Beaver County, Pennsylvania Expands History Celebration to Full Weekend

Online, April 4, 2011 (Newswire.com) - FREEDOM, PA -- The Beaver County History Celebration Committee is pleased to announce the upcoming Beaver County History Celebration, slated for the weekend of May 6, 7 and 8, 2011. The committee, comprised of 17 historical sites in Beaver County of Western Pennsylvania, will offer a variety of new events this year and will allow residents and visitors to Beaver County the ability to enjoy and become involved in history in new ways.
Committee co-chairperson, Brenda Applegate of the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmark Foundation, summarizes the changes in the format for 2011; "For the past three years, we have offered open site tours at all of our historical locations, as well as a bus tour of selected sites. From the positive feedback we have received, it seemed natural to expand into a multi-day event." Janice Beall, co-chairperson with Applegate and the Beaver County Recorder of Deeds offers additional insight to the changes; "History and pride in our area is not just something that you see, but something you should be able to experience with all of your senses."
The committee has designed this celebration weekend to truly allow participants to experience history in many ways. For this year, the fourth anniversary of the event, the committee is offering local school districts the ability to plan group tours to specific sites of interest. Ten locations will hold presentations and demonstrations geared to local students on Friday, May 6. These tours are available by special reservations. Teachers and School Administrators interested in scheduling a group tour should contact each individual site; sites available for these tours and contact information available at http://www.bchrlf.org/beaver_county_history_celebratio.htm.
Patrons will once again be able to enjoy open site tours of their choice, referred to as 'History at Your Own Pace' on both Saturday, May 7 from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, May 8 from 1 pm to 4 pm. The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) and the Beaver County Transit Authority (BCTA) have partnered once again for the May 7 Bus Tour of six selected sites, which differ from previous years. This year's sites include the Merrick Art Gallery, Old Economy Village, St. John's Lutheran Church, Logstown & Legionville, the Monaca Community Hall of Fame and the Beaver County Model Railroad Museum. Cost is only $30 per person and lunch is included. Space is limited and reservations must be made by calling CCBC at 724-480-3500.
Another new event this year is 'An Evening of Eastern European Culture' sponsored by the Greek Catholic Union (GCU), which will take place at both Saint Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Chapel and Seven Oaks Country Club on Saturday, May 7. Christie Petty, Fraternal Director of GCU explains the historical purpose behind the event; "In our daily lives, we become so familiar with our surroundings; we forget about all those generations that came before us..." Petty continues, "but this evening of culture will give visitors the unique opportunity to peek into the lives of people from long ago and far away, and how they would have spent time with their families through their distinct worship practices, share a lively meal with friends and family and watch a great performance." The evening's events will commence at 4 pm with a brief liturgical service, designed to familiarize patrons on the differences in the Eastern Catholic traditions and on the life of Saint Nicholas. A tour of the Chapel and the GCU Museum will follow. Patrons will then travel the short distance to Seven Oaks Country Club at approximately 5 pm for a meal of Eastern European cuisine and ethnic entertainment by the Slavjane Dancers, a youth dance troupe representing Slavic heritage and culture. Cost for this special evening event is $35 per person and a cash bar will be available for guests over age 21. Space is limited and reservations can be made by calling Christie Petty at 724-495-3400 ext 209.
Additionally, a special geo-cache activity has been established this year for those wishing to discover their own kind of history. Those seeking details on this one-day scavenger hunt should contact 724-775-1848 in order to obtain the Beaver County Passport and start their adventure. Passports are also available to all participants as a souvenir of the History Celebration. Those interested in more information on any or all of the events may contact Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation at the William Vicary Mansion in Freedom, Pennsylvania at 724-775-1848 or visit http://www.bchrlf.org/beaver_county_history_celebratio.htm.