Join us on Tuesday, August 25 for a special Tuesday Talk featuring Buck & Sue Baston and the Singh children. Experience an afternoon of traditional Native American-style singing and dancing as they share their culture through music and performance.
Tuesday Talks are from 7:00-8:00. Free for members, $5.00 for guests.
Join us for a Tuesday Talk as Rod Daum will be speaking on Origins of Places Names. Tuesday Talks run from 7:00-8:00 and are free throughout the month of July!!
Join us this Tuesday Talk for Leonard Nicklas speaking on Trains in Forest County. Tuesday Talks run from 7:00-8:00 and are free throughout the month of July!!
Join us for Tuesday Talks as Rowan Crisp from the Lumber Heritage Region discusses 250 years of lumbering history in our region. Tuesday Talks are held from 7:00–8:00 PM. Free Tuesday Talks throughout the month of July!!
As part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Forest County Historical Society is partnering with The Tionesta Library, The Market Village, and the Forest Area School District to honor our local history and community. Following the Forest Area School District’s successful Pioneer Days in May, we’re excited to announce that, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous Tionesta retiree and the support of local businesses including Long Acre Potato Farm, Tionesta Builder’s Supply, Shawn’s Repair and Service, LLC, and Liberty Rise Bakery, admission to the Forest County Historical Museum will be free for the entire month of July!
Throughout July, we invite you to enjoy our weekly Tuesday Talks, featuring engaging presentations that highlight the stories, people, and events that make Forest County unique. Visitors can also explore our special exhibit, “Quilts Across the Generations: Forest County’s Story in Stitches, 1900 to Today,” showcasing beautiful locally made quilts spanning more than a century and celebrating the artistry, heritage, and creativity passed down through generations.
Be sure to join us for Pioneer Day on July 18! Start your day at The Tionesta Library to pick up your map and participate in activities, then visit the Museum for demonstrations, hands-on activities, food, music, and tours. Continue your journey to the Farmers Market property for additional interactive stations, and finish the celebration at The Market Village, where you’ll find more music, activities, and community festivities. We look forward to celebrating Forest County’s rich history and bright future with you all month long! 🇺🇸🎉
Dear Friends of the Forest County Historical Society,
As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, we are excited to celebrate this milestone with a full month of special programming here at the Museum.
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous retiree from Tionesta, along with the support of our local businesses—Long Acre Potato Farm, Tionesta Builders Supply, Shawn’s Repair and Service, LLC, and Liberty Rise Bakery—we are pleased to offer free entry to the Museum for the entire month of July.
In addition to free admission, we invite you to join us for:
• Tuesday Talks every week in July (free also) Engaging presentations that highlight the stories, people, and history that make Forest County unique.
• Pioneer Day on July 18th A community favorite featuring demonstrations, hands-on activities, and a lively look at early life in our region.
• Special Exhibit: Quilts Across the Generations — Forest County’s Story in Stitches, 1900 to Today Throughout July, the Museum will feature a beautiful display of locally made quilts ranging from the early 1900s to the present. This collection highlights the artistry, heritage, and creativity passed down through our community.
We are grateful for your continued support and look forward to celebrating this special anniversary year with you.
The Forest County Historical Society will host our annual Spring Dinner on Tuesday April 29, 2025. The doors will open at 5:30 and dinner will be served at 6:00. The event will be held at the MACA Building 149 MACA Drive Marienville, PA 16239. The cost of dinner is $16.00 per person. The menu will be chicken casserole, corn, green beans, salad, dessert, and beverages. If interested in attending send RSVP to Forest County Historical Society PO BOX 546 Tionesta, PA 16353. by April 22nd, 2025.
The Forest County Historical Society once again held Trick or Treat at the museum on October 31, 2021. Seven Board members or friends chose to honor a character from Forest County History by portraying the character as they passed out their treats. We served at least 120 children most with parents coming through the museum as well.
Janet Fennell welcomed people to the porch as Ronald McDonald who was an undertaker in Marienville. Next children and adults met Julia Silzle Wilson portrayed by Becky Pillsbury. Julia was Becky’s grandmother who although served porridgeto her nine children most of the week, she always made Sunday dinner special. Martha Brown Sigworth was an artist in Tionesta, and many of her paintings are on display at the museum. She was portrayed by Nancy Sweda, retired art teacher from Forest Area School District and now of Full Circle Farm and Artisan Center. Next children were introduced to Daniel W. Clark, Civil War Quartermaster, portrayed by Rodney Daum standing beside the actual Civil War desk of Lt. Clark and the display of the 160th anniversary of the Civil War. After that they encountered Mrs. Mary O’Toole, beloved English teacher at West Forest portrayed by Mary Alyce Knauff. Moving to the outside they found Jim Knauff portraying Fred Caligiuri, who was from West Hickory and played professional baseball for the Philadelphia Athletics. When he passed away in 2018, he was the oldest living professional baseball player. Finally, the tour was topped off with J.C. Scowden, who owned and ran a carriage factory in the building now owned by Greathouse Autobody. Scowden was portrayed by Ashley Sweda, also of Full Circle Farm and Artisan Center and he had an authentic carriage made at the Scowden factory with him.
The Forest County Historical Society has a mission to be the collection, preservation and interpretation of all materials pertaining to the history of Forest County Pa. We engage people through exhibits, a library of relevant information, hosting events and publishing documents to interact with and educate the community we serve. We have set education as a priority, and we try to educate as much as we can about Forest County and its people. If you would like to become a member of the Historical Society, please visit us at www.forestcountypahistory.org. We are closed now for the season except for special events but will reopen next June. See you then.
The Forest County Historical Society held a Celebration Parade to commemorate the 100th year since the passing of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The lawn was speckled with over 46 women, most in white with yellow sashes. One woman even wore her great grandmother’s white dress for the occasion.
Everyone was welcomed and learned that there was a parade on the same street in 1915 to support the passage of the amendment. Helen (Adams) Lynch, born in Tionesta 1902, wrote of her mother: “My mother was a very dedicated member of the organization. Their chosen color was yellow. I recall a Memorial Day parade, consisting of our small village band, marching children, and decorated cars. Our Model T was one of them, with a lot of yellow cloth draped over the windshield and lights. At that time, we had a yellow cat, and I do not recall how my father managed it, but I do remember that our yellow cat had a conspicuous place in the total effect. Today, no doubt, it would all be deemed corny, but in that parade, it got a lot of attention.”
We also know that Forest County, like most of Northern and Western Pennsylvania, voted for suffrage. In August of 1920, their efforts paid off and the United States ratified the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote
This day we not only celebrated this amendment, but we celebrated the men and women of Forest County for their hard work to make this space honorable for all citizens to work and play and live together in the forest.
After the welcome we heard from State Representative Kathy Rapp, who represents the western half of Forest County.
Women then marched two blocks down to the Tionesta Market Village carrying signs and chanting slogans. We then crossed the street and back to the History Museum where we heard a few words from State Representative, Donna Oberlander, representing the eastern Forest County. So all of Forest County is represented by women.
It was a fun event and all that participated seemed to enjoy the day.
Special thanks to our own Burke Beach for his excellent presentation of the Civil War, especially the 83rd of Tionesta. Burke was very informative and even let us shoot blanks from his official gun.
Next week we have the pleasure of Brian Hale, FCHS Historian, Elementary teacher, Forest Press columnists and author of “Kapp Setlement”. Brian will take us on a virtual tour of the former homes etc where the Market Village now stands.
The following week August 11, we welcome Nancy Sweda. Nancy is a member of the Forest County Arts Council, which is also the topic of her discussion. The Arts Council has been very active and involved in our community.
Tuesday Talks at the museum are a lecture series. Speakers speak from 7:00-7:30 and then you have until 8:00 for questions and answers. Cost for the talks are free for members and for visitors the donation is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students which includes a tour of the house before the speaker begins. Many of the talks have been outside on the lawn this summer. We hope to see you there.