Northumberland County Historical Society facts for kids
| Location | 1150 North Front Street, Sunbury, Pennsylvania 17801 |
|---|---|
| Type | Historical/Museum/Library |
| Key holdings | Artifacts from Fort Augusta and the French and Indian War through the American Revolution; civic and church records from the time of the region's earliest settlers to the present; historic newspapers, vintage photographs, and other items of interest to historians and genealogical researchers |
The Northumberland County Historical Society is a special group in Pennsylvania. It was started on October 26, 1925. This group works to collect, save, and show old items. These items include artifacts, papers, and photos. They all help tell the story of Northumberland County and its people.
The main home of the Historical Society is the Hunter House Museum. This museum is located near historic Fort Augusta in Pennsylvania. The society also has the Charlotte Darrah Walter Genealogical Library. They often hold events and programs for people interested in history and family research. The museum and library are open from March through December. You can find them at 1150 North Front Street in Sunbury, Pennsylvania.
Contents
Discovering Your Family's Past: The Library
The Charlotte Darrah Walter Genealogical Library is a great place to learn about history. It has many old materials, from the first settlers to today. You can find books about families from Northumberland County. There are also records of births, marriages, and deaths. You can even find church records and old newspapers. The library also has old photos, land deeds, and tax records. These items help people research their family history.
Exploring History at Hunter House Museum
The Hunter House Museum is a very old building. It was finished in 1852 by Captain Samuel Hunter. He was the grandson of Colonel Sam Hunter, who was in charge of Fort Augusta.
The Story of Hunter House
In the early 1930s, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania worked to protect Fort Augusta. They bought the land where the fort's powder magazine and well were. Then, in 1931, they bought the historic Hunter House. Later, in 2004, the Northumberland County Historical Society bought these properties.
When the Hunter House became the society's main building in 1987, it was fixed up. The house was made to look like it did in 1848. A new meeting space was also added to the back.
What You Can See at Hunter House
At the Hunter House Museum, you can see many interesting things. There is the original powder magazine from Fort Augusta. You can also find items from Native Americans and Moravian blacksmiths. One special item is the uniform and drum of John Boulton Young. He was a drummer boy who died at age 13 during the U.S. Civil War. Many items were found during archaeological digs in 1937-1938, 1978-1979, and 1981.
A model of Fort Augusta was built on the front lawn of the museum. It was finished in 2013. This model is about one-sixth the size of the real fort. The original fort was built in 1756. It helped protect settlers during the French and Indian War.
Learning and Community Programs
The society often holds educational events and meetings. These programs teach people about local history. Some topics they have covered include:
- Correcting common myths about local and state history.
- Showing old uniforms, vehicles, and weapons from the American Civil War and World War II.
- Discussing how the 1918 Spanish influenza affected the coal industry in Northumberland County.
Protecting Old Buildings
The society also works to save historic buildings. They team up with other groups to protect old structures. For example, in 2015, they helped try to save the Northumberland County Prison (Pennsylvania). This old, castle-like building was 139 years old. It had been badly damaged by a big fire.
Books and Publications
The Northumberland County Historical Society has worked with historians and family researchers. Together, they have created many books and educational materials. Some of these include:
- Carter, John H. The Palatine migration: Schoharie to Tulpehocken.
- Clement, Charles M. The story of early Sunbury and Fort Augusta.
- Gearhart, Heber G. Notable women of Northumberland County.
- Northumberland County in the American Revolution.
- Richardson, Jane DuPree. Over the blue mountain: Pennsylvania-German craft and continuance in the Mahantongo Valley area (1773-1950).
- Snyder, Charles Fisher. Conrad Weiser in the Susquehanna Valley: his travels, land holdings, and the Weiser family in this vicinity.
- Ungar, Chuck. Majestic Solitude: Mozart's librettist in Sunbury.
The society also publishes a journal called NCHS Proceedings. This journal helps people learn about the region's history. It covers topics from Native Americans to early German settlers. It also talks about soldiers from the Revolutionary War and Civil War. You can even learn about Thomas Edison's contributions to the area.
See also
- Sunbury, Pennsylvania
- Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
- List of historical societies
- Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies
