Across the Commonwealth: Mercer County Spotlight
Join GSP Board members Pamela McCloskey, Dawn Vanderwolf, and Kathy Bucher for the inaugural edition of Across the Commonwealth, GSP’s new Virtual Genealogy Travel Magazine. In each edition of this quarterly online webinar, Pam, Dawn, and Kathy will take us to a different part of PA for a look at the local resources for historians and genealogists. Each program will feature a presentation by local specialists with time for questions and answers about the resources of the county.
The first virtual “trip” will be to Mercer County where we’ll meet Morgan Beatty, an archivist at the Mercer County Historical Society and a Mercer County native. We’ll learn about their available research resources, both primary and secondary sources, and their proximity to the Mercer County Courthouse and a number of local historical societies as well as the Society’s museum and outlying properties. After the presentation, there will be a short Q&A session.
Across the Commonwealth is open to everyone, not just GSP members, but members will have access to the recording after the event for 60 days.
Registration can be found at: https://genpa.org/programs-and-events/ . This is a FREE event.
Art & Spirit Connection
Come join retired UMC pastor, Rev. Dawn Stewart, and fellow participants as we explore the connections between creativity and spirituality.
Through practices of centering, community-building, sharing, creativity, and reflection, we’ll grow in understanding the ties between inspiration and transformation, between stillness and seeing, between rest and renewal, and more.
Participants do not need any art skills, simply a willingness to explore creativity in any of its many forms such as writing, drawing, collage, etc.
Sessions will have a monthly focus and will occur on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm, in the Helen Black Memorial Chapel, adjacent to the Anderson Building (119 S. Pitt St, Mercer). *Please note there are 12 steps to enter and exit this historic chapel.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Dawn at dlstewart64@gmail.com or call 301-848-2265.
Art & Spirit Connection
Come join retired UMC pastor, Rev. Dawn Stewart, and fellow participants as we explore the connections between creativity and spirituality.
Through practices of centering, community-building, sharing, creativity, and reflection, we’ll grow in understanding the ties between inspiration and transformation, between stillness and seeing, between rest and renewal, and more.
Participants do not need any art skills, simply a willingness to explore creativity in any of its many forms such as writing, drawing, collage, etc.
Sessions will have a monthly focus and will occur on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm, in the Helen Black Memorial Chapel, adjacent to the Anderson Building (119 S. Pitt St, Mercer). *Please note there are 12 steps to enter and exit this historic chapel.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Dawn at dlstewart64@gmail.com or call 301-848-2265.
Candlelight Service
Candlelight Service at the Helen Black Miller Memorial Chapel
Two Times- 2PM and 7PM
Holiday Open House
You are invited to our Holiday Open House! Come visit and shop! And you can get your picture taken in our beautiful sleigh which was made by L.C. Graves & Co. in Springboro, PA and was sold by Jones Bro. in Jackson Center, PA.
Closed for Winter Break
We will re-open on Tuesday, January 5, 2027!
See you in the new year!
A Talk on the “Pa Soldiers’ Orphan Schools 1864 – 2009” plus the Mercer Orphan School
A Talk on the “Pa Soldiers’ Orphan Schools 1864 – 2009”
plus the Mercer Orphan School
By: William Peck Jr, Pa SOS historian
When: Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 2:00 pm followed by Q & A (doors open at 1:30)
William Peck is a lay historian of the Pa Soldiers' Orphan Schools program and has been associated with Scotland School for Veterans Children his entire life. He will speak on this program which spanned three centuries, 1864 - 2009", with a focus on the Mercer Orphan School 1868 – 1889.
Mr. Peck's legacy to this program extends from his parents who were graduates of Scotland School in 1942 and 1950, along with multiple ancestors who attended both Scotland School and other Orphan schools going back to 1899 (on both sides). He is a 1981 West Point graduate and is currently a data analyst at the US Naval Academy. He is on a quest to preserve the legacy of the Pa Soldiers Orphan Schools Program. He grew up in Chambersburg and currently lives in Bel Air, Maryland.
Art & Spirit Connection
Embracing Fall...Blazing Glory and Letting Go
We will be reflecting on fall beauty and where we find ourselves shining brightest. And then we'll reflect on ‘Letting Go’ as trees let go of leaves in the fall. Our art activity will be collage making.
Come join retired UMC pastor, Rev. Dawn Stewart, and fellow participants as we explore the connections between creativity and spirituality.
Through practices of centering, community-building, sharing, creativity, and reflection, we’ll grow in understanding the ties between inspiration and transformation, between stillness and seeing, between rest and renewal, and more.
Participants do not need any art skills, simply a willingness to explore creativity in any of its many forms such as writing, drawing, collage, etc.
Sessions will have a monthly focus and will occur on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm, in the Helen Black Memorial Chapel, adjacent to the Anderson Building (119 S. Pitt St, Mercer). *Please note there are 12 steps to enter and exit this historic chapel.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Dawn at dlstewart64@gmail.com or call 301-848-2265.
Traveling War Museum-History You Can Hold
The Traveling War Museum offers history you can hold.
Presented by Jeff Kalkbrenner.
Learn about the militaries, equipment, and people that shaped one of history’s most pivotal moments while you reach back through time and feel what they carried.
A hands-on learning experience for all ages.
This Museum Display will be set up directly behind the Mercer County Historical Society on Oct. 10, 2026 from 11 AM-3PM.
See you there!
Book Swap Fundraiser
Book Swap Fundraiser at BOOKENDS BOOKSTORE in Grove City, PA!
Have used books you would like to swap with someone else? Join us for our Used Book Swap Fundraiser! How does this work, you ask? Just bring up to 5 of your previously read, like new, used books (published after 2000) and $5. The $5 will be donated to the Mercer County Historical Society & Museum. Your books will be organized on tables with other participants’ books. Each participant will be able to choose “new to you” used books (limited to the number of books you donated). Any leftover books will be donated locally. No pre-registration necessary.
Echoes Across the Water (Lake Wilhelm)
Join DCNR staff and local historical societies to learn and engage with Mercer County history. There will be activities! Please bring your stories and pictures to share related to Mercer County History.
Local Author Event
Join us for a local author event with Paula Panariello and her new book, The Christmas That Love Came, a historical romance set in Mercer County, PA!
For more information, contact us at (724) 662-3490!
Justice Bell Presentation
Pennsylvania Women and Their Fight for the Vote
Join us for a 19-minute documentary, Finding Justice: The Untold Story of Women’s Fight for the Vote, followed by a Q&A with Amanda Owen, the filmmaker and executive director of the Justice Bell Foundation. Signed copies of Owen’s new book, The Justice Bell: Tracing the Journey of a Forgotten Symbol, will be available for purchase. Learn about it here and read reviews here: https://www.justicebell.org/justicebellbook
*Books will also be available at MCHS for anyone who cannot attend.
Art & Spirit Connection
Come join retired UMC pastor, Rev. Dawn Stewart, and fellow participants as we explore the connections between creativity and spirituality.
Through practices of centering, community-building, sharing, creativity, and reflection, we’ll grow in understanding the ties between inspiration and transformation, between stillness and seeing, between rest and renewal, and more.
Participants do not need any art skills, simply a willingness to explore creativity in any of its many forms such as writing, drawing, collage, etc.
Sessions will have a monthly focus and will occur on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm, in the Helen Black Memorial Chapel, adjacent to the Anderson Building (119 S. Pitt St, Mercer). *Please note there are 12 steps to enter and exit this historic chapel.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Dawn at dlstewart64@gmail.com or call 301-848-2265.
Quarterly Meeting
Join us at the Stewart House for our quarterly meeting of the Historical Societies Coalition of Mercer County, PA!
Fourth of July Parade
07/04 Fourth of July Parade
Get out your best red, white & blue and show your American spirit by attending or participating in Mercer County’s America250 Fourth of July Parade! Everyone is invited to celebrate our freedom and our great nation! Trails End Conservancy will be leading the parade.
Time: 10:00 am
Starts at Mercer Elementary School and ends at the cemetery
Fourth of July Concert & Fireworks at the Courthouse Square
Be sure to stay for the free after-concert reception at 8:45 PM in front of J. Hicks! Sponsored by the Sha-nini George Foundation!
Annual Meeting and 80th Year Celebration
06/20 Annual Meeting and 80th Year Celebration!
MCHS Board of Directors Meeting
06/10 Mercer County Historical Society Board of Directors Meeting, 6pm
Underground Railroad Tour
SPACE IS LIMITED RSVP TODAY! ONLY 50 AVAILABLE SEATS! CALL THE MERCER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AT 724-662-3490 BEFORE MAY 8TH, 2026, TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT ON THE MOTORCOACH.
Revolutionary War Evening of Reflection
05/02 Revolutionary War Evening of Reflection, 6:30pm
Historical Coalition Societies Meeting
04/22 Historical Coalition Societies Meeting, 6pm
MCHS Board of Directors Meeting
04/08 Mercer County Historical Society Board of Directors Meeting, 6pm
MCHS Board of Directors Meeting
03/11 Mercer County Historical Society Board of Directors Meeting, 6pm
America250PA Kick-Off Event
2026 IS HERE! Beginning January 16 in Philadelphia, America250PA will kick off the Semiquincentennial year with a two-week tour of all 67 counties—celebrating at courthouses and historic sites across Pennsylvania.
Will you be joining us in YOUR county? See more details and RSVP by clicking the button below!
Event Five
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.