Matson Insurance is partnering with Jefferson County History Center to offer exploreJeffersonpa.com readers a look in Jefferson County’s past. Today, Jefferson County’s history is being showcased.
This year the Jefferson County History Center celebrates 50 years of collecting and showing the county’s history. This exhibit on the second floor highlights some of our achievements.
WHAT DO YOU DO AT A HISTORY CENTER?
History Center? “What’s a history center?” It is not uncommon to hear that question around Brookville. For more than three decades, people were used to hearing about the Jefferson County Historical and Genealogical Society. Some had even visited the little house on Jefferson Street where the society maintained a library and rooms filled with old stuff. School groups came for a lesson on local history. Genealogists came to look up obituaries and other family information, and people traveling I-80 would stop off and take a look at the items displayed or use the restrooms
In 2004, the Historical Society moved into the building at 172-176 Main Street, the building that has Jefferson County History Center across the front. One show window displays logging tools and another shows beekeeping and soap-making equipment. The other two show windows look more like a typical shop, and it is through the shop door that visitors enter. Once inside, people will find the History Center Shop where books and maps about the county are available as well as a selection of gift items. There’s a selection of quality toys and books for children, too.
But items for sale are not the only thing available in the History Center. Behind the shop and up a short flight of steps, are the research rooms. An assistant is available there to help genealogists, students, and those who want to find out about a particular topic, and computers are available for searching our database of information.
The History Center is also a museum. There are galleries where the stories of Jefferson County are told through objects, documents, and photographs. Upstairs in three smaller galleries, an exhibit titled All Fired Up! shows off our 22 volunteer fire departments and has lots of neat things for kids.
A large section of the second floor is devoted to the Bowdish Model Railroad Layout. The layout is always available for viewing. On the last Saturday of every month, the Bowdish Volunteers run the trains for visitors.
This year the Skylight Room features the 50-year history of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Check out www.jchconline.org or our Facebook page to learn more about this most interesting destination. We’ve been around awhile!
Copyright@Jefferson County Historical Society, Inc.
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by Matson Insurance in Brookville.
Submitted by the Jefferson County History Center.
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