Current Newsletter - Westmoreland County Historical

Westmoreland Chronicle
U PCOMING E XTRA -S PECIAL E VENTS
SUMMER
2012
more inside!
Historic House Tour 2012
SEPT. 22 10 AM - 4 PM
Toast the Tour SEPT. 21
Clinton Piper, the new chair of the House Tour
Committee, has guided the site selection committee to
assemble a VERY nice group of homes for 2012. Each
year we try to include a variety of houses with different
time periods and styles. This year, our sites range in
date from 1839 to 1925 and in style from brick
farmhouse to Tudor Revival. Volunteers are researching
the houses and families who built them, so visitors have
not only tours inside beautiful houses, but also a glimpse
into the history that surrounds each home
Many factors, other than variety, are considered when
choosing homes for the tour. There must be a
reasonable driving route between the sites, so that
people have time to visit all of them. This year our
houses are in two clusters – one in the area of the
Westmoreland Fairgrounds and the other in Latrobe.
Tickets will be available in mid-August. Be sure to join
us for the Historic House Tour because it is very
enjoyable, and proceeds benefit the WCHS!
August 12 5 - 7 p.m.
at Rizzo’s Malabar Inn
The Westmoreland County Historical Society
will honor Mr. Arnold Palmer for his
contributions to the history and development
of Westmoreland County.
Watch the mail for an invitation to this special event!
Attendance is limited, so please
act promptly to reserve your place.
Sewickley Manor, The Calvin Pollins home, is
featured on the 2012 tour.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK
Thoughts on the Westmoreland History Education Center
A great deal of thought, time, energy, and money has been
invested into the campaign to build the Westmoreland
History Education Center. But this is just taking much
longer than anyone expected! And sometimes it gets
discouraging. Big donors don’t know us because we
haven’t asked them for money before. Sometimes it feels
like we’re being penalized for managing to pay for the
recreated village at Hanna’s Town without significant help
from major donors. But I respect that until a donor gives
money to the WCHS, it is in their pocket, and they have
every right to hold on to it and give it to whomever they
want.
I have talked to a lot of people about this project, and I
hear things like, “I see the merits of this project, but…”
and “This would be really great, but…” Any number of
doubts follow the “but.” Many people are skeptical that
Westmoreland County will ever have a History Education
Center. Some people think we don’t need one. Some
people think the WCHS staff is too small to manage such a
big facility. Some people think we can’t afford to operate
it once it is built. With all this cynicism, I have repeatedly
stopped and asked myself, “Are the critics right?” (Some
people think we don’t ask ourselves the hard questions, but
we do!)
Here are the answers I keep coming back to.
Concern: The WCHS staff is too small to do this.
Answer: Our staff is small and we work hard. We are
aided in this work by over 170 volunteers! Some work for
us once a year for special events; others once a month or
once a week, and others several days each week! A
staffing plan has been developed for when the History
Education Center opens. We anticipate hiring additional
staff, and we will be able to afford them based on our
Sustainability Plan, which leads to...
Concern: WCHS can’t afford to operate the facility once
it is built.
Answer: A Sustainability Plan has been developed with
the help of an accountant – Dave Delisi, who is also a
WCHS Board Member. This plan anticipates income and
expenses for the first five years the Center is open. We’re
not engaged in wishful thinking – the numbers work. Here
are a few key points in those budget numbers:
 paying for the additional staff
 the savings from not having to pay rent anymore
 the increased revenue from having modern restrooms
that make the site more comfortable for visitors –
especially motor coach groups.
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Concern: Westmoreland County doesn’t need this
facility.
Answer: The WCHS has done a careful study of our
educational programs, resources, and facilities, from both
the standpoints of where we are and where we want to go
to provide the citizens of Westmoreland County with the
history programming they deserve. That study dictated the
elements needed in the Westmoreland History Education
Center. And the Center was designed to meet just those
needs.
Concern: People have been trying to build a visitor’s
center at Hanna’s Town for 40 years. I just don’t
think it’s ever going to happen.
Answer: This is unfortunately a self-fulfilling attitude. If
we had the pledges from everyone who has said “I’ll
donate when I see you break ground,” we could probably
be breaking ground today! We’ve waited long enough.
There are no guarantees in life. To achieve worthwhile
goals, sometimes you have to take a risk, but it must be a
reasonable risk for a worthwhile cause (like… Because
History Matters!). And don’t forget, the concept has
grown from a visitor’s center for Historic Hanna’s Town
to a Westmoreland History Education Center. This
provides a broader appeal and collaborative opportunities
with other historical groups.
The clincher for me comes when I think about the future of
the WCHS and our ability to serve the broader
Westmoreland County community if we give up on the
Westmoreland History Education Center. The WCHS
cannot sustain our programs without additional space and
facilities. Consider the following: The nature of our
mission includes collecting things: books, documents,
photographs, items. They must be stored and cared for.
We are out of space! We will have to quit accepting items.
If we do that, irreplaceable articles may be discarded and
lost forever to future generations. Maybe donors will give
their treasures elsewhere, but then Westmoreland loses the
benefits of a county-wide collection. As small as we are,
we are better able to care for a county-wide collection than
other historical societies, which have a more-narrow
mission and a much smaller staff or no staff at all. But just
as important, the goal of collecting is not to hide away all
of our good stuff in boxes.
This was in a recent issue of the e-newsletter of the
American Association of Museums (emphasis mine).
Effective collections stewardship ensures that the objects a
museum owns, borrows, holds in its custody, and/or uses
are available and accessible to present and future
generations.
The plain language version of the Characteristics of
Excellence recommends that you:
 Know what stuff you have
 Know what stuff you need
 Know where it is
 Take good care of it
 Make sure someone gets some good out of it
 Especially people you care about
 And your neighbors
Thanks to the WCHS staff and key volunteers, we’re
doing pretty well, but still improving, with the first four
points. Not so much on the last three points because we
don’t have adequate facilities or exhibit space. We do
loan objects to other museums for their exhibits; that’s
the best we can do with point number five for now. But
those loans serve their audience, not necessarily our
neighbors and the people we care most about.
Westmoreland County needs a place of our own to
showcase exhibits about all aspects of our rich history.
The Westmoreland History Education Center will be a
facility that embraces ALL the characteristics of
excellence identified above.
Moving from collections to programs. The WCHS has
built our programs over the past several years and our
audience for those programs. We can’t physically fit
more than 75 people in our library, which has to be
converted into an auditorium for most programs. We had
to decline reservations for a recent program because we
didn’t have room for everyone. As an educational
organization, we hate to turn people away from
programs! Groups of school children visiting Historic
Hanna’s Town have no place to go if the weather is bad.
We need program space.
out to the local historical societies in anticipation of the
Westmoreland History Education Center. Sooo many
collaborative opportunities exist if facilities are available.
Only if you don’t mind reversing the progress the WCHS
has made over the past several years in programs,
collections, and collaboration with other historical
groups, can you conclude that Westmoreland County
doesn’t need the Westmoreland History Education
Center. If you want the WCHS to keep moving forward
and fulfilling our mission in a way that the citizens of
Westmoreland
County
deserve,
support
the
Westmoreland History Education Center. If you’ve
already given – thank you! But your work is not
done; please talk up the project to your friends and
neighbors. If you haven’t given, you’re going to
hear from us soon!
Because -Also in a recent AAM e-newsletter:
Tips for Fundraisers by Amy Rogers Nazarov
In the unforgiving economic environment in which
museum fundraising staff find themselves these days, it
can be tempting to throw in the towel and wait until
conditions improve—and whenever that will happen is
another matter entirely. But that’s no way to run an
institution; just ask the experts. Here was the first piece
of advice from the experts: Keep asking. Jim Hackney,
managing partner at Alexander Haas, an Atlanta-based
firm specializing in fundraising for museums and higher
education, says “People give because they are asked, and
if we stop asking, they stop giving.”
For the benefit of Westmoreland County, the
Westmoreland County Historical Society is asking for
your support, in dollars and energy, for the
Westmoreland History Education
Center at Historic Hanna’s Town.
Through various vehicles, such as Westmoreland
Heritage and programming, the WCHS has been reaching
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THE ARTHUR ST. CLAIR
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
AWARDS DINNER
OCTOBER 24, 2012, 6 PM
GREENSBURG COUNTRY CLUB
The nomination form for this year’s Arthur St. Clair
Historic Preservation Award is enclosed in this newsletter.
Please think about a worthy individual, business,
institution, or organization that deserves a pat-on-the-back
for their efforts in history preservation and/or education
and submit a nomination for them. As a county-wide
organization, we want to recognize work throughout the
county, and you may know about something that our
Award Selection Committee does not. We don’t go out
looking for awardees, because we don’t want the award to
be limited to only our friends and acquaintances. We rely
on others for nominations. If nobody nominates a worthy
person or project, the selection committee may never get
the opportunity to recognize their good work.
The Awards Dinner is a festive occasion for us to
celebrate the importance of the work we do and the cause
of history that we support Because History Matters!
Mary Ellen Miller is chairing this event once again, and
it’s almost scary how well she has everything organized!
We can always use help though —especially with lining
up items to include in our Silent Auction. If you have
something you would like to donate - or solicit - or an
idea for a unique offering, please contact the office.
Please try to attend as a show of support – not just for the
WCHS – but for the work of others with a similar passion.
We don’t want the Tribute to Arnold Palmer to be
confused with the Historic Preservation Awards. His
tribute is not replacing this year’s preservation awards.
You won’t want to miss either event!
Left: Louise & Bryony at Croquet Tournament
Middle: Sam Poulton chats with a guest.
Right: Priscilla Richardson shows some youngsters what the
Jacob’s Ladder can do.
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WCHS & Westmoreland Heritage
The Westmoreland County Historical Society recently
approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau to bring Westmoreland
Heritage under the WCHS umbrella. Westmoreland Heritage, based at Pitt-Greensburg, was started to bring together historic sites, educational institutions, and tourismrelated businesses. Since 2002, under the leadership of
Tom Headley, various marketing and educational programs and publications were developed including the St.
Clair Lecture (with the University of Pittsburgh at
Greensburg); The One Book One Community program
(with the Westmoreland Library Network); a map and
guide to "Historic Sites & Cultural Attractions in Westmoreland County;" a Driving Guide to Braddock's Road.
A web site, www.westmorelandheritage.org focuses on
the historical and cultural assets of Westmoreland County
while the quarterly meetings of the Community Partners
fosters collaborative efforts between the various participating organizations.
Westmoreland Heritage is funded primarily by the county
hotel tax, the proceeds of which are administered by the
LHVB. To insure the important work of Westmoreland
Heritage continues following Tom’s retirement in late
2012, funding will be directed to WCHS to hire a Director of Heritage Tourism, housed at the WCHS headquarters, who will work on behalf of all the heritage sites in
the county. The MOU also provides an annual marketing
budget for the same purpose. The educational projects
will be overseen by the WCHS Education Coordinator
and Program Committee, so the new position will focus
on marketing.
Hanna’s Town Volunteers help Pitt at
Greensburg at Croquet Tournament
This year marks Pitt’s anniversary “225 Years of Building
Better Lives,” so they featured a 1787 theme for their
tent. We loaned them some 18th century-appropriate
things: decorations, toys and games, and even some volunteers in colonial garb. It was hot that day, but our Hanna’s Town docents are hearty stock, just like our Hanna’s
Town ancestors!
Celebrating Our Celtic Heritage
at the Winter Frolic January 28, 2012
A good time was had by all — as evidenced by the happy faces below.
Chuck & Sally Martin chatting
with George and Nancy Stewart,
who took this opportunity to show
off their Scottish tartans.
Mr. & Mrs. Campfiled , Maxine
& Denis Zuzik, and Joan DeRose
look especially lively and happy
at the end of the pleasant evening.
Chairman Bill Thorne joyfully
cast off the burdens of leadership
and joined in the music and dance!
Thanks to those who attended and the following donors listed below, significant funds were added to our operating budget playing a
part in keeping 2011 in the “black” and starting 2012 off in the same positive direction!
SPONSORS
All Saints Brewing Company
Comm. Charles & Nancy Anderson
Ferrier Family Legacy Fund
of the Community Foundation of Westmoreland
County, affiliated with The Pittsburgh Foundation
J.J. Hauser & Sons, Inc.
Bill & Barbara Hillis
Home Health Services - The Thorne Group
Kepple-Graft Funeral Home Inc.
Robert Myers
George & Nancy Stewart
West Overton Museums
PATRONS
David & Linda Assard
Bill & Patti Benton
Bononi & Company
Cramer, Janicki & Associates
Delisi & Associates
P. Louis DeRose, Attorney At Law
Duraloy Technologies, Inc.
Dick & Barbara Flock
Tom & Donnis Headley
Denis Zuzik, Attorney At Law
DONORS
George & Linda Austin
Mariellen Barker
Hon. John Driscoll
Richard G. Huffman
Anthony & Linda Martino
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Shearer
Ron & Melanie Stas
Jim & Karen Steeley
Alice Stockberger
Magdelyn Vale
Tony & Stephanie Van Norman
Next Winter Frolic: Celebrate YOUR American Heritage
January 26, 2013
Planning has started for next year’s Winter Frolic. Rather than choose one ethnic group to highlight, this year’s event
will encourage each person to celebrate their own heritage – recognizing that American patriotism unites us all! Dick
Flock is acting as chairman of this event, although he would love to share that duty with another volunteer. Various
subcommittees are being organized to spread out the work. Please contact the office if you are willing to serve as cochair for the event or to serve on one of the following committees:




Save-the-Date Cards and Invitations
Basket Raffle
Entertainment (a Country Western or a Jazz Band?)
Bar




Decorations
Food
Publicity
Sponsors
The next meeting of the Frolic Committee is Monday, August 6, 2012, at 4 p.m. at the WCHS headquarters.
5
Westmoreland County Historical Society
Mission: to acquire and manage resources related
to the history of Westmoreland County and to use
these resources to encourage a diverse audience to
make connections to the past, develop an
understanding of the present, and provide direction
for the future.
CONTACT US
362 Sand Hill Road, Suite 1
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: 724-532-1935
FAX: 724-532-1938
www.westmorelandhistory.org
Email: history@westmorelandhistory.org
SOCIETY HOURS
Tuesday - Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Evenings by appointment (Tues.-Thurs.)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman: Philip B. Light
Vice Chairmen: Linda T. Assard
Secretary: Jacque Hauser
Treasurer: Richard H. Flock
Board Members:
David S. Delisi
Joan DeRose
Timothy G. Hewitt
John Mickinak
Robert Myers
William Jay Ober
Wylie Overly
Clinton Piper
Matt Southern
Susan Tanto
Ex officio:
Charles W. Anderson
Linda G. Austin
P. Louis DeRose
Thomas Headley
Mary Ellen Neff-Miller
Denis P. Zuzik
William A. Roach, Emeritus
John A. Robertshaw, Emeritus
STAFF
Lisa C. Hays, Executive Director
Joanna T. Moyar, Education Coordinator
Janet E. Carns, Executive Assistant
Anita Zanke, Library Coordinator
Joyce Jedd, Bookkeeper
Karen Kirkpatrick, Researcher
James V. Steeley, Editor Westmoreland History
The Westmoreland County Historical Society is a
private 501(c)3 non-profit corp. founded in 1908.
WCHS is funded, in part, by a grant from:
Westmoreland County
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THANK YOU!
If you think your name has been omitted or is incorrectly listed, please contact us
so that we may correct it in the next issue.
CONTRIBUTIONS through JUNE 15
Daniel J. Ackerman
BNY Mellon Community Partnership via Phylis Bertok
Jack Buncher Foundation for “Hands on the Past”
Charleroi Area Historical Society Inc.
Dominion Foundation Matching Gifts Program via James B. Richard
Dominion Foundation Matching Gifts Program
via Mr. & Mrs. William G. Jameson
Lawrence R. Dowling
Samuel B. Foight and Mildred K. Foight Fund, Lydia N. Herbert,
Emily E. Ulery Fund and Jamison Fund of The Community Foundation of
Westmoreland County, affiliated with The Pittsburgh Foundation
The GE Foundation Matching Gifts Program via Jean Gwinn Iler
William H. Greer, Jr.
Bill & Barbara Hillis
IBM Matching Gifts Program via Mr. & Mrs. David C. Wolfe
Latrobe Area Chapter of AARP #4907
Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation, Inc.
Peg Medlar
Randy Milliken
Old Joe Club Fund of The Community Foundation of Westmoreland
County, affiliated with The Pittsburgh Foundation
Joanna Moyar
Robert Myers
Mr. & Mrs. Arnold D. Palmer
Joan Coulter Pittman
William A. Roach
Lucia Coulter Scala
Daniel & Julie Shrader
Robert Sidley
Sandra K. Thorne
MEMORIALS
Thomas W. Headley in memory of Rose Marie Connors
Alan & LaVerne Mochnick in memory of John & Jessie Mochnick
Ann Denney Pollins Thompson in memory of Calvin Elder and
Frances Denney Pollins
SPECIAL PURPOSES
Ed Banks for “Antiques Roadshow” advertising
Dick & Audrey Pealstrom for “Antiques Roadshow” advertising
Marilyn McSparrin for “Antiques Roadshow” advertising
Richard P. Gibson & Rosemary Kirr Charitable Trust
for Educational Programs at Hannastown
WESTMORELAND HISTORY EDUCATION CENTER:
(3) Anonymous
Teresa Padula Bringe
The Jack Buncher Company
Community Care, Inc.
Clara E. Griffiths in honor of Barbara Flock
Jay & Carol Ober
Gail Spangler
The Wukich Family
THANK YOU!
ANNUAL FUND DRIVE through June 15
Sponsors
Ethel Bail
Mr. & Mrs. Ross Perot/Perot Foundation
Patrons
Ruth N. Craig in memory of
Helen Craig
Joe & Pauline Moyar
Marilyn & Wylie Overly Family Fund
of The Community Foundation of
Westmoreland County affiliated with
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Anne Robertshaw
David L. Watters
for Westmoreland History Magazine
Contributors
Anonymous
Peggy B. Lockard in honor of
Joanna Moyar
Ed & Sue Meadows
Shirley C. Ovitsky
Vince & Sharon Schiavoni
Donald J. Snyder, Jr.
Associates
(4) Anonymous
Daniel J. Ackerman
Barbara L. Bacha in memory of
Leo M. Bacha
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen E. Benson
John P. Boggess in honor of
Joe & Vern Spirko
Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Booth, Jr.
Candace Cassidy
Marilyn & James Davis
Logan & Ann Dickerson
Lawrence R. & Penny L. Dowling in
honor of Maeve & Finnian Dowling
Fred Gosnell
William H. Greer, Jr.
Arthur F. Humphrey
Jean Gwinn Iler
Charles K. Jennings, Jr. in memory of
Thomas M. & Mary A. Shoaf
Roger & Martha Luppold
Mr. & Mrs. James C. McHugh
Leslie J. Mlakar
John & Dianne Ostop
Dr. & Mrs. Larry R. Pollock
Monsignor William R. Rathgeb
Jerome K. Robertson in memory of
James & Margaret M. Anderson
Lucia C. Scala
Raymond A. Schott
Charles M. & Dora V. Seamens
Anita M. Shaffer
Sally & Bruce Shirey
Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Seighman
Marquis McE. Smith, Jr.
Nancy J. Stoner
Bob & Carolyn Stutzman
Alisa A. Weir
Linda M. Whitehead in memory of
S. Wayne Whitehead, Esq.
Susan Zelsdorf
THANK YOU!
Rose Marie D. Appel
Mr. Eric & Honorable Michele Bononi
Kathleen Borne
Kim Bringe
Mrs. Mary Cober
Paul Colmer
Robert L. Cupp
Gene Delia
Rebecca DeMuth
Mrs. Mary E. Garoutte in memory of
her Westmoreland County Ancestors
James Hamilton
Thomas W. and Donnis W. Headley
Jacquelyn B. Hebrank
Rick Heil & Judy Knapp
Ruth K. Hill
Bill & Barb Hillis
Richard Huffman
Stella P. La Violette
Ruth McDonald in memory of
Charles V. Conley-Wible
Marilyn McSparrin
Margaret (Hill) Medlar
Mary Ann Mogus in memory of
the Mogus Family
James Morrison
Julie Ann Murray
Audrey & Dick Pealstrom
Lillian Shea in memory of
William D. Shea
Lois E. Weyandt
Donors
(4) Anonymous
Carol Jean Albaugh
SPECIAL SUPPORT FROM RENEWING MEMBERS:
Benefactor:
Mr. & Mrs. David Assard
Mr. & Mrs. Tim Close
Richard P. Gibson & Rosemary Kirr Charitable Trust
Bill & Janny Jameson
Robert Myers
Shirley Ovitsky
Mr. & Mrs. Ross Perot
Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Schiavoni
Dr. Robert Wilburn
Susan M. Zelsdorf
Contributor:
Daniel Ackerman
Dr. & Mrs. George Austin
Mr. & Mrs. Charles L. Beswick
Dr. & Mrs. Frank A. Cassell
Mrs. David Cook
Mr. & Mrs. James Davis
Rob DePasquale
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Headley
R. B. Humphrey
Nancy Jamison
Charles Jennings
Mr. & Mrs. Albert Kave
F. Patrick Kozbelt
Dr. & Mrs. Larry R. Pollock
Peggy Lockard
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Luppold
Martha Marsden
Mr. & Mrs. Dirk Matson
John Mickinak
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph S. Moyar
Barbara Nakles
Mr. & Mrs. Duane Miller
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Ober
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Pencoske
Clinton Piper
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. Rathgeb
Ray & Priscilla Richardson
Jerome Robertson
Iva & Gene Saraceni
Carol & Dick Sheats
Alice Stockberger
Nancy Stoner
Jeanie Woods
Business:
Bacha Funeral Home, Inc.
DAR Library
Greensburg Hose Company #2
Murrysville Community Library
PHMC Library, Archives & History
(PHMC)
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg,
Sharon P. Smith
Westmoreland Health Group L.P.
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THANK YOU continued!
LIBRARY DONATIONS:
Jean Weygant: local histories and genealogical research materials from the estate of Ervin Johns of Bolivar
Bernard J. Brown: 4 books by western PA authors
Robert Myers: CD of the Winter Frolic Italian Heritage program (2011) and 7 books on Italian-American heritage
PA Society of Mayflower Descendants: Mayflower Families Through Five Generations – Richard Warren (Vol.18, Part 2, sec. ed.)
Donald Venturini: Lucesco; Bright Light
Sally Collett: Old Songs of the Church, sponsored by Westmoreland County Memorial Park (pamphlet)
Marcia Thomas: Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania (1898)
Mark Barnhart: collection of Greensburg church pamphlets
William J. Noel: Welcome to a Revised Brief History of the Noel Family Tree, two DVDs of interviews about Old Crabtree,
and a DVD of a performance by the Bull Run Cloggers
Phyllis Bauroth: collection of pamphlets, maps, and newspaper clippings pertaining to Westmoreland County history
Lois Jean Brott: Jewel on the Hill; Hunker, Pa. and Westmoreland County, PA Marriage & Death Announcements, 1881-1882
Carol Jean Albaugh: Celebrating 110 Years; Tribune-Review, 1889-1999
Margaret Albright: collection of booklets, newspapers articles, posters, & maps pertaining to Westmoreland County history
Stephen Benson: Virginia Court Records in Southwestern PA and Guide to Genealogical Resources at the PA State Archives
Ramona Worley: DAR magazine article The Drummer Boy at Hannastown
Margaret Lowry: The Steele Genealogy, Beginning with Joseph Steele, 1770-1972
Bill & Patti Benton: Commemoration of the Battle of Antietam (135th Anniversary – 1997)
PA State Archives: newspaper clippings relating to Westmoreland County history, ca. 1938-1940, from the Greensburg Review
Barbara Baldwin: Gazette Times (1914), Life & Deeds of General Sherman, Tracing Your Civil War Ancestor,
His Excellency George Washington
ARCHIVES DONATIONS:
Mark Barnhart: collection of photos, class reunion programs and yearbooks from Sewickley Township High School (1934),
Greensburg High School (1927), and Seton Hill College (1938)
Mike Sirofchuck: Thomas Kunkle Funeral Home ledger (1916-1922), Avonmore, PA
Arthur F. Humphrey III: Williams/McWilliams Family Bible, family correspondence & genealogy, Eicher & Eicher law firm
correspondence, papers from the Eicher/Coulter family archive, Jeannette High School yearbooks (1925, 1929)
Sandra L. O’Ferrall: vintage photographs from the Crosby/Pershing families
Donald J. Snyder, Jr.: aerial photograph of Scottdale, PA circa 1945
Jim Mathews: four paper flour bags from the Mathews Grist Mill in Jones Mills, PA
Joe Moyar: Civil War discharge papers of Thompson Patterson of Mt. Pleasant, PA
Dorothy S. Mullin: 1915 Cookbook from the Tribune Press Publishing Company
Bruce C. Tobin: papers from the estate of Keith Tobin, relating to his career at Elliott Co., Jeannette, PA
CURATORIAL DONATIONS:
Thomas J. Kerr: ceramic commemorative plate from the New Alexandria Presbyterian Church, circa 1950s
Sally Biel: Sherbondy/Leasure family memorabilia: Westmoreland Hospital School of Nursing pins (1934), two quilts,
daguerreotype, oval photograph
Greensburg-Hempfield Public Library: Civil Defense survival supplies (1960s)
Eric B. Hauser: Johnston Family Bible (1837)
Carol Jean Albaugh: 3’ x 5’ flag commemorating the Bicentennial of the American Revolution (1776-1976)
Sandra L. O’Ferrall: late 19th century woolen shawl from the Crosby/Pershing families
Margaret Albright: two Rattlesnake flag patches
Dorothy S. Mullin: set of four silver teaspoons from Adam Fisher Jeweler, Greensburg, PA
Bob & Kathleen Logan: wooden baby cradle, flax break, and cobbler’s harness
MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS:
Jim Miller: These are available to purchase at WCHS
10 copies of Before the Tracks: The Story of Making Things in Pre Railroad Greensburg,
10 copies of Greensburg, PA: The Other Side of the Tracks
10 copies of The Greensburg Route: Building the PRR Route Through the Greensburg Area
Joanne McIlhattan: 1920s Composition “Mama” Doll — to be raffled
Valencia McClatchey: Flight 93 poster – “End of Serenity”
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Corner with Joanna Moyar
Education
Summer is here officially, but for our staff and
volunteers the true beginning was in early May.
Historic Hanna’s Town opened with a variety of
activities including an encampment by the
Proctor’s Independent Battalion Westmoreland
County Pennsylvania; a musical program
presented by Paula Purnell; historic toys and
games; planting in the tavern kitchen garden, and
afternoon tea in the
Klingensmith House. A
grant from the Richard P.
Gibson & Rosemary Kirr
Charitable Trust funded
Ms.Purnell’s presentation.
Participants, both children
and adults, enjoyed the
music, songs, and the
opportunity to recycle
discarded plastic bottles by fashioning them into homemade instruments.
We also had a fairly busy school tour schedule. The
number of school children participating in our Hands on
the Past program during May and June was 557 students
with approximately 100 additional teachers, chaperones,
and other school personnel, making our visitation total
657.
We thank the Jack Buncher Foundation for
providing funds for two schools to come to the site and
participate in our program that otherwise would not have
been able to do so.
From a Third grader at Metzgar:
Dear Historic Hanna’s Town
Two thing I really enjoyed are the
lanterns I thought it was really cool
that my class and I got to make part of
a lantern. But, I don’t think it would be
fun make a whole one because my arm
started to hurt just doing a part.
Another thing I liked was the tavern I
thought it was fun to see Mrs. Hanna
and where her and her family were
sleeping.
We hope you make time to visit the site over the summer.
Remember that admission is free for WCHS members.
Our summer guide, Tiffany Kolbosky, and our volunteers
are happy to give you a tour. Our annual Court Days is
July 14 & 15; that’s always an interesting event as
actual court cases heard at Hanna’s Town between
1773 and 1786 are reenacted.
Many of the seniors in area high schools are required to do
volunteer work and/or a project
before they graduate. Cindy
Baur, a recent GreensburgSalem
grad,
who
has
volunteered at Historic Hanna’s
Town, chose to relate her
project to the site. Cindy made
a male and female mannequin
and dressed both in period
clothing. The woman is seated
at the table in the Hanna family
suite sewing and the gentleman
is snoozing in one of the beds in
the traveler’s bedroom. We have affectionately named
them Liz and Bob. Our guides are becoming accustomed
to our new residents. I neglected to inform a couple of
people about the mannequins, which caused some
surprised reactions… sorry about that. I suppose that
indicates that Cindy did a pretty good job making them
look authentic. The following is based on the summary of
her project that she submitted to us.
I chose to do this for my senior project because it
combined a lot of my interests. I have always sewn,
in school and out. I have also taken the sewing
class offered at Greensburg. In addition, I was able
to include my interest in history and my volunteer
experiences. My project was approved the May
before my senior year. I talked with you [Joanna]
over the summer to get a starting point on what I
really needed to create the clothing for this specific
period. The books and pieces you loaned me were
really helpful when I was planning everything. I
started sewing in August. Initially, I planned to buy
new fabric, but after seeing the prices of
everything, I decided I needed to do something
else. I ended up using old bed sheets, an old dress,
a man's button down shirt, and pants. The sheets I
treated like raw fabric and the clothing I
restructured to look like the correct style. From my
project, I learned a lot about 18th century clothing,
and I feel this will help me at Hanna's Town. I also
learned about time management because I really
had to plan everything out. My actual senior project
presentation went excellent, and everyone seemed
to be very interested in my project and Hanna's
Town.
9
HISTORY SHOPPING MATTERS
The Museum Shop at Historic Hanna’s Town is a wonderful source for books and gifts relating to the
history and culture of Westmoreland County. Because of its location in the recreated Revolutionary War
village, it features items reflecting this era, such as the reproduction 1776 newspaper, salt-glaze mug, Early
American playing cards, colonial coins, and wooden dice pictured. A very popular book has been the reprint
of The Day Must Dawn written by Agnes Sligh Turnbull in 1936, which combines the details of the daily life
of a pioneer family with actual characters from the history of the area. A new book, Family History
Projects for Kids is due in shortly. It introduces young people to the rewarding hobby of discovering and
keeping family histories and will be used as the basis for our August Family Friday event on August 17.
While the primary site for the shop is at Historic Hanna’s Town, we maintain a small inventory at the
headquarters on Sand Hill Road, and many items are available on the online shop at
www.westmorelandhistory.org/shop. The Museum Shop is managed and staffed by volunteers, and 100% of
the profits go to the Westmoreland County Historical Society.
ST. CLAIR LECTURE
The 2012 St. Clair Lecture will be presented on
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 7:30 PM in Ferguson
Theater in Smith Hall on the campus of the University of
Pittsburgh at Greensburg. This year's lecturer will be Dr.
Frank A. Cassell. Dr. Cassell, a colonial historian, will
present a lecture on the significance of the 1763 Battle of
Bushy Run. Dr. Cassell, retired President of The
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, has written
numerous articles and lectured widely on the French and
Indian War Period with a special focus on events that
transpired in Western Pennsylvania.
The 250th
Commemoration of the pivotal battle in the conflict
known as Pontiac's War will occur in 2013.
The St. Clair Lecture is free and open to the public.
10
GENEALOGY NEWS:
As of February 13, 2012, state death records more than
50 years old and birth records more than 105 years old
are available to the public at the Pennsylvania State
Archives in Harrisburg. Vital Records Bill SB-361 made
these records public and also made it legal to have these
records posted online. Just because it’s legal doesn’t
mean that the manpower is available to make it happen,
especially during this time of budget cutbacks. But it’s
progress!
HELP NEEDED:
Someone to deliver magazines to retail outlets in
Greensburg, Latrobe, Ligonier, Mount Pleasant., and/or
Murrysville.
WCHS will man an information table for historical sites
at the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival at Twin
Lakes on Friday, July 6. If you can work a two-hour shift
between 11 AM and 8 PM, please call the office (724-532
-1935). We can provide a free shuttle pass.
ANNAPOLIS BUS TRIP
On June 14, 2012, forty-nine members and friends of the Westmoreland County
Historical Society arose bright and early for an exciting, one-day marathon trip to the US
Naval Academy and Annapolis, Maryland.
The first stop was a walking tour of the Academy grounds, known as the “Yard,”
including a visit to the Chapel and the crypt of naval hero John Paul Jones. Next we
visited the US Naval Museum where the highlight was a special tour of the Rogers Ship
Models. From 1 – 3 PM we were free to have lunch and explore historic Annapolis. The
weather was excellent, and there was so much to see and so little time to shop!
We next gathered at the Paca House for a docent-led tour of a classic Georgian mansion
built in 1765 by William Paca, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and threeterm governor of Maryland. Behind the home we visited a series of terraced gardens, a
lily pond, and a summer house. The bus then drove us around the historic district of
town, and we stopped to see the harbor. A tall ship replica of the HMS Bounty, built by
MGM Studios for the Marlon Brando movie, was moored at the dock and provided many
excellent photo opportunities.
By this time everyone was fairly exhausted. Homeward bound, we looked forward to
relaxing at Renditions Golf Club in Davidsonville, Maryland where we enjoyed a
wonderful meal. The Events Manager, Jacque Perkins Leancu, greeted us and shared
fond memories with many in the group about her family’s Greensburg restaurant, “Mr.
P’s,” now sadly demolished.
Then it was time to rest and review the events of the day as our tireless bus driver
returned us to Greensburg, arriving here just before midnight—a very long day, but
another “excellent adventure” with the Westmoreland County Historical Society!
Pictures from top:
Outside Preble Hall, where the museum and Rogers'
dockyard models are housed.
Display in the Visitors Center.
Our group entering the Naval Academy Chapel as
part of the historic walking tour.
The ship is the HMS Bounty - full-rigged ship from
Greenport NY - part of Tall Ships America event.
FORT PITT AND THE KERR MUSEUM BUS TRIP
Although we have a large curatorial collection, that includes archaeological resources, we do not have much space to
exhibit these objects. This past winter, items from our collection were on display at both the Fort Pitt Museum and the
Kerr Memorial Museum. We wanted to pay them a visit, so on Monday March 26 we took a bus to Pittsburgh and then
to Oakmont. At the Fort Pitt Museum, Andrew Gaerte, Education Manager, met the group and gave a brief
introduction to the exhibit, “The American Frontier Rifleman: Tall Tales & Truth.”
Several hand-carved horn powder measures, uncovered during Historic Hanna’s Town archaeological excavations,
were featured. The group had a special treat when we were able to see the original 18th century Rattlesnake Flag,
made for the Westmoreland County Pennsylvania militia. Mr. Gaerte provided a lot of newly discovered information
about the manufacture of the flag to a very appreciative audience. He wrote the article, “A Rattlesnake Flag of the
American Revolution” in the Fall 2011 issue of Western Pennsylvania History magazine.
The group then went on to Oakmont for lunch at Hoffstots Café before we were off to see “Winter Diversions” at the
Kerr (and yes, we did wander to the Oakmont Bakery on the way to the museum.) On display was a beautiful (c 1886)
going-away outfit from our collection.
11
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 537
Greensburg, PA
362 Sand Hill Rd., Suite 1
Greensburg, PA 15601
Welcome New Members
Benefactor: Paul Nawrocki, Los Angeles, CA
Sustaining
Susan Eger, Jeannette, PA
Margaret Herron, Greensburg, PA
Fred Ornellas, Boise, ID
Family
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Beeghly, Greensburg, PA
Richard Constantine, Greensburg, PA
Jeanne DeMaria, New Alexandria, PA
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Dzurko, Greensburg, PA
Mr. & Mrs. Cameron Eiseman, Latrobe, PA
Kimberly Forsythe, Irwin, PA
Dave Kerr, Carlisle, PA
Karen Morelli, Derry, PA
Margie Rosso, Greensburg, PA
Pamela Sagely, Blairsville, PA
Amy Smythe, Chillicothe, OH
Michelle & George Toohey, Greensburg, PA
Individual
Loraine Beluschok, Greensburg, PA
Gary Berton, N. Huntingdon, PA
Ruth Davis, Jamaica, NY
Rebecca DeMuth, Greensburg, PA
Thomas Harrold, Greensburg, PA
Allison Henderson, Brookeville, MD
Kathy Kane, Delmont, PA
Bonnie Kovalcik, Monroeville, PA
Maribeth Lane, Ridgewood, NJ
Jane Munson, Manhattan Beach, CA
P. D. Rodgers, Jr., Greensburg, PA
Robert Sidley, Greensburg, PA
Susan Smythe, Buckhannon, WV
A.J. Stones, Trafford, PA
Mary Ann Sullenberger, Greensburg, PA
Sharen Traynor, Latrobe, PA
David White, Greensburg, PA
Gerald Wilcox, Greensburg, PA
Elaine Wilson, Pittsburgh, PA
Student
Christopher Kline, Mt. Pleasant, PA
Megan Orient, State College, PA
12
REMINDER TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Sun. July 8: Antiques & Collectibles at Historic Hanna’s Town
Fri. July 13: Family Friday at Hanna’s Town
18th Century Storytelling, Dance & Song with Judy Parker
Sat. & Sun. July 14, 15: Colonial Court at Hanna’s Town
Sun. Aug. 12: Antiques & Collectibles at Hanna’s Town
Sun. Aug. 12: A Tribute to Arnold Palmer at Rizzo’s
Fri. Aug. 17 Family Friday at Hanna’s Town
Who Do We Think We Are? Family activities to learn about
exploring and preserving family history.
Sun. Sept. 9: Antiques & Collectibles at Historic Hanna’s Town
Tues. Sept. 11: Made in Westmoreland
Millstein Glass & Behrenberg Glass
Fri. Sept. 21: Toast the Tour Cocktail party 6-8 PM
Sat. Sept. 22: Historic House Tour 10AM - 4PM