BCHRLF Board of Directors--1990
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On May 5,1970, M Aziz Khan, then head librarian of the Beaver Falls Library informed Mrs. Gladys L. Hoover that the Beaver Falls Library Board was willing to make the Pennsylvania Room of the library, a center of historical research for Beaver County, on the condition that she act as advisor in the acquisition of additional books.
Mrs. Hoover had spent many days in the Pennsylvania Room, when Miss Fern Medley was the head librarian, and was familiar with its holdings. She accepted and conferred immediately with Mr. Robert Bonnage, president of the Beaver Falls Historical So ciety, and "dean" of Beaver County Historians, whose lifelong avocation has been related to many facets of this county's history.
Soon thereafter she also invited the cooperation of Dr. Charles P. Henderson, Superintendent of the Midland Schools, whose broad fields of knowledge include that of shipbuilding on the Ohio River.
Since this would be a county center of research, it seemed desirable that representatives of the entire county be invited to an advisory board. Preference was given to individuals who had had the initiative to help organize an historical society, or were recommended by an original incorporator, or who had other valuable experience. This was for the simple reason that such people are usually unselfishly dedicated as well as competent.
At first, the meetings were ad. hoc. and of an exploratory nature. What was the potential in competence and how well could the members work together?
Historians agree that 80 percent of their difficulty in obtaining historical information is jealousies on area and local levels. It just seems ingrained for many groups or individuals to hold on to historical findings without provision for making them available to the public.
A notable exception is the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society (Pittsburgh) which regularly publishes its additions of historical papers and artifacts. Research is open to anyone by arrangement with the proper authorities.
The Beaver County group continued to meet ad. hoc. with Dr. Henderson during the months of illness of Mrs. Hoover's husband, when she did not know how much or how long she could continue to be active, if at all. Her husband passed away January 20, 1971. She will always be grateful to this first group for their faithful co-operation during this personally tragic period.
By the spring of 1971 several facts about additions to the Pennsylvania Room and Beaver County History, in general, were evident: (1) It was doubtful how and when existing Beaver County historical societies would unite their efforts, or if provision would be made for the public to have access to their individual or collective data. (2) Much of the county was then not organized in any historical society. (3) Many individuals, however, had shown an active helpful interest and not only a willingness, but a desire to be helpful in locating and sharing historical information. (File cases in the historical research office were building up from their contributions). (4) That ad. hoc. group had provided its capability and potential, and above all, a dedicated cooperative attitude. (5) Gathering material for the research center could serve other important services which could arouse an interest in this part of Pennsylvania, heretofore, at times, a seemingly bypassed or ignored area of the state. (6) It could be helpful in collecting resource information for this century's history of Beaver County.
Sometimes one hears the statement, "Bring Bausman (Beaver County History) up to date." That is absolutely impossible, for the simple reason that what has happened in this century is so very much more than had occurred up to the time of Bausman's publication in 1904. It is now the task of compiling what has happened since the time of Bausman, the bulk of which is many, many times greater and more complex than that with which Bausman had to present. Therefore, it is a matter of, bringing Beaver County History, not Bausman, up to date. (Editor's Note): The Foundation is currently doing just that.
Bausman was an excellent historian of his time. His copious footnotes attest the sources of his information. (Sources are not found in all county histories). There are some errors, mostly omissions, but again historians agree that no historical book is totally without error, minor though it may be. Bausman did not outline the international rivalry for possession of the Ohio Valley Frontier. Indeed, he could not simply because it is only in the last few years that details of background international intrigue have become known.
In this century Beaver County has expanded its activities far beyond anything dreamed of by Bausman and his contemporaries. From an agricultural county it has become also one of the most highly industrialized of the state, if not the nation. Take atour along the Ohio River and note the industries that line its banks and extend inward. It is said that the Ohio River carries more tonnage than the Panama Canal and the Canadian Inland Waterways combined. The Conway railroad yards are one of the largest if not the largest push button operation in the nation. The new Freeway, and the extension of the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport, bring additional population and activity to Beaver County.
The entire character of Beaver County has changed since the time of Bausman and its contemporaries. The expansion of industry, of business, of churches and schools, of the professions, of transportation, of service organizations, of additional institutions, of governmental functions - all and much more - make this century's history complex and awesome in the collection of its historical data and the recording thereof in history.
In the writing of this history, it is soon evident that the efforts of many people are needed. The field is wide open. The writing of one phase of the expansion of this century could be valuable. In the publication of this history, a determined effort will be made to keep the name of the writer with his or her contribution, and given full credit.
Coming back to the people who had met ad. hoc. Here was a competent, cooperative group to start the accumulation of historical information on a county wide basis. The same efforts would be helpful to the Beaver Falls Historical Research Center and the closely related historical activities. The name "Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation" was chosen and incorporation completed. Since then, historical societies throughout the county have been organized under the guidance of the Foundation.
A letter explaining how the organization came about and offering cooperation with existing societies was sent to each. It was addressed to the president, but directed also to the board and members of the society. From the beginning cooperation has been stressed. Of special note (itself a part of history) is the reply of Dr. Chadwick, then president of the New Brighton Historical Society. In a highly professional, ethical letter, lie stated the views of his society. He related the accomplishments of his society and its future goals, but he also conveyed the willingness of the society to share information.
In the formal organization of the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation, Mrs. Hoover was retained as Chairman and Dr. Henderson, Vice-Chairman; Robert Bonnage, General Chairman of Historical Research and Sidney Kane, Vice-Chairman. Mr. Kane was also Chairman of Publicity; Benjamin Wilson; President of the Little Red School House Historical Society, Chairman of Landmarks; Robert Quay, Co-Chairman; Mrs. Margaret Ross, Chairman of Genealogy; John Davidson, Chairman of Archeology; Mrs. Fran McDanel, Secretary; Mrs. Vivian McLaughlin, Treasurer.
The Landmarks Chairmen welcomed information about historical landmarks wherever they were located throughout the county. Mrs. Ross requested that Beaver Countians who have family histories file a copy for her in the Office of Historical Research, then 855 Fourth Street, Beaver, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Robert Bonnage divided Beaver County into nine areas, each with a research chairman, as follows:
Mr. Robert Bassett, 110 Taylor Avenue, Beaver, Chairman of District No. 1, the Little Beaver Area of South Beaver and Darlington; Mr. J. Neal Mathews, 3421 Fifth Avenue, Beaver Falls, Chairman of District No. 2, the Beaver Falls Area west of the Beaver River and north through Big Beaver, New Galilee, Homewood, and Koppel; Mr. Carl Walcott, 2618 Craighead Lane, Beaver Falls, Chairman of District No. 3, thearea of North Sewickley, Franklin and Marion Townships; Mrs. Robert Merrick, Forest Haven, Beaver, Chairman No. 4, New Brighton, Rochester, Freedom, New Sewickley Township, Pulaski Township, and Daugherty Town ship, Mrs. Merrick is also Merrick Art Gallery Sponsor; Mr. Matthew Malievic, 1225 Third Street, Beaver, Board Member of the Beaver Heritage, Chairman of District No. 5, Beaver, Vanport, and Brighton Township Dr.; Charles Henderson, Midland Public Schools, Chairman of District No. 6, Midland, Ohioview, and Industry; Mr. Alton Bonzo, R.D. No. 2, New Brighton, Board Member of the Mill Creek Valley Historical Association, Chairman No. 7, Potter, Independence, Raccoon, Hanover Townships, Mrs. Clinton Dalzell, 1013 Bechtel Street, Monaca, Chairman No. 8, Aliquippa, Monaca, Hopewell Township, Center Township; Mr. Robert Matzie, Jr., President of the newly formed Anthony Wayne Historical Society, 60 Russell Avenue, Baden, Chairman No. 9, Ambridge, Baden, Conway, and Harmony Township, excluding Old Economy, Ambridge.
Mr. Ross Rae, Baden, and Mr. J.H. Thompson, 940 Fourth Avenue, Freedom, were individual contributors.
(EDITOR'S NOTE): Mrs. Gladys L. Hoover died January 1980.
The Foundation's other major project, besides updating Beaver County History, is to turn the Vicary House, Freedom into the County's Center for History. More will be written on this subject in a special issue of Milestones. The following is a excerpt written by Tobias Hetchie (Cousin Jed). He was the first husband of Ann Mary Vicary Hetchie Harvey.