Notes from
Monument Square
Newsletter of the
Mifflin County
Historical Society
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Volume XXVIII Number 1 January 2002
(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
MEMBERSHIP
RENEWAL TIME
Annual memberships run from January to December, making this category of membership now due with the January, 2002 newsletter.
Many of our members have already renewed for 2002, thank you so much! The society’s dues structure, shown below, has remained the same since the 1980s. An individual annual membership at still just ten dollars for 2002.
We wish to acknowledge and welcome these new members of the Mifflin County Historical Society.
New Annual Individual Members
Janice A. Storey, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Georgia A. Stull, Belleville
Robert M. Welham, Lewistown
Joseph D. Shirk, Lewistown
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas C. Marker, Lewistown
Kitt Carroll, Jenks, Okla.
Judith B. Mallchok, Kamuela, Hawaii
Bonnie Bair, Lewistown
Don Howell, Yeagertown
John C. Geibel, Burnham
Judith Walter Heald, Spring Mills, Pa.
Gary Rutherford, McVeytown
Karen Gerhart, Lewistown
Linda Kay Yetter, Lewistown
Beth Singer, Dillsburg, Pa.
Susan L. Miller, Auburn Calif.
Pat Benton, Denver, Colo.
Robert C. Bridge, Mexico, Ind.
Ellen Higgins, Merchantville, N.J.
Alice Wright, Drexel Hill, Pa.
Margaret Wroght, Broomall, Pa.
Dennis M. Zeigler, Washington, D.C.
John J. Zeigler, Watsontown, Pa.
Shirley Alexander, Lewistown
Memberships are a vital source of income, and we thank these new members for joining the historical society!
2002 CALENDARS PRESENTED TO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
During this past November, the society’s Picture the Past 2002 calendars were distributed to every fourth grade student in the Mifflin County School District, that’s approximately 460 students. The distribution enabled the society to supplement the school district’s Mifflin County history component included in the elementary curriculum.
In addition to the calendars, the society produced and provided students with four new local history brochures at the same time, covering the McCoy House, Monument Square and the Lincoln Stone, Mifflin County’s Pennsylvania Historical Markers, and the three local Alamo Defenders.
Plans are in the works to distribute the calendars in the schools again next year and add a few more brochures, too. The Calendar Committee certainly appreciates the many individual and business sponsors who helped make this project possible.
The 2002 calendar is about sold out, with just a few dozen left unsold. If you haven’t bought one, contact the office at 242-1022.
The society hopes you will consider sponsoring the 2003 calendar project. Information on how you can help will appear in the March and June newsletters.
Society Scholarship for
High School Seniors
The Mifflin County Historical Society sponsors a scholarship for high school seniors. Presently, this scholarship is open to students who attend Lewistown Area High School, Indian Valley High School, Belleville Mennonite School, or Mifflin County Christian Academy, all located in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.
An applicant must be a Mifflin County resident planning to major in history, history education, elementary or secondary education, or a related field. The scholarship is for $500 ($250 each semester), and is funded by the Mifflin County Historical Society Scholarship Fund.
Additional details and an application form can be obtained from any local high school guidance offices, on the society’s web site at www. mccoy- house.com or from the society office on Monument Square.
SOCIETY BOOK SALE
Listed below are a few items remaining from the 2001 society book sales. If you missed some of the items then, here’s a chance to buy a rare volume.
Linn’s History of Centre and Clinton Counties, Penna. - 1975 reprint of 1883 original - very good condition. - $125
Hain’s History of Perry County, Pennsylvania - 1922 first edition - split spine, needs rebound. - $80
History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Vols. I and II -1886 original edition - two complete sets/ all pages in good condition; in need of rebinding - Each set - $200
History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys Vols. 1 and II - 1975 reprint, with extensive indices - very good condition - $200
Life of George Washington (5 Volume set, 1855 - 1859) - very good condition - $50
*Shipping: $10.00 per item listed*
*Pennsylvania residents please add 6% sales tax*
Send check payable to:
Mifflin County Historical Society
1 West Market Street
Lewistown, PA 17044
For inquiries or questions,
call 242-1022
*Each book or set offered here on a first-come basis, and subject to prior sale*
QUERIES
THOMPSON, RYKERD,
KYPER, MILLER
I am seeking ancestors or descendants of Ephraim C. Thompson b. January 30, 1812 in PA and died November 5, 1886. He married Mary “Polly” Enyeart in 1837 in Huntingdon Co. Their children were David b. ca. 1838 married Maria Woolheater, Anna Amelia b. ca. 1839 married Jacob Rykerd, Mary Elizabeth b. ca. 1841 married Henry Kyper, Margaret b. ca. 1843 (died before Nov., 1886) married William H. Miller - Margaret & William’s children were Cora Grace, Frank, and Welmington Miller. Additionally, Ephraim had twins Daniel & Prudence b. July 24, 1852. I will be happy to exchange information. Reply to Eleanore T. Wall at:
1242 S. Governors Ave.
Dover, DE 19904 - 4802
phone: (302) 674 - 2898
e-mail: rbwall1242@msn.com
Museum decked out
for Home Town Christmas
The old house never looked better, thanks to a dedicated and creative local group. It was a joy to behold the many holiday arrangements displayed throughout McCoy House this past fall, all created by members of the Mifflin County Garden Club.
Thank you, volunteers!
A great big “Thank You” from the Museum Committee to the volunteers, who helped at the McCoy House during regular and special hours through the 2001 season.
The museum, open from May through December, hosted exhibits viewed by the general public, club groups and local school students. Home Town Christmas alone drew over 650 visitors.
Thank you, volunteers, for your help!
Interested in helping?
The 2002 season is just a few months away, plans for lining up volunteers for the new year are already in progress. Help is needed for each Sunday, 1:30 to 4 p.m. May through mid-December, 2002.
If you would like to share some time, and meet and talk with museum visitors, consider becoming a society’s volunteer. Please call the office at 242-1022 to offer your services. We rely on our regular volunteers, but will eagerly train rookies, too!
AQUISITIONS
The Mifflin County Historical Society always welcomes artifacts that have a direct relationship to our county’s heritage or local genealogy. Each year we receive a variety of county-related materials, such as books, clothing, paper items, and artwork.
David W. Messer, Royersford, Pa. - Book: Triumph IV - Harrisburg to Altoona, 1846 - 2001 by David W. Messer, Edited by Charles S. Roberts First Edition c 2001
Gerri Atkin, Lewistown - Booklet:: Historical Souvenir of the Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Lewistown, Pa. 2000
Bridget Schmidt, Reedsville, Pa. - Books: Marriage Licenses of Mifflin Co., Pa. Vol.XI - 1910 - 1914, Vol. XII - 1914 - 1917
Nora Torquato, Reedsville - Several pieces of clothing provided by Nancy Reed Rowland Bowman and Judy Reed Dufur Johnson (great granddaughters of Alexander Reed)
Garren Alexander, Lewistown - WWII Navy uniform and accessories worn by John Milhouse Hostetler
Society’s Boston Tour
by Tour Chairman Ray C. Allison
If Paul Revere had been alive on October 12 through 14, 2001, his cry might have been that the Mifflin County Historical Society was coming. Forty society members and friends invaded Boston for several days of visiting historical sites and enjoying good company and some great seafood dinners.
On Friday, our group began our visit being treated to a view of Boston from the Skywalk atop the Prudential Building. The day was completed by having dinner at Jimmy’s Harbor side Restaurant.
On Saturday, our first stop was at the John F. Kennedy Library. Many enjoyed the special exhibit of Jackie Kennedy’s White House Years. Afterwards, a step on guide joined our group and treated us to a three hour tour of the Freedom Trail, as well as center Boston. We then stopped at the Old North Church and received a presentation inside by a member of the church. We also paused at the site of the USS Constitution, which was launched on October 21, 1797. Upon completion of the guided tour, we independently strolled through Quincy Market. At this location, we were able to tour Faneuil Hall, “The Cradle of Liberty” and the Old State House where the Boston Massacre took place on March 5, 1770. At the Market, we were able to select our own lunch stop. Many selected the Durgin-Park Market Dining Room, located in the North Market, and is boasted to be one of America’s oldest restaurants. It is a place to experience a true taste of Old Boston. The waitresses are renowned for their surliness.
Others chose the Union Oyster House built around 1713 and is the oldest continuously operated restaurant in America since 1826. Following a very special day visiting Boston, our group walked from the Market to the Chart House, which was formerly the Old John Hancock Warehouse. Most enjoyed a delicious seafood dinner.
After a two night stay in Boston, we departed early Sunday morning and traveled to Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, for a visit to an early American port.
Our travel to and from Boston was made even more special by beautiful fall foliage that surrounded us. With what we have been experiencing as a Nation, it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the fall season.
Watch the newsletter and/ or the media for further historical society tours.
BOOK NOTES
Index to Obituaries Published in
The Lewistown Sentinel
Compiled by Willard Shank
Willard Shank of Milroy, Pa. compiled the Index of Obituaries books from The Sentinel and has extra copies available for sale. Below is a list of the books, by year or years, plus the cost. Please add $3.00 per book for postage and handling.
2000, 1999, 1998 - $7.00 each
1996 -1997 - $14.00
1993-1994-1995 - $18.00
1990-1991-1992 - $18.00
Order copies directly from:
Willard Shank
742 Siglerville Pike
Milroy, PA 17063
(717) 667-3596
The Editor’s Desk
We had an opportunity to offer Mifflin County Historical Society gift items on our Internet site at www.mccoyhouse.com. Our site’s webmaster, Mrs. Cynthia Rosenberry of Richmond, Va., who designed and manages our web pages as a gift to the society, suggested this possibility to us last fall.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the info out to you via the newsletter until now, due to the printing deadlines for the November letter. Anyway, we have no costs involved in the venture, no stock or overhead, no costs for printing items, etc. We receive a percentage of the sales from a third party retailer, Cafe Express, which provides this service to scores of other clubs and organizations across the US. Cafe Express makes its money on the initial sale.
There is a modest selection of logo items - MCHS book bags, mugs, tee shirts, caps, to name a few - which can be purchased on-line only. No item is available at the society office. Cafe Express maintains a catalog, receives the orders and payments, ships and handles customer concerns, all on-line.
If you have Internet access, please check out our on-line store. Look over the items and let me know what you think.