Activities and News

Have you explored the new Civil War section of our web site?
It is in the Menu on the left.

Tour To The Valley Forge National Park & The Site Of The Paoli Massacre
May 8, 2014

The Bedford County Historical Society is sponsoring a bus tour to the Valley Forge National Park & the site of the Paoli Massacre on Thursday, May 8, 2014. The bus will depart the Bedford Walmart parking lot at 7:00 am and we will stop for breakfast at the Middlesex Diner in Carlisle. Then, we will tour the park beginning at about 11:00 am, with a tour guide from American Heritage Landmark Tours. After touring the park, we will have a late lunch (you are responsible for your meal) at the General Warren Inne, and should return to Bedford around 7:00 pm.
To make reservations or for more information, contact the Society at (814) 623- 2011 or email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com. The cost is $70 for members and $75 for non-members; the fee includes bus, admission, and tour guide fees. You are responsible for all meals. Payment is due when making reservations. Seats will go fast, so call us as soon as you can.

Memorial Day Commemoration
Of Civil War Dead
In Cumberland Valley Township
May 30, 2014

The Bedford County Historical Society along with the Cumberland Valley Township Historical Society will be commemorating the Civil War Veterans buried in the Bethel Hill Cemetery at Bethel M.E. Church on Friday, May 30, 2014, at 10:00 am. This will be the 4th service in our series acknowledging the Civil War Veterans of Bedford County as part of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War.

The Bethel Hill Cemetery was chosen because Corporal John W. Mauk, 138th PA Volunteer Infantry, Co. F, d. 1898, is buried there along with Jacob S. Cessna, 67th PVI, d. 1906, Solomon Dicken, 28th PVI, d. 1909, Joseph Growden, 45th PVI, d. 1901, Thompson Hanks, 101st PVI, d. 1902, and James R. Vickroy, 138th PVI, d. 1893. If you have photographs or other information on these men, we are asking that you bring it in to the Society for inclusion in our commemorative program.

There will be a commemoration ceremony consisting of music, speakers, the placing of greens on the tombstones, and more. The public is invited to attend this special event. The BCHS will be handing out to the children and young people in attendance commemorative `doubloons` that picture `the Old Man on the Monument`. A collector`s edition program will be handed out containing information about the veterans buried at Bethel Hill Cemetery. For more information or to participate, call the Society at (814)623-2011, or email bedfordhistory@emarqmail.com.