This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
AARONSBURG — Penns Valley Area Historical Museum is utilizing the country-wide America 250 celebration to feature three relevant exhibits this year.
This season’s displays highlight the role of Penns Valley in the American Revolution, including the three forts that were located in Penns Valley, the families that had to leave for Fort Sunday after the Standford family was killed at their home, the Colonial Army soldiers that were sent to protect the settlers while they harvested their crops, and the two soldiers that were killed in an encounter on what is now called Indian Lane in Potter Township.
The exhibits also tell of the correspondence from George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter, memories of Woodward Inn, and the 100th anniversary of Woodward Cave.
“Every year features different displays,” explained LeDon Young, who is president of the museum’s board. “We try to highlight and do different exhibits every year. This year, with America 250, we highlighted Penns Valley’s role in the American Revolution.”
Every year, Young and the army of volunteers associated with the museum spend months gathering relics that are stored within the museum’s confines and prepare the exhibits with amazing detail before it opens in the spring.
“The displays take months to prepare,” Young said. “We get these ready when we are closed (in the winter months) so they are ready when we open the first Saturday in May.”
The museum, located at 244 West Aaron Square in Aaronsburg, is open each Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through October at the Rudy-Corman Building. It is also open by appointment, especially for groups seeking a tour.
“Our museum is Penns Valley’s attic,” Young said, noting it has a vast collection from the Aaronsburg coverlets that were created in the early 1800. The current museum location was the general store that included a post office, as well as a shop where hats were made.
“We’ve been given all sorts of things from the Valley and that is why we alternate our displays with theme,” Young explained. “Last year was ‘Wrapped in Love’ and we showed our extensive display of quilts and coverlets. We had a beautiful bed that was made by a gentleman in Rebersburg in the 1880s and it was donated to us. We did fireside cooking and brought out all of our ironware and a cookbook.”
Young said the museum boasts several hundred visitors each year and sees folks show up every week, especially during Dutch Fall Festival time in October.
Another facet of the museum is its genealogy research room.
“We also have an extensive genealogy collection and a room devoted to it,” Young said. “Kay Gray is our collections and genealogy person, and she takes appointments for people to come.”
Young said this year, she hopes the community will visit to learn more about George Washington’s tie to Penns Valley.
“People do not know how important (Brigadier General James) Potter was to the American Revolution. He helped Washington save his Army. Washington also thanked Potter for helping prevent the British from getting supplies. Potter came within one vote of becoming President of Pennsylvania, which is now known as the governor.”
Young invites everyone to visit the museum and take a “selfie” with the museum’s latest addition — a 7-foot George Washington cutout on display.
She also invites people to become members of the museum. Membership is $10 for an individual or $20 for a family, paid annually, valid from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 regardless of when they are purchased during the year. Members receive discounts on historic landmark plaques, invitations to special programs and new exhibit openings, and are eligible to attend membership banquets.
Additionally, members may wishto consider a higher level of membership to help extend the outreach of the museum by renewing as a Friend ($25), Sponsor ($50) or Patron ($100).
For more information about the museum, to schedule an appointment, or to become a member, call (814) 349-4811.
