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CONNELLSVILLE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
 

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TO BE ANNOUNCED
GREAT ALLEGHENY PASSAGE

Welcome to Connellsville Arch

CONNELLSVILLE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to the Connellsville Area Historical Society

New Hours

The Gibson House is now open on Saturdays from 9 until 4.

Other days and times are by advance appointment. Wednesdays are preferred.

Open Saturdays, June 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.


Upcoming Meeting

Please join us at Crawford's Cabin at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14 for the Flag Day Picnic. Please bring a covered dish to share.

This event is open to the public. No reservation is required; however, please consider supporting the Society with your membership or donation.


The Connellsville Area Historical Society presents:

The Pride in Connellsville Art and Poetry Contest!

CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the Pride in Connellsville Art and Poetry Contest!!!  Check out the winners here.


HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS

      The Society has a wonderful collection of Connellsville High School, Immaculate Conception High School and Geibel Catholic High School yearbooks archived at the Gibson House for review or research.  If you have a school yearbook and would be willing to donate it to the Society, we will catalogue it and add it to our collection.  Please call 724-628-5344 for more information.   



   The Gibson House (right) , located at 217 West Patterson Avenue, is the home of the Connellsville Area Historical Society.  We can be reached by telephone at 724-628-5344.  The house dates back to at least 1818 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 has undergone 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 Gibson House are: Saturday  - 9 AM to 4 PM.

Other times may be available, but only by appointment.
 

If you would like to utilize the Connellsville Area Historical Archive please call or email us ahead of your visit.
                                                            
                                                          

 COL. WILLIAM CRAWFORD'S CABIN AT YOUGH RIVER PARK 
COL. CRAWFORD'S CABIN
                                      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. 

Sign Guest Book  View Guest Book 
1st CITY IN FAYETTE COUNTY, PA

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


Phone: 724-628-5344 (K. Hechler)

Phone: ‭(724) 603-3691‬ (S. Lewis)


Email: CHS@connellsvillehistoricalsociety.com


 

HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENTS

FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS
See announcement on HOME page.

MT. VERNON IRON FURNACE STAINED GLASS WINDOW

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 Executive Director Daniel 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.