THE SOCIETY NEWS All the latest information on the Monroeville Historical Society. k By Marilyn K. Wempa
THE SOCIETY NEWS All the latest information on the Monroeville Historical Society. k By Marilyn K. Wempa
Lynn Chandler: Monroeville Historical Society Leader
For 37 years, Monroeville Historical Society( MHS) volunteer Lynn Chandler’ s devoted leadership has shaped and promoted the organization’ s goals. Chandler, a true culture creator, has shared her high standards, constant enthusiasm and considerable energy with MHS members.
While serving as president, vice president and currently as treasurer, she’ s promoted events that have helped to educate the community about its common heritage, and her suggestions and considerable volunteer hours have helped preserve MHS’ four Pittsburgh History & Landmark Foundation sites owned by the Municipality of Monroeville.
“ I have always loved history,” says Chandler.“ It’ s a way of knowing where we came from and, possibly, where we are going. I also love the beautiful 19th century structures that are in our care. They speak of a time when craftsmanship and care went into buildings.”
As vice president, Chandler found speakers for every meeting and was a regular historical houses tour guide. She also oversaw the acquisition of the Sooy Collection in 2006 when a number of artifacts were willed to MHS upon the death of Rebecca Gillis Sooy, formerly of Monroeville. These historical artifacts are on display in the Joel Monroe Room in the McGinley House.
Chandler’ s other important past and present contributions to MHS include composing the organization’ s monthly newsletter, attending monthly board meetings, volunteering to open the Old Stone Church for weddings and meetings, and participating in events such as the
Chandler at the McGinley House during the 2009 Heritage Day.
annual Heritage Day Festival, Children’ s Fun Day, the Antique Appraisal and Christmas at the McGinley House.
“ Christmas at the McGinley House years ago meant MHS purchased a tree, which was later donated to a children’ s center, a theme was chosen and members and friends brought items to display. To entertain our guests one year, we invited a harpist to perform in addition to our customary carol music played on the antique pump organ. That’ s when I learned how big a harp really is. Visitors had to walk single file through the living room between the harp and the Christmas tree!” she says.
Born in the Pittsburgh area and raised in Oakmont and Jamestown, New York, Chandler is a former elementary and middle school teacher and computer programmer. She is a graduate of Duquesne University with a bachelor’ s degree in History and a Latin minor.“ From a very young age, I wanted to be a teacher,” she says.“ I soon learned fifth and sixth graders were a good fit. They were mature enough to have lively intellectual discussions and yet young and naïve enough to have strong senses of justice and hope. I also enjoyed programming because it gave me the freedom to work in logic and math.”
During her time as president of the society, Chandler loved helping to preserve the old structures to make sure they were safe and sound.“ I also enjoyed the wonderful members of the society,” she says.“ Many loving and caring people have contributed to our efforts, and I am richer for knowing them.”
The continued strong support of its board members attests to their high
For more information about the Monroeville Historical Society, visit monroevillehistorical. org, e-mail info @ monroevillehistorical. org or call 412.856.1000.
Chandler receives plaque from current MHS president Bob Elms for her years of dedication and service to MHS.
opinion of Chandler and her contributions, and they appreciate her sense of humor and steadfast sense of purpose when problems appear to be unsolvable.
Recently, MHS’ current president, Bob Elms, presented Chandler with a visible acclamation for her many years of service to MHS with a plaque depicting the Joel Monroe Museum Room, Tool Display Shed and new Outdoor Stone Oven that were instituted during her 2004-2015 term.“ Lynn not only served as president of the Historical Society when no one else better could fill the position, but she also kept the society’ s vision of preserving history alive and well!” says Elms.
Chandler, 73, believes the construction of the Tool Display Shed has been her biggest contribution to the organization. This display is an important feature of the Heritage Day Festival’ s theme,“ A Tribute to Monroeville’ s Rural Past,” held every October. Visitors enjoy hearing Chandler’ s husband and past president, Louis Chandler, explain the uses and history of the shed’ s contents, drawing on his knowledge as MHS archivist and author of eight books about Monroeville and Patton Township.
“ If you have a love for the few structures left to us from the 19th century and would like to assist in caring for them, join MHS!” encourages Chandler.“ If you are skilled in a craft that reflects the work of our ancestors, have a respect for what previous generations have done to provide for themselves, and in doing so, also built a foundation for people in today’ s everyday life, and if you enjoy working with people who cheerfully strive to connect to Monroeville and its roots, join MHS.”
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