-understand descriptive panel that includes stories, statistics and photographs.

Visitors will find additional new displays this season including a collection of radios from the 1930's through the 1960's; and a collection of circus equipment used by Frances "Butch" Brann and his wife, Amelia "Mil"

LaPell, famous aerialists and former residents of Canton. The circus collection was recently acquired by the Historical Society.

BCHS also announces that Heather Godshall is this year's Summer Tour Guide.

Heather is a 2008 graduate of Troy High School and is currently a student at Lafayette College in Easton, PA. She will be glad to give you a tour of the museum when you visit this summer.


Thursday, June 4, 2009
Bradford County Historical Society to Host Spinning and Weaving Program

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program entitled "Spinning and Weaving in Bradford County and the Endless Mountains: A Historical Presentation by the Home Textile Tool Museum" scheduled for June 19, 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 .

The program will be presented by Victor Hilts, an HTTM volunteer. Other volunteers will demonstrate equipment used by our ancestors, including the spinning wheel.

The Bradford County Historical Society will also display examples of coverlets produced in the county. This display will supplement the coverlets and other textiles in the museum's permanent exhibits.

The Home Textile Tool Museum of Orwell is celebrating it's 10th anniversary this year. More information about HTTM can be viewed at their website, www.hometextiletoolmuseum.org.

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.


BCHS to Feature Program on Ellis Island, May 15

The Bradford County Historical Society will host a free program about Ellis Island scheduled for May 15, 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.

The program will be presented by Wilton S. Tifft, an award-winning photojournalist and Bradford County resident.

All immigrants who came to Bradford County between 1892 and 1924 passed through Ellis Island, which functioned as an immigrant processing center. Today it is the site of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Come and experience a program about Mr. Tifft's book of Ellis Island photography and the years that he spent documenting this historic landmark.

Samples of Mr. Tifft's photography, including Ellis Island as well as locations around the world, can be viewed at his website, tifft.com.

This program is part of the 2009 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series that will be 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.

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