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Baker Mansion Lecture Series March through November FREE - Donations Accepted Explore a Wide Variety of Historical Topics with an Engaging Lineup of Knowledgeable Speakers . . . The Blair County Historical Society is pleased to present its annual lecture series at the Baker Mansion History Museum. The talks take place in the lecture room in the basement level of the Mansion. All talks are free and open to the public, although donations are gratefully accepted. All talks take place at 7pm on various Wednesdays from March through November. The mansion is not ADA accessible and space may be limited to a first come first served basis. March 20 The Life and Times of Moses Brown: Hollidaysburg Entrepreneur By Harriett Gaston Come learn about the colorful career of Moses Brown, a prominent ice cream manufacturer, caterer, restaurateur, and real estate owner in 19th century Hollidaysburg. Operating his business on Allegheny Street, he also once owned that land that is now the Sylvan Hills golf course. The talk will present a vivid portrayal of business and civic life in early Blair County. April 17 Winding Roads: The Adventures of an Altoona Bicyclist By John Frederick Growing up in Altoona’s Fifth Ward in the 1960s, John Frederick long had a passion for bicycling. His earliest explorations in the saddle took him to all corners of Central Pennsylvania, where he experienced the rich history and geography of the region. In 1978, he rode his bike across the country in an even grander adventure. Book signing to follow. May 22 Dispatches of D-Day: Blair County and America Experience the Normandy Invasion By Jared Frederick Spring 1944. The world held its breath as the Allies leapt across the English Channel in the largest amphibious operation of the Second World War. Frederick will present an engaging lecture on how the invasion shaped the soldiers and civilians of Blair County and the nation. Book signing to follow. This talk coincides with Baker Mansion’s new WWII exhibition. June 26 Scrap Drives and Victory Gardens: The Blair County Home Front in WWII By James Lowe The home front was an integral part of American victory in World War II. From war bonds to victory Gardens and scrap drives to rationing, this presentation focuses on wartime America with specific information on Altoona. On display will also be a plethora of artifacts from the home front during the war years. This talk coincides with Baker Mansion’s new WWII exhibition. July 24 Remains of a Tragedy, Rebirth of a City: PRR Photographs by William Rau After the Johnstown Flood By Julie Rockwell In commemoration of the 130th anniversary of the Johnstown Flood, historian Julie Rockwell will be sharing stunning photos of the William H. Rau collection from the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art. How did the 1889 flood change the landscape and the community? These questions and more will be answered in this engaging visual presentation. August 21 Allegheny Burning: The 240th Anniversary of the Brodhead Campaign of 1779 By Brady J. Crytzer In 1779, George Washington launched what would be his most successful campaign of the entire American Revolution: the destruction of Iroquoia. A three pronged attack from all directions, the campaign reduced the Haudenosaunee world to ashes and ended a centuries-old way of life. The conflict unleashed vast consequences in the Pennsylvania hinterlands. Book signing to follow. September 18 Gregory Zaborowski The Flight that Fought Back: A 9/11 Reflection Flight 93 National Memorial Park Ranger Gregory Zaborowski will be conveying the compelling tale of United 93 in the September 11 attacks. Because of the actions of the 40 desperate passengers and crew, an attack on the U.S. Capitol was thwarted. Zaborowski will be using information gathered by the FBI, the cockpit voice recorder, and other firsthand accounts. October 16 “Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas” By Michael Allison The ever-entertaining Michael Allison returns by popular demand for his annual presentations on Pennsylvania folklore and the supernatural. This year, he is setting his sights on winter folklore traditions—from magical midwinter spirits to the creepiest of Christmas creatures. Join the museum for a fun evening that will colorfully bridge the Halloween and Christmas seasons. November 20 Raymond Loewy: Trains, Planes, and Automobiles By John Wall John Wall, author of Streamliner, will talk on the influence of industrial designer Raymond Loewy. Loewy was a pioneering product designer and created the streamlined look of several Pennsylvania Railroad locomotives built in Altoona as well as many other groundbreaking forms of transportation design, including Air Force One and Studebakers. Book signing to follow.
Explore a Wide Variety of Historical Topics with an Engaging Lineup of Knowledgeable Speakers . . . The Blair County Historical Society is pleased to present its annual lecture series at the Baker Mansion History Museum. The talks take place in the lecture room in the basement level of the Mansion. All talks are free and open to the public, although donations are gratefully accepted. All talks take place at 7pm on various Wednesdays from March through November. The mansion is not ADA accessible and space may be limited to a first come first served basis. March 20 The Life and Times of Moses Brown: Hollidaysburg Entrepreneur By Harriett Gaston Come learn about the colorful career of Moses Brown, a prominent ice cream manufacturer, caterer, restaurateur, and real estate owner in 19th century Hollidaysburg. Operating his business on Allegheny Street, he also once owned that land that is now the Sylvan Hills golf course. The talk will present a vivid portrayal of business and civic life in early Blair County. April 17 Winding Roads: The Adventures of an Altoona Bicyclist By John Frederick Growing up in Altoona’s Fifth Ward in the 1960s, John Frederick long had a passion for bicycling. His earliest explorations in the saddle took him to all corners of Central Pennsylvania, where he experienced the rich history and geography of the region. In 1978, he rode his bike across the country in an even grander adventure. Book signing to follow. May 22 Dispatches of D-Day: Blair County and America Experience the Normandy Invasion By Jared Frederick Spring 1944. The world held its breath as the Allies leapt across the English Channel in the largest amphibious operation of the Second World War. Frederick will present an engaging lecture on how the invasion shaped the soldiers and civilians of Blair County and the nation. Book signing to follow. This talk coincides with Baker Mansion’s new WWII exhibition. June 26 Scrap Drives and Victory Gardens: The Blair County Home Front in WWII By James Lowe The home front was an integral part of American victory in World War II. From war bonds to victory Gardens and scrap drives to rationing, this presentation focuses on wartime America with specific information on Altoona. On display will also be a plethora of artifacts from the home front during the war years. This talk coincides with Baker Mansion’s new WWII exhibition. July 24 Remains of a Tragedy, Rebirth of a City: PRR Photographs by William Rau After the Johnstown Flood By Julie Rockwell In commemoration of the 130th anniversary of the Johnstown Flood, historian Julie Rockwell will be sharing stunning photos of the William H. Rau collection from the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art. How did the 1889 flood change the landscape and the community? These questions and more will be answered in this engaging visual presentation. August 21 Allegheny Burning: The 240th Anniversary of the Brodhead Campaign of 1779 By Brady J. Crytzer In 1779, George Washington launched what would be his most successful campaign of the entire American Revolution: the destruction of Iroquoia. A three pronged attack from all directions, the campaign reduced the Haudenosaunee world to ashes and ended a centuries-old way of life. The conflict unleashed vast consequences in the Pennsylvania hinterlands. Book signing to follow. September 18 Gregory Zaborowski The Flight that Fought Back: A 9/11 Reflection Flight 93 National Memorial Park Ranger Gregory Zaborowski will be conveying the compelling tale of United 93 in the September 11 attacks. Because of the actions of the 40 desperate passengers and crew, an attack on the U.S. Capitol was thwarted. Zaborowski will be using information gathered by the FBI, the cockpit voice recorder, and other firsthand accounts. October 16 “Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas” By Michael Allison The ever-entertaining Michael Allison returns by popular demand for his annual presentations on Pennsylvania folklore and the supernatural. This year, he is setting his sights on winter folklore traditions—from magical midwinter spirits to the creepiest of Christmas creatures. Join the museum for a fun evening that will colorfully bridge the Halloween and Christmas seasons. November 20 Raymond Loewy: Trains, Planes, and Automobiles By John Wall John Wall, author of Streamliner, will talk on the influence of industrial designer Raymond Loewy. Loewy was a pioneering product designer and created the streamlined look of several Pennsylvania Railroad locomotives built in Altoona as well as many other groundbreaking forms of transportation design, including Air Force One and Studebakers. Book signing to follow.