The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, in collaboration with the McKean County Historical Society, will present a series of “McKean County History” lectures by local historians in May and June.
Each evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. and feature two speakers in the fifth floor ballroom of Marilyn Horne Hall at 2 Marilyn Horne Way in downtown Bradford. Lectures will be held on May 9, 16 and 30 and June 6.
During the first week, Joe DeMott of the Historical Society will present “Bradford, Connecticut? Buffalo, Pennsylvania? Pittsburgh, Virginia? Warren, Ontario?” Learn how early colonial boundary disputes were resolved by wars, mediation, and sometimes common sense.
DeMott will be followed by William Todd of the Historical Society, who will talk about glass manufacturing in McKean County.
On May 16, Steve Appleby, director of the Eldred World War II museum will tell the museum’s story of being created from a former munitions factory. Then, Deborah Babcox of the Historical Society will talk about the 1850s commune called Instanter near Clermont.
On May 30, Appleby will return to talk about D-Day, and William “Bart” Barton will talk about the space race and moon landing.
Finally, on June 6, Mike Barnard of the Historical Society will talk about the former McKean County Poor Farm, and Jordan Pavlock of the Historical Society will discuss glass bottle collecting and the region’s glass and bottle manufacturers.
The cost of each session is $15 or $50 for all four sessions. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to register, contact Pitt-Bradford Continuing Education at 814-362-5078 or contined@pitt.edu.
