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Chestnut Ridge Historical Society

A friendly resource of information encompassing parts of Westmoreland, Fayette, and Somerset Counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania

1698 State Route 711, P.O. Box 242, Stahlstown, PA 15687 - Office: 724-593-3102.
The Historical Society Center is open on Wednesdays from 11am to 3pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

Past Speakers and Events

Please scroll down to see our various activities of the past!


September Monthly Meeting Details!

Our September 17th meeting was another Informative event!

We meet on the Third Tuesday of every month and the Public is always Welcome!

"Our Speaker was Jamie Rankin!"

Jamie is the Editor of the Independent-Journal Newspaper (formerly the Mt. Pleasant Journal)

AND

she is also the Editor of "Mature Living", the free magazine that is available in the Fay-West area!

With a focus on local news and community events, Jamie's work has been featured in the DAILY COURIER.

Jamie is passionate about capturing the stories and experiences that shape the Mt. Pleasant area. 

(Jamie Rankin: A freelance Writer and Editor of the Independent-Journal based in Mt. Pleasant, PA.  Reach her at jrankin@dailycourier.com or 724-628-2000)



 

Our CRHS Booth was well attended at the LHTC Event

August 24, 2024 - Admission was Free!

The 16th Annual Laurel Highland Telephone Company Customer Appreciation Day was held on Saturday, August 24th, 2024 at the Stahlstown Flax Scutching Grounds. Free LHTC t-shirts were given by LHTC to the first 800 customers with the event sponsors on the back.

Our CRHS booth at the Flax Scutching Grounds was well attended!

 


Our Summer Picnic was a success on August 13, 2024!

Our Annual Summer Picnic was held on August 13th at Aleo Lake!

Everyone who attended had a an excellent feast from the covered dish event!

And, many stories were shared with lots of happy members and guests!

This annual event is held at the beautiful and picturesque home of one of our members.
Thanks to our Member who very graciously opened her beautiful venue for us again this year.
Her refurbished barn makes a perfect place to set out our covered dish feast, protected for the hot sun and any stray rain cloud.
Every member of the Society is always invited to attend and it is a time for all to sit, talk, and eat; strengthening our friendships and
our commitment to keep the local history of the Laurel Highlands safe for future generations.
It’s a great time of relaxation and getting to know fellow members.
Sample the different flavored dishes and desserts. The entire grounds are always manicured in a wonderful presentation.

(There was no August monthly meeting)

Click here for Google Map Directions to Aleo Lake.

This annual event is held at the beautiful and picturesque home of one of our members. Thank to our Member who very graciously opened her beautiful venue for us again this year. Her refurbished barn makes a perfect place to set out our covered dish feast, protected for the hot sun and any stray rain cloud. Every member of the Society is always invited to attend and it is a time for all to sit, talk, and eat; strengthening our friendships and our commitment to keep the local history of the Laurel Highlands safe for future generations. It’s a great time of relaxation and getting to know fellow members.
Sample the different flavored dishes and desserts. The entire grounds are always manicured in a wonderful presentation.

July 16th Meeting - Recently, Our Meeting Hours have changed to 1pm in the Afternoon!

On July 16th, we had another Informative Meeting!

Our speaker was Paige Palmer.

Her topic was Abraham Lincoln and his assassination.

"Paige gives vibrant lessons in the awareness that history is more than just names and dates. Her presentations make history clearly come alive with a passion infused nature for digging out the truth in historic events."

-- Betty J. Ownsbey, Author of "Alias Paine"



 

June 18th - another Informative Meeting!

"Fort Ligonier History!"

Our Speaker was Spencer Pfrogner.

He went into great detail of our local history.

      

This is what starts it all,” said Spencer Pfrogner...

In September 1758, about halfway through the French and Indian War, the 8-acre historic site was home to 5,000 British-American soldiers, led by Gen. John Forbes.

Their goal: overtake the French Fort Duquesne, located 50 miles west at the intersection of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers.


Please Note: Spencer Pfrogner has many YouTube Videos with Historical Subjects:

Here is an Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv7-Uo6RTtg&t=142s

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friends and neighbors are welcome to join the membership.



 

 

Tuesday May 21st meeting

 Dale Dix was our speaker for the Chestnut Ridge Historical Society.

He told us about his recent International Travels.

There were very interesting stories and photos of the different countries that were visited!


April 16th monthly meeting details!

At 1:00pm we welcomed Russell Love as speaker for the Chestnut Ridge Historical Society.

He talked about the construction and abandonment of the South Penn Railroad, and his book was available for purchase.



Our Ohio Star Theater Bus Trip was a great success!

Sugarcreek, Ohio (Tuesday December 12, 2023, One Day Bus Trip)

 

The Ohio Star Theater presented

"Rhythm and Dance Christmas Special"

Rhythm of the Dance, which has brought audiences around the world to their feet for over 22 years, is returning to the Ohio Star Theater with a new Christmas production. Join us on this festive journey and let the magic of holidays begin with all of your favorite festive songs being performed live by world class musicians, star vocalists and world champion dancers.



November 21st, 2023 Meeting Details

The South Penn Railroad had been under construction for several years when it was abandoned in 1885. Tunnels, culverts, rail grades and access roads are still visible though the PA Turnpike purchased the rights of way in 1937 and was built on much the same route.

Researcher, historian and photographer Russell Love told us the story of the railroad and why it wasn’t built.

*Everyone is welcome to become a Member of the Chestnut Ridge Historical Society! Please Click Here to download a Membership Application Form to print, fill out, and mail in, or pick up an application form while visiting!


Note: Regarding Future Speakers for Our Monthly Meetings, Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is always interested in hearing from a variety of speakers who have interesting subjects to talk about, such as historical subjects or events, specific subjects of interest, authors, witnesses to events, and personal adventures.



October 17th Meeting

Dr Emily Barth, curator of the McCarl Coverlet Gallery at St Vincent College, told the story of handwoven American coverlets. Topics ranged from how coverlets differ from quilts to how ethnic traditions influenced styles. If anyone had a family coverlet, they were invited to bring it along for a show and tell session at the end of the presentation.

*Everyone is welcome to become a Member of the Chestnut Ridge Historical Society! Please pick up an application form while visiting!


Note: Regarding Future Speakers for Our Monthly Meetings, Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is always interested in hearing from a variety of speakers who have interesting subjects to talk about, such as historical subjects or events, specific subjects of interest, authors, witnesses to events, and personal adventures.



 

Our September 19th Meeting Speakers were Jim and Louise Sprowls

and they spoke about a few of the things you will see when you visit the Compass Inn in Laughlintown.

Fall is a great time to see the results of the pumpkin carving contest and tour this 1799 stagecoach inn by candlelight while listening to Frightfully True Stories.

Celebrate another bountiful Harvest and the Yuletide to the sounds of a blacksmith at work.

 

They are and have been period-dressed guides for the Compass Inn, and they will be in-costume for this meeting!

In 1966, Ligonier Valley Historical Society accepted Compass Inn as a gift from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. The Inn underwent extensive restoration and by 1972 opened as a museum and historic site for thousands of visitors each year. By 1980, the architectural firm Stotz, Hess and MacLachlan constructed a working cookhouse and blacksmith shop, as well as a barn, which houses an 1830s-style Concord Stagecoach and a restored Conestoga Wagon. Today, period-dressed docents guide visitors through the Inn, transporting them back in time to the 1830s when the Inn was at its busiest.

As always, the public is welcome to all of our Monthly Meetings!

*Everyone is welcome to become a Member of the Chestnut Ridge Historical Society! Please pick up an application form while visiting!


Note: Regarding Future Speakers for Our Monthly Meetings, Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is always interested in hearing from a variety of speakers who have interesting subjects to talk about, such as historical subjects or events, specific subjects of interest, authors, witnesses to events, and personal adventures.

We were at the Annual Flax Scutching, September 16 & 17, 2023, at Monticue's Grove, Stahlstown, PA!

Our Chestnut Ridge Historical Society Display at the Stahlstown Flax Scutching!

    

 


 Tuesday August 15th Meeting

 
Our guest speaker for the Tuesday, August 15th Meeting was Carrie Libengood, owner of Carrie's Bus Tours in New Stanton.
Carrie offers a variety of day, overnight & multi-night tours as well as custom tours. She also coordinates & accompanies all of her tours. 
 
Her subject was the popular destination of "Horseshoe Curve" in Altoona & the historical significance of Horseshoe Curve.

Note: Regarding Future Speakers for Our Monthly Meetings, Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is always interested in hearing from a variety of speakers who have interesting subjects to talk about, such as historical subjects or events, specific subjects of interest, authors, witnesses to events, and personal adventures.

Our Summer Picnic was a very nice time!

Aleo Lake Picnic was on July 18, 2023!

This annual event was held at the beautiful and picturesque home of one of our members. Thank to our Member who very graciously opened her beautiful venue for us again this year. Her refurbished barn makes a perfect place to set out our covered dish feast, protected for the hot sun and any stray rain cloud. Every member of the Society is always invited to attend and it is a time for all to sit, talk, and eat; strengthening our friendships and our commitment to keep the local history of the Laurel Highlands safe for future generations. It’s a great time of relaxation and getting to know fellow members.
Everyone sampled the different flavored dishes and desserts. The entire grounds were manicured and in a wonderful presentation.


Our Summer Picnic was a very nice time!

Aleo Lake Picnic was on July 18, 2023!

This annual event was held at the beautiful and picturesque home of one of our members. Thank to our Member who very graciously opened her beautiful venue for us again this year. Her refurbished barn makes a perfect place to set out our covered dish feast, protected for the hot sun and any stray rain cloud. Every member of the Society is always invited to attend and it is a time for all to sit, talk, and eat; strengthening our friendships and our commitment to keep the local history of the Laurel Highlands safe for future generations. It’s a great time of relaxation and getting to know fellow members.
Everyone sampled the different flavored dishes and desserts. The entire grounds were manicured and in a wonderful presentation.


June 20, 2023

Our June 20, 2023 Monthly Meeting Speaker was???


 

Our May 16, 2023 Speaker was Thomas Soltis, retired Sociology Professor from Westmoreland Community College.

He is the author of “An Unwelcome Visit from the Spanish Lady: The 1918 Influenza Pandemic in Western Pennsylvania”.

In a recent article in the Tribune Review, Professor Soltis noted the similarities between both the 1918 and the most recent pandemic.

(Tribune Review Photos)      

                            


 

April 18, 2023 Monthly Meeting

Our April 18, 2023 Monthly Meeting Speaker was Barry Hauger who shared memories of his Grandfather, Clyde Hauger. 

Local resident Clyde Hauger was a pilot for All American Aviation (later US Airways) during the 1940s and for Bruno Ferrari's Latrobe-Dill Construction until he was killed in a crash in 1957.


Note: Regarding Future Speakers for Our Monthly Meetings, Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is always interested in hearing from a variety of speakers who have interesting subjects to talk about, such as historical subjects or events, specific subjects of interest, authors, witnesses to events, and personal adventures.

March 21, 2023 CRHS Monthly Meeting

We enjoyed watching a video which was provided by CRHS Member Kathy Maestrol. The video was created by the Latrobe Area Historical Society and it was called "Home Front: Latrobe in WWII".

In addition, our agenda included the Nomination of all Officers and two Board of Director's positions.

At the April Monthly Meeting, additional Nominations may be offered.


Our Christmas Luncheon Buffet on December 17, 2022 was a great success!

Several attendees were winners of our Basket Raffle!



We had a nice Bus Trip on November 17, 2022, to see "Home for the Holidays" at the American Music Theater in Lancaster, PA!

It Included: Show Ticket, Meal, Transportation, and all Taxes and Gratuities)

We had a meal at "Bird in Hand Restaurant"


November 15, 2022 CRHS Monthly Meeting

Our Speakers for the November meeting were father and son David and Allen Scherb.  Allen creates handmade, historically correct longrifles, photos of which can be seen at laurelridgeflintlocks.net.

Laurel Ridge Flintlocks, operated by Allen Scher, focuses on recreating historically correct American Longrifles from the time period of 1760 to 1825.


Note: Regarding Future Speakers for Our Monthly Meetings, Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is always interested in hearing from a variety of speakers who have interesting subjects to talk about, such as historical subjects or events, specific subjects of interest, authors, witnesses to events, and personal adventures.


October 18, 2022 CRHS Monthly Meeting

Our Speaker was Theresa Gay Rohall, the Executive Director of the Ligonier Valley Historical Society.

Laughlintown's Compass Inn was built in 1799 and she told us why it's still a great place to visit.

 

Note: Regarding Future Speakers for Our Monthly Meetings, Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is always interested in hearing from a variety of speakers who have interesting subjects to talk about, such as historical subjects or events, specific subjects of interest, authors, witnesses to events, and personal adventures.


September 20, 2022 CRHS Meeting

We viewed a one-hour film titled "Invasion on Chestnut Ridge".

Over the years many mysterious events have occurred along the length of Chestnut Ridge in western Pennsylvania, and this film told us about the investigations that have followed.


Note: Regarding Future Speakers for Our Monthly Meetings, Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is always interested in hearing from a variety of speakers who have interesting subjects to talk about, such as historical subjects or events, specific subjects of interest, authors, witnesses to events, and personal adventures.


August 16, 2022 Meeting

Our Speaker was Kristin Miller who did a Powerpoint Presentation of the history and projects of the Southern Allegheny Museum of Art.

SAMA has five locations, (click here for more info) including one in nearby Ligonier, where you can view an art exhibition or attend an educational event.


Note: Regarding Future Speakers for Our Monthly Meetings, Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is always interested in hearing from a variety of speakers who have interesting subjects to talk about, such as historical subjects or events, specific subjects of interest, authors, witnesses to events, and personal adventures.


Our Summer Picnic was a great success!

Here's a note from CRHS Member, Tom Beck:

Aleo Lake Picnic was on July 19, 2022!

It’s all over for another year. The Chestnut Ridge Historical Society Annual Picnic is lodged in the annals of time. As usual, this annual event was held at the beautiful and picturesque home of one of our members. I didn’t ask permission, so I won’t share her name, but thank you very much for graciously opening your home for us again this year.
Her refurbished barn makes a perfect place to set out our covered dish feast, protected for the hot sun and any stray raincloud. Every member of the Society is always invited to attend and it is a time for all to sit, talk, and eat; strengthening our friendships and our commitment to keep the local history of the Laurel Highlands safe for future generations. It’s a great time of relaxation and getting to know fellow members.
The vast array of foodstuffs made it impossible to sample the different flavored dishes, but I made a grand attempt and my blood sugar was up a bit the next morning even though I made a valiant attempt to avoid the richest desserts.
The weather was wonderfully sunny, but two giant fans kept up cool and I’m sure if there were any flies, they were blown into the next town. Sadly this year, there was only one swan on the lake, but the entire grounds were manicured and in a wonderful presentation.


Bus Trip In Ohio was Great!

Our Overnight Bus Trip in Ohio was a Fun Event for All!

   Here's our Group Photo!

(Click on photo to enlarge!)

It was on August 1st and 2nd, 2022

At the Amish Country Theater

We saw "Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute"


Link

June 21, 2022 Meeting

Our Speaker was Bruce Shirey who did a photo presentation of "the story of moving the Lefeure Log House" from Jeannette, PA to Historic Hanna's Town in 2020. 

Hanna's Town is an unincorporated community and important historical and archaeological site located in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.


May 17, 2022

Our May 17, 2022 meeting of the Chestnut Ridge Historical Society was fortunate to have

Dale Dix and Jan Hostler Stewart, along with one of our CRHS Founders, Tom Dix, join us

to show a slideshow of their recent "Adventures in the Netherlands and in Belgium"!

The highlights included trips to WWII Cemeteries, and to WWII Museums where Dale's father, Tom Dix

was lauded and saluted by the many people who they interacted with throughout the trip!

This was a colorful presentation in addition to being very moving, since Tom Dix, as a Veteran of WWII,

was honored wherever they went during this "Adventure in the Netherlands and Belgium"!


Bus Trip to see "David" was a Nice Trip!

We are happy to report that our May 12th, 2022

Bus Trip to see "David" was a great success!


 

November, 2021

Our Speaker for November 16, 2021 was Dale Dix of Greensburg. Dale is a CRHS member and he has spoken on other occasions regarding his various travels to other countries over the past several years.

Dale's topic was that at our meeting, he did a live-interview with his 96 year old father, Thomas Dix, to create an Oral History of his father's life from the time that he entered the U.S. Navy at age 18, his history during World War II, and his many years of community service since! Tom has kept Community Service at the top of his priorities for his entire life. Our area owes a debt of gratitude for Tom Dix's accomplishments that have made our community richer in many many aspects.

           

Dale Dix                        Tom Dix

         

The 60 Surviving Members of the U.S.S. Minivet Minesweeper Crew                               U.S.S. Minivet                                             

 

 

Note: Regarding Future Speakers for Our Monthly Meetings, Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is always interested in hearing from a variety of speakers who have interesting subjects to talk about, such as historical subjects or events, specific subjects of interest, authors, witnesses to events, and personal adventures.



October, 2021

Our Speaker for October 19, 2021 was Darren Sherry. Mr. Sherry recently retired from teaching in Punxsutawney School District,  He was a former Board member of the Punxsutawney Historical Society.  Now he is the business owner of "Digital Transfer Solutions" in Punxsutawney, PA.

Call Mr. Sherry at 814-952-2526 for Details on having your memories transferred to digital!

 

Note: Regarding Future Speakers for Our Monthly Meetings, Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is always interested in hearing from a variety of speakers who have interesting subjects to talk about, such as historical subjects or events, specific subjects of interest, authors, witnesses to events, and personal adventures.



September 30th Bus Trip to see "Queen Esther" was was a great success!

Our Bus Trip Plans are "on-hold" for the time-being. Watch our website for future plans.

Click here to see a preview of "Esther".


September 18th and 19th

Here is our Historical Display at the Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival! It was a great time to visit with our community!



September, 2021

On September 21, 2021 our Speaker was Bob Stutzman, of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association! Mr. Stutzman penned a 2014 book about the Ligonier Valley Railroad and is a founder and former president of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association, which organizes a tour and operates a museum in the Ligonier Township village of Darlington, PA.

Bob Stutzman



June 15, 2021

Chestnut Ridge Historical Society welcomed Ed Kelemen as speaker for the meeting on Tuesday June 15, 2021. Mr. Kelemen is an author, playwright, and columnist who has been involved in over 300 paranormal investigations. One result is his five book series, the Haunted Pennsylvania Collection.

Ed Kelemen


May 18, 2021

Our speaker was Mr. Duaine Fuoss of Mount Pleasant, PA, who has found many Native American artifacts in Southwestern Pennsylvania!

At the age of 6, Duaine Fuoss found what was later determined to be a side-notched spear point used by Native Americans living in this area roughly 3,000 years ago. In the mid-1960s, a teen-aged Fuoss had conducted enough research to begin uncovering area sites where tribes, including the Iroquois, Shawnee and Monongahela, periodically dwelled and hunted. Called “Meadow Walker” by the Lakota Sioux, he has to date located more than 50 Native American sites from Kecksburg in Westmoreland County, to Broadford in Fayette County.


 

Our CRHS Booth was well attended at the LHTC Event

The 16th Annual Laurel Highland Telephone Company Customer Appreciation Day was held on Saturday, August 24th, 2024 at the Stahlstown Flax Scutching Grounds. Free LHTC t-shirts were given by LHTC to the first 800 customers with the event sponsors on the back.

Our CRHS booth at the Flax Scutching Grounds had lots of visitors!

Click on photo to enlarge!

 


Centenarian Honor Roll Project is completed!

This photo of 16 local residents who reached at least 100 Years Old, is located on a Wooden Plaque on the wall at the Chestnut Ridge Historical Society Center! (click on Image to open and print)



Past Speakers and Events


 

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