- Last Updated on Monday, 30 November 2015 17:46
Cement City Walking Tours
A crisp, cool, yet sunny October 4th Sunday afternoon greeted 26 guests on our most recent Cement City Home and Walking Tour.
This closes out our fifth year of hosting architectural and historical enthusiasts from all over southwestern PA and beyond. This also completes our second year of hosting tours in both the spring and fall. With a continually growing waiting list, we anticipate hosting two tours again next year in April/May and then again in September/October in celebration of the 99th anniversary of our beloved Historic District completed in 1917.
The tours started at the museum with a photo presentation on Thomas Edison’s Cement City, as well as the showing of artifacts and original blueprints during the construction from 1916 and 1917. A walking tour followed in the Historic District to point out various architectural details. The walk concluded by touring the interior of two homes that have a couple of rooms restored to period.
If you have any questions about Cement City or one of our Home and Walking Tours, please consult our website and click the “Cement City” tab, or call or email the historical society.
Diary of a First Street Rambler
On Saturday, October 10th at 1 p.m., the Donora Historical Society welcomed Monessen native and author Ralph E. Stone, who did a reading and book signing of his book, Diary of a First Street Rambler. Books are still available for purchase and the proceeds will benefit the Donora Historical Society. Stone’s discussion featured stories about his experiences of growing up in Monessen as a youth during the 1940s, as well as stories about Donora and Stan “The Man” Musial. This would make a great Christmas gift.
Outreach Opportunities
Our outreach opportunities continued, as we took the Donora Historical Society on the road to visit the Lawrenceville Historical Society on October 21st to present the “1948 Smog” in front of a group of over 30 attendees in the historic Carnegie Library of Lawrenceville. We are anticipating returning again next year to present “Cement City.”
Also for next September of 2016, we were invited back to the South Park Historical Society to present Stan “The Man” Musial. We were in South Park last April to present the “1948 Smog.”
Ham Radio Special Event
In recognition of the 67th anniversary of the 1948 Smog, the Donora Historical Society collaborated with the Monessen Amateur Radio Club during a special event held on Saturday, October 24th. The Monessen Amateur Radio Club set up a 40-foot antennae and operated a radio station located at Palmer Park, in Donora, making contact with Hams from all over the northern United States, as well as Canada.
For Further Info…
If you have additional questions about the subjects mentioned above, the society, museum, meetings or possibly volunteering, feel free to stop by or email us at DonoraHistoricalSociety@gmail.com or by calling 724-823-0364 and leave a message. Or visit us on the web at www.DonoraHistoricalSociety.org.