Notes from Monument Square
Newsletter of the Mifflin County Historical Society
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Volume XXIV Number 2 MARCH 1998
(Text version of Society News & Notes)
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Office & Research Library,
1 W. Market St., Suite 1
Lewistown, PA 17044-2128
Phone (717) 242-1022
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McCoy House Museum
17 N. Main St., Lewistown
Sunday afternoon
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
(May thru December)
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Newsletter Editor : Forest K. Fisher
MCHS e-mail: mchistory@acsworld.net
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Society News & Notes
The Editor’s Desk
This newsletter is the first impression we give of our society and its operations. I get a sense of what that impression is and what our readers are thinking from the letters and comments that come my way. I received a postcard from society member Helen Buffington, after we published what was my first issue of the newsletter in June, 1997.
She wrote, “Congratulations! Your first edition is great. The contents are excellent, but it’s beautifully laid out. (Your Mom would be proud!!)” Helen is referring to my late mother, Anne Fisher, best known for her Amish paintings, but Mom also worked as a graphic artist and I’m sure she would be proud. Helen’s was a great compliment and much appreciated. The work is quite enjoyable and it’s rewarding to share the wealth of knowledge in the historical society’s files our with members. Preparation of an issue does take time and involves many things, that include: researching and writing articles, making photographs, scanning photos, composing pages, and touching base with society secretary, Karen Aurand, or society officers and board members. Just ask my wife...er... proof-reading department about the hours I spend at the computer!
However, I’ve made the commitment to deliver to our members the best “first impression” I’m able to technically produce. Our reader’s comments help me gauge what YOU think about this newsletter. So, as space allows, I will share those comments with you in Reader’s Response. Thanks for taking the time to express your thoughts.
NEW MEMBERS
We wish to acknowledge and welcome these new members of the Mifflin County Historical Society:
Mrs. Robert Kips, Oakland Park, Kan.
Stephen R. Kips, Kingsville, Md.
Mary Lou Sunderland, McVeytown, Pa.
Beverly S. Manbeck, York, Pa.
Daniel C. Cretors, Des Moines, Iowa
Robert E. Nale, Sandpoint, Idaho
Jacqueline M. Barth, McVeytown
Jim and Louise Folk, Lewistown
New Life Members
Paul A. Lantz, Selinsgrove, Pa.
Ruth D. Armstrong, Lewistown
Janice E. White, Reedsville
Reader’s Response
Comments from our readers are
welcome and will be shared as space
allows. Thanks for writing.
In your answer to November question 3 in the latest newsletter you failed to mention that President Eisenhower while in office motored through Lewistown en route from Penn State where he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. I have the article and picture from The Sentinel.
- Walter Glace, Burnham
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The January newsletter is EXCELLENT. Pg4
In 1916 I heard Woodrow Wilson speak from a
train at the junction (campaigning). Pg.9 Shoemaker always had a good imagination.
- Dr. Raymond M. Bell, Coralville, Iowa
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Hi guys! Great newsletter!
- Pat Brown, Waynesboro, Pa.
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I can’t express how wonderful it was to see the pictures of the Siglerville Band in the historical society’s recent newsletter. Many of the people in the photo are related...Thank you once again for sharing these wonderful photos.
- Kathleen C. Waters, Juliustown, N.J.
Society receives PHMC grant
The Mifflin County Historical Society is proud to announce that it has been awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The grant is in the category of General Operating Support to Official County Historical Societies.
In an effort to strengthen the partnership between state and county historical agencies, PHMC offers grants to official county historical societies in amounts that match each organization’s annual appropriation from its county commissioners. The 1997 county appropriation the society received is $2,000.00, which the State has matched with an additional $2,000.00.
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A sure sign of Spring
Ah, the signs of Spring - the return of the swallows to Capistrano, the buzzards fly back to Hinkley, Ohio, crocuses push up in the flower beds - and sign-ups begin for volunteers to serve as hosts and hostesses at the McCoy House!
Volunteers are needed to serve every Sunday afternoon May through December, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., at the society’s museum, McCoy House, 17 N. Main Street, Lewistown.
In addition, special events and happenings throughout the year require the presence of volunteers. Last year, volunteers kept society operations going during Kid Connection, the Anne Fisher art exhibit, Fall Heritage Day, the Downtown Lewistown Ice Festival and the Mifflin County Garden Club’s Christmas at McCoy House, to name a few.
If you would like to give some time to the Mifflin County Historical Society, use the convenient form on page 13 and mail to the office or call 242 - 1022 and volunteer.
Annual Spring Dinner Meeting
features...
Patriotic Music
with special tribute to
Wartime Songs
by Dan and Galla
On April 23, 1998, the Mifflin County Historical Society’s members and friends will be offered an entertainment change of pace, when they gather at 6:30 p.m. in the McVeytown Fire Hall for the Annual Spring Dinner Meeting. Program Chairman Ray C. Allison announced that this year, Dan and Galla will present a unique musical program, which will include a tribute to wartime songs and a sing-a-long.
The couple have been performing professionally for over 15 years. From Nashville to New York, the Catskills, the Caribbean, Atlantic City and throughout Pennsylvania, this dynamic husband and wife team has delighted and entertained audiences aboard cruise lines, at fairs, conventions and festivals with their diverse and energetic style.
Dan and Galla have appeared on TNN, the Nashville Network, CBS’s “People” and “Evening Magazine.” More recently, they were televised starring in “Vaudeville - Then and Now.”
A great family-style turkey dinner will be served by the folks at the McVeytown Fire Hall, so come and join us! A dinner reservation form is located on page 13.
Deadline for return is April 16, 1998.
Society Announces Spring & Fall BusTours
Autumn Tourof the Hudson Valley
September 25, 26, 27, 1998
$260.00 per person -
double occupancy
Tour includes:
* transportation
* hotel accommodations
for 2 nights
* theatre (lunch) & show
* Roosevelt Home
* Vanderbilt Mansion
* Easy Street Cafe (lunch)
* Montgomery Place
* Van Cortlandt Manor
* Beeckman Tavern (dinner)
* 2 hr. Cruise of Hudson River
Autumn tour sites:
Montgomery Place
Built in 1805, later additions transformed the Federal mansion to Classical Revival style.
Hyde Park
The historic home of
President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Vanderbilt Mansion
If you visited Newport, R.I.,
with the society, this is more
of the same of what we saw in
the homes at Newport.
Van Cortlandt Manor
A beautiful estate complex situated on the banks of the Croton River, in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. Now a National Historic Landmark, the 18th century stone manor house is the centerpiece of the estate. It features a very fine collection of Georgian and Federal period furnishings, most of which are original to Van Cortlandt Manor. Of particular note is an extraordinary kitchen on the ground floor, with original hearth, "beehive" oven, and extensive collection of cooking equipment and utensils. Also on the grounds is a reconstructed 18th century tavern, original to the site, which is situated at the site of the ferry crossing of the original Albany Post Road over the Croton River. It contains an extraordinary collection of vernacular Hudson River Valley furnishings, and tells the fascinating tale of travel and transport in the post-revolutionary period.
Previous participants highly recommend MCHS tours!
Acquisitions
The Mifflin County Historical Society wishes to acknowledge and thank the following donors for their generosity:
Bernice Horon, Lewistown - American Revolution Bicentennial Flag, 1776 - 1976
Robert H. Raymond, Jr., Lewistown - 8” x 10” black and white photograph of Gen. Frank R. McCoy. Inscription, handwritten by McCoy reads, “Dear Ridgeway, With happiest remembrances of our services together. Frank McCoy.”
The photo was purchased from the estate of Gen. Matthew B. Ridgeway and is given by the donor in memory of R. Lee Ziegler.
Publication News
These reprinted books contain sections relating to Mifflin County and may be of interest to members and friends of the historical society.
Reprints of Shoemaker Books
Eldorado Found
1916 - by Henry W. Shoemaker.
Survey of historical sites in Clinton, Centre, Mifflin, Union, Lycoming, Cameron, and Snyder counties. 143 pages (Vol 4) Bk= $16.45; Tx= $0.98; Sh= $3.00; TOTAL= $20.43
Extinct Pennsylvania Animals - Part I & Part II
1919 - by Henry W. Shoemaker. Panther, Wolf, Black Moose, Elk, Bison, Beaver, Pine Marten, Fisher, Glutton, (Wolverine) Canada Lynx. 472 pages, 70 Photos & Sketches (Vol.5)
Bk= $19.95; Tx= $1.20; Sh= $3.00; TOTAL= $24.15
The PINE CREEK Historian
Swiss Chalet Lane
Waterville, PA 17776-0067
(717) 753-5498