Heritage Association still long way from museum space
SLIPPERY ROCK — Right now, the ultimate objective of the Slippery Rock Heritage Association is to have some sort of museum space to display all of its items.
Currently, all of its items are stored in members’ houses.
“We have no property, per se,” said association President Dave Barnes.
However, he said, short of someone willing the association a house, dedicated museum space is a long way off. Barnes said, at best, the association only has enough financing to cover maybe a quarter of the cost of a building.
He said an actual building likely would increase the number of people who volunteer for the association.
The association also is working on its second book.
It’s first book, “The Way We Were,” was a collection of oral histories that was published in 2012.
Barnes said the book has 24 recorded interviews that have been transcribed. However, he said a lot of work still needs to be done, including proofreading the interviews.
The book will cover primarily the 1930s through 1950s in the Slippery Rock area, but also will touch on the 1960s and 1970s.
In October, the association rededicated an obelisk in Gateway Park dedicated to former association President Jerilyn McDowell, who died in 2012. The obelisk initially was installed in November 2013.
Barnes said the obelisk represents the hard work that McDowell did for the association.
“It was very, very much ... apropos for Jerilyn. She was just a dynamic person to lead the organization,” Barnes said.
The association also sponsors the annual Slippery Rock Heritage Days, which is held in conjunction with the Slippery Rock VillageFest. Barnes said this past year’s event, held in September, was a success.
Each year, the association gives out a $1,000 scholarship to a senior at Slippery Rock High School. This year, it was given to Hannah Elliott, who will be going to Indiana (Pa.) University for nursing.
The association also wants to encourage people who may have items or photographs of historical interest to the Slippery Rock area to donate them. Barnes said association members have toured the museum spaces of other area historical associations and have been impressed by the amount of items they have.
“We are sort of envious of the stuff they have,” Barnes said.
Anyone who believes they have items of historical importance or interest may contact the association online at www.facebook.com/pages/Slippery-Rock-Heritage-Association/271372576287253, by mail at PO Box 511, Slippery Rock, PA 16057 or by phone by calling Barnes at 724-783-0780 or Ken Harris at 724-794-6353.
