Updates From the Centre County Historical Society


Posted Tuesday, April 30, 2013

A War, Three Women, and a Tradition
Wed. May 15, 2013
7:00pm @ Centre Furnace Mansion
Presented by Cathy Horner and Bob Hazelton

The recent rediscovery of Civil War era letters from a Boalsburg family has sparked new research behind the Memorial Day tradition, resulting in an in-depth look into the lives of the three women credited with having started Memorial Day.  The letters provide a first-hand account of life in Boalsburg during that most threatening time in our history.  The research has extended to distant parts of our country, providing details and photos never before assembled, and a unique view of the Civil War, its impact on Boalsburg, and the creation of Memorial Day.  At this history talk, a temporary exhibit will open, including objects and documents borrowed from the Boalsburg Heritage Museum.

Wreath-Swag-Making
Posted Friday, September 07, 2012


Wreath & Swag Making
for any Season
by Allen Baney
Free and open to the public
Sunday, Sept. 16
2:00pm
@ Centre Furnace Mansion

Victorians enjoyed making many decorative arts and crafts with flowers, boughs, greens, pine cones and other natural materials.  

This month's speaker is Allen Baney, owner of Avant Garden, and one of the Mansion's featured decorators for the Annual Stocking Stuffer Antiques, Art & Fine Craft Sale.

Allen's presentation will focus on wreath and swag making for the holidays, but the techniques may be used for any season.  This presentation promises to offer insights for you to take away on how these decorations are created.

This presentation will be held at the Centre Furnace Mansion, and is free and open to the public.

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.

Pennsylvania Humanities Council LogoJolin 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.



IRON SMELTING
Posted Monday, May 07, 2012


Iron Smelting Demonstration on Father's Day
Sunday, June 17 ~ 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
at Centre Furnace Mansion
1001 E. College Ave., State College, PA  16801

Grandfathers, Dads, and Sons will enjoy spending some time together learning about an industry that was traditionally run by men:  Iron Making.  Centre Furnace is one of nearly two dozen iron furnaces in Centre County's History.  Throughout the day on Sunday, June 17th, Steven Walton, Assistant Professor of Science, Technology & Society (STS) at Penn State and an historian of industry, will be smelting iron from rock ore on the Centre Furnace Mansion grounds.   

Using crushed iron ore and charcoal, the process will turn rock into metal over the space of about 6 hours. Dr. Walton will be using a modern materials replica of a low shaft iron blast furnace—a small-scale replica of what went on in the Centre Furnace itself from 1796 to the 1820s. The experimental furnace is made from a modern terra-cotta chimney liner and a straw-clay mixture and replicates an early medieval furnace, with the exception that the air blast comes from a modern blower rather than a waterwheel.  In the early morning, the furnace gets lit and heated until it is full of glowing charcoal and then alternate layers of iron ore and charcoal are added as it burns itself down. If all goes well, by later afternoon a ‘bloom’ of iron will have formed in the middle of the furnace. When the last ore is added and the charcoal burns itself out, he can recover the bloom and (hopefully) begin to forge it. There will be discussion all day long about the process, the history of iron mining and iron making, as well as an opportunity to see the process in action. 

Iron furnace stack - pewter ornament Stop by the Centre Furnace Mansion Museum Store in advance to purchase iron industry related gifts to wrap up for Dad this Father's Day.  Ideas include the books The Centre Furnace Story and Iron Industry in Pennsylvania, or a pewter ornament of the Iron Furnace stack - hand-crafted by local artisan Jerry Jackson.  Then bring Dad to the Mansion on Father's Day to walk the trail to the furnace stack, tour the iron-master's mansion, and observe the iron smelting in action.  Visitors are welcome to come and go throughout the day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.