History lovers will get an early Valentine’s Day present on Saturday.
The 14th annual Schuylkill County History Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fairlane Village mall. The Schuylkill County Coalition of Historical Societies and Museums hosts the event in recognition of American History Month.
“The main purpose has always been to get the word out about the historical societies,” said Jennifer Bowen, coalition founder.
Bowen said this year’s event features 13 participants: Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society, Auburn Area Historical Society, Girardville Historical Society, Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, Orwigsburg Historical Society, Minersville Area Historical Society, Railway Restoration Project 113, Saint Clair Community and Historical Society, Schuylkill County Agriculture Museum, Schuylkill County Historical Society, Schuylkill Haven history collection, Tamaqua Historical Society and Tremont Area Historical Society.
In addition to seeing the exhibits, the public will have the opportunity to buy historical publications and items, obtain membership information and gather genealogical research information.
Bowen also serves as president of the Orwigsburg Historical Society. She said they are bringing rare photographs and artifacts from the borough and southern Schuylkill County.
She said people who have lived in Schuylkill County for many years still don’t know about all the boroughs and townships that make up the county. By showcasing theses places at the fair, people will gain knowledge of areas in which they are not familiar. One example is the historical society in Auburn. The society formed only a few years ago, so their material may not have been seen by many people yet.
“It’s nice we have the different variations of the societies and museums and there is an interest,” Bowen said.
The Schuylkill County Historical Society is planning to bring some special items this year, according to its executive director, Thomas B. Drogalis.
He said with 2016 being an election year, the society is selling replica copies of a flier promoting John F. Kennedy’s visit to Pottsville in 1960. The then-Democratic presidential candidate made a stop in Garfield Square while on the campaign trail in October of that year.
The society also plans to display Prohibition liquor license applications and a collection of milk and beverage bottles. They will also have gifts for sale, such as county maps and thousands of picture copies.
The coalition of historical societies and museums was founded by Bowen to provide an opportunity for local historical societies to network and pool their resources. The coalition and its members also provide educational services relating to local history, preservation and genealogy, according to a coalition press release.
For more information, call Bowen at 570-617-7809.