Beaver County History Weekend marks 100th anniversary of the end of World War I

It’s time once more to take a journey through the history of our region. The Beaver County History Weekend celebration will take place on May 5 and 6 at historical societies and museums throughout the county.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Thirty-six Beaver County residents were killed in battle, with 14 more dying later of their wounds. Influenza brought back from Europe by the soldiers ravaged both military and citizenry who died by the hundreds. During the war, Beaver County residents showed their support for our troops and our nation through parades, flag raising, demonstrations and enlistment drives. Sending food to our troops created shortages here back home, which civilians counteracted by observing meatless and wheatless days. The Garden Movement encouraged everyone to grow their own food.

Here on Beaver County, our industries made very important contributions to the war effort. Our steel industries produced steel plating for ships. Excavators made by Keystone Drillers were sent overseas. Phoenix Glass made lenses for signal lights and lamps. Junction Park became a training ground and was later moved to Brady’s Run. Many county residents opened their purse strings and collected funds to provide for the soldiers.

Beaver County presented a united front, but we can never underestimate the sacrifices of our native sons and daughters who fought, died and altered their lives to ensure peace and prosperity. All of this and more will be honored during Beaver County History Weekend. The sites listed below will be offering free admission on these two days (with the exception Old Economy Village). It’s a “timeless” opportunity to learn about our community’s history.

Beaver County History Weekend is being hosted by the Beaver County History Coalition. To learn more, visit the Beaver County Recreation and Tourism website at visitbeavercounty.com.


Air Heritage, Inc. Museum and Aircraft Restoration Facility
, Beaver County Airport, 35 Piper St., Chippewa Township, Beaver.

View various aircraft at the museum, including World War I aircraft via models, photos and videos.
Participate in a game featuring World War I aircraft and battlefield locations that allows gamers to fly and fight different types of period aircraft.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Regular Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Beaver County Industrial Museum, 801 Plumb Street, Darlington.

A special exhibit touches on how Beaver County industry impacted the war effort in World War I. Glance through photographs on the war and research your local ancestry who served in the war in a special book on display.

History Weekend Hours:
Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Regular Hours: Sundays, May through September, 1 to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment.

Beaver County Model Railroad and Historical Society
, 416 Sixth St., Monaca.

Watch HO scale steam locomotives running through the villages picking up World War I soldiers at the train stations. Docents will share the role that Beaver County railroads played during the war. Military train layouts will be on display.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.

Regular Hours: Open every Tuesday 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Beaver Falls Historical Society and Museum
, 1301 Seventh Ave. Beaver Falls.

See World War I memorabilia on display. Docents will explain two “dough boy” uniforms and the personal items and medals that belonged to these “dough boys.” Two local enlistments books from 1918 and 1919 will be available for viewing.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 2 p.m.

Regular Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by appointment.

B.F. Jones Memorial Library
, 663 Franklin Avenue, Aliquippa.

Jones and Laughlin and P & LE Railroad photos taken during World War I will be on display, along with books from the early 1900s. Guided tours of the library will include the history of Woodlawn/Aliquippa and a narrated slide presentation of the Arcadia “Aliquippa” book throughout the day.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday noon to 2 p.m.

Colonial Dames XVII Century
, Beaver Town Chapter

Maintaining the principles of virtue, courage and patriotism that lead to the colonial independence, members of this organization have traced their lineage to an ancestor residing in America by 1701. An information table will be at the Air Heritage Museum.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ellwood City Area Historical Society Museum, 310 Fifth St., Ellwood City.

Learn how Ellwood City based companies such as National Tube, Aetna-Standard, Ellwood Forge and Ellwood City Forge made products that were major contributions to the war effort.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Regular Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Enon Valley Community Historical Society, 1084 Main St., Enon Valley.

Enon Valley sent 29 boys overseas during World War I. The society will highlight Earl Watt, the only casualty from Enon Valley. A heartfelt letter written by an American Red Cross nurse who visited Watt will be on display. In honor of Earl’s service, the Earl J. Watt American Legion Post was established in 1921. Displays will focus on the many efforts of local volunteers, the history of the American Red Cross and the Earl J. Watt American Legion.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Regular Hours: By appointment only.

Fort McIntosh Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution

Formed in 1904, the chapter preserves history and historic sites, supports veterans and honors our forefathers. An information table will be at the Air Heritage Museum.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ladies Grand Army of the Republic, South Side Historical Village, Hookstown Fair Grounds, 1198 State Rt. 168, Hookstown.

The Ladies Grand Army of the Republic will provide information on the local endeavors and contributions of women that supported the cause during World War I. While visiting, look for a nurse of yesteryear wearing a Red Cross insignia.

History Weekend Hours
: Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

Larry Bruno Hall of Achievement, Carnegie Free Library, 1301 Seventh Ave., Beaver Falls.

World War I had an impact on the sports and recreational schedules of area youth. Highlighted will be ways that students and youth organizations contributed to the war effort. Newspaper articles, medals, regiment books and photos will be on display.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday 10 a.m.to 5 p.m.; Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

Little Beaver Historical Society Complex, 710 Market St., Darlington.

World War I will be spotlighted at the Red Brick Museum with artifacts from the era, as well as biographies of local participants and anecdotes from the home front.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Regular Hours: Sundays, May through September, 1 to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment.

Logs Town Associates Historical Society, Vicary Mansion, 1235 Third Ave., Freedom.

Efforts to recognize the Logs Town site were begun prior to World War I and ceased due to the worldwide conflict. The history of Logs Town and the natives that inhabited this internationally known trading center will be shared, in addition to future plans to preserve the site’s footprint.

History Weekend Hours
: Saturday, 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

McKinley School, McKinley Rd. and 37th St. Extension, Chippewa Township, Beaver Falls.

The effect of World War I on school children will be reviewed by looking into how it impacted their daily lives and education, and how youth organizations supported the war effort.

History Weekend Hours
: Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

Regular Hours: By appointment only.

Merrick Art Gallery and Museum, 1100 Fifth Ave., New Brighton.

Exhibits will focus on “La Belle Epoque to World War One: The Golden Age Before the Tragedy.” The “Beautiful Era” was the period between 1871 and the start of World War I, considered to be an era of peace and prosperity. Take a treasure hunt through the gallery and learn about this golden era’s fashions, social norms and attitudes as depicted in art.

History Weekend Hours
: Saturday 10 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

Monaca Hall of Fame, 1098 Pennsylvania Ave., Monaca.

Photos, uniforms and records of the World War I servicemen from Monaca, Monaca Heights and Colona will be available. The names of five former residents of Monaca who lost their lives in the war are displayed at Monaca Plaza across from the Hall of Fame.

History Weekend Hours
: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Regular Hours: By appointment only.

New Brighton Historical Society, New Brighton Public Library, 1021 Third Ave., New Brighton.

World War I memorabilia will be on display, including posters, registration and discharge papers, war bonds, a canteen and photos of soldiers, the end-of-war New Brighton Victory Parade, and Company “B” stationed at the Armory. Learn about “The General” whose ghost still haunts the Armory (the present day borough building).

History Weekend Hours: Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

Ohio Valley Lines Model Railroad, Library and Museum, 1225 Merchant St., Ambridge.

Watch the steam engines that transported the troops to the training camps during World War I.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

Old Economy Village, 270 16th St., Ambridge.

The names of the men from Ambridge who served in World War I will be on display at the Visitor Center. The “Hands on History” Day will feature blacksmithing, historic food, silk reeling, spinning, weaving and woodworking.

History Weekend Hours
: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Regular Hours: April to December: Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission $10/adults (12 to 64); $9 for seniors 65 and older; $6 ages three to 11.

Richmond Little Red School House, 245 Park Rd., Brighton Township, Beaver.

Experience the one-room schoolhouse and some of the activities that students participated in during the early 1900s.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Regular Hours: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend: Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m. and by appointment.

Rochester Area Heritage Society Museum and Model Railroad
, 350 Adams St., Second Floor, Rochester.

While on the battlefront, World War I soldiers faced a terrifying enemy armed with mustard gas, machine guns and flamethrowers. In 1918, another foe crossed the world’s battle lines: The H1N1 pandemic of the Spanish flu (“La Grippe”) claimed more lives than the war itself (20 to 40 million). The museum will showcase information on medical care on the home front, with a special focus on Rochester General Hospital and the unique role that the museum’s building (at that time the town’s high school) played during the war and epidemic.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sons of the American Revolution; Sons of Confederate Veterans; Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

These national organizations consist of male descendants of Patriots who served during the American Revolution and American Civil War. Each organization is a nonprofit, non-political, non-secret organization dedicated to patriotic, historical and educational objectives. Information for these groups will be available at the Air Heritage Museum.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

South Side Historical Village, Hookstown Fair Grounds, 1198 State Rt. 168, Hookstown.

The village will feature a World War I Hero Hunt. Each building will display a local veteran who served in World War I or a war artifact. Learn about these local heroes as each question is answered. Prizes will be awarded at the General Store.

History Weekend Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Regular Hours: April to October: Second Saturday of each month, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saint Nicholas Chapel
, 5400 Tuscarawas Rd., Beaver (Brighton Township).

The GCU St. Nicholas Chapel was built as a monument to the organization’s founders. The majority of its early membership immigrated to the United States from 1880 through the early 1900s. The unrest and economic uncertainty in Europe prior to the outbreak of World War I caused many to leave their homes on the slopes of the Carpathian Mountains and come to America. Following the war’s end, the Byzantine Church in America established parishes across the northeastern United States. St. Nicholas Chapel represents the wooden churches from those Carpathian Mountains, many of which were destroyed by the Nazis during World War II and the Communist government of the Soviet Union.

History Weekend Hours
: Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Divine liturgy celebrated Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Vicary Mansion
, 1235 Third Ave., Freedom.

Explore the front lines and the Beaver County home front of World War I. Injuries suffered by soldiers will be explored, as well as medical advances that developed during the war in response to the new weaponry being used. Soldier food rationing will be on display, along with military uniforms and civilian garments of the era.

History Weekend Hours
: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Regular Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment.

Book group to discuss All Quiet on the Western Front

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of World War I and prior to the Beaver County History Coalition’s History Weekend celebration on May 5 and 6, the Beaver County Library System is launching Beaver County Reads, a reading program designed to create a countywide discussion of this time period. Residents are encouraged to read and discuss a book written by Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front, a World War I novel centering on a young soldier’s story.

During April, county libraries will host open discussions of the novel led by Heather Metheny, manager at Chippewa Branch Library and Outreach Services. The discussions will take place at the following locations:

  • April 5, 11 a.m., Center Express Library Outlet, 109 Pleasant Dr., Center Township
  • April 16, 2 p.m., Monaca Public Library, 998 Indiana Ave., Monaca
  • April 17, 1:15 p.m. CCBC; 6 p.m., Carnegie Library, 61 Ninth St., Midland
  • April 19, 5:30 p.m., Baden Memorial Library, 385 State St., Baden
  • April 20, noon, Beaver Area Memorial Library, 100 College Ave., Beaver
  • April 24, 6:30 p.m., Chippewa Branch Library, 2811 Darlington Rd., Chippewa Township
  • April 25, 10:30 a.m., Carnegie Free Library, 1301 Seventh Ave., Beaver Falls; 11 a.m., B.F. Jones Memorial Library, 663 Franklin Ave., Aliquippa; 6 p.m., Rochester Public Library, 252 Adams St., Rochester
  • April 26, 6 p.m., New Brighton Public Library, 1021 Third Ave., New Brighton
  • April 28, 10 a.m., Laughlin Memorial Library, 99 11th St., Ambridge