Carbondale Historical Society and Museum facts for kids
The Carbondale Historical Society is a cool place in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, USA. It's like a special club that helps us learn about history! They also run a history museum on the third floor of the old Carbondale City Hall and Courthouse building.
Contents
A Look Back: How It Started
Teachers and a Big Idea
The Carbondale Historical Society began in October 1974. It was started by six school teachers from the Carbondale area. Their very first public meeting happened in January 1975.
Saving an Important Building
Around that time, the Carbondale City Hall building was in bad shape. Some people even thought about tearing it down and building something new. But a group of people who cared about their city, called the Committee to Restore Carbondale City Hall, felt the building was too important to lose.
Both the Historical Society and the Committee wanted to help the city. They realized they were working on similar goals. So, they decided to join forces!
Becoming One Big Team
On November 6, 1982, the Historical Society and the Committee to Restore Carbondale City Hall became one organization. They named it the Carbondale Historical Society and Museum. It officially became a non-profit group on March 15, 1983.
Their main goal is to collect, keep, and share the history of Carbondale and the nearby areas. They want to make sure these important stories are not forgotten.
What They Do Today
The Carbondale Historical Society and Museum helps people learn about history in many ways. They have a special research center where you can look up your family history or learn about local events. This center and their exhibits are on the third floor of Carbondale City Hall.
Did you know the Society helped get Carbondale City Hall listed as a historic place? It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 6, 1983!
The Society also holds public talks, special events, and shows throughout the year. They even visit schools to teach kids about Carbondale's past.
The Museum's Amazing Collections
One of the biggest achievements of the Historical Society is creating a well-organized museum. This museum is full of items that tell the story of Carbondale.
Coal Mining and Railroad History
The museum has a lot of cool things related to two main topics:
- Anthracite coal mining: This was a huge part of Carbondale's history.
- Railroad history: Especially about the Delaware and Hudson railroad.
They have so many railroad items that a special part of their collection is now like a mini Delaware and Hudson transportation museum!
A Glimpse into the Past
The museum also has many items from the 1800s and early 1900s. To show these items, they have set up a "Victorian parlor." This is like a living room from the Victorian era, helping you imagine what life was like back then.
Research and Old Records
The Society has a large collection of old records. These include birth and death records, cemetery information, and church documents. They have also put all their old newspapers, from the 1820s until today, onto microfilm. You can look at these microfilms at the Carbondale Public Library if you want to do some research.
Local History Awards
Since the 2009–2010 school year, the Society has given out "Local History Awards." This program encourages high school students (juniors and seniors) to study and write about local history.
At first, the program was only at Carbondale Area Junior/Senior High School. But they hope to bring it to other schools in the future!
