THE BEGINNING OF THE DuBOIS AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
By Dr. John Furlow
Founder and First DuBois Area Historical Society President
In Memory: May 3, 1940 - May 30, 2014
In 1982, the Dean of Student Affairs came to my office and said someone had spoken to him about this person’s idea to start an historical society in DuBois. The Dean came to me because I was an historian as well as Director of Academic Affairs for the DuBois Campus of Penn State.
I agreed enthusiastically and suggested we call a meeting of all those in the community who were interested in being a part of such an organization. The meeting was attended by several community members, including Bob and Mary Lou DuBois who brought support from the Du Bois family. It was decided to create a constitution for the DuBois Area Historical Society which would designate officers-President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The Constitution was approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in Harrisburg and officers were elected. I was honored by being chosen as the first president; Todd Thompson, DuBois Area High School history teacher was treasurer. Evo Facchine , Shirley Clark, E. D. Reitz, George Nye, and Ginny and Tom Schott were other early officers. Since we didn’t have a permanent location at which to gather, we met at the high school and at Church of Our Savior which was the church my family and I attended. The officers developed a list of possible speakers for the society’s monthly meetings. We decided we needed to have an inaugural banquet at the DuBois Country Club to encourage community members to join us. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission sent a speaker who offered the state’s support and encouragement.
In the first year, we had excellent speakers. The attendance varied in size. We decided several things that year. We had a suggestion by Todd Thomson to ask students to submit drawings for a logo for the Society. We wanted young people to be a part of our group.
The young man whose logo was selected combined the lumbering history of the DuBois family with mining and Tom Mix. His proud family joined us at our first annual spring dinner to receive his prize. The logo was later featured on mugs, tee shirts, and banquet program covers.
Todd Thompson-always full of great ideas-suggested we have an annual recognition of high school students’ papers who wrote well about the area’s history. As a result of papers about various communities around DuBois, we decided to invite representatives from these communities to join the society’s officers.
We also determined that there would continue to be an annual dinner with special speakers at restaurants around the area. One of our early dinners was at the Golden Yoke Restaurant in Luthersburg which had been a stage coach stop. Dr. George Nye was elected president. Dr. Nye was superintendant of the DuBois Area Schools and was an avid collector and amateur historian who provided support from the schools.
We named Shirley Clark as liaison with the Clearfield Historical Society. Shirley took on that job and then became president of our society. We began to dream about a building to house collections and papers, including genealogical materials. We also hoped that someday that the papers, maps, and pictures which belonged to Sam King, retired history professor at the DuBois Campus, would become the foundation of an historical collection of value to local, state, and national researchers.
We agreed to provide support for all local efforts to further DuBois area history, such as the Tom Mix Festival and the restoration and maintenance of historical treasures such as the Civilian Conservation Corps camp established by the Federal Government at Parker Dam State Park during the Depression.
My wife, Judy, and I are so pleased that what was begun by many dedicated and interested residents so many years ago lives on with buildings, a strong membership, and many activities such as historical walks that introduce residents and visitors to the history of, as Sam King called it, "God’s Country."
John Furlow, Ph.D.
Dean Emeritus, Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
Past-President, DuBois Area Historical Society
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A LOCAL HISTORY OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
(BASED ON A 2007 ARTICLE)
The impetus for a local historical society had its roots in the DuBois Campus of Penn State University. In 1982 a founding group led by Dr. John Furlow and Dr. Louis Barsi, DuBois Campus of Penn State University; Bob and Mary Lou DuBois; and Marilyn Scherer, DuBois Mansion Society, along with other interested community members organized and participated in the earliest formative discussions to form a DuBois Historical Society.
Following a presentation and motion by Penn State's Lou Barsi, the DuBois Chamber of Commerce also endorsed the formation of the DuBois Area Historical Society on February 8, 1982 with Dr Furlow as Chairman.
A constitution was prepared and approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in Harrisburg and formal organizational meetings were held in DuBois which led to the election of Dr. John Furlow from Penn State's DuBois Campus as the first Society president in September of 1982.
Other early officers included Todd Thompson, Evo Facchine, Shirley Clark, E. D. Reitz, George Nye, and Ginny and Tom Schott. A speaker series on area history was started and meetings held at various sites including the DuBois Campus of Penn State, the DuBois Public Library, DuBois Area High School, and several churches including the Church of Our Savior and the Presbyterian Church.
The Society’s constitution had established its service area as the same as that of the DuBois Area School District. The new organization stated purpose was to “promote the study, preservation and appreciation of history, especially of the local area.”
Dues were modest. The hope was to allow everyone be able to join in what would be the preservation of their own history. Over the years the membership fees have remained very affordable to continue this tradition. Businesses were also offered the opportunity to join at a separate rate.
Hampered by the lack of a building, the Society collected items, many of which were stored for several years under the swimming pool at DuBois High School or in member homes. Dr. Furlow and the Society’s second president, Dr. George Nye, started regular meetings and activities.
During the three years served by the Society’s President Shirley Clark, a first home was found. The Society moved into a large third floor room above Joe’s Tux Shop on West Long Avenue in downtown DuBois. Display cases were purchased and for the first time the Society could display its collection and have a place to hold meetings. The Society also started its genealogy component under the leadership of Clark.
Eventually the rent became unaffordable and the collection was boxed again and moved to a storage room on Brady Street and the Society, under presidents Tom Schott, Virginia Schott, and Mike Mowrey, became vagabonds again.
All of that changed under the Society’s next president, the late E. D. Reitz. At the 1993 annual banquet, Reitz announced that S&T Bank had accepted a Society bid to purchase the property at 30 West Long Ave. He also appointed Dr. George Nye as chairman of the property committee.
With the acquisition of the property, the constitution of the Society was revised, adding additional people to the executive committee. The 30 West Long Ave. property was occupied in July 1994 and an official opening took place in September 1994. The adjoining Low Building was acquired several years later.
E.D. Reitz was one of the Society's most active presidents, serving terms running 1993 - 97, and then again 1998 - 1999. The completion of the DuBois Area Historical Society’s expansion came under the presidency of Audrey Lott (1999 - 2002) when the Shively Jewelry store was purchased in 1999. That area became home to the Society’s genealogical research library when the three properties were combined to form the E.D. Reitz Museum..
Under Evo Facchine the Society saw museum renovation, expansion and the addition of a Veterans Area.
Several books were written by Society members who also publish a quarterly newsletter and a popular on-this-day column by Ken Wiser was initiated for the local newspaper. In 2008 annual "Lantern Walks" were begun by Society members that provide information and insight into specific aspects of DuBois history. In 2010 the Society added a Web Page and more recently a Facebook account.
Ruth Gregori was elected President for 2012.
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Our web pages were created In memory of our DuBois heritage and In honor of those who have worked to preserve it. "
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PAST PRESIDENT EVO FACCHINE PASSES AWAY
In Memory: 1932 - 2016
Evo Facchine, 84, the DuBois Area Historical Society’s longest serving president and member of the Society's first Executive Board formed in 1982 passed away on September 26, 2016.
Facchine’s was president of the DuBois Area Chamber of Commerce when the execuitve committee of the Chamber passed a 1982 resolution to support formation of an historical society in DuBois.
In 2003 he was elected president of the Society, a position he was reelected to several times. His last term was in 2011.
During his time as president, Facchine oversaw construction of the veterans room and the gallery area in the museum; oversaw the revision of the Society’s constitution; reinstated the Society’s newsletter and initiated the “Looking Back” column. The Society’s Spring Walk and the Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk also started during Facchine’s multiple terms.
The Society honored Facchine with its “Man of the Year” award in 2007.
Facchine is survived by his wife Ann (the 2007 DuBois Area Historical Society Woman of the Year), a son, Robert, a daughter, Jennifer, a brother Leo, a sister Mae Merley and four grandchildren.
PAST PRESIDENT EVO FACCHINE PASSES AWAY
In Memory: 1932 - 2016
Evo Facchine, 84, the DuBois Area Historical Society’s longest serving president and member of the Society's first Executive Board formed in 1982 passed away on September 26, 2016.
Facchine’s was president of the DuBois Area Chamber of Commerce when the execuitve committee of the Chamber passed a 1982 resolution to support formation of an historical society in DuBois.
In 2003 he was elected president of the Society, a position he was reelected to several times. His last term was in 2011.
During his time as president, Facchine oversaw construction of the veterans room and the gallery area in the museum; oversaw the revision of the Society’s constitution; reinstated the Society’s newsletter and initiated the “Looking Back” column. The Society’s Spring Walk and the Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk also started during Facchine’s multiple terms.
The Society honored Facchine with its “Man of the Year” award in 2007.
Facchine is survived by his wife Ann (the 2007 DuBois Area Historical Society Woman of the Year), a son, Robert, a daughter, Jennifer, a brother Leo, a sister Mae Merley and four grandchildren.
