Bedford County Historical Society, Inc.
“As we look to the past,
the future looks to us.”
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Our Mission
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The mission of the Bedford County Historical Society is to preserve, protect and document the history of Bedford County for future generations, as well as educate the public concerning the same. |
| © 2010-2025 Pioneer Library, Bedford County Historical Society, Inc. All rights reserved. |
Previous Events of BCHS Held in 2025
The Bedford County Historical Society
Annual Board Meeting With Guest Speaker
The Bedford County Historical Society will be holding its annual board meeting that is open to the public on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 2:00 pm. Larry Smith, local historian, will discuss the history of the 1758 Fortified Bedford House, the Peppercorn Building. The meeting will be held at the Bedford County Historical Society at 6441 Lincoln Highway, Bedford, PA. Light refreshments will be served. We will also hold a brief membership meeting and accept nominations for board members. Nominees must be a current member of the BCHS. Please contact us at 814-623-2011 or bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com with any questions.
2025 Quilt Show and Sale
The Bedford County Historical Society is holding its 35th Annual Quilt Show & Sale on Saturday, October 4 - Sunday, October 12, 2025; weekends 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; weekdays, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm; and, October 12, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Admission is $2.00 per person. Awards will be given for the Pioneer Challenge Quilt, People`s Choice, Best of Show Hand-quilted, Best of Show Machine-quilted, and Judge`s Choice, as well as in the individual categories.
The Quilt Show will be held in the second story of the barn, 6441 Lincoln Hwy, (Rte. 30, west of Bedford). For more information about the Quilt Show, contact the Society at (814)623-2011, email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com, or visit our website www.bedfordpahistory.com.
2025 Quilt Raffle
This beautiful quilt is a queen size. Tickets are $2 each or 6 for $10. Tickets can be bought at the society.
The drawing will be held on the last day of the quilt show-October 12th and the quilt will be mailed if the winner is unable to attend.
Come see our new display!
The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, Inc. is a congressionally chartered non-profit organization, and the oldest women's hereditary organization in the US. These women are descendants of Civil War soldiers. The Corporal Isaac Rice Circle #223 of Bedford County is loaning artifacts and documents for display dating back to the late 1800's.
The Bedford County Historical Society will be having a used book sale on Tuesday, July 15th through Friday, July 18th 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday, July 19th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm located at 6441 Lincoln Highway, Bedford, PA.
Browse the sale during business hours at the historical society.
Need something to do with the kids on a summer afternoon? Bring the kids and show them that history is fun. Each child will be given a free American flag.
Donations of used books are appreciated. We will start collecting books on July 8-11, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. No paperback romance novels please.
All proceeds benefit the Bedford County Historical Society. Call (814) 623-2011 for more information.
THE BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
`TALES OF OLD DOC TOPPER BY HIS SON`
The Bedford County Historical Society is honored to have John Topper, Jr. speak about his father, Dr. John A. Topper, Country Doctor.
`Doc Topper` was a local, old-school country doctor who made house calls, dispensed his own medications and often traded his services for whatever commodity the patient could afford. Our speaker, John Topper, Jr., is known as the `Christian Cowboy` and resides in Hyndman. He will also be acknowledging a special gift from the Topper family on display at the Bedford County Historical Society.
The event will be held at the Bedford County Historical Society, 6441 Lincoln Highway, Bedford, PA on June 21st. Free hot dogs will be served at 1:00 followed by Mr. Topper speaking at 2:00 pm. If you have any questions, please contact the Society at 814-623-2011, email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com or check our website and Facebook page.
THE BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
`PATRIOTIC PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN`
The Bedford County Historical Society will be holding a special event on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 10:00 am. Theresa Gordon will be presenting a very special Patriotic Program for the kids. She will have crafts and stories to teach patriotism to our youth. Ms. Gordon is a children`s book author and will be signing books as well.
This event is on Flag Day when we commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States of America. We encourage you to take advantage of this program since 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
If you have any questions, please contact the Society at 814-623-2011, email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com or check our website and our Facebook page.
The Bedford County Historical Society
Historian of the Year
The Bedford County Historical Society is accepting nominations for `Historian of the Year` for 2024. The nominee must meet the following criteria:
Must be a resident, group, citizen of Bedford County or a Bedford County Historical Society member.
Must have been involved in the past year with the history of Bedford County through research, restoration, writing, collection, preservation, volunteering, etc. This also may be cumulative work over a period of years but was finished or completed by 2024.
Nominee cannot have previously received the award.
Nominations will be accepted until April 30, 2025.
Award will be presented September 6th, 2025.
Be sure to check out this book, and others, written by Kevin Merkle in our `Store` found in the `Menu` on the left.
THE BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
`TALES OF OLD DOC TOPPER BY HIS SON`
The Bedford County Historical Society is honored to have John Topper, Jr. speak about his father, Dr. John A. Topper, Country Doctor.
`Doc Topper` was a local, old-school country doctor who made house calls, dispensed his own medications and often traded his services for whatever commodity the patient could afford. Our speaker, John Topper, Jr., is known as the `Christian Cowboy` and resides in Hyndman. He will also be acknowledging a special gift from the Topper family on display at the Bedford County Historical Society.
The event will be held at the Bedford County Historical Society, 6441 Lincoln Highway, Bedford, PA on June 21st. Free hot dogs will be served at 1:00 followed by Mr. Topper speaking at 2:00 pm. If you have any questions, please contact the Society at 814-623-2011, email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com or check our website and Facebook page.
THE BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
`PATRIOTIC PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN`
The Bedford County Historical Society will be holding a special event on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 10:00 am. Theresa Gordon will be presenting a very special Patriotic Program for the kids. She will have crafts and stories to teach patriotism to our youth. Ms. Gordon is a children`s book author and will be signing books as well.
This event is on Flag Day when we commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States of America. We encourage you to take advantage of this program since 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
If you have any questions, please contact the Society at 814-623-2011, email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com or check our website and our Facebook page.
The Bedford County Historical Society
To Hold Indoor Yard Sale Fundraiser
The Bedford County Historical Society will be holding an indoor yard sale in the second story of the Bedford County Historical Society, 6441 Lincoln Hwy, Bedford, on Friday, February 21, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday, February 22, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Doors open both days at 9:00 am.
Please bring your gently used items to the historical society beginning Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 9:00 am during regular business hours. The Society is open from Tuesday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Donations accepted until Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 12:00 pm. No clothing please! All proceeds from the yard sale benefit the Bedford County Historical Society. If you have questions, please contact the Society at 814-623-2011 or email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com
THE BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS:
`FRONTIER HOMESTEADING IN THE 18TH & 19TH CENTURY`
The Bedford County Historical society, will be presenting `Frontier Homesteading in the 18th & 19th Century` given by Phil Brambley. Brambley's interest includes the field of genealogy. He has also studied the history of Bedford and Fulton counties. He excelled as a Civil War re-enactor for 20+ years. He is quite skilled with blacksmithing and turning [lathe]. Through reading, research and the actual hands-on experience, Mr. Brambley has acquired a vast amount of knowledge of the 18th and 19th century.
The event will be held Saturday, January 18th at 2:00 pm upstairs at the Hall at Kinton`s Knob, 6441 Lincoln Hwy, Bedford, PA. This free event is open to the public.
In the event of a forecast of inclement weather, please call the Bedford County Historical Society at 814-623-2011 on Friday, January 17th for further updates.
`TALES OF OLD DOC TOPPER BY HIS SON`
`Doc Topper` was a local, old-school country doctor who made house calls, dispensed his own medications and often traded his services for whatever commodity the patient could afford. Our speaker, John Topper, Jr., is known as the `Christian Cowboy` and resides in Hyndman. He will also be acknowledging a special gift from the Topper family on display at the Bedford County Historical Society.
The event will be held at the Bedford County Historical Society, 6441 Lincoln Highway, Bedford, PA on June 21st. Free hot dogs will be served at 1:00 followed by Mr. Topper speaking at 2:00 pm. If you have any questions, please contact the Society at 814-623-2011, email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com or check our website and Facebook page.
This event is on Flag Day when we commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States of America. We encourage you to take advantage of this program since 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
If you have any questions, please contact the Society at 814-623-2011, email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com or check our website and our Facebook page.
To Hold Indoor Yard Sale Fundraiser
Please bring your gently used items to the historical society beginning Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 9:00 am during regular business hours. The Society is open from Tuesday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Donations accepted until Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 12:00 pm. No clothing please! All proceeds from the yard sale benefit the Bedford County Historical Society. If you have questions, please contact the Society at 814-623-2011 or email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com
`FRONTIER HOMESTEADING IN THE 18TH & 19TH CENTURY`
The event will be held Saturday, January 18th at 2:00 pm upstairs at the Hall at Kinton`s Knob, 6441 Lincoln Hwy, Bedford, PA. This free event is open to the public.
In the event of a forecast of inclement weather, please call the Bedford County Historical Society at 814-623-2011 on Friday, January 17th for further updates.