History Archives - Page 2 of 2

Muncy Historical Society
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Muncy Historical Society

Muncy Historical Society Muncy Historical Society and Museum of History, a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization founded in 1936, focuses on preservation and conservation of the rich history and heritage of Muncy and surrounding communities – its people, businesses, education, arts, traditions and folklore – by sponsoring educational programs and activities, through research

2019-10-09T16:36:17-04:00By Robin Van Auken|History|

A Monument to Exodusters
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A Monument to Exodusters

DUNLAP, Kansas -- On a lonely, country road in Dunlap, Kan., a monument to the memory of Exodusters soars. An engraved stainless steel plaque stretches between two pillars of limestone and marks the family farm of a freed slave. Built by Jack Davis, whose family bought the farm more than a century ago, the

2021-06-30T08:31:29-04:00By Robin Van Auken|History|

Van Wagner
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Van Wagner

Since he was a child, Van Wagner has been singing, strumming, rambling, and picking his way through the hills of Pennsylvania. With more than 100 original songs under his belt and co-production of nine albums, Van has developed a unique style of musical expression. He has performed several times in Europe as well as all

2019-10-09T16:39:21-04:00By Robin Van Auken|History|

Widow Smith’s Walk
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Widow Smith’s Walk

While Michael Ross was settling the City of Williamsport, selling parcels of land to frontier families and immigrants, another enterprising resident of the West Branch Valley was being hoodwinked from her home and business. Widow Smith's Walk Catherine Smith, an old woman "of great business tact and energy," had erected gristmills and sawmills

2019-10-09T16:49:02-04:00By Robin Van Auken|History, News of Yesteryear|

A Heroic Duo
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A Heroic Duo

Rachel Silverthorn warns the settlers (WPA mural) While Gen. George Washington's Continental Army fought the British, settlers along the Susquehanna River also considered themselves at war with the displaced Indians. Conflicts escalated daily. Rumors of a planned massacre of settlers were taken seriously. In August 1778, the Big Runaway began along the

2019-10-09T16:49:20-04:00By Robin Van Auken|History, News of Yesteryear|

Long Reach
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Long Reach

Coin found at Long Reach Archaeology Dig Historic preservation is an admirable, though difficult, goal to obtain. Preservation works best in communities that have programs managed at the local government level. In 2003, Williamsport's City Council considered an amendment to a zoning ordinance that would result in new

2019-10-09T16:49:36-04:00By Robin Van Auken|Archaeology, History, News of Yesteryear|

Rewards for American Indian Scalps
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Rewards for American Indian Scalps

During the tumultuous years leading up to the French and Indian War, early settlers in Northcentral Pennsylvania had two choices: They could leave the fertile valleys of the Susquehanna, or take their chances with sporadic AmericanIndian raids during which farms were destroyed and entire families would be slaughtered.

2019-11-01T11:43:52-04:00By Robin Van Auken|History, News of Yesteryear|

Indians of Susquehanna
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Indians of Susquehanna

Prehistoric American Indians skillfully managed the natural bounty of the Susquehanna River region by living in accordance with the seasons. They hunted, fished, gathered nuts, berries and other wild foods, and they cultivated corn, beans and squash. According to archaeologists, Indians were successful in populating the New World for more than 16,000 years --

2020-04-30T16:26:46-04:00By Robin Van Auken|Archaeology, History, News of Yesteryear|

Lycoming County: Williamsport Firsts
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Lycoming County: Williamsport Firsts

Scott Barn in The Narrows, Lycoming County Williamsport, Pennsylvania is a small metropolis with a dramatic history. Famous throughout the world for its impressive forest products, it once boasted more millionaires per capita than any American city. A hale and hearty pioneer village on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, early

2019-10-09T16:49:58-04:00By Robin Van Auken|History, News of Yesteryear|

Birthplace of ‘Grit’
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Birthplace of ‘Grit’

Famous in the 19th century for its lumber products, Williamsport, Pennsylvania is a small mountainous town. Situated on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, its residents enjoyed easy access to virgin forests of hemlock and white pine. It once boasted more millionaires per capita than any American city. Its legacy is Millionaires Row, Victorian-era

2021-03-11T11:44:48-05:00By Robin Van Auken|History, News of Yesteryear|

Sunday Grit: A Newspaper Legacy
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Sunday Grit: A Newspaper Legacy

Make room on the shelf for another book about local history. Written by author Robin Van Auken and published by Ogden Newspapers, the parent company of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, “Sunday Grit: A Newspaper Legacy” is the fourth volume in a limited edition, commemorative series about area newspapers. Richly illustrated, the new 136-page book features

2023-04-07T17:54:37-04:00By Robin Van Auken|History|

‘Madame’ Montour
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‘Madame’ Montour

New World history is filled with tales of frontier adventure, and here in the Susquehanna Valley, one of the most interesting tales is that of "Madame" Montour and the lost village of Otstonwakin. Her life is sketchy, almost mythic, but historians have confirmed that "Madame" Montour did indeed, lead an adventurous life on the French and

2019-10-09T16:59:53-04:00By Robin Van Auken|History, News of Yesteryear|

Greenwich: Where Time Begins
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Greenwich: Where Time Begins

Royal Navy Hospital, Greenwich GREENWICH, England – This is where East meets West. This also is where Time begins and when the New Year begins, this is where the first clock chimes the midnight hour. Each day at 12:55 p.m., the Greenwich Time Ball atop the Royal Observatory rises half way up

2020-09-19T16:51:25-04:00By Robin Van Auken|History, Robin Van Auken, Travel|

Your Ticket to Rome
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Your Ticket to Rome

ROME, Italy – Despite the best intentions to relax and to slowly wander the city and ruins, a visit to Rome is guaranteed to cause anxiety because there is so much to see and so little time to see it all. One of the busiest – and most vibrant – city in the world,

2020-09-19T16:49:10-04:00By Robin Van Auken|History, Robin Van Auken, Travel|