Pioneer Historical Society News Releases


NEWS RELEASE



PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
For Sale: Limited Quantities Available

Maryland and the French and Indian War by Allan Powell, 250th Anniversary Edition


“In the year 2005, Maryland as a state will take notice of the Braddock Expedition which made its appearance in Maryland 250 years earlier when it was a colony. The following year, this state will celebrate the 250th birthday of Fort Frederick. Recognition will be given to its importance in three wars: the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and the Civil War.
Since the author is unaware of any book which gives an in-depth overview of the role of Maryland in an era which is largely overlooked, it seemed a worthy project to make such a work available to the public when these anniversaries are celebrated.
To this end, my goal was to produce a well documented, well illustrated publication which would tell the story of Maryland in what has sometimes been call ‘the real First World War.’”

Allan Powell
Cost: $25.00
Shipping & Handling $6.00
Tax (PA residents only): $1.50
To order please mail your request and check made payable to the Bedford County Historical Society to:
Bedford County Historical Society
242 E. John St.
Bedford, PA 15522
For more information call (814)623-2011 or email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com.

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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach (814)623-2011 email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com

THE BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
SPONSORS A PIONEER QUILT CHALLENGE FOR THE
THE 18TH ANNUAL QUILT SHOW & SALE

Bedford, Pa: August 1, 2008… Just a reminder to quilters, the Bedford County Historical Society has selected the theme, “The Legend of Indian Summer”, for this year’s Pioneer Quilt Challenge at the Quilt Show held during Fall Foliage.

The Society is also selling an iron-on patch of the Fort Bedford 250th Commemoration logo for anyone who would like to place this on their quilt.

The Challenge Quilt should measure 30”x30” and be made in the quilter’s choice of colors. The Challenge Quilts and other quilts will be displayed at the Quilt Show on October 4 & 5 and 11 & 12, 2008. Registration for the Quilt Show will be around September 26 at the Bedford County Historical Society. For more information about the theme or the quilt show, call the Society at (814)623-2011 or email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com.

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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach (814)623-2011 email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com

THE BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE

Bedford, Pa: July 18, 2008…As a part of the 250th Anniversary Commemoration of Fort Bedford and the French and Indian War, the Bedford County Historical Society has been republishing books that have been out of print for some time. We now have available the “Tales from the Allegheny Foothills” by Vaughn Whisker in a 2 volume set. The first volume contains what was previously Volumes I-V, and the second contains what was previously Volumes VI-X. The cost is $30.00 per book, $1.80 tax (PA residents only), and $5.00 shipping and handling. Save by buying the set: $55.00 for both volumes, $3.30 tax (PA residents only), and $7.00 shipping and handling. Also available is “Bedford County PA Selected Newspaper Articles, from 1831-1987 by Clair Crawford and Velma Defibaugh. The cost is $30.00, $1.80 tax (PA residents only), and $5.00 shipping and handling.
To order, come into the Society on the corner of Bedford and John Streets, or contact the Society by phone (814)623-2011 or email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com.

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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach (814)623-2011 email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com


COME AND CELEBRATE BEDFORD COUNTY’S BIRTHDAY


Bedford, Pa: February 28, 2008…When Todd Greenawalt of Snake Spring Valley was a youngster, he liked history. He remembers a teacher showing him a map of Bedford County and pointing out that the shape of the county resembles a crown with three points at the top. That thought stuck with Todd and in 2006 it blossomed into the winning design and motto for the first official Bedford County flag. Todd’s design features a motto “Crown of the Commonwealth” and includes the oak and mountain laurel leaves so familiar in our mountains, the year 1771 when the County was formed, the Pennsylvania keystone symbol and the familiar County outline, all in beautiful colors.

On March 9th, the new flag will be dedicated in a special program at the Bedford County Courthouse. Todd will have the honor of raising the flag for the first time, a special moment in Bedford County’s history.

The Bedford County (formerly Pioneer) Historical Society, through whose efforts the flag came to be, invites all Bedford County residents and our neighbors to join in that special moment on Sunday, March 9th, beginning at 2:00 pm on the steps of the Bedford County Courthouse (weather permitting—bring a folding chair), or inside the courthouse in the Commissioner Board Room (Room 101, 1st floor).

This historical occasion will include, among its distinguished participants: Johnna Fitzhugh, a Saxton-Liberty Elementary School student, chosen in competition to read the poem “Bedford Town”, Ellen and Jamey Espenshade of New Paris, singing a duet “The Blue Juniata”, The Tribe vocal group from Everett High School, and a special guest appearance by a prominent 1758 local citizen.

Following the dedication at the courthouse there will be a “Happy Birthday Party” at the Bedford Methodist Church with cake and coffee. Cakes entered in the “In 1758 I Saw This…” competition run by the 250th Anniversary Committee will be exhibited. (The winning cake will be featured on the front cover of The 250 Anniversary Celebration brochure.) Others who like to bake but don’t wish to compete have been invited to bring their favorite birthday cake with a recipe which will be included in the 250 Celebration Cook Book. Please drop your cakes off between 1:00 and 2:00 on the 9th.

The new flag is available from the Bedford County Historical Society at 242 East John St., Bedford. Businesses and homeowners are encouraged to purchase one and display it with pride.

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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach (814)623-2011 email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com

THE BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

IS SPONSORING CONTEST TO READ A POEM FOR

BEDFORD COUNTY DAY

Bedford, Pa: January 11, 2008…On March 9, 2008, at 2:00 pm, the Bedford County Historical Society will be dedicating the Bedford County Flag on our official Bedford County Day. The Society is looking for a Bedford County student in 5th grade to participate in this event by reading a poem entitled “Bedford Town”. Any student in 5th grade wishing to apply for this honor should write a letter stating why he or she should be chosen. The letters of application will be reviewed, and semifinalists will be asked to come into the Historical Society to read the poem for a panel of judges. From this group of semifinalists, a student will be chosen to read the poem on the steps of the Courthouse on Bedford County Day.

All entries should be mailed by February 13, 2008 to the Bedford County Historical Society, 242 E. John St, Bedford, PA, 15522 or emailed to bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com. Please include name, address, and phone number with entry. For more information, call (814)623-2011.

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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach (814)623-2011 email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com


BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS
TERROR IN THE BACK COUNTRY: THE AFTERMATH OF BRADDOCK’S DEFEAT


Bedford, Pa: December 31, 2007…Dr. Walter Powell from the Conococheague Institute will be the guest speaker at the Bedford County Historical Society’s Quarterly Meeting on January 15, 2008. He will share about "Terror in the Back Country--the Aftermath of Braddock's Defeat, 1755-1758."
Dr. Walter L. Powell became the first Executive Director of the Conococheague Institute in Welsh Run, Pennsylvania in April of 2007.
Headquartered in the 1752 Davis-Chambers House, the Institute administers 3 historic buildings and a research library, with a focus on 18th century life along the Appalachian frontier. Prior to coming to the Conococheague Institute, Dr. Powell served as Director of Planning and Historic Preservation for the Borough of Gettysburg for 17 years, where he was involved in a number of historic preservation projects, including, most recently, serving as Project Director for the restoration of Gettysburg's historic Civil War train station (which received a special award from Preservation Pennsylvania in 2007).
Dr. Powell received his M.A. in History and Ph.D. in English from Kent State University, and has lectured and written widely on the French and Indian War, American Revolution, and Civil War. Among his recent publications are a young reader's biography of Benedict Arnold (Rosen Publishers, NY, 2004), and, with Linda Foster Arden, the Civil War Letters of Lt. John A.H. Foster, 155th Pennsylvania Volunteers (publication pending, 2008). He lives in Gettysburg with his wife Susan and children Nathaniel and Sarah Ellen.
The meeting will be held at the Bedford Senior Citizen Center at the Fort Bedford Inn, on the corner of Penn and Richard Streets. The Society’s meeting begins at 7:00 pm with a business meeting, and Dr. Powell’s talk will begin at 7:30 pm. The presentation is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the Society at (814)623-2011 or email at bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com.

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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach (814)623-2011 email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com

BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

REPUBLISHING The KERNEL of GREATNESS

Bedford, Pa: June 21, 2007… As a part of the 250th Celebration of the French and Indian War, the Bedford County Historical Society (formerly Pioneer Historical Society) is republishing some of our books at the request of the public. We are now taking pre-orders for “The Kernel of Greatness” edited by Winona Garbrick with contributions from local authors: Thomas C. Imler, Ronald Morgan, William A. Jordan, Vaughn E. Whisker, Mrs. Harriette M. Bradley, Calvin W. Hetrick, Robert H. Hammer, Mrs. Helen Zumbro, Helen Barnett and Jon Baughman.

“The Kernel of Greatness” was originally published for the County’s Bicentennial Celebration in 1971. This book is an informal history of Bedford County; in its pages the reader will discover that Bedford County was the scene of two events in early American history whose importance to world history is overlooked and almost unrecognized even in the County itself. These are the Whiskey Rebellion and the fall of Fort Bedford to Smith’s Black Boys. “The Kernel of Greatness” also aptly reflects the County’s equally impressive but less grandiose roles as the “Mother County” of two-fifths of the State.

The pre-publication cost is $29.00, ($1.74 tax for PA residents only), and $5.00 shipping and handling. Anyone interested in ordering a copy (or copies) should contact the Society by written request accompanied by a check: BCHS/242 E. John St/Bedford/PA/15522, call us at (814)623-2011, or email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com.
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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach (814)623-2011 email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com


BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

RON BARLICK TO SPEAK AT QUARTERLY MEETING

Bedford, Pa: June 29, 2007…Ron Barlick, a Shawnee State Park Educator, will share about “Lost Civilizations along Shawnee Creek” at the Bedford County Historical Society’s Quarterly Meeting on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 in a pavilion at Shawnee State Park. The Society’s meeting begins at 7:00pm, and the program will begin at 7:30 pm; signs will be posted directing patrons to the pavilion. Mr. Barlick will talk about Indian trading and weaponry and will have relics and artifacts, some of which were found when Shawnee Lake was drained. The presentation is free and open to the public. In case of rain, the meeting will be held at the Bedford Presbyterian Church, 145 S. Juliana St, Bedford.

For more information, contact the Historical Society at (814)623-2011 or email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com.
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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach (814)623-2011 email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com

BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
REPUBLISHING A MEMORIAL TO THE DEAR FOLKS OF PAVIA

Bedford, Pa: June 28, 2007…The Bedford County Historical Society is republishing “A Memorial to the Dear Folks of Pavia” that was originally published in 1996 by the Mt. Zion United Church of Christ of Pavia. “Memorial” is a history of the church and community of Union Township, Bob’s Creek, and Blue Knob Mountain.

As a part of the 250th Celebration of the French and Indian War, the Bedford County Historical Society (formerly Pioneer Historical Society) is now taking pre-orders for “A Memorial to the Dear Folks of Pavia”. The pre-publication cost is $25.00, $1.50 tax (PA residents only), and 5.00 shipping and handling. To order, send a written request along with your check made payable to the Bedford County Historical Society to BCHS/242 E. John St/Bedford/PA/15522, call at (814)623-2011, or email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com.

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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach (814)623-2011 email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com

BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

FOR SALE: THE HISTORY OF HOPEWELL BASEBALL IN BEDFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Bedford, Pa: June 28, 2007…The Bedford County Historical Society is pleased to make available to the public Ron Housel’s new book “The History of Hopewell Baseball in Bedford County, Pennsylvania 1872-1975. Mr. Housel’s book chronicles the rich baseball heritage of the Hopewell community, beginning in 1872 through1975 and includes pictures, stories, statistics and more.

The book is $21.00, $1.26 tax (PA residents only), and $5.00 shipping & handling. To order, contact the Historical Society at (814) 623-2011 or email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com.

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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE::

CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach (814)623-2011 email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com



BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PRESENTS
THE 17TH ANNUAL QUILT SHOW AND SALE


Bedford, Pa: May 31, 2007…The Bedford County Historical Society’s 17th Annual Quilt Show and Sale will be held on October 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 2007 (Fall Foliage weekends) from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Bedford High School cafeteria. The Society is issuing a challenge to quilters to create a Challenge Quilt that includes at least one Pennsylvania Block made in the quilters choice of colors, and the quilt should measure no more than 30” x 30”. Quilt registration is on September 29 & 30, 2007 at the Historical Society. For more information and the template for the Pennsylvania Block contact the Society at (814)623-2011 or email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com



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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach (814)623-2011 email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com



BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
REPUBLISHING “THEY PLANTED A TREE IN THE WILDERNESS”

Bedford, Pa: May 3, 2007…As a part of the 250th Celebration of the French and Indian War, the Bedford County Historical Society (formerly Pioneer Historical Society) is republishing some of our books at the request of the public.

We are taking pre-orders for “They Planted a Tree in the Wilderness” by Thomas C. Imler. Mr. Imler’s book has genealogies for the following family names: Imler, Croyle, Dibert, Dively, Fetter, Reighard, Sill, and Walter. We are also including corrections and updates in the new publication. The book is $45, $2.70 PA sales tax, and $8 shipping and handling. Anyone interested in purchasing a copy should contact the Society by Thursday, May 17. Write us at Bedford County Historical Society/242 E. John St/Bedford/PA/15522, call us (814) 623-2011, or email us at bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com


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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach 814.623.2011 E-mail bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com

BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Seth Crist Honored as 2007 Historian of the Year

Bedford, PA: April 9, 2007… The Bedford County Historical Society (Old Pioneer) is pleased to announce that Mr. Seth Crist is the Bedford County Historian of the Year for 2007.

Mr Crist, a senior at Chestnut Ridge High School, was selected out of a large number of extremely qualified nominees. He lives on Deer Run Lane, Alum Bank.

On the Crist family farm is an abandoned 19th-century cemetery (known locally as the Hoover Cemetery), which was in serious and severe disrepair. Mr. Crist has virtually single-handedly restored this cemetery to its original condition.

In addition to the cemetery being weed infested, the tombstones were dirty and broken; some were knocked down and others were leaning. Burrowing by groundhogs and rats made the ground uneven and full of holes. It is likely that farming or vandals had also disturbed some of the cemetery.

After clearing the weeds, Mr. Crist carefully marked the locations of the graves and recorded information from their stones. He filled in the vermin holes in an attempt to smooth and level the ground, added topsoil and planted new grass seed.

The stones and their bases were cleaned and replaced in their original positions. Broken stones were cemented and several broken and rotted bases were replaced. The stones were then carefully aligned and leveled. The result is a property that now looks much like a well-kept contemporary cemetery.

Mr. Crist estimates that there are approximately 70 graves in the cemetery; some are unmarked. Dates on the gravestones go back to the early 1800s (e.g., 1804); most of the graves are from the mid- to late- 19th century. There is at least one known Civil War veteran buried there: George W. Barefoot, Private, Co. H, 99th PA Infantry. Since the cemetery restoration, a local genealogist has located one of his lost relatives there.

Although a large number of aged persons are buried in this cemetery, the considerable number of babes and youngsters attests to family sorrows from disease, pestilence and concomitant early death that rural families suffered in the period when modern medicine and transportation were both in their infancy.

The clean-up of the graveyard kindled a new-found interest in genealogy for Mr. Crist; he found that he has at least one relative buried there. He also has developed an interest in local history and a deeper understanding of the lives, hardships, joys and losses of early Bedford Countians.

This project represents the epitome of the highest tenants of the Bedford County Historical Society Mission: to document, preserve, protect, and promote the history and heritage of Bedford County. Moreover, Mr. Crist is a shining example of just what the young people of Bedford County are capable of doing to meet that mission.

Mr. Crist will be honored at the Annual Society Banquet on April 24, 2007. The banquet will begin at 6:30 PM at the United Methodist Church in Bedford. Our speaker will be Mr. Bruce Egli portraying Captain Jean-Daniel Dumas, Commander of Fort Duquesne. Tickets are $18 and are available by contacting any member of the Society, by visiting the Society office at 242 East John Street, Bedford, or calling (814) 623-2011. Reservations must be in no later than April 18 at 4:00pm.

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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach 814.623.2011
bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com




BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

"ANNUAL BANQUET "
"GUEST SPEAKER"
"HISTORIAN OF THE YEAR"



Bedford, PA: March 15th 2006 The Bedford County Historical Society will be holding its Annual Banquet on April 16th 2006 at the United Methodist Church in Bedford, at 6:30 pm. TICKETS can be purchased from Board Members or by calling or stopping by the library and are $15.00 each.

We will be honoring William Roy Mock, the 2005 "Historian of the Year".

For its forthcoming banquet we have arranged for Brigadier General Susan S. Lawrence, a resident of Bedford County, to return from the Near East to appear as the principal speaker. Now assigned to the U.S. Central Command in Florida, she has made frequent trips to Iraq and neighboring countries where she has broad responsibilities for maintaining military communications. Her topic will be "Modern Military History, a Personal Perspective"




In this picture taken at the Pentagon last year Susan S. Lawrence is shown flanked by Marine Lt. General Robert M. Shea and by her husband Neil H. Sonne, after they pinned on the new stars marking her promotion to Brigadier General. Now serving in the Near East, General Lawrence has promised to speak to the Bedford County Historical Society at its forthcoming banquet scheduled for Tuesday evening, April 18th 2006.
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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Gillian K. Leach 814.623.2011
bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com

BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

' PRESENTATION TO THE SOCIETY OF THE 138TH REGIMENTAL FLAG'

Bedford, PA: January 18th 2006 - - The Bedford County Historical Society Inc. a/k/a Pioneer Historical Society of Bedford County Inc.138th Regimental Flag Committee will be presenting the reproduction of the 138th Regimental Flag to the Board of Trustees on January 29th 2006 at Heartland Hall at 2 o'clock in the afternoon in the 'Garden Room'.

An Honor Guard for the flag will be provided by Hampton's Battery F. 1st PA Light Artillery. A video of the re-dedication ceremony celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Pennsylvania Monument at Andersonville, Georgia will be shown.

The public is invited to attend and light refreshments will be served.

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Pioneer Historical Society 814.623.2011
Contact: William Roy Mock

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PIONEER HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES:

Re: Submitting pictures and information on behalf of Bedford County Historical Society
Date: 11 May 2005

A "Call" For Donations

To Honor Our Civil War Ancestors!

100th Anniversary at Andersonville, GA




The Bedford County Historical Society has initiated a number of Civil War projects leading up to and including the 100th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Pennsylvania Monument at Andersonville, GA. This major historical event will take place at Andersonville Cemetery, GA. on December 7, 2005.

Civil War soldiers from approximately 200 Pennsylvania Regiments were imprisoned there. According to the National Park service in Georgia; of the 4,825 prisoners from Pennsylvania at Andersonville during the Civil War, approximately 1,835 died there.

The 138th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was one such regiment in which Bedford County supplied "boys in blue" for Company's D, E, and F. Of the 28 prisoners of the 138th PVI at Andersonville, 10 would breathe their last breath; a mortality of 35.71%. In addition, Bedford County, PA was well represented throughout many other regiments during the Civil War. In which case, a number of those soldiers also ended up in Andersonville Prison, GA.

The commemoration and rededication of the PA Monument will be hosted by Gettysburg Camp # 112, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. There is to be a "March of Honor" from Providence Spring, near the stockade and then to the Pennsylvania Monument. The march will be led by the Color Guard, "Gettysburg Blues."

A "Ceremony," will be conducted in observance of all Pennsylvanians who were imprisoned at Andersonville during the Civil War.

Members of the Bedford County Historical Society view this as an opportunity to both recognize the sacrifices of our ancestors, and at the same time, attempt to gather and preserve additional information for future generations. At present, attention is focused on two key areas in which public assistance is sincerely requested.


"138th Flag Fund"

Requesting: Monetary Donations A Bedford County resident, William Roy Mock's great-grandfather, Aaron Mock and great-uncle, Emanuel Harbaugh; both in the 138th PVI were imprisoned at Andersonville. He has been granted permission through the Bedford County Historical Society to request donations and have fund raisers for the "reproduction" of such a regimental flag. The flag is very expensive. It will cost around $2,600. Mock said "it will be representative of all the PA Regiments."
Mock is currently the Commander of Gettysburg Camp # 112, S.U.V.C.W. Also, as a member of the Sons of Veteran Reserve, "Gettysburg Blues," Bill will have the honor of carrying the 138th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Flag with the Color Guard. After the commemoration at Andersonville, GA, this unique "reproduction" of the 138th PVI Flag will be retired and presented to the Bedford County Historical Society. The Society will maintain an Official Registry of all family, individuals and/ or organizations that have donated to the 138th PVI Flag Fund. Efforts are currently underway to have tokens of appreciation made reflecting the level of donation. Also, any individual, group or organization representing other Pennsylvania Regiments, that collectively makes a donation of $100. will qualify to have a streamer made reflecting their ancestor's regiment. It is not necessary to have had an ancestor imprisoned at Andersonville to qualify for such a streamer. Those streamers will fly from the top of the staff of the 138th PVI Flag when carried at Andersonville, GA.



It is imperative that you provide your complete name and address for the Registry and so the Society can get back in touch with you. The Flag Committee would be very appreciative of any monetary donation that an individual or group could give. Please make your check payable to: Bedford County Historical Society (BCHS) and stipulate on your check "138th Flag Fund." Please send your donation to:

"138th Flag Fund" Bedford County Historical Society 242 E. John Street Bedford, PA 15522
"Civil War Archives"

Requesting: Informational Donations

The Bedford County Historical Society is asking the public to come to the society with military or pension records, Bible records, pictures, letters, artifacts, etc. for any of your ancestors that served in the Civil War (Union or Confederate).

The society knows that there is a large quantity of information, pictures and such that is packed away in cardboard boxes and stored in attics or cellars throughout Bedford County and surrounding areas. We hope that through this "Call to Honor" that this information will be shared we us.

Bedford County's involvement in the Civil war was reflected in the number of companies in different regiments. Even with the documentation, there are a number of reasons that can create confusion. Your ancestor might live in Bedford County, muster into a company in another county or area and eventually be combined with another regiment that is entirely different from the one he joined up with. On top of this, for one reason or another, people migrate.

Gillian Leach, Library Administrator of the Bedford County Historical Society has prepared a questionnaire which she will provide for completion in an attempt to organize the submitted information for the "Military Archives". The public is encouraged to come in and learn how to find additional records on their ancestors, if they don't already know.

It is important that descendents understand that the Society will scan, copy the information or take pictures of items submitted. Leach said "we don't expect people to permanently donate artifacts, however, if they want to, depending on what the items are, we will accept them".

Out of respect and consideration for all the people involved, appointments will need to be scheduled.
Please call: 814-623-2011.

Bedford County Historical Society 242 East John Street Bedford, PA 15522-1750 E-mail bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com
Phone: 814-623-2011 Web page: www.rootsweb.com/~paphsbc/

Pioneer Historical Society 814 623-2011
Contact: Gillian K. Leach
August 26 , 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PIONEER HISTORICAL LIBRARY ACQUIRES MAJOR CIVIL WAR BOOKS

BEDFORD, PA -- The Pioneer Historical Society of Bedford County Inc. has received for its Library Collection copies of the following:

1) Military Bibliography of the Civil War, Vols. I-IV. For Civil War historians and enthusiasts these bibliographies are essential tools for Civil War research. They cover personal narratives, general references, armed forces and campaigns and battles.

Volume IV was compiled by Silas Felton, a well known and respected compiler of Civil War data. It was released in 2003 and covers regimentals, personal narratives and biographies as well as all new books and pamphlets published between 1987 (when Volume IV was originally published) and 2001. In addition to the new publications, Felton found titles missing from earlier volumes and added new categories including home front, Confederate Regular Army, foreign relations, cartography, leadership, strategy and tactics. "Volume IV is a ‘must have’ reference for collectors, libraries, book dealers and anybody researching not only Civil War literature but any aspect of the war itself," says C. Peter Jorgensen, editor and publisher of The Civil War News magazine. "Felton’s new compilation is without peer," he adds.

2) Bates History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, with index. Compiled at the request of the state legislature, it is a thorough history and roster of the regiments and soldiers from Pennsylvania. For each regiment there is a regimental sketch.

3) Broadfoot’s Pennsylvania Rosters (Index of the National Archives Compiled Military Service Records).
These collections were donated by Silas Felton in memory of his grandfather John A. Felton, Private, Company H, 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (185th Volunteers), Corporal D of the Independent Battalion of the Pennsylvania Emergency Militia of 1863.


The Pioneer Historical Society Library is located at 242 E. John St., Bedford. Tel. 814 623-2011,
E-mail bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com

The library is open Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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