History Mailbox
Written by PA Heritage Staff in the Mailbox category and the Spring 1982 issue Topics in this article:The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, in cooperation with the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, is sponsoring the Fifth Annual Conference on Black History in Pennsylvania on May 6-7, 1982. Sessions will be held at the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum, 7th and Arch Sts., Philadelphia (19106). Conference fees, payable to the PHMC, include $8 for the conference and $8.60 for the luncheon (optional). Luncheon registrations must be received by April 29 [1982]. Advance registrations and requests for further information should be sent to the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum, c/o Isabelle Williams, or call (215) 574-3676.
An introductory, one-day workshop on archival arrangement and description will be sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference at its Spring 1982 meeting at the Fountain Bleu Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland on May 21 [1982]. For more information write Cynthia H. Requardt, 202 Warren Ave., Baltimore, MD 21230.
Jeannette Lasansky has begun a year-long history project which will culminate in a book on the Geisinger Medical Center. Anyone with information concerning diaries, letters, photographs, bills or other memorabilia relating either to the medical center or to Abigail Geisinger, Dr. Harold Foss or Dr. Leonard Bush, should contact Ms. Lasansky at R.D. 1, Box 351, Lewisburg 17837, or call (717) 271-6467.
A history of Allentown from 1762-1929 is now underway under the auspices of the Lehigh County Historical Society. The project, which will last five years and result in two volumes, is headed by Dr. Mahlon H. Hellerich. Those with information (letters, diaries, photographs, etc.) relating to the way of life and the activities of people in Allentown and vicinity in years past should call (717) 820-3282.
The Columbia County Historical Society is sponsoring a comprehensive place-name study of Columbia County. Maps, journals, diaries, warrants and deeds, surveys, manuscripts (published and unpublished) and newspapers are being reviewed in an effort to make the work complete. Anyone with knowledge of Columbia County place names (origins and locations) are encouraged to contact Dr. Walter Brasch, Project Director, Dept. of Journalism, Bloomsburg State College, Bloomsburg 17815, or call (717) 389-2414.
The Peter Martin cabin, originally located along the west side of Route 322 about one and one-half miles west of Blue Ball in Earl Township, Lancaster County, will be reconstructed if $30 thousand can be raised by the Martin family to purchase and reconstruct it. In 1972-73 the Pennsylvania Log House Society carefully dismantled the structure, numbering each piece and taking hundreds of photos and measurements to enable reconstruction. Tax-deductible contributions toward the reconstruction can be sent to the Swiss Pioneer Preservation Associates, Martindale 17549.
Erratum: On page 40 of the Tercentenary issue of PH (see “Geography and Resources: The Story of Adaptation“), the Baldwin Locomotive Works were inaccurately identified as being located in Altoona. The Baldwin Works, in reality, were founded in the heart of Philadelphia and remained there until 1906 when the company moved to Eddystone, about twelve miles outside the city. The company continued there until locomotive production ceased. Altoona’s history is closely associated with the railroad, the Pennsylvania Railroad in particular, but not with the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
