Centre County Historical Society

11/06/2024

The Mann Axe dynasty was founded in 1828 at Boiling Spring, and grew to include five other large operations in central Pennsylvania. Collectively, the companies were among the largest axe makers in the United States and Mann axes were used worldwide. The Mann legacy has outlasted the local manufacturing facility. By the late 1800s, Boiling Spring had grown to the point where it warranted its own post office. There was already another Boiling Springs in Pennsylvania, so the name Axemann was chosen to reflect Mann Axe’s significance.

Read more about Mann Axe via the Centre County Encyclopedia of History and Culture at https://centrehistory.org/article/mann-axe.

11/05/2024

"Grandma" Mary Beaver (living at Centre Furnace) notes in her diary that it was Election Day on November 3, 1896. The following day she notes "Excitement over the election returns." With no radio, television, or internet, the outcome of the election would have to travel via newspaper and word of mouth.

William McKinley would win the electoral votes in Pennsylvania and defeat William Jennings Bryan to become the 25th President of the United States.

11/04/2024

Specimen Ballot printed in the Democratic Watchman for the 1914 election.
Republican candidate Martin Brumbaugh would defeat Democratic candidate Vance C. McCormick to become Governor of Pennsylvania.
Gifford Pinchot was seeking a seat in the US Senate but would lose to Boies Penrose. - Read more about Gifford Pinchot's 1914 campaign at https://journals.psu.edu/pmhb/article/download/41285/41006

10/30/2024

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center is a 62-acre a farmstead and wetland in College Township established to educate visitors about the natural world. Most of the center’s property is part of the Houserville Archeological District, an area that includes lowland along Spring Creek and adjacent uplands.

Operated by the Centre Region Parks & Recreation Authority, the center features a restored bank barn, marsh boardwalk, walking trails, picnic pavilion, sun shelters, native gardens, and education center.

Read more about Millbrook Marsh Nature Center via the Centre County Encyclopedia of History and Culture at https://centrehistory.org/article/millbrook-marsh.

10/29/2024

We hope you will join us tomorrow evening, Wednesday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wyndham State College in Boalsburg for an evening of Rethinking 322 with a presentation by Ian Lockwood, noted civil engineer and transportation visionary from Toole Design. As planning continues for the State College Area Connector Project, we continue to work with the Penn State Landscape Architecture Department and the Hamer Center for Community Design to explore design options with the community and historic, cultural, natural, and recreational resources in mind in the Route 322 corridor between Potters Mills and Boalsburg.

Email from Centre County Historical Society Join us for an evening dedicated to Rethinking 322 with Ian Lockwood, noted civil engineer and transportation visionary from Toole Design.     CENTRE COUNTY

10/28/2024

Our volunteer (and Lemont resident) captured this great photo on Sunday! Love seeing the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society travel to Lemont!

10/26/2024

It's a picture perfect day to stop and visit us at the Talleyrand Fall Festival!

10/24/2024

Eisenhower Auditorium is Penn State’s primary theatrical performance center. The building opened in 1974 and was later named for former University President Milton S. Eisenhower. The midcentury modern-style auditorium’s vast open space requires no columns to support the towering ceiling and sweeping grand tier and balcony.

Read more via the Centre County Encyclopedia of History and Culture at https://centrehistory.org/article/eisenhower-auditorium.

10/23/2024

Today is a beautiful day to visit the Centre Furnace Mansion, or just come and enjoy the crunchy leaves!

10/21/2024

10/18/2024

We are VERY excited to welcome over 200 PSU Families Weekend visitors to the Centre Furnace Mansion this weekend! The planning has been a monumental effort, this is just the volunteer schedule!

10/09/2024

Due to special programming, the Centre Furnace Mansion (and Museum Store) will not be open for public tours on October 20. Please visit https://form.jotform.com/211735523759158 for available tour dates.

10/02/2024

We encourage the volunteers and staff of historical and cultural sites in Centre County to check out these upcoming virtual (and free) seminars!

📢 ATTENTION! You have one week left to register for the Pennsylvania State ' Annual Archives and Records Management Seminar. The seminar, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, will feature a workshop on pest management and a session on managing long-term electronic records. Register Now ➡ https://bit.ly/4h1TrsH

10/02/2024

One more chance to grab some plants for fall planting! Plants will still be on sale from 10a.m.-2p.m. on Thursday, October 3 during the Day of Caring.
Most plants will range from $3.00-$6.00. Details and plant list at http://tinyurl.com/26s8w4nf

09/26/2024

We know these two! Congratulations Roger and Karen!

October Town&Gown is here! Read about this year's Renaissance Fund honorees, the upcoming Centre Film Festival, local psychics, and much more! Pick up your free copy or read it online at https://www.flipsnack.com/AEC6DD99E8C/october-town-gown-2024/full-view.html

09/26/2024

Just a heads up - our friends at the Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association (BHCA) had to cancel the performance scheduled for this Sunday, September 29. See post below.

11/02/2023

It's finally here! The official marker recognizing the Birthplace of Penn State! Thanks to the Penn State Alumni Association and CCHS board president Roger Williams for making this happen.