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By Jill Runfola

It was fun to a part of the historic celebration on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Monessen Public Library, as people met for Monessen founder Colonel James Schoonmaker’s birthday.

Monessen Historical Society members are (l-r): Candis Kelley, Board Member; Daniel Zyglowicz, Board President; and Virginia Fisfis, Board Secretary.

The event was held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. with the official cake cutting at 10 a.m. The party was hosted by the Greater Monessen Historical Society, and they were proud to honor the man who carried on as an advocate for Monessen. Also, there were outdoor activities, games, and prizes, as well as cake for everyone, pizza later on, and activity books for children.

Colonel James Schoonmaker means a lot to the Greater Monessen Historical Society. President of GMHS Daniel Zyglowicz said, “Colonel Schoonmaker created the East Side Land Company in 1894 with Pittsburgh investors. Monessen was incorporated as a borough in 1898.” He continued to explain that Schoonmaker started setting up Monessen in 1897, after William Henry Donner agreed to construct the National Tin Plate Company, which became Monessen’s first industry. Schoonmaker was the early benefactor of Monessen. “He provided lots of land for many of the churches and moved the railroad tracks towards the river to provide an area for the business district,” Zyglowicz stated.

Zyglowicz said that the historical society is going to plant 12 rose bushes in Monessen City Park in honor of the memory of the 90th anniversary of Schoonmaker’s death, which they remember as well as his birthday. They are also presenting a photo and book titled “Colonel J. M. Schoonmaker and the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad” to the Monessen Public Library.

Candis Kelley, Board member of GMHS, said that the day “means that we’re paying homage to the man founding Monessen.” She went on to say, “Growing up in Monessen, I knew Donner Ave., and Schoonmaker Ave., but I never knew there was a man who founded Schoonmaker until I joined the Historical Society.”

Society President Daniel Zyglowicz prepares for the official cake cutting at the Schoonmaker birthday party.

Virginia Fisfis, secretary on the Board, explained that Channel Craft in Charleroi designed, specifically for them, an old fashioned kids’ train whistle and other “old-time” things, too. The treats were available for the children to take home.

On this day, the beautiful cake, donated by Keystone Bakery, was carved by GMHS President Daniel Zyglowicz. He noted that although Schoonmaker’s actual date of birth was June 30, they chose to have it on a Saturday to accommodate everyone’s schedules. He said, “Today we’re opening our salute to Colonel Schoonmaker…He was an advocate for veterans. He looked after confederates. So, too, he was a civil war hero who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.” With that being said, Zyglowicz cut the cake, in a unique way, with a sword.
Happy 175th birthday, Colonel James M. Schoonmaker!

The next great event to be held by Greater Monessen Historical Society is Annual Founders Day on Saturday, August 19, at Monessen City Park. Re-enactors from the 11th PA Volunteer Infantry, Co. K, will feature authentic Civil War camps to showcase the living Civil War. Founders Day will also include music, food booths, local authors, Victorian dress-up, and family fun. There will be a car cruise that day, too, hosted by the Monessen/Rostraver Rotary. Visit their Facebook online for more events.

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