Honoring the Heritage of the Bennett's Valley
Jay and Benezette Townships, Elk County, PA


Mt Zion Historical Park
The Mt Zion Historical Park
The Pride of the Mt Zion Historical Society
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On Mt Zion(Gray Hill) Rd just off Caledonia Rd
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Check out our latest Newsletter Memorial Day Issue- July 2010

Bennett's Valley History Gazette




Welcome to the Mt. Zion Historical Society Web Site



The Mt. Zion Historical Society is a non profit organization founded in 1997 with the purpose and desire of preserving and recognizing the history of the Bennett's Valley in Elk County Pennsylvania. This Mt. Zion Historical Society Web Site is designed to share historical (and genealogy)information regarding the pioneers and families of Bennett's Valley- specifically Jay and Benezette Townships-, in Elk County Pa. We will keep the resources and information as current as possible, and with your support in sharing your information we will help all of us enjoy the discovery of the history of our area. Come back often to see the changes.

In this effort The Mt. Zion Historical Society and the citizens of the area have developed, and are currently expanding, an historical park at the site of the former Mt. Zion Church - Elk County's oldest Protestant site. Adjoining the park is the Mt. Zion Cemetery where many family members of the early settlers of the Bennett's Valley are interred.

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A Very Short History of the Bennett's Valley

Bennett's Valley has a glorious and diversified history. In 1650, this land was Seneca Indian territory. In the 1750’s the land was claimed by both the English and the French. Although this dispute was settled by the French and Indian War, the area continued to be claimed as part of the colonies of Connecticut and Pennsylvania. This land dispute was put on hold during the American Revolution. The United States Congress resolved the conflict in favor of Pennsylvania shortly after the war. This, however, did not end the Seneca hold on the land until the 1784 treaty known as the "Last Purchase". Eventually, westward marching pioneer families came to settle this wild, primitive area.

Bennett's Valley Today

The Bennett's Valley has always been rich in timber and wildlife- like the elk, deer and others. The first state gamelands were established here in 1920. Today, this area offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation – hunting, hiking, camping, snowmobiling, fishing, as well as the popular viewing of Pennsylvania’s elk herd (see our elk link below).

Help Preserve Historical Bennett's Valley

The Mt. Zion Historical Society hopes this website will entice you to learn more about its upcoming projects and the history of of Bennett's Valley in general. Membership in the Historical Society is open to all who have an interest in preserving the history of the Bennett's Valley. MZHS Membership We are especially interested in receiving your feedback regarding the Historical Society, its activities, and our website. Please email MZHSwith your comments.



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MZHS logo
The Mt. Zion Historical Society
MZHS Stone
Mt Zion Historical Park

It is Worth a Visit

 Winslow Hill
History of Bennett's Valley

with Many Special Articles and Features


Lots Here and More Being Added All the Time
MZHS Special Project

Building Our Own Library to share Bennett's Valley Pictures and Genealogy Information

And we need your help.
Stories, pictures, or questions can be mailed to Rita Ovell, Abby Road, Weedville, Pa. 15868, or emailed to Jim Burke or Bob Nay.

American Legion logo
Honoring our Veterans

Our Veterans' List

Vet Brick Paver Order Form


Wear Red on Fridays for Vets

 Weedville Cemetery
Genealogy Info & Cemeteries

We Recommend Visiting PAGenWeb for Elk County's Most Comprehensive Genealogy Website

Our Newsletter

The Bennett's Valley History Gazette

Special Memorial Day Issue- July 2010
Spring Issue- April 2010
Winter Issue- Jan 2010
Holiday Issue-Nov 2009
Fall 2009 Issue
Summer 2009 Issue
Summer 2009- Special Memorial Dedication Issue
Spring 2009- First Issue

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 Church
Mt. Zion Church and Memorial 		elk
Bennett's Valley Today, Our Elk, and Historical Points of Interest
Please contact Bob Nay for information.

Special Sponsors



Please contact Jim Burke at MZHS for information.

Special Contributors and Donors



Please contact Jim Burke at MZHS for information.



Mt Zion Historical Society and Other Events and Calender

Please e-mail me to post your Reunions, Meetings etc.

Date Event Comments and Contacts
Monthly as Scheduled Mt Zion Historical Society Monthly Meeting Meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month except December;
Contact Jim Burkefor further info.
Memorial Day Weekend, May 2011 Mt Zion Historical Society Memorial Day Dedication The Annual Memorial Day Weekend Services at the Mt Zion Memorial Park
Contact Jim Burkefor further info.
Sept 6 - Monday Veterans Day Celebration Veterans Day Celebration Weedville The Bennett's Valley Home Coming at Weedville. Parade, entertainment, rides, food. Stop by the Mt. Zion Historical Society Booth.
Oct. 15-16 Elk County Historical Society Annual Cemetery Walk Tour the Pine Grove and Thayer Cemeteries in Ridgway and learn the histories of the individuals buried there. www.elkcountyhistoricalsociety.org.
Oct 16, 11am-7pm A festival of fall! Downtown Ridgway will be full crafts, food and music to celebrate the most beautiful season of the year. The leaves will be at their peak all around the hills of Ridgway and in bordering Allegheny National Forest. The perfect time of year to visit us! Call 814-772-9150 for vendor information.
Nov 13 The Elk County Council on the Art's Annual Gala Celebration. Join them as they roar through their 20's at the Johnsonburg Community Building ballroom for a speakeasy themed celebration. The event will feature live music, dancing, games, art and lots of fun. Contact ECCOTA for more details, 814-772-7051. www.eccota.com
December 5th (Sunday) - 6:00 PM St. Marys Historical Society Supper The St. Marys Historical Society will hold its annual dinner at the St. Marys CC honoring the founding of the town which was on Dec.8, 1842. For information call 834-6525 (Tuesday or Thursday afternoon)




Copyright © 2008-2010 Mt Zion Historical Society, Inc

All materials located on this website are the sole property of the Mt. Zion Historical Society and its contributors. You may use with appropriate recognition of the sources, but do not use for any commercial purposes without the written approval of the Mt Zion Historical Society, Inc


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