Events of 2022

Vietnam Exhibit

Our annual Vietnam exhibit is scheduled for this coming week at the Bedford County Historical Society. It will be open Tuesday and Wednesday, November 1 & 2; from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. On Thursday, November 3, the hours are 9 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

This will be the 40th Anniversary of the Bedford County Vietnam Veterans Association; ascribed founder is Terry Fisher. We honor all those who served and sacrificed.

Along with the artifacts, Vietnam veterans will be present to interact with the public. Admission is free.

THE BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Bi-Annual Meeting

The BCHS Bi-Annual Meeting will be held on October 22, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. downstairs.

Immediately following the brief Bi-Annual meeting Deb Miller of the newly formed local chapter of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic will give a talk about Elizabeth and Lorenzo Potter, northerners living in Charleston, South Carolina, at the time of the Civil War. They were prominent members of the community whose lives and those of their seven children were forever changed through their experiences during the war. Their generosity and kindness benefitted many of the Union soldiers imprisoned in the Charleston area, and many more after the war. Hear how the life and death of one soldier and members of the Rice family of Bedford were impacted for generations by their efforts.

2022 Quilt Show

Celebration of the 235th anniversary of the Constitution of the United States.
September 17th - 23rd
from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

The Bedford County Historical Society has partnered with the Bedford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to bring a display in celebration of the 235th anniversary of the Constitution of the United States. The display will begin on September 17, 2022 and continue through Constitution Week, ending on September 23, 2022. The hours of the Bedford County Historical Society on Tuesday through Friday are 9:00 to 4:00 pm each day.

On September 17, plan to attend the reading of the Constitution on the public square in Bedford at 10:00 am and then come and join the celebration from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Historical Society at 6641 Lincoln Highway in Bedford. There will be free American Flags, Pocket Constitution, Pledge of Allegiance bookmarks, and lapel flag pins and of course Constitution cookies for snacks!

Book Signings:
Our Family Farm by William Mock and
Civil War Soldiers of Bedford County by Kevin Mearkle
September 14th
at 6:30pm

Bedford County Historian of ther Year 2021
Kevin L. Mearkle

The Historian of the Year Committee is pleased to announce that Kevin Mearkle of Breezewood, Pa is the awardee for the Historian of the Year for 2021. Mr. Mearkle is a resident of Bedford County and an 8th generation descendant of a Bedford County family. He is a member of the Bedford County Historical Society and the Bloody Run Historical Society of Everett.

He has been involved for several years in the research for his book "Civil War Soldiers of Bedford County, Pennsylvania". The contents of his work will be a long-standing invaluable source of reference for Civil War scholars whose focus is on Bedford County. His work not only brings to light the personal side of the war but also presents the basic battle/campaign facts relative to each soldier's story in an appealing manner. This project is an incredible achievement, representing hours of labor to bring the military records for these Bedford County men's dedication to the nation.

Kevin will be honored at the Annual History Banquet on Saturday April 23rd at 6:00 pm at the Hall at Kinton's Knob (2nd floor of Bedford County Historical Society). Tickets are $30.00 each and may be purchased at 6441 Lincoln Hwy, Bedford, Pa or by calling (814)623-2011.

To order this book click -> Civil War Soldiers of Bedford Co.

William Roy Mock of Pleasantville presentation entitled: "Efforts to Ensure the Future of History."

In addition, chances will be sold throughout the evening on one of the last remaining medals, program booklet, and ribbon from the 100th Anniversary & Re-dedication ceremony of the Pennsylvania Monument at Andersonville, Georgia. Each chance is $10. and there is no limit on the number of chances. Winners will be determined that evening.

All proceeds will go toward the Mary Alice (Hall) Mock Memorial Scholarship Fund. It is managed by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies on behalf of the Bedford County Historical Society. It is made available each year to a graduating high school senior in Bedford County.

Yard Sale
Friday and Saturday February 25th and 26th