Happenings from the Heisey
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This lard can was recently acquired by the Clinton County Historical Society through the Frances Spear estate.
A delicious lunch, provided by Jim Berkebile, was served at our annual meeting on Jan. 22. Five board members, Jim Berkebile, Carol Hanna, Janine Bruno, Kathy Arndt and Lou Widmann were re-elected. Larry Ferree will serve the remaining year of Lynda Carey's term.
We introduced the campaign to raise funds for the cleaning of Annie Snyder's "Strawberries," currently on display in the Poorman Gallery. The spot removal of some of the grime highlights how much brighter it will be. The estimate is $650. Checks made out to CCHS with "Strawberries" in the memo line will ensure the donation will be used for this purpose.
Steve Poorman and Jim Berkebile were thanked for sponsoring the new sign in front of the Poorman Gallery, highlighting our five properties.
Watch for a March date for a ribbon cutting ceremony upon the opening of our newly installed wooden caboose. CCHS extends heartfelt thanks and appreciation to John and Joyce Gummo, whose support, contributions, dedication and vision have greatly enriched our organization and community at large.
Recent acquisitions include items from the Frances Spear estate: certificates, items from the Beth Yehuda Synagogue and a lard can.
A Mid-century Woolrich hunting suit was donated by the Morgan-Marvin Chapel Thrift Shop in conjunction with DAR Thomas Stone Chapter.
We thank JoAnn Marcinkevage, for repairing and stabilizing the buttons, buttonholes, seams and more, of the Civil War era Union Infantry coat.
From the Collection
By Kathy Arndt
A 1957 phone book in our collection printed a list of more than 80 clubs in the area. Our collection also contains two file folders of news articles about a number of those groups. Several of the clubs formed in the city in the 1800s including the International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F) in 1845, the Masons in 1872 and the Elks in 1891. Other service organizations listed were clubs such as the Eagles, the Moose, the Lions, the Jaycees, the Kiwanis and the Rotary. However, there were a few less familiar names such as the Delphian Society (a society supporting the education of women), the Knights of Pythias and the Past Matrons. Clubs for veterans have included the American Legion, the 40 & 8 Club and the VFW.
Many of the local churches had groups which performed works of charity, supported the operation of the church itself and provided social gatherings for its members. The Catholics had the Sons of Italy, the Alpine Star, the Catholic Daughters and the Rosary Altar Society. The Trinity Lutheran women joined the Dames of Malta (Queen Esthers). The synagogue had the B'nai B'rith and the Beth Yehuda Sisterhood.
The Lock Haven Auto Club was organized in 1924 with 45 charter members. By 1931, membership had climbed to 2,206. The services in 1931 included providing road service, paying insurance to members involved in an accident and handling legal cases through their club attorney, Henry Hipple.
Clubs devoted to culture included the Art Club, the Music Club, the Camera Club (including J.W.C. Floyd), the Cotillion Club (still popular primarily in the South), the Playmakers and the Clinton County Historical Society. The predecessor to the many current-day book clubs in the area was the Lowell Club, a women's literary society formed in 1885. In the 1950s, the Lock Haven Garden Club had at least five circles including the Forget-Me-Not Circle, the Evergreen Circle and the Laurel Circle. In 1960, the Dogwood Circle was added which today stills plants and maintains the gardens around the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the triangle near the Post Office.
The Clinton County Historical Society's collection also includes several newspaper photos of clubs for members with more physical interests. These people joined groups such as the Boat Club, the Saddle Club, the Baseball Club, the Adult Basketball Club and the Gun Club.
Many of the clubs provided entertainment for the public with musical events, theatrical performances, dances, dinners and public lectures. It seems as if a person living in Clinton County was bored, it was probably their own fault.