The Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County (HGSIC) is pleased to partner with the Northern Appalachian Folk Festival (NAFF) in the celebration of our county and region’s rich history, art, and culture. Join us on September 7, 2024, for some of the exciting events taking place over the course of the day. All events are free and open to the public.
At 12:00 p.m. join us for “The Life and Death of Fannie Sellins” presented by Susan Ferrandiz. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Ms. Ferrandiz is a retired assistant professor from the Library Department at Slippery Rock University. In addition to graduate work in Seoul, Korea, she has two master’s degrees. For her history master’s thesis, she researched the coal town of McIntyre, PA, the town where her mother’s family lived, and turned it into a website in 2000. She is especially interested in social and cultural history and recognizes the need for more research into Western PA coal towns, specifically those in Indiana County. She is in the process of developing an organization, the “Friends of Indiana County Coal Towns.”
Tangent to this interest, she is the first person to have fully researched and investigated using primary documents, the life and death of Fannie Sellins, a labor organizer for the United Mine Workers of America, who was brutally murdered in 1919 in Pittsburgh by thugs affiliated with the coal and steel interests.
At 2:00 p.m. join us for a presentation on the Underground Railroad by Kim and Reggie Harris. Kim and Reggie are not only musicians, but storytellers who have been captivating audiences with their acoustic melodies and socially aware lyrics for over three decades. Their music, a harmonious blend of folk, gospel, classical, rock, jazz, and pop, serves as a platform to address pressing social issues while also spreading positivity.
Their African-American heritage shines through their music, particularly in their spirituals and gospel songs. Known for their commitment to education, the Harrises also work with the AIE Programming at The Kennedy Center, delivering presentations on black history to educators and students. Using music and historical narratives, they craft performances that appeal to a wide range of age groups, from school assemblies and university symposiums to adult concerts.
Both workshops will occur at the Historical Society at 621 Wayne Avenue, in the Old Armory in the 2nd Floor Conference Room.
Come visit the Silas M. Clark House, a Victorian era mansion. Guided tours will be offered every half-hour starting at 11:00 with the last tour at 5:00, there will be no 1:00 tour. Come learn about Silas Clark and his family, life in the Victorian Era, and hear a few time period pieces played on the parlor piano. Each tour is limited to 20 people and are on a first-come-first-serve basis. All tours will start at the front door of the Clark House, there will be a volunteer there to assist you.
Visitors are welcome to roam the South Sixth Street corridor and explore variety of historic cragsmen and women, as well as historical figures ready to share their experience from bygone eras. Below is a sample of the many stations available to view.
Farm Tools - In 1015, the Indiana County Farm Bureau was established by local farmers at a meeting in the Indiana Courthouse. The area’s economy revolved around agriculture, utilizing the accessible railroad siding for trade. Despite challenges like machinery shortages, farmers maximized their land’s potential.
1930 Model A Ford Pickup Truck with Maytag Advertising - F.L. Maytag and three other men started a farm equipment line in 1893. In 1907, they built the first Maytag clothes washer as a sideline to the equipment business to help make up for the winter slump in sales. Expansion into a national company came during the first half of 1920 under L.B. Maytag, a son of the founder. As is illustrated on the advertising on this truck, Indiana, PA households did not miss out on the Maytag experience.
Milk Delivery - Milk for $0.08 per quart seems unbelievable, but the Heilwood Company offered this deal when it opened in 1912. The dairy utilized a horse and closed wagon along with two men to deliver milk to the town citizens.
Quilting - “Quilts are a nice way to remember the hardworking farm women whose creative talents were often expressed in their handiwork,” said Indiana County historian Clarence Stephenson. He refers to a Creekside family where both mother and daughter quilted on maple frames making crazy quilts from flour sacks. Each part of the quilt was hand sewn, patches were fitted together to a bed-size, and then rolled on to table-length hardwood quilting frames to be quilted.
Lumbering - The “Those Old Photographs” section of the Indiana Gazette featured many reminders of Indiana County’s link to the logging industry. In the 1800s and 1900s logging was a primary source of income in this area.
Games and Toys - Giving the best toys and games to children during the holidays was standard dating back to colonial times. Whittled whistles, a set of wooden blocks, or a ball and cup game were popular. Models of grownup objects like wagons provided hours of fun. Spare barrel hoops that could be rolled, tabletop ninepins that was an early bowling game.
Wood Turning - Woodturning pieces are created with a motorized device project. Indiana County Woodturners Association is a group of wood turners residing in Indiana and adjacent counties in west central Pennsylvania. According to their website their mission is to educate wood turners and the general public in the art and craft of woodturning.
Cabin Building - There were hewers and sawyers and carpenters all gathered on the cabin site! Many craftspeople were called upon to provide all the skills that were needed to build a cabin. Sawyers, pitman, joiners, cabinetmakers, glaziers, carpenters, and different smiths could all make money in the building business.
Wool Production - Wool was a vital part of producing garments that could resist the cold Western Pennsylvania winters. Learn about the historic and modern methods of production and the journey wool undergoes, from the animal to the finished product we wear today.
Military Historical Interpreters - Step back in time and interact with volunteers dressed in historic military garb from the Civil War to the Vietnam Era. Guests will be able to interact with reproduction equipment and view genuine artifacts from the time period.
Indiana County Historical Museum - Tour the museum and view exhibits related to the county and region’s rich history. The military museum honors the legacy of those who served from Indiana County.
Special Exhibit: “School Days: When We Were a Couple of Kids.” Explore the rich history of Indiana County’s seven public school districts and their impact on the community.
As a reminder, the Helman Library will be closed on September 7, 2024. If you would like to do any historical research, we invite you to visit us during our normal business hours.
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