Upcoming Events for 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012: Historical Society member Ruth Rode will speak on the history of the Hain Family cabin/home.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012: Historical Society president Doug Snyder will speak on the history of Montgomery Borough as it relates to the 125th anniversary of the town.
Saturday, April 14, 2012: Celebration at Alvira. Details will be announced.
August, 2012: Historical Society member Marion McCormick will speak on the history of the Adam Print Shop.
WATCH FOR ANNOUNCEMENT OF EVENTS regarding the 125th Anniversary of the Borough.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2013: A bus trip to Gettysburg Battlegrounds is being arranged with David Richards as our tour guide.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE CHANGING DISPLAYS IN THE WINDOWS at 1 West Houston Avenue.
Candlelight Service
The Montgomery Area Historical Society will host an Open House on Saturday, December 17, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Stone Church. Local historical items will be on display. Candlelight Service starts at 6 p.m. This is a free event. Light refreshments will be available. Directions: Take Route 15 South to the White Deer Golf Course entrance. Take a right and follow the signs.
Help Us Build a Cookbook!
We are looking for recipes...LOTS of RECIPES! We invite you to add yours to the collection of recipes which will be published early next spring in our fundraiser cookbook (tentatively) titled: "A Taste of History." Depending on the number of recipes collected, cost of the cookbook will be between $10 and $12. You DO NOT have to be from Montgomery or live in Montgomery to submit recipes. ALL submissions are welcome!
We would like to feature historical recipes (ones your grandma always made) as well as recipes that have become favorites in your family.
Also, we are looking for vintage photographs of Montgomery area families and individuals who are engaged in cooking, eating, or any food-related activities. We will be choosing from these photos to feature on the cover and throughout the book. If you have photos, please email us. We will ask to borrow the photo to scan.
Here are some guidelines for writing recipes:
List ingredients in order of use in ingredients list and directions.
Include container sizes, e.g., 16-oz. pkg., 24-oz. can
Keep directions in paragraph for - not in steps.
Use names of ingredients in directions, e.g., "Combine flour and sugar."
DO NOT use statements like, "Combine first two ingredients."
Include temperatures and cooking, chilling, baking, and/or freezing times.
Include your name.
Your recipes should fit into the following categories:
1. Appetizers & Beverages
2. Soups & Salads
3. Vegetables & Side Dishes
4. Main Dishes
5. Breads & Rolls
6. Desserts
7. Cookies & Candy
8. This & That
TO SUBMIT RECIPES OR CONTACT US:Please email us at this
ADDRESSTo submit your recipes by mail, download a Recipe Submission Sheet in PDF form
HERE and mail them to us at:
Montgomery Area Historical SocietyCookbook RecipesP.O. Box 242Montgomery, PA 17752
_________________________
Let's take a look at the changes going on along the railroad tracks/mill area.
First - looking south toward Broad Street:
Celebrating the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War ~ "Life of the Civil War Soldier"
One hundred and fifty years ago, many of our young men chose to join the miliary to fight for the cause of Liberty and Union. What was their motivation? How did they exist day to day? What did they eat and where did they sleep? Come and hear answers to these questions and more as Dave Richards, Picture Rocks native and licensed battlefield guide at Gettysburg National Military Park for the past 25 years, presents his program on the Life of the Civil War Soldier at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at Christ Lutheran Church, 50 East Houston Avenue, Montgomery. Light refreshments will be served following the program.
Renovation continues...
Slow and steady progress.
Renovation Update
Flooring has been installed.
Upcoming Event
On Tuesday, March 15, at 7 p.m., the historical society will host Bruce Teeple, who will present a program on the Pennsylvania Amish. The meeting will be at the Eagle Grange Hall at the corner of Blind Road and Route 15.
________________________
Local Historical Societies Cooperate in Presenting Events during 2011
The Montgomery, Muncy, and Hughesville historical societies will present several events this year in commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. For more info, please see list of events
here.
_______________________
February Presidential Window Display
As the renovations of the former Adam Print Shop continue, we invite you to stop by our Houston Avenue location and check out the seasonal displays that are featured in the windows. Below is the current display honoring U.S. Presidents. The board would like to thank Marion McCormick and Peggy Yohn who designed the Christmas windows.
Fraktur Presentation
On Tuesday, January 18, 2011, the historical society hosted Fraktur artist Donna Selfridge Spangler of Sunbury. She presented a history of fraktur - decorations of manuscripts and documents of early Pennsylvania Germans.
Stone Church Open House and Candlelight Service
The Open House and Candlight Service was held Saturday, December 18, 2010.
Winners of the raffle were announced:
Yo-yo Coverlet - Ruth Wallis, Muncy
Corner Cupboard - Paul Bender, Montgomery
Redware Plate - Dorothy Young, Montgomery
Wine Basket - Marge Tosloskie, Paxinos
Necklace, Bracelet, Earring set - Diane Gamble, Alvira Road
Necklace - Kevin Harris, Muncy
Stone Church Plate - John Lynch, Montgomery
Pecan Pie - Gary Yocum, Montgomery; Steve and Freda Wise, Montgomery
Car Care kit - Cathy Russell, Morgantown, WV
Four small Yo-yo table covers - Don Hoover, Montgomery; Debbie Sebrery, Williamsport; Effie Engelman, Montgomery; Mark Johns, Montgomery.
Old Mill Open House
The Historical Society's November 16 meeting about progress on the Old Mill Corridor Project, featuring Rachelle Ricotta from the Lycoming County planning office, was cancelled. On Wednesday, November 10, from 5 to 7 p.m., Rachelle and other planning officials presented an informative open house at the Montgomery Borough office. Moran Industries VP Jeffery Stroehmann announced that 10 acres of land in the Old Mill industrial space was purchased. Buildings will be demolished, a portion of the property will be leased to two natural gas industry support companies, and two two-acre parcels will be developed.
As a tribute to the history and the many memories of the "Radio Corral", the Montgomery Area Historical Society and members of the Dean McNett Family joined to offer an afternoon of presentations related to the site known as "Bob and Dean McNett's Park" on Satuday, October 9.
Renovation update...
In June, members of the society gathered at the former print shop to clean (photo #1), followed by sanding, spackling, and priming the walls and ceiling (photo #2). Last month, the ancient toilet (of no historical value!) in the restroom was removed and a new one was installed (photos #3 & 4) by Beth Davis and Steve Blank. This week, arrangements have been made for the painting of the new home of YOUR historical society. Updates will be posted soon of the progress.
"One person's trash is another person's treasure..."
Last week, the alert was sent to members of the historical society:
"The owners of Montgomery's Pharmacy say that the Historical Society is welcome to the metal shelving that was used in the "variety" store next door. The shelving needs to be removed from the premises by the end of August (next Tuesday at the latest)...We need help...Who among you can render assistance?"
At 9 a.m. on Saturday, the call was answered by Becky and Wayne from Riverside Campground, George Morehart, Jim Bower, and Doug Snyder, who all provided trucks, as well as Beth Lawvere Davis, Marion McCormick, Pat Herbst, and Joan Blank. Within three hours, all of the shelving and wall units were removed and transported to the basement of the library, where they will be stored. After the painting and other renovations are completed in the former Adam Print Shop, the shelving units will be reassembled there in preparation for the opening of the Montgomery Area Historical Society Museum this fall.
The Historical Society sincerely appreciates the generosity of the Montgomery Pharmacy, our neighbor around the corner on Main Street. Thank you!
Below are scenes from Saturday's moving project:
Planning ahead:
As our new home for the society is being prepared to serve as a display area for our collection of Montgomery-area memorabilia and collectibles, we are putting together a Wish List of items to furnish the space.
The (very) short list:
6-foot-long display tables
computer table
computer chair
Long list to be posted soon.
Cleanup - Step #1
On Saturday, June 12, members of the historical society gathered at the former Adam Print Shop for a CLEAN UP / WORK DAY. Beginning at 9 a.m., buckets, rags, cleaning solutions, and lots of elbow grease were used to scrub and clean the walls, ceiling, posts, and woodwork.
The following members pitched in to help: Doug and Renee Snyder, Gale and Cathy Buck, Pat Herbst, Beth Lawvere Davis, Dave Morehart, George Morehart, and Joan Blank.
Check back here for dates and times of our next scheduled Work Days!
In October, 1944, the Adam Print Shop was opened on West Houston Avenue under the ownship and management of John T. Adam. His son, John Jr., eventually took over this family-owned business, which was located beneath the Montgomery Area Public Library. The Adam Print Shop served the area's printing needs for 65 years until the passing of John early this year.
After the business was closed and the shop vacated, the historical society board members toured the space and determined that it could serve as an appropriate area for displaying and storing the society's collection.
Effective April 1, 2010, the library board approved renting the space to the historical society. Over the next several months, the former print shop will be cleaned, painted, and renovated in preparation for a Grand Opening by early fall.
Past Events:
______________________________
A Historical Look Back at Montgomery Area Law Enforcement took place on Tuesday, May 18, 7 p.m. at Montgomery Borough Hall, Main Street, Montgomery.
Montgomery Police Chief Terry Lynn presented a look back at the history of the Montgomery area police force. His presentation honored the late Montgomery Police Chief Henry S. Hand, who died in the line of duty when he was shot and killed during an unprovoked attack while he was standing on West Houston Avenue on December 13, 1938. He was 36 years old.
In 1994, former Montgomery mayor Alfred Douglas initiated the re-naming of Park Street, which runs parallel to the railroad tracks near the Montgomery Post Office, to Henry Hand Drive in memory of our former police chief.
Open House and Lenten Service
The Open House and Lenten Service at the Stone Church took place on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
__________________________________
Mr. Carl Meiss, Public Relations and Membership Director of the Pennsylvania State Grange, was our featured speaker at our meeting on March 16. Mr. Meiss spoke on the history of the PA Grange.
Montgomery’s Eagle Grange #1, the first Grange to ever open in PA, was officially chartered on March 4, 1871 by D. S. Curtis from Lycoming County. Their first Master (President) was Luke Eger, from Montgomery and the Secretary was Abraham Page, also from Montgomery. There were 39 original "Charter" members at Eagle Grange #1.
Link to article in the Muncy Luminary on Eagle Grange #1: here
___________________________________
History of PA CCC Camps was presented on Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Mr. John J. Eastlake, a local historian from South Williamsport, PA, gave us a look back at the history of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) Camps (1933-1942). Enrollees into the CCC had to be unemployed, unmarried, and between the ages of 18 and 26. Jobs included road building, forestry labor, and flood control.
__________________________________
Scenes from presentation on Prince Farrington: Central PA's Infamous Bootlegger
Prince Farrington: Central PA's Infamous Bootlegger was presented on November 17, 2009
Bruce Teeple, writer, local historian, and columnist for the Centre Daily Times, spoke on the life and times of Prince David Farrington, a moonshiner and bootlegger whose family operated an illicit liquor business during the first half of the twentieth century and satisfied markets stretching from Williamsport and Lock Haven to Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Mr. Teeple is currently researching and writing his book "As Good as a Handshake: the Farringtons and the Political Culture of Moonshine in Central Pennsylvania".
Scenes from Civil War Living History Weekend
Civil War Living History Weekend - September 12 & 13
Time may have worn away some of the lettering on the soft marble that marks the graves where they lay at rest, but our protectors of freedom shall never be forgotten. As the inscription on the tombstone of William Hagey, a 24-year-old Civil War casualty, reads, we should all “Remember the Dying Soldier.” Hagey fought with Co. I, 203rd regiment of the PA Volunteers, was wounded in battle, and died at a hospital at Cape Fear River near Fort Fischer in North Carolina. His grave is located at St. John’s “Brick” Church, located between Muncy and Montgomery.
Montgomery Borough’s Civil War Living History Weekend was held September 12 & 13, 2009 at the Montgomery Carnival Grounds.
Historic Gristmills - September 15, 2009 at 7 p.m.
Mr. Robert Webster, Hughesville resident, member of the East Lycoming Historical Society, and retired East Lycoming School District Social Studies teacher, was our featured speaker on our first meeting of the 2009-2010 Montgomery Area Historical Society schedule.
Alvira Revisited 
In Appreciation
On Saturday, June 20, 2009, more than 300 people braved the rain and mud to get a first-hand look at the remains of Alvira and the Ordnance and to talk with our historians. Organized by the Montgomery Area Historical Society with the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, this event attracted visitors from as far away as South Carolina.
The Montgomery Area Historical Society would like to convey its appreciation to the PA State Game Commission, to local historian Kate Hastings, who conducted the wagon tours, and a special thanks to our friend and neighbor, Bob Russell, who offered the use of his covered wagon.
What is Alvira?
In the spring of 1942, the federal government condemned, “purchased,” or took by eminent domain 8,500 acres in Union and Lycoming Counties for the construction of a factory – the Pennsylvania Ordnance Works - to manufacture TNT. With scarcely any advance notice, residents of the village of Alvira and the surrounding area were forced to pack up and move, and their homes, farms, businesses, and schools were demolished.
To read the article "Lost No More - Alvira and the Ordnance" published in Williamsport Sun-Gazette, see page found here
To purchase your copy of the book "Alvira and the Ordnance: An American Dream...Denied" (co-authored by Paul Metzger and Stephen Huddy) or the tract map of properties taken, please see link at left.
You may also purchase these items at the Montgomery Area Public Library, Main and Houston, Montgomery; Ottos Bookstore, Fourth Street, Williamsport; or Ben Franklin, Clarkstown.
Please Come Back
We invite you to return to Alvira at your convenience to hike and explore the lands that are open and maintained by the game commission.
Directions: From Lewisburg, heading north on Rt. 15, turn left onto Rt. 44 North, just above Weaver’s Ice Cream Store. Proceed 6.8 miles to Elimsport Rd. and turn right. Go 2.3 miles and turn right onto Alvira Rd. Go 1.7 miles to Mill Rd. and State Game Land 252.From Williamsport, heading south on Rt. 15, turn right onto Rt. 44 North and follow the above directions.
