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TO BE ANNOUNCED
Col Crawford Statue
Col Crawford Statue

Col Crawford Statue at The Carnagie Free Library in Connellsville.

the Plaque States: IN MEMORY OF COLONEL WILLIAM CRAWFORD BORN IN BERKELEY COUNTY, VIRGINIA, IN 1732

FRIEND OF WASHINGTON-PIONEER-PATRIOT. THIS MONUMENT IS SITUATED 1260 YARDS S. 69° E. 16' OF THE SPOT WHERE HE BUILT HIS LOG CABIN IN 1765 ON THE WEST BANK OF THE YOUGHIOGHENY RIVER, AT THE HISTORIC STEWART'S CROSSINGS.

HE FIRST VISITED THE REGION WEST OF THE MOUNTAINS IN 1758, AS AN OFFICER IN THE EXPEDITION OF GENERAL FORBES AGAINST FORT DUQUESNE. AS COLONEL OF THE SEVENTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT, HE CROSSED THE DELAWARE WITH WASHINGTON IN 1777, AND SHARED IN THE VICTORY AT TRENTON. FIGHTING IN DEFENSE OF THE FRONTIER, AS COMMANDER OF THE SANDUSKY EXPEDITION, HE WAS CAPTURED BY THE INDIANS AND BURNED AT THE STAKE NEAR CRAWFORDSVILLE, OHIO, JUNE, 11,1782,

ERECTED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION THE CITY OF CONNELLSVILLE, AND GRATEFUL CITIZENS 1917. 

 ABOUT US 
CARNEGIE FREE LIBRARY

    Back in 1971, some active members of the Connellsville Chamber of Commerce, alarmed that local history, including Connellsville as the COKE CAPITAL of the world, was being ignored and lost, decided to form a local historical society.  Under the leadership of William Balsley, a meeting was called for all interested parties to organize a historical society.  A meeting was held with Bill Balsley being elected the 1st President.  Other Officers were: 1st Vice-President Mrs. Barbara Keefer, 2nd Vice-President Hubert Reidman, Recording Secretary Karen Hechler and Treasurer Louise Balsley.  A charter was applied for and granted by Fayette County Common Pleas Judge John Munson and the Society was officially in business.  The Society was incorporated in 1972.

    One of the first community projects was an antiques show held at the Connellsville National Guard Armory on Washington Avenue.  This was so successful that it was continued for a number of years, subsequently changing from strictly antiques to antiques and crafts and finally all crafts.  Its locale also changed from the Armory to New Haven Hose Fire Hall on 7th Street West Side.  Finally, its novelty having worn off, the last show was held in October, 1998.

    During the Bi-Centennial of the United States in 1976, it was decided to build a replica of Col. William Crawford's log cabin home and springhouse.  It was built near the original spot of his residence on the banks of the Youghiogheny River.  It serves as an attraction for visitors to Yough River Park on Connellsville's West Side.  A view of the one room structure can be activated by a bell on the river side, giving a short narration of his life and times.  Flags of the United States, England and France were flown on the Memorial Bridge (Route 119) during the celebration.

    Mindful of its mission to preserve and disseminate local history, the Society decided to reprint local history books, principally "The Centennial History of Connellsville" and "Fayette County History by Ellis" together with other histories including Braddock's Trail.  All are available at the Society's office in the Gibson House or by mail.  (See the "ITEMS FOR SALE" tab)  Along with numerous other items is a coverlet depicting Connellsville's history.  All make wonderful gifts.  The Society's picnic pavilion and grounds where the cabin stands at Yough River Park are available for rent.  One of the newest projects is Original Prints of local sites by artist Donna Campbell Allen and sold through the Society.  Our Society has also sponsored numerous National Registry of Historic Places listings such as the P & L E and Western Maryland Railroad Station, the United States Post Office and others.  Connellsville is the home of six (6) listings in the National Registry of Historic Places.

    The Society maintains an office at the Gibson House located at 217 West Patterson Avenue, Connellsville, PA 15425.  Our telephone number is 724-628-5344.  Our hours of operation are Saturdays from 9 AM to 4 PM.  The current President is Karen Hechler.

    Presently, having purchased the 1870 Gibson House on West Patterson Avenue in Connellsville, the Society is trying to restore the burned out house to make room for an office, information center, West Penn Railway display, Veterans display and railroad display.  We also hope to be able to hold small receptions at the house.  Research has led us to believe this to be the original Ironmasters house.  The house was built by a son of Joseph Gibson of Ruble stone, L-shaped, two stories high and is typical of the architecture of the period.  It overlooked both Connell Run and Gibsonville, site of the present Connellsville High School Football Stadium.

    The Society holds a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) designating it a non-profit, charitable organization under Code 501 (c) (3), making your donation tax deductible.  We welcome new members, safe in the knowledge that you will find some area of local history to satisfy you.  A newsletter is sent periodically to paid-up members.

   

Stewart's Crossing
MAIN ST. LOOKING EAST
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1st CITY IN FAYETTE COUNTY, PA

CONNELLSVILLE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
217 West Patterson Avenue
Connellsville, PA 15425


Phone: (724) 628-5344 (K. Hechler)


Email: CHS@connellsvillehistoricalsociety.com

Content, including images, displayed on this website is protected by copyright laws. Downloading, republication, retransmission or reproduction of content on this website is strictly prohibited. 


 

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The Gibson House Christmas Gift Shop  

Saturday, December 7th, 2024 @11am

At the Gibson House 217 West Patterson Avenue Connellsville

The Gibson House Christmas Gift Shop Will Be Open Saturday December 7th at 11am For Connellsville Christmas
The Gibson House will be decorated for Christmas
Light Refreshments will be available

Sign the Guest Book
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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.


Name: Ladislav Cekovsky
Date: 01/18/2013
Message: Hi, I'm looking for information about the Cekovsky family. My ancestors Matthew Cekovsky and his brother John lived in Connellsville. I have some pretty old photos of Connellsville they sent in those days. If somebody have any info contact me, please. I can send the photos or provide details to compare. mail to: ladislav.cekovsky@gmail.com


Name: Craig Gibson
Date: 12/12/2012
Message: Has someone search the local area records of who has owned the Gibson house? Might be interesting. I think Nathaniel Gibson was one of the first owners, but being from Phoenix I don't think the records are online...


Name: Louise Bungard Forsberg
Date: 10/25/2012
Message: I am looking for info on my ancestors the Bungard Family of Connellsville, Fayette County, PA Forsberg9@aol.com


Name: Jim Gibson
Date: 10/12/2012
Message:  well, my brother Craig, is looking for info, regarding genealogy.


Name: Diane (moore) Kerr
Date: 06/07/2012
Message: Very nice website. thabjyou for your work and time.


Name: Susan Taubert
Date: 04/02/2012
Message: I was raised in the Gibson Terrace from 1950 to 1968 by my grand parents Ernest and Susan Bower any one remembering them please contact me at my home email stormytaubert@aol.com thanks Susan Mettert Taubert


Name: Robert Lindsay
Date: 03/07/2012
Message: I believe David Lindsay was the original owner of the property Connellsville now occupies! Would anyone there wish to discuss this information?


Name: Thomas Keefer
Date: 01/06/2012
Message: Nice website. My father John Keefer is buried in Connellsville.


Name: Marlene J. Ford
Date: 10/05/2011
Message: Helen Ford McCarthy died in 1923. She was buried in Hill Grove Cemetery. How can I find the exact date of her death? Headstone only has year on it.

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