CCHS HELD IT'S ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2008. 

Our guest speaker is ALAN IRVINE, from the University of Pittsburgh, who presented FROM RABBLE TO REVOLUTION: TALES OF PROTEST AND DISSENT.
 Mr. Irvine is a storyteller and visiting Lecturer of Sociology, University of Pittsburgh. "Congress shall make no law---abridging...the right of the people to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." -- Sounds simple? Mr. Irvine will examine these issues by recreating four historical incidents of protest. Tales include stories of frontier vigilantes protecting their lives and families from potential attack, a protest on the eve of the Civil War against the shipment of arms to southern states, a riot over paper money policies in colonial America and John Brown's rail on Harper's Ferry. Mr. Irvine has been a Commonwealth Speaker since 2002 and has performed his tales in all parts of the state.

THE FOLLOWING IS AS PRESENTED BY THE SOCIETY'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ANNE MCCLOSKEY:

2007 WAS A YEAR OF INNOVATIVE THINKING AND CHANGE FOR OUR SOCIETY. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:

OUR BIGGEST PROJECT FOR 2007 WAS OF COURSE THE CASTANEA RAILROAD STATION. THIS PROJECTED $500,000 MULTI-YEAR RESTORATION PROJECT WILL RESTORE THIS RAIL DEPOT BACK TO IT’S 1884 GRANDER. THE PROJECT IS PROJECTED TO TAKE FIVE YEARS TO COMPLETE. UPON COMPLETION, THE BUILDING WILL FUNCTION AS A MUSEUM, AND TOURIST WELCOME CENTER AT THE TRAIL-HEAD FOR THE UP-COMING RAIL-TO-TRAIL CONNECTOR TRAIL FROM PINE CREEK.

ALONG WITH THE HELP OF LOU, OUR CURATOR, AMIDEA DANIEL, WHO WAS CLINTON COUNTY’S INFA-STRUCTURE PLANNER, AND JOHN GUMMO WE WROTE GRANTS AND PLANNED THE RESTORATION OF THIS HISTORIC BUILDING. TO DATE WE’VE RECEIVED GRANTS FROM THE LUMBER HERITAGE REGION, DEGENSTEIN FOUNDATION, CLINTON COUNTY FOUNDATION, JERSEY SHORE STATE BANK, AND WE ARE HOPING TO HEAR SOON FROM LOWE’S FOUNDATION. I HOPE TO RE-SUBMIT A KEYSTONE PRESERVATION GRANT REQUEST TO THE PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION AND HAVE REQUESTED APPROPRIATION FUNDING THROUGH BOTH CONGRESSMAN PETERSON’S OFFICE AND SENATOR WOZNIAK OFFICE. MOST ALL THESE GRANTS ARE MATCHING SO WE AS AN ORGANIZATION HAVE A LONG ROAD OF FUND-RAISING IN FRONT OF US.

AS PART OF THIS PROJECT WE RESTORED THE CASTANEA RAILROAD STATION TO THE ELIGIBILITY LISTING FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES. AT THE END OF THE PROJECT, WE HOPE TO GET IT ON THE NATIONAL HISTORIC REGISTER.

WE’VE ENLISTED THE HELP OF THE KEYSTONE VO-TECH STUDENTS TO COMPLETE PHASE ONE, WHICH IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE REPLICA WATER TANK KIOSK, WHICH WILL BE PLACED IN FRONT OF THE STATION AND WELCOME VISITORS.

WE CONTINUE TO BE INNOVATIVE IN OUR CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING. WE HELD HISTORY DAY IN MAY AND OUR CHILDREN’S HISTORY CAMP THIS PAST YEAR INCLUDED A STUDY OF OUR NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE AND OF COURSE THE CHILDREN WANTED TO BE A PART OF OUR ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG. THIS YEAR WE ARE PLANNING AN OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE INTO THE CIVIL WAR.

AS MOST OF YOUR KNOW, WE TEAMED UP WITH COUNTY OFFICIALS TO DISPLAY THE NATIVE AMERICAN COLLECTION IN THE COURT HOUSE AND CONTINUE TO SEEK NEW PARTNERS TO DISPLAY OUR VAST COLLECTION WHICH GROWS BY THE DAY. AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM WE ARE SEEKING BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY THAT WOULD LIKE TO BECOME OUR PARTNERS AND DISPLAY OUR ARTIFACTS IN THEIR ESTABLISHMENTS. WE ARE PRESENTLY IN NEGOTIATION WITH SEVERAL BUSINESS OWNERS NOW.

OUR PARTICIPATION IN A UNIQUE WEB SHOPPING PROGRAM, CALLED FUNDRAISING SOLUTIONS IS PROVING SUCCESSFUL. WHEN YOU CLICK THROUGH ON THE ICON ON OUR MAIN WEBSITE PAGE YOU WILL NAVIGATE TO OUR PAGE ON THEIR SITE TO OVER A 1,000 STORES. WE GET A PERCENTAGE OF EACH SALE MADE. SOME MERCHANTS INCLUDE AMAZON.COM, JOSEPH A BANK, KODAK, ENTIRELY PETS.COM, OFFICE DEPOT, WAL-MARTS, TO NAME A FEW. SO, THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE CONSIDERING MAKING A PURCHASE ON LINE, FIRST GO TO OUR SITE AND CLICK THROUGH ON THE SHOPPING ICON. IT COST YOU NOTHING AND HELPS THE SOCIETY.

OUR VISITATION FOR 2007 REMAINED CONSTANT. IN PLACE OF ONE MAJOR EVENT, WE DECIDED TO HOLD OR PARTICIPATE IN SEVERAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, TO HELP CARRY OUR MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC, INCREASE VISITOR-SHIP AND RAISE FUNDS. THESE INCLUDED THE CLINTON COUNTY EXPO, TWO YARD SALES, A GUN RAFFLE, TOURS DURING THE LABOR DAY REGATTA, AND OUR CHRISTMAS RECEPTION. WE ALSO ALLOW OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO USE THE MUSEUM FOR THEIR EVENTS FOR EXAMPLE THE BUTTERFLY RELEASE, D.A.R. AND LOCK HAVEN CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AND RENT OUR FACILITY FOR FAMILY RECEPTIONS, WEDDINGS, AND OTHER PRIVATE EVENTS. WE ALSO, CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN DISCOUNT PROGRAMS WITH WISE MARKETS PREFERRED CUSTOMER PROGRAM, AAA, THE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AND OFFER FREE ADMISSION TO THE MILITARY. THE MAJORITY OF OUR OUT OF STATE VISITORS HEARD OF US THROUGH THE AAA TOUR BOOK OR ON THE WEB.

WE CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PENNSYLVANIA HUMANITIES COUNCIL SPEAKER PROGRAM. IN FACT, ALAN IRVINE OUR SPEAKER TODAY, IS PART OF THIS WONDERFUL PROGRAM, THAT ENABLES SMALLER ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS TO OFFER INTERESTING, INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS, FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

LAST MONTH WE HOSTED A WORKSHOP BY THE ALLIANCE FOR PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. JERRY ELLIS FROM THE PA STATE ARCHIVES WAS THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER. THE WORKSHOP ENTITLED DISASTER PREPARATION FOR VITAL RECORDS WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND DIRECTED AT ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE RECORDS WOULD BE IN JEOPARDY IF THERE WAS A DISASTER IN THEIR FACILITY. OVER 33 PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE ATTENDED.

WE ENJOY HIGH MARKS ON OUR COMMENT CARD PROGRAM. VISITORS TO THE HEISEY ARE GIVEN A COMMENT CARD AND ENCOURAGED TO FILL IT OUT AND DEPOSIT IT IN OUR DONATION BOX. SO FAR, MY ASSERTION THAT ARLENE IS THE BEST TOUR GUIDE IN THE WORLD HOLDS TRUE!

THIS YEAR AT THE EXPO, OUR BOOTH WILL BE CENTERED AROUND THE HISTORY OF PETS AND ANIMALS IN CLINTON COUNTY! PEOPLE WILL MEET SALLIE, THE CIVIL WAR DOG AND PAT THE ALDERMAN DOG. WE HOPE TO COVER THE HISTORY OF HUSBANDRY, SOME FLOOD STORIES, AND OTHER INTERESTING LITTLE KNOWN FACTS. DID YOU KNOW THE FARM THAT IS NOW MILLBROOK [THE OLD KISTLER FARM] , HAD THE FIRST GENETICALLY BRED HOLSTEINS IN THE AREA OR FOR THAT MATTER IN THE U.S.? IF ANYONE HAS A GREAT TALE FOR US TO INCLUDE IN THE EXHIBIT, PLEASE GIVE US A CALL. OR, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP US WITH THIS UNIQUE EXHIBIT, PLEASE GIVE US A CALL AT THE OFFICE.

THIS YEAR’S LABOR DAY REGATTA YARD SALE, BAKE SALE AND TOURS WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL. WE THANK ALL WHO DONATED TO THE SALES, AND LOOK FORWARD TO THIS YEARS EVENT.

WE CONTINUE TO HOLD OUR VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS RECEPTION, WHICH IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND ARE GRATEFUL TO AREA MERCHANTS AND SOCIETY MEMBERS WHOSE GENEROUS DONATIONS MAKE IT A SPECTACULAR EVENT EVERY YEAR. THIS YEAR’S EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE HEISEY FRIDAY DECEMBER 5^TH, SO MARK YOUR CALENDARS.

NOW AT THE RISK OF SOUNDING LIKE A BROKEN RECORD, I MUST CONTINUE TO STRESS OUR NEED TO EXPLORE THE CREATION OF BOTH ENDOWMENT AND CAPITAL FUNDS IN ADDITION TO OUR INVESTMENT FUND. WITH THE RESTORATION OF THE CASTANEA RAILROAD STATION, IT WILL TAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT ON ALL OUR PARTS TO RAISE THE FUNDS NEEDED AND TO MATCH THE GRANTS WE HOPE TO RECEIVE AS PART OF THIS OVER-ALL PROJECT, WHILE NOT OVERLOOKING THE NEED TO RAISE OPERATING FUNDS FOR THE DAY TO DAY EXPENSES.

WE MUST FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS. WE’VE MADE A SMALL STEP IN THIS DIRECTION BY ADDING PAY-PAL TO OUR WEB-SITE AND THE WEB BASED SHOPPING PROGRAMS. WE WILL ALSO INITIATE A BI-ANNUAL PHONE DRIVE TO RAISE FUNDS TO HELP PAY FOR OUR EVER INCREASING OPERATING EXPENSES SUCH AS HEAT, ELECTRIC, GENERAL MAINTENANCE, SALARIES, OFFICE SUPPLIES, PHONE BILLS, ETC. BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP, THE HELP OF MEMBERS, THE BOARD, AND THE PUBLIC. I WOULD WELCOME ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND EFFORTS HELPING ACCOMPLISH THIS OBJECTIVE.

AS PART OF THIS EFFORT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR OPERATIONAL EXPENSES LAST YEAR WE RAFFLED OFF A BIG BOY, 45 LONG COLT CALIBER RIFLE. THE WINNER WAS TOM SHORTLEDGE AND AFTER EXPENSES WE MADE OVER $6,000 TOWARDS OPERATIONAL EXPENSES. THIS YEAR’S RAFFLE INCLUDES A $3,000 CERTIFICATE TOWARDS A CAR FROM ANASTOS BROTHERS CAR SALES, A 20" LCD FLAT SCREEN TV, 10 SPEED HUFFY BICYCLE, AND AN APPLE Ipod. THE WINNER WILL GET THEIR CHOICE OF PRIZES. I WANT TO THANK THE ANASTOS BROTHERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND HELP IN THIS EFFORT.

I WOULD LIKE TO ONCE AGAIN STRESS WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP METHODS AND RESOURCES TO IDENTIFY, RECRUIT AND TRAIN VOLUNTEERS. IN 2007 OUR VOLUNTEER LEVEL STAYED ABOUT THE SAME. OUR SOCIETY AND ITS PROGRAMS AT ALL LEVELS DEPENDS ON RECRUITMENT OF PEOPLE TO HELP WITH OUR PROGRAMMING. I HOPE IN 2008 WE CONTINUE TO RECRUIT MORE VOLUNTEERS WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS WHO BRING FRESH VIEWPOINTS AND THOUGHT PROCESSES TO OUR SOCIETY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN LOOMING FOR THE RAILROAD STATION.

UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF OUR MEMBERS, BOTH LIFE AND YEARLY ARE SEASONED CITIZENS AND OUR MEMBERSHIP IS DECLINING AMONG THE YOUNGER CROWD. AS PART OF OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS I AM STILL EXPLORING THE USE OF THE INTERNET, CELL PHONES AND OTHER VEHICLES LIKE MY SPACE.COM, ON WHICH LOU IS BUILDING FRIENDS, TO ENCOURAGE THE YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHIC TO CHECK US OUT AND BECOME MEMBERS. HISTORY CAN BE FUN!

AS I NOTED AT LAST YEAR’S MEETING, WE NEED TO PROVIDE THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE POSSIBLE. OUR MEMBERS ARE OUR CUSTOMERS, AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I FEEL WE CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE AND EXCEED IT. RESPONSES TO INQUIRES WAS IN MOST CASES ARE TURNED AROUND WITHIN 24 HOURS. OVER THE YEAR THE MAJORITY OF INQUIRES WE RECEIVE WERE FOR RESEARCH FOR PEOPLE OUTSIDE OUR IMMEDIATE AREA. I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF FOR MAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE THEIR PRIORITY. COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR GOOD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SATISFACTION AND WE ARE STRIVING TO ENHANCE AND INCREASE THIS OBJECTIVE. TO THIS EXTENT, WE’VE JUST COMPLETED A UPGRADE TO OUR WEB-SITE AND E-MAIL SYSTEM. OVER THIS YEAR WE WILL BE SLOWLY CHANGING OUR WEB-SITE TO INCLUDE WEB-CAMS AND THERE ARE NOW E-MAILS DIRECTED TOWARDS EACH STAFF MEMBER AND TYPE OF REQUEST. WE ARE ALSO GEO-CACHING! WE HAVE A GEO-CACHE SET UP HERE AT THE HEISEY, THE FARRANDSVILLE FURNACE AND WILL BE PUTTING ONE AT THE CASTANEA RAILROAD STATION.

• AS PART OF THIS QUEST TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE COMMUNITY, OUR MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY PRO-ACTIVE. JANE FAITHFULLY SENDS OUT GREETINGS FROM THE STAFF AND THE BOARD TO THOSE FACING THE PAINS OF BEING ANOTHER YEAR OLDER. TO THOSE WHO SUFFER A DEATH IN THE FAMILY WE OFFER OUR CONDOLENCES. WE NOT ONLY FEEL EACH AND EVERY MEMBER IS PART OF OUR FAMILY AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR SUPPORT, BUT WE ARE EXTENDING THIS OUTREACH TO THE FUTURE BY ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC TO BECOME MORE ACTIVE IN OUR SOCIETY.
• I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE STAFF ON THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK THIS PAST YEAR AND DEDICATION TO OUR MEMBERS...
• LOU OUR CURATOR. HE IS UP FOR MOST ANYTHING THROWN HIS WAY DUCKS QUICKLY AND KNOWS WHEN TO COME UP FOR AIR.
• ARLENE, AS I SAID EARLIER IS THE BEST TOUR GUIDE IN THE WORLD! HER DEDICATION AND LOYALTY TO CCHS GOES BEYOND WORDS. WE SHOULD ALL TAKE INSPIRATION FROM HER.
• JANE OUR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/CURATOR ASSISTANT IS OUR RESIDENT GODMOTHER! ASK AND YOU WILL RECEIVE!
• FINALLY, BILL STOUT, OUR MAINTENANCE MAN RETIRED THIS PAST YEAR AND STANLEY HIS ASSISTANT HAS TAKEN OVER THE REINS AND PHILLIPS HEAD SCREWS.. STANLEY HAS CARRIED THE TRADITION OF CALMLY GOING ABOUT FIXING OUR MESSES, DOING RESTORATION WORK, AND COMING UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS NOT TO SPEND MONEY, EVEN WHEN THE REST OF US THINK IT WAS A DISASTER!

I FINALLY WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND HOPE 2008 WILL TAKE US TO NEW HEIGHTS IN OUR 87 YEAR HISTORY!