Committee Updates - July 2026

Program

Thanks to Dr. Benjamin Ford for his presentation on Newport, an Indiana County river town of the 18^th century.  Dr. Ford will be returning to the society in the Fall to share his research on Western Pennsylvania in the late 18^th and early 19^th century.  If you missed the program, you can view it on our YouTube page.

The month of June ended with the event, “A Salute to Indiana County Veterans and Active Service Members”.  The overall committee for this event, consisting of our executive director, the Program Committee, various veteran organizations, and community groups, expresses its appreciation to our sponsors: Grace Church; American Legion, Post 141; Friends of Joe Pittman; Homer City Legion, Post 493; Blairsville American Legion Auxiliary; B.A.C.K, Inc.; William G. Mechling Insurance; Blairsville Fraternal Order of Eagles; Saltsburg Area Historical Society; Historical Society of Blairsville; Rochester Mills Presbyterian Church; Robert Fyock; F.O.E. #1468; Indiana Moose Lodge #174; Ken Ault; Indiana Elks; Elderton State Bank; and the Clymer American Legion.     

A special thank you to the following veterans and active service members who participated in the program at Memorial Park:  AJ Ryan, Jessica Walker, Karen Holland, Mallory Kupchella, Chuck Flynn, Wesley Wertz, Reverend Burney, and Sheriff Robert Fyock. We also extend our thanks to the Otter Creek Brass Band and the Indiana County Fife and Drum Corps.  The Historical Society exhibit on the six branches of the military will be available to visit through the month of July.

For the past year, the Program Committee has been collaborating with Downtown Indiana and the Indiana County Tourist Bureau in planning the 2^nd Annual Christmas in July event.  This gala will be held on July 25, 2026 at the Mytrysak Family Tree Farm. Preceding this event, a Christmas Eve in July dinner will be held on Friday, July 24^th.  For more information on these events, contact Downtown Indiana Inc. at downtownindianapa.org.

The Wax Museum will be held on Friday, August 7^th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as part of America250PA.   The event will be located in the Clark House, the armory, and Memorial Park.  Come join us and walk through the various locations visiting historic characters from Indiana County’s past.  Please RSVP for this free event at 724-463-9600 or hgsic.org.

Fundraising

Thanks to the support of many, our latest fashion show was sold out. An event like this doesn’t just happen; it takes a group of talented individuals to bring history to life. Our phenomenal models–Becky and Don Becker, Denise Weber, Andrea Richko, Claire Stewart, Katie, Issac and Cameron Gaudreau, Mandy Jablunovsky, Megan Larko, Joe Hildebrand, and Joe Dell–didn’t just wear clothes; they truly portrayed the characters. Thanks to their dedication, our guests weren’t just looking at vintage designs; instead, they were actively stepping back in time.

A special shout out to the models from Sharon’s School of Dance: Allie Lieb, Maecen Stancombe, Lincoln Schaldenbrand, Natalie Collinger, and Ally Waugman. Their spectacular dance moves added a whole new layer of artistry.

Of course, a historical journey needs the perfect narrator. Scott Walton, our Master of Ceremonies, truly brought the production to life. He made the night extra special with the creative way he interacted with the models. Rather than just reading a script, he engaged in real time, playing off the characters and creating a living dialogue on the runway.

The Sweet Little Shop on Philadelphia Street provided the door prizes for the evening. Thank you to them for helping us with so many of our events!

As always, thanks to all the hard-working, behind-the-scenes volunteers whose dedication make this type of event possible. We are already discussing ideas for next year’s show.

Coming up… Mark your calendars! Following last year’s successful tour, we are pleased to host our second annual historic house tour on August 22 from 10 o’clock until 3 o’clock. We will look through the keyholes of a selection of homes that tell the story of Indiana. 

Our town’s history isn’t just found in books; it is built directly into the streets you walk every day. This year’s tour highlights a variety of our local heritage sites, showcasing homes that feature architectural details such as original woodwork or interesting fireplaces. Walking through these spaces will be a powerful reminder of a bygone era.

Of course these homes wouldn’t be here to tell their stories without the dedication of their current owners. For many of these present owners, preservation is a journey of discovery and a deep dive into the past.

The fundraising committee is pleased to announce an exciting new event for our community. On September 24, we invite you to experience the flavors of a bygone era at “Dining with the Clarks”, a Gilded Age-inspired fundraising banquet.

Step into the late 19th century inspiration for an evening of festivities, beginning with a sophisticated cocktail hour, allowing guests to mingle and toast to Indiana County’s heritage. Following the reception, attendees will be treated to a dinner meticulously crafted in the spirit of Gilded Age dining.

We are incredibly honored to partner with the talented Chef Santicola, who will be bringing his expertise to the Allenwood tables. His menu would have made the Clarks proud. Guests will have a choice of three delectable entrees. Space will be limited for this premier culinary fundraiser.

Our Spring Tea was a delightful event, highlighting the incredible women of the Revolutionary era. These women were brought to life by the script authored by Mary Jo Bowes and the talented acting of Heather Walton, Sue Miller, Sharon Smith, and Sharon Herring.  We are so grateful to everyone who supported the society, especially since tickets sold out three weeks before the event.

Naturally,  the gentlemen of the Revolution era have caught wind of this and simply cannot stand being left out of the spotlight. The men are loudly declaring “It is our time!” We highly recommend purchasing your tickets early to ensure your seat for the Fall Tea on September 12 at 2:00 p.m.

As we have mentioned in the past, our fundraising committee is always on the lookout for new volunteers to join our ranks. If you’ve been on the fence because you worry about a massive time commitment, don’t be concerned. We have plenty of “bite-sized” ways to get involved. Every extra pair of hands for event support, kitchen help, or providing sweets makes a huge difference. Please contact me at fundraising@hgsic.org.  We would love to have you join us.