Author: Jefferson County History Center

JCHC hosted the 4th grade classes of Mrs. Wendy Ferguson, Mrs. Jamie Grace and Bridget Wingard at the JCHS Park on May 15th, 2025. This “Kids to Parks” event is funded by National Park Trust. This year was C-L’s 2nd year at the Park for this annual event. The students rotated through 5 educational nature, READ MORE

History Happening, the Jefferson County Historical Society’s new YouTube channel, is a Video Project funded by PA Humanities, their partner, Spring Point Partners, and the National Endowment for the Humanities that aims to teach local history through social media. This project dives into the rich tapestry of Jefferson County, Pennsylvania—where every story of our past READ MORE

On October 12th, JCHC hosted a dedication for Jack Theisen at the JCHS Scripture Rocks Park. Jack, whose idea it was to make this a park, passed away August 2023. Jack lived at the Brookville end of Sulgar Rd, just a stone’s throw from the park, and often hiked these woods, taking others to show READ MORE

The resurrected cemetery tour from years past, held on Saturday October 26th, was a guided tour led by Board President Larry Anthony of some of our historical characters of the community and county. Here’s your chance to meet those whose life and work made them immortal!  Bring your imagination and camera in case all the READ MORE

The BOWDISH HALLOWEEN TRICK & TREAT was held on  Saturday, October 26th at JCHC. Kids came in Costume looking for Trains and Treats ! The Bowdish Model Railroad and crew didn’t disappoint – Everyone had lots of fun!The little dinosaur wanted to knowhow Art was making the trains run ! Sadie the Therapy Dog was more READ MORE

The Jefferson County Historical Society held their Annual Meeting & Awards Event on Saturday October 19th at the Heritage House in Brookville. The event was an evening of entertainment: Music by Celtic/folk band Keridwyn, silent auction, hors d’oeuvres by Buff’s, community storytelling videos, interspersed with the annual brief business meeting consisting of election of Directors READ MORE

On September 22nd, the 6th Annual Rails to Trails Bicycle Poker Run invited people of all ages for a leisurely 7 mile ride from Brookville to Summerville. The cyclists rode along the Redbank Creek, ending at the Summerville “Train Station” pavilion for a picnic. Along the trail, adults could pick up cards at five locations; READ MORE

The 18th Annual Antique Firearms & Indian Artifacts Show was met with great success this past Saturday on August 31st. Over 250 attendees gathered at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds to browse the exhibitions, vendor tables, participate in the atlatl throw, and watch a flint knapping demonstration. A canvas print of Robert Griffing’s painting, “Where His READ MORE

JCHC kicked off the Brookville Laurel Festival with Art in the Park. Models of buildings based on the Bowdish miniatures were crafted by children at the event, and were showcased in their very own display at the History Center’s train room during the festival. See more photos on our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/puEAQf5A7Aqq8H4z/  JCHC Presents Kids’ Night READ MORE

On Saturday, February 24, 2024, we celebrated the 105th Bowdish Birthday Bash. We had great attendance with a steady flow of visitors throughout the day.  The model trains and animated miniatures came alive for a few hours, delighting young and old alike as they followed the trains through town and tunnels and observed the tiny READ MORE

Brookville. December 8, 2023 – JCHS is proud to announce it is among the 24 distinguished recipients of a Wingspan grant, chosen out of 180 applications. This major initiative by PA Humanities is part of its ongoing 50th anniversary celebration. The grant objective is to help 12 Rural Organizations and also 12 BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, READ MORE

It was a chilly night, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from venturing out to see the Christmas parade and tree lighting in the town square and stopping in to the History Center to see the Bowdish trains running. The Bowdish crew delivered an exciting presentation of holiday trains and decor, including the always-popular READ MORE

JCHS Public Presentations:  10th Grade Presentation on Native American Petroglyphs & Pictographs. Brookville High School teacher Stephanie Mortimer, whose 10th grade English literature class is studying Native American stories and legends, invited Ken Burkett to present his work on petroglyphs (rock carvings ) and pictographs (rock paintings).  Both are “rock art” –  an artistic language READ MORE

Two of our own JCHS members were honored by the Brookville Area High School’s Hall of Fame this past September.  Ken Burkett, Executive Director of 15 years, was presented the award for his leadership many achievements and awards, and community service, including: Prior Clarion Hospital Regional EMS Director/Dept. Head/Paramedic Instructor and PA Dept. of Health READ MORE

Our Bowdish Halloween event on Saturday, October 28, was a big hit! Families came out to the History Center to see the spooky Halloween trains running in the Bowdish Model Railroad and Miniatures exhibit. The kids came dressed in costume and enjoyed some yummy treats while enjoying the trains and other exhibits. We were also READ MORE

A great success The Historical Society held their Annual Meeting and Dinner October 21st at the Pinecrest Country Club.  43 attended, including Board Members, Staff and JCHS Members. Everyone had a chance to purchase raffle tickets for the silent auction, while enjoying hors d’oeuvresduring the social hour, followed by a buffet dinner catered by Bo READ MORE

Our 5th Annual Bicycle Event was held on Saturday, September 17th, which turned out to be a mostly nice day despite the rain showers forecast. Another successful year, 71 Adults and Kids turned out to ride the Rails to Trails along the Redbank from Brookville to Summerville. Adult riders drew a poker card at 5 READ MORE

Our new Archives building is now officially dedicated as E.M. “Jack” & Jean Parker Archives.  We held the dedication ceremony on Saturday July 15th, a beautiful sunny day, hosting ~50 guests, including some Jefferson County natives from out of state.  Guests enjoyed a smorgasbord of heavy hors d’oeuvres, taking cover from the hot sun under READ MORE

JCHC held the 2023 Bowdish Birthday Bash on Saturday, February 25, at the History Center. Of course, the Bowdish Model Railroad and Miniature Animations Show took center stage. The trains were a’runnin’ and delighted the young and young-at-heart. Across the hall, our Victorian Parlor re-enactment took visitors back in time. Ron Shrewsbury portrayed a Civil READ MORE

The Jefferson County Historical Society (JCHS) was just approved for a new historical marker on Dec 9th 2022 by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC).  PHMC approved 36 new historical markers, selected from 91 applications, to join the more than 2,000 markers that showcase PA historical people, places and events. The markers will find READ MORE

The Jefferson County Historical Society is pleased to announce it is a recipient of a 2023 Historical & Archival Records Care Grant from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

2022 Jefferson County Historical Society Annual Meeting, Dinner & Awards Ceremony The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to E.M. “Jack” and Jean Parker in recognition of their exceptional service and significant contributions to the success of JCHS over many, many years.  Mrs. Parker accepted the award, presented by Traci Zents, President and Kat Lyons, Operations READ MORE

It was a great sunny day for our 4th Annual Bicycle Event – a leisure ride along the picturesque Redbank Creek with games and prizes!

Brookville 4th graders visited the park learning about the rocks and Douglas Stahlman, forestry, archaeology, plants and pollinators, and history through songs.

An interpretive guided walking tour through Scripture Rocks and learn the story of Douglas Stahlman, a troubled man with a powerful message.

JCHC announces a newly acquired two-story facility that will be renovated and used to properly hold and preserve our collectibles, archives, and county records.

State Capital Senate Citation, PA House of Representatives Citation and Congressional Citation Honoring Kenneth Burkett for his Archaeology Accomplishments

JCHC staff and volunteers will be presenting the new Native Plant-Pollinator Pond Habitat and ADA Accessible Education Area at PA Museums’ Statewide Conference

Ken Burkett receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Society for PA Archeology (SPA)

JCHC Director, Ken Burkett, is being honored with the 2022 Crabtree Award by the Society of American Archaeology for his outstanding service to PA Archaeology.

The Jefferson County History Center will receive the PA Museums’ Special Institutional Achievement Award for the Stones N’ Bones 3-Gallery Exhibit at the upcoming PA Museum’s Annual Conference at Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.  PA Museums is a statewide trade association of museum professionals of both large and small museums. Institutional Awards recognize outstanding projects READ MORE

Operating on the last Saturday of every month (February-October) 12:00 – 3:00 PM An intriguing story about creative genius, Charles Bowdish, and his miniature model railroad display is one of the most popular exhibits at the history center. The railroad display is viewable year-round, operating on the last Saturday of every month (February-October) or during READ MORE

BROOKVILLE – On July 15, 2017, a piece of local history made its way back to Brookville, PA in the form of a large, horse-drawn wagon which was donated to the Jefferson County History Center by Matt and Mary Puskarich of Cadiz, Ohio. They wanted the wagon to be returned to its hometown and be READ MORE