Welcome to the Connellsville Area Historical Society
Gibson House Museum and Archive HOURS:
The Gibson House is generally open Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Other days and times are by advance appointment. Wednesdays are preferred.
Open Saturdays, May 18th, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Have a research question? Please email our archivist at CAHSarchive@gmail.com
Connellsville Area Historical Society Announcements
CALLING
NANCY
WILLIAMS
Does anyone know NANCY WILLIAMS? WE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING INQUIRY 11/2 from her:
Looking for father of Mahala Hatfield Nicholson (1831-1906.)
Mahala’s husband was Benjamin F. Nicholson, married in 1853. They have been mentioned as being in Bullskin and Connellsville. Some say her father was William, which is on her death certificate (mother’s name blank.) But by far most researchers say her father was Elias and her mother, Rosanna. Thank you for any assistance you can provide, Nancy
NANCY, YOUR EMAIL IS BROKEN. RETURN ADDRESS DOES NOT WORK. We have information for you if and when you see this.
The purpose of this contest is to develop an interest in local history in students in grades 4-9.
Students research an aspect of Connellsville Area history and then create a poem or poster
illustrating that topic. Contest instructions and rules are provided to each public and private school in
the district.
Winners were invited to a reception where they presented their projects, received their cash prizes,
and enjoyed refreshments. This reception, which also serves as the Connellsville Area Historical Society's
November meeting, took place on November 15, 2023 at 6:30 pm, at the Connellsville Presbyterian Church.
Students were photographed for the Daily Courier, and the winning projects appeared in the winter
issue of the Connellsville Crossroads magazine.
COL. WILLIAM CRAWFORD'S CABIN AT YOUGH RIVER PARK
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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WE HAVE A SECOND CHANCE TO HEAR ABOUT SARAH B COCHRAN TICKETS AVAILABLE $35/PER PERSON
Saturday, June 29, 2024 For those who wanted to join the Connellsville Historical Society to hear Kimberly Hess speak about Sarah B. Cochran, we can offer a second chance.
We will have a Lunch-Lecture at the Somerset Historic P&LE Train Station on the corner of 7th Street & West Crawford Ave in Connellsville.
We are grateful to Somerset Trust for this opportunity. A catered lunch will be served at noon followed by a lecture at 1:00pm.
The cost will be $35.00. You can send a check for tickets to 1103 Isabella Road. Connellsville, PA 15425. Make the check out to Connellsville Area Historical Society. Enjoy this opportunity to visit the beauty of this renovated railroad station, enjoy a lovely lunch, and hear the story of a legendary woman, Sarah B. Cochran. Afterwards, visit the Annual Braddock’s Crossing Activities at the Crawford Cabin site on the banks of the Youghiogheny River.
Karen Hechler 724-628-5344
THE 21ST ANNUAL BRADDOCKS CROSSING
June 29th-30th, 2024
(MORE DETAILS TO COME)
●The actual Crossing of the Yough will be held each day @ 1:00pm (Depending on the condition of the Youghiogheny.)
●(If the river is too high, swift and muddy, we will not attempt to cross.)
●We Will Have A Crossing (Weather Permitting)
Saturday June 29th: OPENING CEREMONY: 11:00AM
CROSSING: 1:00PM
Sunday June 30th OPENING: 12:00PM
CROSSING: 1:00PM
●Our Guests This Year:
-Tri Town Historical Society
-Redstone Rangers
-Valerie Skinner
-Shawn Baird (Rifleman)
-Julie Rossington
-The Homestead Bath House
-Stone Forge & Tissage
-Dunbar Historical Society
●Refreshments are available on site both days. The Historical Society has historical items for sale. Come to the River Crossing and support the Connellsville Area Historical Society.
Name: john's grandma
Date: 03/08/2016 Message: I am an old lady
Name: Cool Kids
Date: 02/08/2016 Message: this is good
Name: Kimberly Rummer-Farley
Date: 01/12/2016 Message: So glad to have found your site. I have relatives from Connellsville.
Name: Thomas Lieb
Date: 08/10/2015 Message: Related in some ways to the Soisson Family that settled in Connellsville. Joseph, I believe, was in the brick industry.
Name: Hank Stansbury
Date: 07/11/2015 Message: Am looking for data on Henry Logan, mother's family. 1900 census has his family at 508 W Gibson Av. He's buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery with wife Elizabeth and son. Very nice site you have here.
Name: Janet Brooks Koozer
Date: 09/29/2014 Message: I am interested in any information of the Brooks/Seltzer families.
Also- Burch/Gray, Burch/Cole
and Cole/Shuff families.
Janet Brooks Koozer
redduck38@yahoo.com
Name: Beverly Critchfield Moschetti
Date: 09/29/2013 Message: Thank you for writing this book. I can't wait to order it.
Name: Pat Bittinger
Date: 04/28/2013 Message: I lived in So.Connellsville and graduated from CAHS in 1971. Love the history of our towns. I'll have to stop in my next visit to Connellsville.
Name: Pam Bartholomai
Date: 04/22/2013 Message: sORRY i HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IT TO ANY MEETINGS.i'LL SEE YOU AT THE RIVER CROSSING.