JCHC in the News

105th Bowdish Birthday Bash and Premiere of New Exhibits

105th Bowdish Birthday Bash and Premiere of New Exhibits

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

 Jefferson County Historical Society Awarded Highly Competitive New PA Humanities Grant 

 Jefferson County Historical Society Awarded Highly Competitive New PA Humanities Grant 

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

It’s a Bowdish Christmas!

It’s a Bowdish Christmas!

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

10th Grade Presentation

10th Grade Presentation

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

2023 Brookville Area High School Hall of Fame

2023 Brookville Area High School Hall of Fame

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

Bowdish Halloween

Bowdish Halloween

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

2023 Annual Meeting and Dinner

2023 Annual Meeting and Dinner

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

5th Annual Family Bike Ride was a great success

5th Annual Family Bike Ride was a great success

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

Grand Opening of the E.M. “Jack” and Jean Parker Archives

Grand Opening of the E.M. “Jack” and Jean Parker Archives

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

Bowdish Birthday Bash and New Exhibits

Bowdish Birthday Bash and New Exhibits

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.

Jefferson County Historical Society Approved for State Historical Marker

Jefferson County Historical Society Approved for State Historical Marker

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

Jefferson County Historical Society Receives Archival Records Care Grant

Jefferson County Historical Society Receives Archival Records Care Grant

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

2022 Jefferson County Historical Society Annual Meeting, Dinner & Awards Ceremony

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,

2022 Bicycle Poker Run & Family Fun Ride

2022 Bicycle Poker Run & Family Fun Ride

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

4th Grade at JCHS Scripture Rocks Heritage Park

4th Grade at JCHS Scripture Rocks Heritage Park

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

Guided Tour At Scripture Rocks

Guided Tour At Scripture Rocks

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

Jefferson County Historical Society Announces the Launch of Our New Archives Building

Jefferson County Historical Society Announces the Launch of Our New Archives Building

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

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

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

PA MUSEUMS 2022 Annual Statewide Museum Conference

PA MUSEUMS 2022 Annual Statewide Museum Conference

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: Recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award

Ken Burkett: Recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award

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