September 2025
Upcoming Meetings
Early Owners of Conneaut Lake Park September 15, 2025
Gore is going to talk about some of the early owners of Conneaut Lake Park. He will not be talking about the current owners.
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He promises he won't talk longer than 30 minutes.
Our monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. (note time change) at the Sportsman's Club in Conneaut Lake. It is open to the public free of charge. Hall is handicapped-accessible and smoke-free. Refreshments will follow the program.
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Oral Histories and Their Importance
October 20, 2025
"Oral Histories and Their Importance" is the topic. Representatives of the Crawford County Historical Society will present the program.
Barber Cemetery Clean-up
Fifteen members of the national Sister Corps spent all morning one day-- cleaning the tombstone in the Barber Cemetery.
The group goes to various natural disasters to help with victims of flooding, tornadoes and hurricanes all over the country -- volunteering their time and money to do the work.
They also do community service projects and chose Barber Cemetery as one of the projects this year.
Brenda Williams of Conneaut Lake led the group and made the arrangements.
She is a nice of the late Lee Dennis, who was a charter members of the society and helped get the project of being caretaker for the cemetery started.
We appreciate all their work and their commitment to their community and country.
Thank you!
Century Building Program
Seven recipients of the 2025 Century Building program will be presented the plaques at a special program Sept. 13 at 10 a.m.at the museum.
These recipients were chosen by the committee for this year's honor.
A brief history of each building will be presented prior to presentation of the bronze plaques.
The program is open to the public, free of charge.
Light refreshments will be served.
Crawford Gives
Thank you to everybody who donated to the historical society during the annual Crawford Gives program presented by the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation
It is a four-day event where people make donations to the non-profit of one's choice.
This year, we had 37 donors and raised slightly more than $9,300. We haven't been told yet how much extra will be added to that amount.
Again,thanks to everyone who donated and thanks to the foundation for sponsoring this -- along with the major sponsors who give the money for the "bonus."
Funds raised will be put to good use as we continue to make improvements to the museum.
Dietrich Grant
We were excited to learn we received $20,000 from the Dietrich Foundation Grant this year!
The first $10,000 will be used to renovate the boat room. Plans are to replace the electric as well as the plumbing. Hopes are to allow the water to be treated and to add hot water as well. We will paint the walls and floor and do other needed renovations.
In addition,we will install security camera in various locations to allow us to immediately see who is in the museum (or outside) and our team will be notified.
We do have security cameras in place now, but this will give us an added layer of protection with newer technology.
We also plan to add another air conditioner to be used in the museum as well as the office.
With any other money left over, we have a number of items planned -- another shed, more shelving, cameras, etc.
We appreciate all the funds the Dietrich Foundation has given us over the years as we continue to make improvements and update our technology.
Tikki Bar a Great Success
Our second annual Tikki Bar event was a huge success as we had a great crowd, great music and great food.
And, we made a great profit of more than $4,000.
Proceeds are used for the upkeep of the Barber Cemetery.
We thank each and every one who came out and supported us and thanks to the guest bartenders and all the volunteers who gave their time and effort.
Thanks to Amanda Coulter for chairing this wonderful event!
Liberty Fest a Success
We held the celebration for the 40th anniversary of raising of the Liberty the Second this month.
Brian Simpson and Bill Houghton, the divers who brought the boat up from the bottom of the lake,spoke about their efforts.
Dave McMillin, who had recorded a song about the event 40 years ago, was on hand to once again entertain the crowd with that great song.
Members of the society then started the "engine" much to the delight of the crowd.
It's always an exciting time when the engine starts and you can hear the roar of it!
Many people told us they learned things they had never heard before, so it was educational as well as entertaining.
The day was beautiful and we were pleased with the response.
Thanks to Jean Shanley, chairman; and Donna Keller, co-chairman; for all their work.
We do have Liberty t-shirts, ornaments and magnets available for purchase.
New Exhibit
If you haven't been to the museum yet, you need to stop and see our latest exhibit.
It is a sculpture of Liberty, a carousel horse -- a replica of the Conneaut Lake Park lead horse.
Done by local sculpturist George Nowack and painted by his late wife, Carolyn, it is truly a work of art.
It is on display in the vestibule of the museum.
It is absolutely beautiful!
Thanks George for your work and your donation to the museum.
New Gifts
We have several new gifts available this month.
The Liberty magnets are beautiful -- thanks to Kevin Parsons.
The ornament and t-shirt also recognize the Liberty 40th anniversary.
And, we have Harper's Cottage -- the sequel to last year's Summer Solstice written by Jeanette Curry.
We have a number of t-shirts, sweat shirts and hoodies available as well as children's shirts and hoodies.
We also have a board from the Conneaut Lake Boardwalk.
And, by popular request, we have a puzzle for toddlers and another one for older children and adults.
Both are of the Woolly Mammoth, but different scenes and are only $10 each.
Think Christmas! It's less than four months away!
Docents Needed
The docent schedule for the rest of the season is still pretty open.
If you have time on a Saturday or Sunday, we need you!
It's pretty simple.Just greet guests at the museum and help man the gift shop.
We will teach you, but there also are "cheat sheets" available to help with any questions.
And,there is always another experienced docent with you.
Saturday hours are 10 a,m, to 2 p.m. Sunday hours are 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
If you are willing to help, please call Chuck Groger at 814-382-8722,
We would hate to have to post a closed sign on the door saying closed "because of lack of help".!
Boards from Conneaut Lake Park Boardwalk
Conneaut Lake Park gave the historical society some old boards from the board walk in 2009 and which were taken up in 2023.
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We cut them down to about a 12-inch size and engraved (lasered) them with CLP Boardwalk.
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We only have 100 boards and we are selling them for $20 each.
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They are available at the museum on Saturdays from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.and Sundays from 2 to 5.
If you can't get to the museum and want to reserve one,please contact Jane Smith,project and promotions chairman,at grandmagjane@zoominternet and arrangements can be made to get one to you.
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They are a nice memory of the boardwalk and CLP.
Raffle Tickets
We will have a special raffle being held this summer and early fall.
Tim McKay has made a special pen out of leftover wood from the Blue Streak.
It is beautiful as well as unique.
It will be a nice memory for the winner to think of fun times on the popular ride each time the pen is used--- or just displayed.
Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the summer and the pen will be awarded on the final day of PumpkinFest.
Tickets are $2 each or three for $5.
They will be sold at the museum as well as at special events.
If you can't make those events, contact Jane Smith at grandmagjane@zoominternet.net and she will make arrangements for you to send money for tickets.
"Harper's Cottage" is available
"Harper's Cottage," a sequel to last year's "Summer Solstice" book by local author, Jeannette Curry, is now available.
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Summer Solstice is a fictional romance book about a woman who inherited a cottage from her father, who she never knew. It tells of her coming to Conneaut Lake and finding the cottage -- as well as learning of a half-brother. She stays in Conneaut Lake.
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"Harper's Cottage" continues that story and readers learn what happened to all the characters from Summer Solstice.
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Curry is the former Jeannette Morian, a 1968 graduate of Conneaut Lake High School and now lives in Meadville where she teaches the art of playing pickle ball.
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Cost is $20, plus tax.
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Again,contact Jane Smith if you can't get to the museum.
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It also can be ordered from the gift shop at www.conneautlakehistory.com
Upcoming Programs
​September: The old-time owners of Conneaut Lake Park and what Gore Range learned about them.
He will be limited to one-half hour -- he promises.
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October: "Oral Histories and Their Importance" is the topic. Representatives of the Crawford County Historical Society will present the program.
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November: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gary Hough,who made a career of the Army,will talk about how a guy from a small town moved up in the military ranks and some of his experiences.
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December: Christmas dinner at the Iroquois Club.
Ice House Festival
The museum will be open on Saturday, Dec. 7, starting at 10 a.m. in conjunction with the downtown Ice House Festival.
Stop by and warm up with hot chocolate and a cookie -- free of charge.
You can see the great display of Christmas trees and lights, see the other exhibits and buy something in our gift shop!
Spread the word.
The museum is open free of charge as well.
Save the date
Save the date of Dec. 16 for our annual Christmas dinner at the Iroquois Club.
It is open to all members and guests.
The menu will be announced shortly and reservations can be made.
Exhibits
The exhibit committee has made a few changes in the displays this year.
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The military display has been changed to add a sculpture, "The Perpetual Soldier,"which is absolutely beautiful.
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It was sculpted by Donald Valentine Jr. and is a life-size statue of a soldier in khaki uniform.
The exhibit area was expanded as we moved the clothing rack to make more room.
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Pictures of the Century Buildings honored lat year are displayed so everyone can see what they look like -- and consider nominating other 100-year (or older) buildings for consideration in 2025.
Did you know a man who used to live in Conneaut Lake was a National Rifle Shooting Champion in the early 1900s?
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Some of the loving cups by J. P. Ittel are displayed along with other memorabilia showcasing his accomplishments.
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Mr. Ittel also made a model of a famous church in Normandy where paratroopers landed on D-Day.It also has been donated to use and isdislayed near the church section -- reminding us how important churches area.
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Please take a few minutes to stop by the museum and see all the exhibits.
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And, check out the new cubby holes which has all our clothing arranged neatly for easy shopping.
Crawford Gives is Coming
The annual Crawford Gives program of the Crawford County Heritage Community Foundation is set for August 12 through Aug. 15.
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The program is simple. People may send donations designated for the historical society o the Foundation on those days via check or call with credit card or go to office with cash.
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Once the program is over, the foundation tabulates all the donations and then adds a percentage to the total (based on funds donated for this program by sponsors) and then sends us a check for the new total. It usually is about 3 percent and we get it within a few months.
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It is an easy way for the society to raise funds and all donations are tax deductible
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Please mark your calendars and consider making a one-time donation.
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Thank you in advance,
Upcoming Events
Below is a list of upcoming events for this summer.
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Please post it where you can see it and join us for lots of fun and sharing our history!
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EVENTS 2025​​
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July 12, 2025 Car Show 10 am – 2 pm @ Museum
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Aug. 2, 2025 Paddlefest 7 am – noon @ Fireman’s Beach
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Aug. 9, 2025 Liberty Program (40 years) 10 am -2 pm @ Museum
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Aug. 13, 2025 Tiki Bar 4 pm – 9 pm @ Conneaut Lake Park
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Sept. 2025 Century Program 9am @ Museum
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Sept. 2025 Picnic 6pm – 8 pm @ Msgr Toland Park
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Oct. 10, 11, & 12, 2025 Pumpkinfest @ Conneaut Lake Park
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Oct. 11, 2025 Pumpkinfest Parade 9 am @ In the Boro
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Nov. 2025 Christmas Trees @ Museum
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Nov. 29, 2025 Christmas Sale 10 am – 2 pm @ Museum
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Dec. 2025 Ice House Fest. @ Boro and Museum
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Dec. 15, 2025 Christmas Party @ Iroquois Club
Membership Dues
Dues for 2025 are now due and can be sent to CLAHS, P.O. Box 425,Conneaut Lake, Pa., 16316.
Annual dues are $12.
Lifetime dues are $150.
All members receive a 10 percent discount on any merchandise purchased.