CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Historical Society Board of Directors met on Tuesday to plan for the 2014 season. The museum will be open beginning May 4 and then on each Sunday and Thursday until Oct. 19.
The museum’s hours are from 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. There isn’t any charge for visiting the museum; however, genealogical and historical researchers are asked to pay a $5 research fee, which helps maintain the records in the library.
The museum will be closed on Oct. 12 for the Fall Festival at the Knox cabin and Oct. 23 for its annual dinner.
The board was updated on the Air Mail display, which is being featured during the 2014 season. It was noted that the historic Air Mail “Fly-in” will be on May 17 and attendance at that event at the Clearfield and DuBois Airports is encouraged. The airmail container, which is part of the society’s collection, will be used to fly the U.S. mail between Clearfield and DuBois.
A resolution was passed to congratulate Ralph Harrison of Dent’s Run for exemplary service to the county for his work in publishing, The History of Pennsylvania: Elk Country, and Quehanna: The Blemished Jewel Restored. Harrison is receiving the “President’s Award” from the Pennsylvania Parks, Forests and Foundations at Harrisburg in May.
The board heard a report about progress made on the William B. Alexander V. Research Center. Work will begin in June to renovate that facility and the society’s historical and genealogical records will eventually be housed there.
This will provide an upgraded research environment for visitors who come to do research. It is hoped that this new center will be open for use in the 2015 season. Financial donations for that project are being welcomed by the society.
The society’s “sapoligist,” Scott Kolesar, reported that spring maple syrup season was successful and many visitors took the opportunity to visit and learn about the process of making maple syrup. Syrup samples will be on sale at the museum during open hours.
Plans were discussed to finish the blacksmith shed at the Bloody Knox site and to prepare it for the Fall Festival in October and the reenactment of the Civil War draft resistance event in November. This year’s Clearfield County Fair parade entry will center on the theme of, “When the Civil War came to Clearfield County.”
The public is invited to visit the museum this summer and enjoy the collection of Clearfield County artifacts. A genealogist and a board member staff the museum. RSVP members greet visitors and self-guided tour brochures are available so that visitors may tour the rooms at their leisure.