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COMMUNITY-WIDE EVENTS

LIONS SQUARE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
The musical concerts begin at 7:00 P.M. and there is no admission charge.  Bring your own lawn chair as seating is limited.  The Lions Club refreshment stand will be open for all concerts.  All concerts are on Sunday.

JUNE 13
Kortney Jean
JUNE 27
Travelin' Road Show
JULY 11
High Ryder
JULY 18
Scott Blasey
JULY 25
Laurel Mountain Bluegrass
AUGUST 1
Del Sols
AUGUST 8
Passport
AUGUST 15
George Lucas Country
AUGUST 29
Harold Betters

CONNELLSVILLE GARDEN CLUB TOURS
On Saturday, June 26th, eight (8) gardeners will open up their own homes for visitors to tour their private gardens.  The self-guided tour runs from 9:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.  Tour tickets cost $20.00 and include lunch at Nancy's Tea Room, served from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.  Tickets are available at Connellsville Chamber of Commerce and Spotto's Hardware, both on West Crawford Avenue.

RIVER CITY TRIATHLON
Connellsville will hold its first River City Triathlon on Saturday, July 3rd.  It will begin with a 300-yard swim downstream in the Youghiogheny River, continue with a 10-mile bicycle ride through Connellsville, into part of South Connellsville Borough and return to The Great Allegheny Passage for a 3-mile run on the trail.  Participants must be at least 14 yrs. old and my compete as individuals or teams of two or three.  Registration is at 7:30 A.M. in Yough River Park.  The race begins at 9:00 A.M.  Entry forms are available at http://www.iplayoutside.com/ or http://www.rivercitypromotions.com/ or by writing to River City Promotions, 211 Perry Street, Connellsville, PA 15425.  The cost is $40.00 for teens 14-17 and seniors 61 and older; $45.00 for ages 18-60; and $120.00 for teams of two or three.

GREAT ALLEGHENY PASSAGE

Welcome to Connellsville Arch

NOTE:  At this time we would like to take the opportunity to thank the Laurel Highlands Visitor's Bureau and the Community Foundation of Fayette County for their generous  grants.   The funds will be used to keep Connellsville local history alive and welcome visitors to the banks of the beautiful Youghiogheny River through our annual Braddock's River Crossing re-enactment.  This event is next to the Yough Bike Trail which is part of The Great Allegheny Passage.
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        The Gibson House, located at 217 Patterson Avenue, is the future home of the Connellsville Area Historical Society.  We are currently located on the second floor (elevator available) of the Carnegie Free Library, 299 South Pittsburgh Street in downtown Connellsville.  We can be reached by telephone at 724-628-5640.The house dates back to at least 1870 and maybe even earlier.  The house was scheduled for demolition but the Historical Society could see the historical significance of the structure and purchased it for $12,000.  Under the supervision of society member Harry Porter, the house is undergoing restoration to bring it back to its original beauty.

    When restoration is complete, the Gibson House will be the permanent home to the Historical Society's offices.  Period rooms and a gift shop will also be available. 

    Tax deductable donations are accepted to help with the renovations.  We are also accepting new members who wish to help preserve Connellsville's history.  Annual membership fee is $15.00.

Our hours of operation at the library are: Monday thru Thursday from 10:00AM to 3:00PM

 COL. WILLIAM CRAWFORD'S CABIN AT YOUGH RIVER PARK 
COL. CRAWFORD'S CABIN
                                      Col. William Crawford

    Col. William Crawford, outstanding local pioneer leader, was born in Virginia in 1732, the same year as his good friend, George Washington.  He came to this area in 1758, as an officer of the army of Gen. John Forbes as it marched westward in the second attempt to capture Fort Duquesne at the forks of the Ohio River.  Colonel Crawford was so impressed with the area, he decided to return once the Indian hostilities died down.

    He and his half-brother, Hugh Stephenson, came over the mountains in 1765 on horseback and decided once they reached the second crossing of the Youghiogheny River, at what was known as Stewart's Crossings, now Connellsville, that this was where he would bring his family to live.  He purchased 376 1/4 acres of meadow land in the bend of the river and took his family into the cabin in 1766.  Col. Crawford's name for his residence was originally "Spring Garden" but was widely known as "Crawford's Place" by the locals.  He also had a Spring House on his property, which was torn down in June of 1905.

    The Crawford family: the Colonel, his wife Hannah and their four children lived a very active life on the frontier.  The Crawford family was known for its hospitality.  Included among the visitors were George Washington and Lord Dunsmore, the Governor of Virginia.  In fact, George Washington taught Crawford the art of surveying when they were young men.  Col. Crawford surveyed and purchased land in the local area (Perryopolis) for George Washington.

    Colonel Crawford recruited soldiers for the Revolutionary War from his home on the banks of the Youghiogheny River.  These soldiers saw action in the battles of Long Island, Trenton and Princeton.

    Col. Crawford was with an expedition in 1782 to put down the hostile Indian tribes in what is now Ohio.  He got separated from his army and was captured by Delaware Indians.  He died a horrible death when he was burned at the stake in Upper Sandusky, Ohio on June 11, 1782. 

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1st CITY IN FAYETTE COUNTY, PA

CONNELLSVILLE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
299 S. Pittsburgh Street
Connellsville, PA 15425
Phone: 724-628-5640
Email:
chs@connellsvillehistoricalsociety.com


 

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MT. VERNON IRON FURNACE STAINED GLASS WINDOW

Click on the link above (a new window will open) to view the newly installed stained glass window depicting the Mt. Vernon Iron Furnace placed in the Society's future home - THE GIBSON HOUSE on West Patterson Avenue.  It was designed and crafted by Society Member and Connellsville Cultural Trust Vice-President Dan Cocks.  The stained glass was purchased through Youghiogheny Opalescent Glass in Connellsville and Dan donated his skill, craftsmanship and time.  It was installed by Dan and Michael Edwards on Saturday, April 25, 2009.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENTS

JULY, 2010
To Be Announced

AUGUST 12, 2010
THURSDAY @ 6PM

This is our Annual Corn Roast at Crawford's Cabin beginning at 6PM.  As usual, we will have hot dogs, corn on the cob and lots of other treats.  Bring your own table service.

SEPT. 9, 2010
THURSDAY

To Be Announced

OCT. 14, 2010
THURSDAY
To Be Announced

NOVEMBER 11, 2010
THURSDAY @ 6PM
This is our Annual Veterans Day and "PRIDE IN CONNELLSVILLE AREA POETRY AND POSTER CONTEST" reception at the Connellsville Presbyterian Church.

DECEMBER 8, 2010
WEDNESDAY @ 6PM
We will gather together for some Christmas fellowship.  Notice that this is a Wednesday.  Location to be announced later.