21-gun salute at the dedication of
the Revolutionary War memorial
Celebrating
Years
After three decades, the Robinson Township Historical
Society marches on with ambitious projects, such as
identifying Robinson residents who fought in the Civil War.
O
ver the past 30 years, the Robinson
Township Historical Society has
had many accomplishments—
from documenting graves to erecting
monuments. And although it’s generated
its own three-decade history, the RTHS
remains focused on collecting and
maintaining local history.
In 1988, six enthusiastic members
founded the historical society. The early
group met at the Robinson Community
Building at the old Nike site on Leona Lane.
By the time the RTHS, township offices,
police and EMS moved to their current
location at 1000 Church Hill Road, the
membership had grown to more than 50
amateur historians. Members and followers
donated artifacts, photos, documents
and genealogies, and soon the two public
rooms—now called the RTHS museum—
were ready to be viewed.
The museum opened its doors to the
public Tuesday and Thursday afternoons,
a practice that continues today. Visitors
have always been welcome to browse the
displays, ask questions and share their own
knowledge of the township’s history.
In March 2015, RTHS President Len
Rider discovered a real gem in a dusty old
box in the office—the original journal of
Private George Phillips from the Civil War.
This exciting find, containing a detailed
account of Phillips’ movements in the
war, led to a major transcription of the
In March 2015, RTHS President
Len Rider discovered a real
gem in a dusty old box in the
office—the original journal of
Private George Phillips from
the Civil War.
journal that involved California University
professors and students, as well as personnel
from the Heinz History Center.
“Nobody knew it was here. I broke out
in a cold sweat when I found it,” says Rider.
“We worked with Heinz History Center
[staff] and they verified the authenticity.
They also referred me to a Cal U professor,
who had students transcribe it.”
In 2017, a three-year Revolutionary War
project involving visits to local cemeteries
and forensic research culminated with the
dedication of a black granite monument at
the American Legion War Memorial Plaza
on Route 60. The event, honoring Robinson
Township residents who fought in the
American Revolution, was presented by the
Robinson Township Historical Society, the
Sons of the American Revolution, American
Legion Post 862, the Washington County
Historical Society, the Heinz History
Center, local clergy and dignitaries, and
reenactors.
The newest RTHS project involves
relocating the 1892 bell that hung for
decades in the bell tower of the former
Robinson High School on Route 60 to the
new Montour Elementary School on Clever
Road.
Even with just a small corps of dedicated
members, the RTHS marches forward.
In the years to come, the society will
conduct an ambitious project to identify
Robinson residents who fought in the Civil
War. Like the Revolutionary War soldiers,
their names will be engraved on a granite
monument
in the American Legion War Memorial
Plaza, to be dedicated in a formal ceremony.
Again, local students will be recruited to
work with the RTHS and the Heinz History
Center to conduct the research for this
project.
But, Rider says, there are opportunities
for everyone. “When I started in 2010-11, I
was the new kid on the block. I came in for
a building permit, and ended up becoming
a member. I’m a Civil War buff and I enjoy
the heck out of it—learning about the
history, how the township has changed over
the past 100 years,” he explains.
“People are always interested when you
talk to them and we have more than 600
followers on Facebook from all over the
country, so the interest is there. We just
need them to join. Crafton had a historical
society and it disbanded when they
dropped to one member—this is what I’m
trying to prevent.”
If you’re interested in the history of
Robinson Township, the Civil War, or
history in general, stop by the RTHS
museum at 1000 Church Hill Road on
Tuesday or Thursday afternoons from 1 to
3:30 p.m., or call 412.788.6795. You can
also find the society on Facebook at @
RTHS1989. ■
School bell from the former
Robinson High School
Carlynton-Montour
❘
winter 2018
9