Just In!
Steve Runkle
For those of you who are doing any genealogy on the families of Hench, Hartman or Rice, the society recently received the publication Genealogy of the Hench & Hartman Families, compiled by Steve Runkle and his wife Janeann, February 2012.
Runkle, who recently gave two presentations to area residents concerning the Revolutionary War, provided the society with a copy of the publication which tells about those families, who played parts in the war. Many of the ancestors of these families are local residents.
This book is available for research at the society’s Archives Room that is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Want to research your family members who were part of Juniata County at one time? There is one complete section at the Archives Room that holds various compiled family histories.
If interested in becoming a member of the society, they are available for as little as $15 per year. Call the society at 717-436-5152 between the hours listed above for more information. Or, just stop by to learn more about Juniata County Historical Society. We’re located directly below the Juniata County Library at 498 Jefferson Street, Suite B, Mifflintown.
We Made It!
This photo of the Juniata County Historical Society’s Academia Pomeroy Covered Bridge is featured in the 2014 Project for Pennsylvania Transportation & Heritage’s [ProjectPATH] calendar. The photo chosen to be included in their calendar was taken by P. Joseph Lehman Inc. Consulting Engineers and Juniata County Historical Society and is featured in the month of July. It was the contest’s Facebook Fan Favorite runner-up with 55 votes, 11 shares and 15 comments. Thanks to those of you who voted via this website!
View the ProjectPath Winner announcement page!
Give Support Now For Senate Arson Bill
Senator Jake Corman
Senate Bill 1024, Printer’s No. 1661, sponsored by Sen. John Rafferty (R., Montgomery County), was amended by the House on Dec. 16, 2013, and referred to the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee on Jan 7, 2014. Our Sen. Jake Corman (R., Juniata, Perry, and parts of Mifflin, Centre and Union counties) serves on this Committee.
The gist of the 8 page bill establishes an offense of “aggravated arson” a felony or murder charge, when someone intentionally sets a fire and a person is injured or killed. Rep. Paul Clymer (R., Bucks County) then added an amendment to protect historic resources by giving jail time to arsonists. Specifically, it protects “A historic resource – a building or structure, including a covered bridge, which: has been in existence more than 100 years… or has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places or The Pennsylvania Register of Historic Places.”
This bill would apply to our own Pomeroy-Academia Covered Bridge. Shortly after the $1.2 Million dollar restoration in June 2009, a person/persons lit a campfire on the wooden floor of the bridge. The results could have been disastrous, and caused the Juniata County Historical Society additional costs for fire retardants and bridge security. Both the Bridge AND the Tuscarora Academy are more than 100 years old and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Please contact Senator Corman, and support Senate Bill 1024. He can be reached at: Room 81, Main Capitol, Senate Box 203034, Harrisburg, PA 17120-3034 or 236 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823. His phone numbers are: Harrisburg, 717-787-1377, (FAX: 717-772-3146); or Bellefonte, 814-355-0477, (FAX: 814-355-6046). To read the full text of the bill, go to www.legis.state.pa.us and look for Senate Bill 1024, sponsored by Senator Rafferty.
Historical Educational Events Continue at Archives
It may be a cold winter, but it hasn’t hindered those interested in learning more about The Revolutionary War to come out for Historical Educational Events held by the society.
STEVE RUNKLE
Two programs, presented by Steve Runkle, were held at the Juniata County Library’s Community Room this January.
The first, The Revolutionary War in the Susquehanna River Basin Region, was held January 13, 2014. Runkle gave a room packed full of individuals insight on the part played by the Northern Americans during the war. His presentation touched on many of the bloody battles and brought about the fact that many times brothers [both European settlers and Native Americans] were fighting on opposite sides during those battles.
Monday, January 27, Runkle will be giving another talk on The Philadelphia Campaign of the Revolutionary War [this event is already full]. This program will chronicle the most critical year of the American Revolutionary War, from July 1777 through June 1778 and also focus on the part Pennsylvania played in that time period of the War. Of special interest to Juniata County attenders will be the part played by Zachariah Rice, a German millwright who emigrated to the Tuscarora Valley and was once landowner of what is now known as “Church Hill” just west of Port Royal. A publication, Perrysville to Port Royal 1812-2012 A 200-Year Journey, makes reference to Rice and the beginnings of the Lutheran Church in Port Royal. The book is available at the Archives.
Other Upcoming Programs
Other upcoming programs include a Saturday, March 8 presentation which highlights a Juniata County veteran and his part in World War II. It will be based on the book, Every Soldier Has A Story, written by Lincoln T. Hokenbrough about his grandfather Clarence R. Hibbs from eastern Juniata County.
The May 12 presentation will feature local historical author Wayne Taylor whose program entitled, The Significance of the Tuscarora Valley Railroad, will introduce participants of this event to the establishment of the Tuscarora Valley Railroad [TVRR].
All programs, which begin at 1:00 p.m., are by reservation only and can be made by calling 717-436-5174.
Not a society member and want to learn more about Juniata County history? Don’t despair, you can become one for as little as $15 a year. Call the above listed number to find out more about becoming a member which gives free access to the Archives Room, and a quarterly newsletter containing all the happenings and other historical accounts of Juniata County’s rich history.
Help Support Society Photo
A photo of the Pomeroy-Academia Covered Bridge was recently submitted to the 2014 ProjectPATH Calendar by Sheila Yorks on behalf of the Juniata County Historical Society.
Contest photos were posted anonymously on the Preservation Pennsylvania Facebook page. Facebook friends are invited to vote for their favorite photo by “liking” it. We invite you to look at the page and vote for our beautiful landmark in Juniata County, which could be a winner and be placed onto the calendar. Voting ends this Friday, October at 8:00 a.m. Please note that you must “like” the Preservation PA page in order to vote.
The album link is https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151860777809172.1073741828.128268659171&type=1&l=64278718bd
