None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. For more information or to volunteer, send emails to mchsmuseum@verizon.net or mckeancountyhistoricalsociety@gmail.com, (Contact reporter Kate Day Sager at kates_th@yahoo.com.

Hours: 1pm-4pm There was an error processing your request. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Ask a worker about Crossmire, and many will be able to tell you stories of the many unexplained things that have happened inside the Old Jail Museum. Ralph Crossmire, executed for murdering his mother, haunts his former cell. Sorry NO PARKING in our lot except Handicapped/Disabled tag holders but, Fascinating story of the jail and the prisoners. Join us every 4th Sunday from 1-5pm as Moss Mill Brewing Company celebrates local vendors and artisans! You can become a member of MCHS for a fee. What do you think?

, SouthEastern Museum Conference 2022 ANNUAL MEETING, Tuesday, October 25 - Thursday, October 27, 2022 But when we go to get it, its not there., Todd added, You put something down and you know its there, but when you come back its not there. Note: The only "official" Facebook Page we have is the link above.

The museum staff will set up a display at the fairgrounds with a theme in honor of the fairs 115th anniversary.

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Monday-Friday June, July, August, Cost: Adults: $5, Children 12 & Under: Free, Address: 502 King Street However, there were also several collections that make the museumespecially interesting to visitors. Thank you for signing in! Every Friday afternoon for the three months of summer, the society hosts a continuing slide and lecture series that is presented by local train expert Dick Robertson.

Thank you for reading! After 16 months of closures and temporary openings, the museum, which showcases artifacts, documents and antiques owned by the McKean County Historical Society, expects to open its doors to the public Aug. 2 through October. Media For more information, please contact project manager Carolyn Donaldson at cld285@psu.edu.

Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. a collection of visitors' first-handaccounts of, 2019 All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy. Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends. Thank You! $1,000 is being awarded.

Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Volunteer Suzan Todd said the museum continues to receive donations of artifacts that have proven to be very interesting. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. We have requested FB to take them down, but they have not. On a final note, Vandermark said donations can be mailed to the McKean County Historical Society, 500 W. Main St., Smethport, Pa. 16749. Since then, inmates, prison guards, museum workers, and even visitors have claimed to have felt the presence of Crossmire. Vandermark recalled that she and staff member Flo Carter came over the last year to work on various chores.

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We sometimes offer internships and also allow students to complete their senior projects at the museum. visitPA.comis the official tourism website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Tom Wolf, Governor We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Learned so much about this town and the Molly McGuires. Required fields are marked *. Would you like to receive notice about our circulation promotions and contests? Find the lodge, cottage, cabin, or campground of your dreams for a scenic stay on the shores of Pennsylvanias lakes. We also offer tours of the museum. Chance of rain 50%.. Clear skies.

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Phone: 814-887-5142 Private property should be respected at all times, as should all posted signs concerning trespassing, hours of operation and other local regulations. The Bucktails are revered throughout north-central Pennsylvania, and the museum features many interesting pieces from them including weapons and uniforms. On your next view you will be asked to log in or create an account to continue reading. Many "ghost hunters" have been arrested because they failed to contact property owners and/or local authorities ahead of time.

238 Outreach Building These tours can be for a single person or for a group; they include two stories of the building. The front half of the building was an ornate home for the sheriff and his family, but the back half and cellar were used as the countys jail until 1990. Click "thumbs up" if you think its haunted, or "thumbs down" if you think its all just a tall tale.

Sign Up Today! The second floor also containsa room filled with taxidermied local wildlife that is setalongside a mural that showcases the best sightsinMcKean County. 1.

To activate digital access, you will need your account number. Association of Nature Center Administrators, American Association for State and Local History, Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums, JOHN H. AND ETHEL KELLER LOCAL HISTORY CENTER AND LIBRARY. The facility also received two small Paycheck Protection Program loans generated by the pandemic, which may have to be paid back. However, thanks to the museums setting and ghostly stories, this is a fantastic destination for any visitor to McKean County.

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Sorry, no promotional deals were found matching that code. , American Association for State and Local History 2022 On-site and Virual Conferences, Thursday, October 6 - Sunday, October 9, 2022 Lu Vandermark, left, and Suzan Todd of the McKean County Historical Society Museum at the Old Jail in Smethport, show where a replica sign for the Bucktail Regiment Memorial Bridge on Route 6 will be placed over the Civil War display case in the museum. Storms may contain strong gusty winds.

While the county donates a stipend, and the state provides a small grant to help with the overhead, community donations help with a number of other expenses. Offering a series of educational lectures and programs to the public at the Old Jail Museum.

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Copyright 2013-2022 Uncovering Media, LLC - All Rights Reserved, 9 Fantastic Things to Do in Cook Forest State Park, Capturing Great Views at the Tioga Reservoir Overlook in Tioga County, PA, Exploring the Ruins of Austin Dam in Potter County, Pennsylvania, Taking a Family Road Trip Across Route 6 in Pennsylvania. With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition.

Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Tuesday and Thursday April, May, September, October We are positioned to help clients communicate brand value and interpret history to engage visitors. Your email address will not be published. , ASSOCIATION OF NATURE CENTER ADMINISTRATORS 2022 ANNUAL SUMMIT, Wednesday, September 14 - Friday, September 16, 2022 No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. She said these pranks cant be blamed on visitors, or even staff and volunteers, because there have been very few people around the facility over the past year and a half. So you look around and when you come back, its there..

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The second floor of the Old Jail Museum housesa room filled with large looms that are still used to make rugs and other textiles.

Sign Up Today! Follow her on Twitter, @OTHKate). Most local historical societies have things on display that are of interest to even non-locals, and this one was no exception. There was a problem saving your notification. However, the opinions expressed in this article are my own. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Volunteer storytellers from Brockway, Pa. share stories about Scouting, rails to trails, cleaning up streams, a village choir, young peoples careers, volunteer firefighting and so much more. User assumes all risk of use. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. access for current print subscribers. During my travels, Ive visited many county historical societies throughoutPennsylvania. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. The Old Jail Museum is expected to open Aug. 2 to the public for self-guided tours. While the ground floor and second floor of the museum are interesting, I found the cellar to be the most fascinating part of the tour. Find out what makes Smethport a GREAT hometown!

The programs and events mentioned above take place either at the Old Jail Museum or the McKean County Courthouse. Note: My visit to the Old Jail Museum in Smethport, Pennsylvania, was hosted by the Allegheny Forest Visitors Bureau. On the ground floor, exhibits are fairly typical of historical society museums including historical items from local companies (a collection of wooden toys from the Holgate Toy Company), interesting oddities (a two-headed calf), and items from major local industries (in this case oil and glass). SMETHPORT Lu Vandermark remembers March 19, 2020 as the date she was told the Old Jail Museum would have to close its doors due to the pandemic. Vandermark said that in addition to volunteers, the museum welcomes donations of funds and artifacts. High 83F. Ghost or no ghost, I quite enjoyed my visit to the Old Jail Museum in Smethport. The museum preserves the history of the railroad in McKean County through displays of artifacts, memorabilia, photos, maps, and books. Region: Pennsylvania Wilds.

Get our expert short-term forecast, summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather. However, there is one big difference: the back half of the building is the remains of the McKean County jail.

Most of the ground floor exhibits are displayedbehind the large stone walls and steel door of the old jail, making the setting nearly as interesting as the exhibits themselves.

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In addition, the public will see a collection of Holgate toys, previously displayed on the front stairs in the museum, moved to two cabinets that were donated.

Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. People who occupied it after his death would report seeing him. We are located in the former McKean County Jail, which was built in 1875-76. The building that the McKean County Historical Society is located in served two purposes during its day. As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. We decided if we could have a museum where people could go through on their own and we didnt need a tour guide then that would be safer regarding the pandemic, Vandermark explained. Since you viewed this item previously you can read it again. The West King Street museum, however, will be closed Aug. 16 -20, the week of the McKean County Fair.

Would you like to receive our lifestyle headlines about food and wine, Bradford area living, local history and more? Monday, August 1 - Friday, August 5, 2022 Also of interest is the museums fantastic collection of antique weaponry, which includes guns dating back to 1640, and a Bible that once belonged to local Seneca Chief Cornplanter. In the past, many inmates claimed to have seen his ghost; however, in the 21st-century, it seems that Crossmire is more interested in pulling pranks than showing himself. for 1 day. 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike I was fortunate enough to visit while a class was being taught, which gave me a chance to see the large looms in action. Most are located in beautifully restored mansions that recall a bygone era, and, in some ways, the McKean County Historical Society Museum is no different.

Would you like to receive our sports news? They recently received a collection of Civil War letters that were written by a soldier with the famous Bucktail Regiment, which had hailed from the area and consisted of many sharpshooters. To view our latest e-Edition click the image on the left. Would you like to receive our Latest Obituary Notices? Ship Bottom Beer Garden The timeline had been researched and documented by the late Joe DeMott, former businessman and county commissioner, who had provided it to the museum staff.

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. We are currently working on repairing and remodeling a section of the second floor and hope to have it available for touring soon. The McKean County Historical Society was formed in 1902.

She said the self-guided tour will direct individuals through the museum from the front door, where the public will first see the history of the county presented in a timeline. Please note: It is your responsibility to acquire appropriate permissions before investigating any location listed on this site.

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Established in 1996, iondesign is an award winning design firm that has developed a niche in producing interpretive exhibits for sites nationwide. Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania 19006.

Sign up for our "Happy Thoughts" newsletter. If you've had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please let us know! Oh, and its also the sixth most haunted building in Pennsylvania.

502 W. King St. Theres all kinds of skill sets needed (by volunteers) including grant writing, carpentry work and designing as well as research and cataloging, she continued. One exampleis the museums large collection of items relating to the Bucktails, a famous Civil War regiment that fought inmany of the major battles of the war, including Gettysburg. Low 62F. www.facebook.com/McKean.County.Historical.Society. We provide a visual, educational and genealogical history of McKean County and also the services and assistance to further explore and understand our county's place in history. 100 Innovation Boulevard

Thank you for reading! Would you like to receive our breaking news? Sign Up Today! The McKean County Historical Society (MCHS) is a nonprofit organization based in the Old Jail Museum in Smethport, PA. We do accept donations, charge an admission fee for tours, and run a gift shop; these proceeds help support us when we present programs and other events. All you have to do is activate your access.

It just seems like whenever we want something, we know we have it and we know its here, Vandermark commented.

On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The facility is free for members, students, children ages 12 and under as well as active duty military and their immediate family. Old Jail Museum in Smethport getting ready to open to the public in August, 303 North Main Street, Port Allegany, PA 16743, DePalma Excavating (814) 558-8355 Paul DePalma Owner/ Operator - Driveways, 315 High St Bradford, PA 814-368-4010 Car of the Week. Even with the self-guided tours, the museum would welcome volunteers to help with the work that has accumulated over the past year. Is this place really haunted? Based in the state capital of Harrisburg, Jim frequently travels around Pennsylvania and has visited, written about, and photographed all 67 counties in the state. Your CommentsHave a photograph taken from this location? $3.00 Volunteer storytellers from Reynoldsville, PA share stories about the future downtown renovations, Carriage House Creations, the community pool, a giant concrete arrow, a local ghost, and so much more. Welcome! Laugh out loud and get a look at Lancaster County like youve never seen it before when Ryan and his colorful cast of friends present a hilarious multimedia tour of the region.

Web: webmaster.wpsu@psu.edu, Download Our Volunteer Training Book (Adobe PDF). Now, as a museum, guests and employees report that Crossmire is more of a prankster than a threat.

All rights reserved. Learn more about cookie data in our Privacy Policy, Grow Your Love of Beer in These 20 PA Beer Gardens. And for those who may wonder if the museums notorious ghost, Ralph Crossmire, is still making his presence felt on the premises, the staff said this may be the case.

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The Old Jail Museum, as its now known, does a great job combining two museums into one to tell the story of McKean County through the years and about the jails most famous, and eternal, inmate.

A collection of Bucktails memorabilia at the Old Jail Museum.One of five prisoners to be executed in the buildings basement, Crossmire professed his innocence until his death and, right before he was executed, promised to haunt the building. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com

Smethport, PA 16749 Copyright 2021 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Find out what makes Reynoldsville a GREAT hometown! Volunteers from the Mount Union area came together to tell stories about the CHAMP Dance Marathon, the community toolshed, Mount Union Art Guild, Kiwanis, Center for Community Action, and so much more! To purchase a recent program, please visit our Donate Page and select your show.

Volunteer storytellers from Smethport share stories about the McKean County Historical Society Old Jail Museum, Comptons Mom & Pop Shop, the Smethport Fire Dept., the Mansion District, Hamlin Memorial Library and so much more. , 2022 Oregon Annual Conference, co-hosted with Western Museums Association, Monday, October 24 - Wednesday, October 26, 2022 You have permission to edit this article. On Monday, Vandermark and other staff spoke of what has been going on at the museum since its closure, and the preparations to open it to the public for self-guided tours. We bring together a team of high-level professionals for every project to create a strategic partnership with you to support your mission.

The museum, which will open from 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, has an admission fee of $5 for the general public and $3 for senior citizens. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world. Home to the remnants of old jail cells, the area, and the entire building for that matter, are said to be haunted by former inmate Ralph Crossmire. Staff at the museum includes volunteers and individuals involved in the PathStone program. The two above-ground floors feature many interesting exhibits chronicling the history and nature of McKean County. To purchase a copy of an archived Our Town show, please visit Media sales or contact mediasales@psu.edu. Genological research Exhibits on glass, oil, lumber, and guns, as well as many other fascinating topics are available for your perusal. In fact, the Old Jail Museum is considered to be one of the ten most haunted buildings in Pennsylvania. Thank you! 1.