July 2026
Upcoming Meetings
July 20, 2026
Connie Otter
Dr. Patty Poloka, who once served as "Connie Otter" and who with her dance, partner, Jim Slowik, won a talent contact at Conneaut Lake Park will tell about her experiences at the park in the 1990s. After winning the contest, the pair performed three show a day and were added to the entertainment staff.
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.
August 17th, 2026
History of Diners in the Area
Take a trip down memory lane as we explore the rich history of diners throughout our area. This presentation will highlight the stories, people, and memories behind these local landmarks and their role in shaping our community.
Crawford Gives is Coming
Our historical society is one of the many organizations participating in Crawford Gives.
For those not familiar with the program, the Crawford Heritage Foundation conducts an annual drive to raise funds for non-profits.
The foundation has a four-day event where people can call and make a donation to a specific charity via credit card, send a check or take in cash to the office on Chestnut Street.
All donations are tax-deductible and will count toward a matching fund provided by many sponsors. It is not dollar for dollar, but a percentage.
The event runs from Aug. 19 to midnight on Aug. 21.
We appreciate any and all donations.
We have chosen to use this year's donations toward the cost of paying for a borough employee to put up and take down the military banners which were recently put up in the borough. Another portion will go to funding the cost of coordinating our digital files of all our artifacts so they can be put on a site accessible to the public -- free of charge.
This means instead of just seeing a listing of what is in the archives, a picture of the artifact itself will be shown so people can actually see what the artifact looks like.
They include not only pictures but thousands of newspaper clippings and other items.
Thanks in advance for any donation.
We appreciate it.
More information: www.crawfordgives.com
Classic Car Cruise
Our annual Classic Car Cruise is set for Saturday, July 11.
Entry fee is $5 for each car. Prizes will be awarded for best of show and people's choice.
The museum will be open and hot dogs will be sold.
Admission to the event is free.
Registration opens at 8 a.m. and the car cruise at 9 a.m.
County Trunk History
The historical society will also participate in the Crawford County Historical Society as it hosts the "Trunk History." The society will appear July 11 at 1 p.m. in the grassy area next to Ralston's Hardware as the director Josh Sherretts will drive a 1921 Ford Model T with 10 objects in the trunk.
The 10 items of historical significance will be shown and explained.
Our society will have some of our artifacts as well.
The hour-long show is open to the public free of charge, as part of the 250th anniversary of America's observance.
Mark your calendars
We have a full schedule of activities planned for the summer:
So mark your calendar and plan to attend and./or better yet, sign up to help.
July 11: Car show, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Aug. 1,Paddlefest, 7 a..m.to noon
Aug. 12: Tikki Bar, 4 to 9 p.m. at Conneaut Lake Park
Sept. 12: Century Program, 9 a.m.at museum
Sept: Picnic
Oct, 9, 10 and 11, Pumpkin Fest at Conneaut Lake Park
Nov.:Christmas trees at museum
Nov. 28: Small Business Saturday Sal, 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.
Dec.: Ice House Festival
Dec. 14: Christmas Party
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.
The military display has been changed to add a sculpture, "The Perpetual Soldier,"which is absolutely beautiful.
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.
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?
Some of the loving cups by J. P. Ittel are displayed along with other memorabilia showcasing his accomplishments.
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.
Please take a few minutes to stop by the museum and see all the exhibits.
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.
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.
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.
It is an easy way for the society to raise funds and all donations are tax deductible
Please mark your calendars and consider making a one-time donation.
Thank you in advance,
Upcoming Events
Below is a list of upcoming events for this summer.
Please post it where you can see it and join us for lots of fun and sharing our history!
EVENTS 2025
July 12, 2025 Car Show 10 am – 2 pm @ Museum
Aug. 2, 2025 Paddlefest 7 am – noon @ Fireman’s Beach
Aug. 9, 2025 Liberty Program (40 years) 10 am -2 pm @ Museum
Aug. 13, 2025 Tiki Bar 4 pm – 9 pm @ Conneaut Lake Park
Sept. 2025 Century Program 9am @ Museum
Sept. 2025 Picnic 6pm – 8 pm @ Msgr Toland Park
Oct. 10, 11, & 12, 2025 Pumpkinfest @ Conneaut Lake Park
Oct. 11, 2025 Pumpkinfest Parade 9 am @ In the Boro
Nov. 2025 Christmas Trees @ Museum
Nov. 29, 2025 Christmas Sale 10 am – 2 pm @ Museum
Dec. 2025 Ice House Fest. @ Boro and Museum
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.