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.
Gibson House open on:
October 2024: 5, 12, 19, 26
November 2024: 2, 9, 16, 23
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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November Meeting Of the Connellsville area Historical Society
Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 @6:30pm
At the Connellsville Presbyterian Church
The PRIDE IN CONNELLSVILLE AREA POETRY AND POSTER CONTEST
Fall, 2024
The Pride in Connellsville Area Poster and Poetry Contest was created for the Connellsville Area Historical Society by Mrs. Deborah Mullaney.
The history of this contest dates back approximately 30 years.
The purpose of the contest is to develop an interest in local history by having the children in grades 4-9 research an aspect of Connellsville Area history, and then create a poem or poster illustrating that chapter in our local history.
Instructions for the contest are taken to each public and private school within our district with the rules for the contest.
Winners are awarded cash prizes and are invited to a reception where they present their projects, receive their prizes, and enjoy refreshments. This event is held as our November meeting, November 13, 2024 at 6:30 pm, of the Connellsville Historical Society.
The reception has been held for years in the Connellsville Presbyterian Church.
Students are honored with their pictures in the Daily Courier, and the winning projects are given a two page spread in the winter issue of Connellsville Crossroads magazine.
Name: Joanne Shade
Date: 03/23/2019 Message: Looking for information about Connellsville in 1910.
Name: Patricia High
Date: 01/26/2019 Message: Great website. Love the Photos. Currently conducting genealogical research on ancestors that were born or settled in Connellsville.
Name: Lee Recca
Date: 12/04/2018 Message: I love this site and am looking forward to visiting in the spring. My mother was a Stephenson, related to Col. Hugh, Col. John and Col. Richard Stephenson Jr. who lived in that area.
Name: Monika Robbins
Date: 06/16/2018 Message: Franklin C Robbins was my grandfather, and was just looking for information about him and his time in WWII. thank you.
Also My father and uncles grew up here also.
Name: Bob crawford
Date: 06/08/2018 Message: From autryville nc
Name: christopher conner
Date: 08/18/2017 Message: getting information on my grandparents
Name: Dawn E. Bsrtrand
Date: 11/08/2016 Message: My great grandmother, Antonio Wolf Griglak, was raised in the area before marrying Thomas Griglak
Name: Steven Gillespie
Date: 08/20/2016 Message: My Grandmother was born and raised in Connersville. She was born in 1902.