Updates From the Centre County Historical Society

Civil War Era Fashion

Posted Friday, June 15, 2012

Civil War Fashion Show
Sunday, July 29 ~ 2:00pm
at Centre Furnace Mansion
1001 E. College Ave., State College, PA 16801

Battery B of the 3rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Light Artillery will make a special appearance at the Centre Furnace Mansion on the last Sunday in July. This presentation will take a closer look at Civil War era uniforms and period clothing worn by gentlemen and ladies of that time. Guest speakers will be present in period attire. This engaging program is wonderful for youth and adults of all ages.

Battery B is a living history military unit located right here in Centre County, portraying a Union Civil War Artillery Battery. Battery B was one of the twelve companies of the 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. It entered service in 1862 and was discharged in 1865. It served initially as prison guards at Fort Delaware near Wilmington. They were then transferred to Fort Monroe at Hampton Roads, Virginia. While there they served as gunners on naval ships and the siege lines around Richmond.

This special program was planned in conjunction with the PA Civil War 150 Road Show, which will be in Centre County July 12-15, just two weeks before this fashion program.

Civil War Era Music

Posted Friday, June 15, 2012

Civil War Era Music by Thomas Jolin
A PHC Commonwealth Speaker
Sunday, July 15 ~ 2:00pm
at the Central PA Visitors Center
800 E. Park Ave., State College, PA 16803

The Centre County Historical Society is pleased to announce an upcoming event with Thomas Jolin - a performer of Civil War era music. Jolin is also an instrument builder, specializing in the hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer and the bowed psaltery. Since 1978, he has been a solo performer playing the hammered dulcimer, banjo, button accordion and harmonica - producing eight recordings through the years. Some of his special honors include being a featured performer for the grand opening of the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center. Specializing in traditional string band music, Jolin was a founding member of The West Orrtanna String Band (1972 to 1987). From 1987 to 1998, he performed with the Orrtanna Mountain Steamers. Today, he is currently a member of The Barnstormers who performed at the Viljandi Estonia Folk Festival in 2006 and in 2008 in Germany in schools and festivals.

Jolin is a PHC Commonwealth Speaker, an artist for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and is a sought after artist in residence. His performances are loaded with humor… sometimes intentionally.

This special performance is brought to you in part the by Centre County Historical Society - an official host site of the PA Civil War 150 Road Show, coming to State College July 12-15, 2012. This performance is made possible by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council (PHC).

HISTORY UNCOVERED: A New Look at Memorial Day

Posted Sunday, June 10, 2012

History Talk: A War, Three Women, and a Tradition
Friday, July 13 ~ 2:00 pm
at the Central PA Visitors Center
800 E. Park Ave., State College, PA 16803

The recent discovery of Civil War era letters from a Boalsburg family has sparked new research behind the Memorial Day tradition. What has resulted is an in-depth look into the lives of the three women whom locals credit with having started Memorial Day. The letters and the resulting research takes us to life in Boalsburg during that most threatening time in our history.

The letters provide a firsthand account that an historian could only hope to relate. The research has extended to contacts in distant parts of our country, providing details and photos never before assembled. It provides a unique view of the Civil War, its impact on Boalsburg, and the creation of Memorial Day. Hosted by the Centre County Historical Society, join presenters Cathy Horner and Bob Hazelton on May 13 at 2:00 pm at the Central PA Visitors Center.

This program will be one of many Civil War history events planned for the summer of 2012 around the arrival of the PA Civil War 150 Road Show, coming to Centre County July 12-15 during the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Visit the CCHS website for Road Show information and countywide special event details. For questions, contact CCHS - the Official Host Site organization - at (814) 234-4779.

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