CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Historical Society Board of Directors met recently for their monthly planning meeting at the historic Kerr house.
President Denny Shaffner opened the meeting with an update on the Eagle Scout project of Justin Bell, who is involved in refurbishing the Indian Mill site at Barrett curve on U.S. Route 322. It was reported that he’s moving toward placing a historic marker at the site to describe the grinding of maize by the Native Americans traveling through the area.
Memberships are currently being renewed and the present membership stands at 720. Readers are encouraged to become members and help the society preserve the county’s history and heritage. Individual memberships are currently just $10 and can be arranged by calling the museum at 814-765-6125 or by mailing a check to the museum at 104 E. Pine St., Clearfield.
There will be an inside work day this Saturday to prepare the museum for its opening the first Sunday in May. The museum will be open Thursdays and Sundays from 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. through the last Sunday in October. Tours are self-guided and free. Those doing research should expect a $5 research fee. A volunteer genealogist is available each day to help with research.
The board thanked the following businesses for their civic-mindedness in helping restore an historic marker for the Mount Joy area regarding Civil War resistance. Mr. Hile of Cuetera-Hile Memorial and Monument Center sand blasted the sign. Moyer’s Auto Body painted the base coat on the sign, and Mr. Jerry Learn painted the lettering. The sign will be placed back on its base and continue to add an historic reference to the Mount Joy locality.
It was reported that the financial records of the society were audited and found to be in good order. The board approved the audit and thanked Mr. Steve McCully for conducting that audit.
The spring 2013 edition of The Bulletin has been finalized and will go to the printers. And, progress is being made on the editing of John Bard’s account of the “Old Bucktails.” The board hopes to have that book available in softcover as well as hardback late this summer or early fall.
A successful maple syrup season was completed and maple syrup will be available to purchase at the museum throughout the visiting season. Plans are continuing toward beginning work on adding a blacksmith’s shed to the Knox cabin site.
Mr. Shaffner reported that a Clearfield County Tourism Promotion Grant was awarded to the society. These matching funds will help with a new sign for the Alexander Research Center, which is being developed to provide space for expanded genealogical and historical research.
The date for the society’s annual meeting was set for Oct. 24. The speaker for the evening is Mr. Luther Gette, who will speak on the expansion of the railroad to Clearfield County. The dinner will be held at St. Timothy’s Parish Hall in Curwensville again this year.
In other business, the board voted on and welcomed Mr. John Warsing to fill a vacant position on the board of directors. Mr. Warsing is from Madera and began his evening familiarizing himself with the operating procedures for our summer schedule. The RSVP volunteers will again be helping with greeting and monitoring the museum during museum open hours. Internet users are encouraged to visit the society’s Facebook page.