Honoring the Heritage of the Bennett's Valley
Jay and Benezette Townships, Elk County, PA
Where in Pennsylvania is Bennett's Valley?
(It's interesting to check out the satellite and terrain views)


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.

What's New on this Site
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Mt Zion Historical Park
The Mt Zion Historical Park
The Pride of the Mt Zion Historical Society
Find directions to Mt Zion Historical Park via GoogleMaps
On Mt Zion(Gray Hill) Rd just off Caledonia Rd
Map to Park
Happy Birthday , America
© Jeffrey Bange

A Very Short History of the Bennett's Valley

Bennetts 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 Bennetts 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 Bennetts Valley in general. Membership in the Historical Society is open to all who have an interest in preserving the history of the Bennetts Valley. We are especially interested in receiving your feedback regarding the Historical Society, its activities, and our website.

Special Projects

And see Current Events below for more information. Please email us with your thoughts and suggestions.

If you would like to join the Society, participate in our special projects, seek information, or make a donation, please visit our membership link shown below.



MZHS logo
The Mt. Zion Historical Society 		MZHS Stone
Mt Zion Historical Park 		Winslow Hill
History of Bennett's Valley

with Special Stories/Poems and "The Lost Gold Shipment" Project
MZHS Board
Current Events at MZHS

Our Newsletter:The Bennett's Valley History Gazette

Summer 2009- Memorial Dedication Issue
Spring 2009- First Issue
Add me to Newsletter List

 Church
Mt. Zion Church and Memorial		 Weedville Cemetery
Genealogy Info--Cemeteries--

Visit PAGenWeb for Elk County's Newest Genealogy Website
MZHS logo
MZHS Membership		 American Legion logo
Honoring our Vets--Information

with Special Stories Dedicated to Our WW2 Vets


In Memory of
John F "Rabbi" Gray
Aug 26, 1933-June 10, 2009
Click Name to see Obit

 elk
Bennett's Valley Today and Our Elk



Mt Zion Historical Society Events and Calender

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

Date Event Comments and Contacts
Next: June 16, 2009 Mt Zion Historical Society Monthly Meeting Meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month except December;
Contact Jim Burkefor further info.
June 20, 2009 George Edward Smith Family Reunion Annual George Edward "Ed" Smith Reunion held the third Saturday of June every year at the Sizerville State Park. For information contact Chris Painter 105 Cityview Avenue, Marietta, OH, 45750, (740) 376-9774
August 22, 2009 Winslow Reunion "Attention All Winslows" We are planning a Winslow Reunion for August 22, 2009 at the old Benezette school. All Winslow decendents and families are invited to attend. A meat entree will be provided, we ask that you bring a side dish or desert, a wrapped white elephant gift to be auctioned off and a free will offering to help keep the reunions going. The reunion will start at 10:30am with dinner being served at 1pm. There will be both adult and childrens games to enjoy.-- lawnchairs not provided bring your own. For more info or to RSVP please contact Diane Groeger-185 Center St,Apt 409,St. Marys,Pa. 15857 (814-781-6634) Or MaryLou Schultz; 4378 Townline; Lockport,NY 14094;(716-434-6822).




Copyright © 2008-2009 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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