One of the book proposal questions required
a review of current literature on the same
topic. Shaw found—and has now collected—
books on very specific topics including “Lost
Cemeteries of Moraine State Park,” “Andy Over
the Schoolhouse” (about one-room schools that
later became Slippery Rock School District)
and some internet sites with park-related
information—but no comparable books with
the broad treatment that Shaw was proposing. “I
did extensive reading, library research, internet
research and fieldwork,” she notes. Her final
draft was submitted in September 2016.
The book was published in March. “I am
now in my 20th year as a state park volunteer
and appreciate the great value in this resource,”
says Shaw. “Moraine State Park was dedicated
May 23, 1970—the end of my freshman year of
college. I have visited the park countless times
every year, especially since moving to Portersville
in 1977, only three miles from the park.”
Moraine State Park will turn 50 in 2020. The
park became a reality because of the vision and
valiant work of local citizens in the 1940s, 1950s
and 1960s. “Many of today’s park enthusiasts
were born after the park opening in 1970, so it
has always been a part of their lives,” notes Shaw.
“This means they may have no knowledge or
appreciation of the land use before the park, the
railroad, the coal and oil industries, the scarring
of the land. Moraine State Park is our heritage,
and residents need to know it.”
With easy access via US 422 East-West, and
I-79 North-South, the park draws from a wide
area, including Cranberry Township.
Shaw’s book is available in a variety of
local venues including Nicolette’s Gift Shop,
Super Styles, Bradley’s Books, Wexford’s Ace
Hardware, Cranberry’s Costco and Barnes &
Noble, Sam’s Club in Butler and many more. It’s
also available through arcadiapublishing.com, in
addition to Amazon and Target’s website. Adds
Shaw, “When I do a meet-and-greet at book
signings and programs, people specifically state
how they have wondered about the history of
the park and thanked me for writing it.”
Shaw plans to continue to present programs
on themes drawn from the book, with
topics such as the railroad, coal industry,
transformation of the land, park activities for
seniors, life of Dr. Preston, Edmund Watts
Arthur (who was the namesake of the lake)
and the construction of the dam. At least three
more book signings are planned, and Shaw will
continue with similar events. Currently, she is
beginning the research required for a proposal
for a book about McConnells Mill State Park.
She hopes to see it published in 2019 or 2020.
For more information or to contact Polly
Shaw, visit facebook.com/PollyShawAuthor/. n
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