The quiet charm of Boalsburg has deep roots in American Civil War history. Tucked in the shadow of Mount Nittany, this small village has long claimed the title of “Birthplace of Memorial Day.” As the nation prepares to honor its fallen, the Boalsburg Heritage Museum is bringing those Civil War stories back to life through a newly reinterpreted exhibit.
Susan Evans, an archivist at the museum, says the exhibit focuses on what makes Boalsburg’s story unique.
“It’s our story. It never gets old,” Evans said. “Every new generation needs to hear it. We always hope that younger audiences, new audiences to Boalsburg are going to come in and that’s going to resonate with them.”
While Waterloo, New York, holds the official federal designation, Boalsburg’s Memorial Day claim dates back to 1864, two years before Waterloo’s Memorial Day parade.
The story began with two teenage girls, Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller and a mother mourning her son who fell at Gettysburg, Elizabeth Myers. The three met at Boalsburg Cemetery to decorate soldiers’ graves. It was a simple act of remembrance that sparked a tradition.
“It’s a true story, not urban legend,” Evans said. “This wasn’t a made-up tale to attract tourists. We want to tell that every year on Memorial Day.”
Boalsburg’s ties to the Civil War run deeper than Memorial Day. On July 1, 1862, President Lincoln called for 600,000 men to join the Union Army. By August, Centre County answered with the formation of the 148th Regiment. Seven of its 10 companies were comprised of Centre County men. Led by Col. James A. Beaver, who survived four wounds and later became Pennsylvania’s 20th governor, the 148th fought in major battles including Gettysburg.
The regiment produced four Medal of Honor recipients but suffered the loss of 397 men. This legacy is a focal point of the museum’s exhibit, with photographs of the 148th regiment, which brings faces to the names of the fallen.
“You know, it does make it seem much more real when you see the photographs of who these people were, what their lives were like,” Evans said.
For Memorial Day, the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War will distribute guides marking Civil War soldiers’ graves in the Boalsburg Cemetery. Visitors can wander among the stones, paying tribute to those who served.
One of the museum’s highlights is a ceremonial sword donated by descendants of Dr. Calvin P.W. Fisher, a Boalsburg physician believed to have amputated Col. Beaver’s leg after a battlefield injury.
The exhibit also features Civil War letters, family photographs and other artifacts that bring together personal stories with the broader narrative of the war.
The museum doesn’t stop at the battlefield. Duffy’s Tavern, established in 1819, was once a bustling stagecoach stop offering overnight accommodations, putting Boalsburg on the map. Over the years, it became a community hub, linking local stories to larger historical movements.
Equally significant is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall, a civic organization that fostered fellowship and community service. The museum’s exhibit includes original ledgers from 1875, tying the town’s social fabric back to its Civil War connections.
The Boalsburg Heritage Museum will be open on Memorial Day weekend starting at 10 a.m., with a presentation by historian and author Cathy Horner at 10:30 a.m. Visitors can tour the museum house, the barn with antique buggies and enjoy demonstrations in the summer kitchen. A blacksmith shop near the township building will also be open, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era.
For those looking to relax, the band Free Range will perform on the museum’s front porch starting at noon. Food trucks, garden tours and plenty of seating will make the museum grounds a perfect place to unwind after exploring the town’s festivities.
“They come into the museum and a lot of people say, ‘Oh, I never knew this was here’ and ‘Oh, this is so interesting,’” Evans said. “There’s always something that they’ll walk away with. Some piece of information that would have made a difference for them.”
For those unable to attend Memorial Day, the museum welcomes visitors every Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. or by appointment.
