Unearth the hidden stories of Pennsylvania’s lumber heritage with “Roots Uncovered.” Delve into narratives drawn from the LHR diversity research report – Women and Black History in the Forest Products Industry/ showcasing the contributions and experiences of underrepresented communities.
These stories share the involvement and experiences of the often underrepresented workforce that helped to shape the timber industry; highlighting the rich, multifaceted history of our forests and the people who lived and worked among them.
As these themes are explored, they begin to demonstrate how the roots that connect us all also connected the Pennsylvania Lumber Industries to some of our Nation’s most influential moments in history.
News & Updates
THE HISTORY OF LOLETA January 30, 2020 -Article and photos courtesy of Bob Imhoff This area has been recently nominated and accepted onto the National Register of Historic Places. The area was once a bustling logging town, established in 1889, with over 600 inhabitants. T... Read more
News & Updates
THE HISTORY OF COOK FOREST When the Europeans arrived in the area in the 1700s, the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy used this area as hunting grounds. In 1757, the Proprietary Council of Pennsylvania sent Moravian missionary Christian Frederick Post to convince the Sen... Read more
Our Roots
Take a virtual journey through the first phase of archaeological exploration at the Bark Shanty CCC Camp in Potter County, Pennsylvania and uncover new opportunities to reconnect with our region’s rich roots in lumber and conservation history. Read more
News & Updates
Barbara Novosel’s journey is a testament to strength and devotion to her family. Born as Barbara Balaban on February 20, 1891, in the village of Kostanjevica (now part of Slovenia), her early life in Europe could hardly have foreshadowed the challenges and triumphs she would face... Read more
News & Updates
Potter County, PA – A historic preservation effort is underway deep in the forests of Potter County, where a coalition of partners has come together to bring long-overdue recognition to the Bark Shanty Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp, one of Pennsylvania’s segregated CCC c... Read more
Heritage
Barbara Novosel started a journey to join her husband, Nickola, that would bring her to the remote forests of Pennsylvania. Here they would build a life with their 12 children, leaving an enduring legacy. Read more
Heritage
During the era of the Great Depression, many young men left school to help support their families. Traditional educational paths were disrupted for countless individuals. The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), launched in 1933 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal,... Read more
Heritage
Discover some of the lumber and forest related stories of Black Americans in the Lumber Heritage Region and throughout Pennsylvania. Combatting injustice, breaking barriers, and contributing to the forests and places we hold dear today, explore just a few of these fascinating st... Read more
Roots Uncovered
On a crisp May morning in 1901, Annie Myers boarded a timber raft with her husband, Thomas, and their sons, embarking on what would become a historic journey from Lock Haven to Marietta. A story immortalized in The Clinton Republican hailed Annie as the first and only woman to ma... Read more
Roots Uncovered
The lumber industry in Pennsylvania’s forests brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds. While these communities were often isolated, the shared challenges of the work fostered a unique camaraderie and mutual respect among workers. Read more
Roots Uncovered
The lumber industry in Pennsylvania brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds and faiths, creating a unique tapestry of spiritual practices in the remote forests of the Lumber Heritage Region. Read more
Roots Uncovered
Life in Pennsylvania’s lumber camps was rugged and demanding, yet for some, it was also a family affair. Families like Alma and Jake Swanson’s Read more
Roots Uncovered
The turn of the 20th century brought significant changes to Pennsylvania’s lumber industry. Advancements in technology and transportation expanded access to remote forests, while the growing demand for wood fueled the rise of related industries. Read more
Roots Uncovered
The Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania is steeped in history, with stories that intertwine industry, progress, and the fight for justice. Read more
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