IN Monroeville Fall 2019 | Page 33

THE SOCIETY NEWS All the latest information on the Monroeville Historical Society. k By Robert Elms MHS Gears Up for Another Great Heritage Day Festival M onroeville was not always the busy shopping and business district it is today. For much of the 1800s, Monroeville was rural farmland. Farm families and neighbors depended on one another to get things done. The Monroeville Historical Society (MHS) celebrates this community’s farming past through its annual “Heritage Day” festival. This year’s Heritage Festival will be on October 12, from 1 to 5 p.m., at the historical homes’ site on McGinley Road. There will be events for all ages to enjoy. Children will be able to interact with friendly farm animals and take a pony ride thanks to our local Fray Stables; children or adults can make their own scarecrow the old fashion way starting from a pair of old pants and shirt, straw and a few of their own personal creative touches; children can awaken their inner artist with pumpkin/rock painting; historical farming tools and appliances will be on display as you tour the McGinley stone house, the McCully log house and the tool display shed; local re-enactors will describe/demonstrate everyday activities encountered almost two centuries ago; and much more. There will be no admission charge. Nominal fees are charged for some crafts, to cover costs. Food will also be available. On November 26, at 7 p.m., the Monroeville Chorus and the Society will jointly host the 50th year of the annual “Community Tree Lighting” at the Old Stone Church. Local scouting organizations as well as the public are invited. The program will include recognition of local officials, seasonal music by our local Monroeville Chorus and concludes with an interactive tree lighting ceremony. The Monroeville Chorus always adds a few special features to their exceptional musical presentation. At the conclusion of the choral presentation and prior to the actual tree lighting, scouts are encouraged to decorate the tree in front of the church with their own hand-created decorations. The Mayor turns on the tree lights and the scouts are then invited back into the church for a visit with Santa. Please join us for a very special evening at the historic landmark building, the Old Stone Church. The Society can always use members and volunteers to help with the building and grounds upkeep, to assist with community events and to participate in Society plans and meetings. The Monroeville Historical Society has two general missions: (1) to help preserve our community’s heritage and (2) to educate the public as to our common history. The Society meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month, except for December and February, in the Monroeville Public Library at 7 p.m. The public is invited and welcomed to attend these meetings. Additional Society information, pictures, books and events can be found on the monroevillehistorical.org website. For more information about the Monroeville Historical Society, visit monroevillehistorical.org, e-mail info@monroevillehistorical.org or call 412.856.1000. MONROEVILLE ❘ FALL 2019 31