A special weekend is coming up at a long time regional Historical site that has deep ties to one of Pennsylvania’s best known industries. At Curtin Village, an ongoing theme is “History Lives Here.”
Sue Hannigan of the Roland Curtin Foundation saying: “So this site contains the last operating charcoal fired, coal blast iron furnace in Pennsylvania, if not the nation.” Iron production, in what was known as the Juniata District, began in this small community outside of Milesburg in 1831 and continued until the 1920’s. Where dozens of Eagle Iron Works Employees lived and worked year around — part of Pennsylvania’s early industrial history. Now the village is a National Historic Site, and this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, it’s Heritage Weekend. Hannigan adding: “Sunday focuses on genealogy and family history. Saturday focuses on photography.”
The photography will be one of the various trips back in time here. The photos will have a vintage touch, done through the 19th Century tin type process. Richard Watters of the Roland Curtin Foundation saying: “We can’t in all cases, but we will have period clothing from the 1800s available for people who would like to purchase a period photograph. So they can step back in time.”
On Sunday for families, an Expert will talk about and demonstrate how to trace family histories. Philip Ruth of the Roland Curtin Foundation saying: “So seeing it done in real time will help people recognize the real possibilities. If they don’t know how to do it, they can see that it can be done.”
There will also be tours and other activities for Heritage Weekend. Last year, the Roland Curtin Foundation decided to move forward with taking ownership of the historic property from the State. So the Heritage Weekend, along with fundraising it, will provide education about Curtin Village along with the family history involved. Sue Hannigan, in closing: “We do have the opportunity to tell the story of many people, and we’re going to do that through various means. We’re going to give people the opportunity to share their family history with us so that we have greater understanding of the people who worked in the village.”