Forest County Historical Society Featured on Kaleidoscope the Series

The Forest County Historical Society, a proud partner of the Lumber Heritage Region (LHR), was recently highlighted on Kaleidoscope the Series, presented by the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau. In the episode, LHR Board Member and Forest County Historical Society President, Mary Alyce “Jake” Knauff, delves into the rich history of Forest County, offers a tour of the Lumber Camp Replica, and discusses the area’s significant lumber heritage.

Take a journey back in time with the Forest County Historical Society by watching the featured YouTube video below. For more information, visit the Forest County Historical Society website.

Kaleidoscope has long captured the essence of our region, highlighting interesting places, remarkable people, and good news. In this episode, viewers are introduced to the Forest County Historical Society, located in Tionesta in the former home of George and Martha Robinson. This historical society preserves a vast collection of items dating back to the 1800s, including a replica lumber camp that showcases the county’s rich timber history.

Established in 1977, the Forest County Historical Society focuses on preserving and educating the public about the county’s past. George Robinson, a Civil War veteran, built the house in the 1870s using local lumber, and his extensive collection of Indian arrowheads, carbon-dated by students from Mercyhurst College, is a highlight of the museum’s exhibits.

The museum also features a period bedroom, a room dedicated to Dr. Babar, a local doctor who worked from 1899 to 1949, and a veterans’ room curated by the local Amvets Club. The basement houses an old printing press from the Forest Press, offering a glimpse into historical printing techniques.

Forest County, named for its extensive forests, was a significant player in the lumber industry, with logs transported via the Tionesta Creek to the Allegheny River and down to Pittsburgh for processing. The lumber camp replica in the museum provides insight into the lives of the wood hicks who worked tirelessly to harvest and transport timber.

Kaleidoscope also explores the unique history of Forest County’s formation, detailing how it was carved out of Jefferson and Venango counties through the efforts of Cyrus Blood. This fascinating historical journey underscores the importance of understanding our past to navigate the future.

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