LIONS SQUARE CONCERT SERIES
The Connellsville Lions have released their summer concert schedule. The FREE concerts are scheduled from 7 - 9 PM, Sundays at Lions Square located on West Crawford Avenue next to the PNC Bank parking lot. Refreshemnts are sold; attendees should bring their own chairs.
The schedule is:
06/23 - Nashville Past
06/30 - Sugar Mountain Band
07/07 - Travelin' Road Show
07/14 - Dunbar Boys
07/21 - Wally Gingers Orchestra
07/28 - The Molinaro Band
08/04 - The Del Sols
08/11 - The High Rider Band
08/18 - Dawson's Creek
08/25 - Eric Harvey & Band
09/01 - Harold Betters
GREAT ALLEGHENY PASSAGE
Welcome to Connellsville Arch
************************************************************************************************************ 10th ANNUAL BRADDOCK'S CROSSING OF THE YOUGHIOGHENY RIVER
This coming Saturday and Sunday, June 29 & 30, 2013, the Connellsville Area Historical Society will sponsor the 10th Annual Braddock's Crossoing of the Yough. The event is held at Crawford's Cabin located at 7th Street and the Youghiogheny River. This event, which began as part of the 250th celebration of the War for Empire, known in America as the French and Indian War, has grown into an annual event here in Connellsville. On Saturday, June 29, this activity will begin with the Opening Ceremony at 11:00 A.M. and continue until 5:00 P.M. At dusk on Saturday, there will be Indian stories and legends told around the campfire at Crawford's Cabin. On Sunday, the activities will begin at Noon and end at 5:00 P.M. River Crossings will take place both days at 1:00 P.M. The Crossing is held under the direction of New Haven Hose Company. Come and interact with the re-enactors, make crafts, play games, enjoy music and good food and friendship.
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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 in the Connell Room, 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 a 501 (C) (3) Non-Profit Organization. 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: Tuesday - 10 AM to 3 PM
Wednesday - 10 AM to 2 PM
Thursday - 10 AM to 3 PM.
COL. WILLIAM CRAWFORD'S CABIN AT YOUGH RIVER PARK
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.
CONNELLSVILLE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
299 S. Pittsburgh Street
Connellsville, PA 15425
Phone: 724-628-5640
Email: chs@connellsvillehistoricalsociety.com
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 Fayette County 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
BRADDOCK'S CROSSING June 29-30, 2013
The 10th Annual Braddock's Crossing of the Youghiogheny River will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 29 & 30, 2013.
