Our History

Founded in 1923

The Historical Society of Perry County was formally organized on May 28, 1923 from a previous organization called the Philomathean Literary Society of the old Bloomfield Academy (1880) and the Perry County Historical Society, (1881). These early societies roles were to publish articles on Perry County topics and place historical markers at significant historical locations. The first societies prior to 1923 held literary and scholarly lectures and discussions, but did not collect artifacts, nor engage in historic preservation. The present-day Society was incorporated in 1952 and shortly after this time acquired Ludolph Church (Spring Township), its first donated property, in 1954. Thereafter the Society became the recipient of numerous other historic properties including Red Bridge (Liverpool Township), Greenpark School House (Tyrone Township), Fairview Church (Toboyne Township), Fetter House (Landisburg), and the Cochran-Anspach House in Millerstown.

In 1976 the Society moved its artifacts and memorabilia to the Blue Ball Tavern at Little Buffalo State Park and later in 2010 acquired the Cunningham-Dromgold Farm in Carroll Township. The Society also held the old Brownawell Mill in Shermans Dale, which unfortunately had deteriorated beyond a realistic preservation threshold and had to be razed due to safety and liability concerns. Additionally, the Society was instrumental in saving, along with the Borough of Duncannon, the Clark’s Ferry Tavern, recently transferring ownership to the newly-created Friends of Clark’s Ferry Tavern, which will oversee the adaptive reuse of this important and historic structure.

The Society holds numerous records, books, artifacts and memorabilia dealing with all facets of Perry County history as well as conducts programs to raise funds for the ongoing and continual preservation and maintenance of our eight historic properties. To this end the Historical Society of Perry County is a designated 501c3 non-profit corporation designed for the purpose of the collection, preservation, and interpretation of historical records and artifacts of Perry County. This pertains to the natural, civil, and literary history of Perry County.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Historical Society of Perry County is committed to maintaining a community which recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her own potential. The Historical Society of Perry County prohibits discrimination against any member of the community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran. It is the policy of the Historical Society of Perry County to ensure equal opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability, or genetic information with respect to recruitment, employment, wages, promotion, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment. The Historical Society of Perry County will conduct its programs, services and activities consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders.

Our Vision

The vision statement of the Historical Society or Perry County encompasses the following tenets: