- Last Updated on Saturday, 01 October 2016 17:49
The following announcements were recently made by the Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum.
Next Presentation: WIldflowers
Our next presentation will take place on Saturday, October 8 at 1 p.m. and will feature architectural historian and preservation architect Terry Necciai from Monongahela. Necciai will present “Wildflowers: The Nellie Sickels Album” showing images from his grandmother’s ca.1920 photo album, who was born in 1893 in the town that existed before Donora, called West Columbia. This presentation will be a look back into the latter days of West Columbia and the early days of Donora through the eyes of one of the original families.
Potential Eldora Park Walking Tour
Due to the recent success and interest of the presentation that was held as part of our outreach program in July at the Mon Valley YMCA for History Enthusiasts Day, we are gauging the possibility of a future Eldora Park Walking Tour.
The tour would start at the Smog Museum in Donora with a photo and newspaper article presentation on Eldora Park highlighting the roller coaster, carousel, picnic and dance pavilion, and “Electric” Theater, as well as world renowned speakers and performers. The presenter would be Smog Museum curator Brian Charlton. We would then drive the three miles to conduct the walking tour portion in the Eldora section of Carroll Township retracing the trolley line and ending up at the park site to describe, amongst the few remaining ruins, where the park amenities once existed. The cost of the tour would be between $10-12 per person.
If you have any questions about the tour itself or would like to be added to a signup list for a potential tour, please contact the historical society (see below). All phone messages and emails will be returned and you will be notified on the status of the future tour. Space will be limited.
Rotating Exhibit on Donora War Veterans
In anticipation of Donora hosting this year’s Veterans Day parade on Friday, November 11, the Donora Historical Society will feature a comprehensive exhibit dedicated to Donora war veterans that will last until December as well as a special open house that day. If you like military artifacts, you will appreciate this exhibit. The next day on Saturday, November 12 at 1 p.m. we will have a special presentation highlighting Donora veterans.
Christmas Fundraiser
The Donora Historical Society is now taking orders for Christmas wreaths, garland or roping, candy canes and crosses. The wreaths, candy canes and crosses are made of Frasier Fir, come with a waterproof red velvet bow, and are dipped in an anti-transparent to preserve needle retention. The wreaths measure two feet in diameter and sell for $15. The candy canes and crosses are very full and sturdy and sell for $17. The garland or roping is made of long needle White Pine, measures 30 feet and sells for $12. Call 724-379-5693 or 724-379-6999 to place your order by October 31. Pickup will be at the Donora Smog Museum and Historical Society during Thanksgiving week – November 24, 26 and 27. Note: the prices above could be subject to a slight increase.
Additional Info
If you have additional questions about the subjects mentioned above, the society, museum, meetings, or possibly volunteering, feel free to stop by on Saturdays or by special appointment (with at least 72 hours’ notice), email us at DonoraHistoricalSociety@gmail.com, call us at 724-823-0364 and leave a message. You can also visit us on the web at www.DonoraHistoricalSociety.org or follow us and Like Us on Facebook at “Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum.”
