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About the Mt Zion Historical Society
All Written Inquiries:
Mt Zion Historical Society
%Susan McClintick
McClintick Road
Weedville, PA 15868
Mt Zion Board Members in Revolutionary Spirit
|
You can contact us via e-mail
or at the above address
Thank you for visiting our site to learn more about the Mt Zion Historical Society
and our mission, goals, and projects. We would appreciate your comments and feedback.
OUR MISSION
To preserve and recognize the history, pioneers, and heritage of the Bennett's Valley
through the support and funding of educational, research, social, and historical
initiatives and projects (like the historical park and memorials)
OUR VISION
To be a highly regarded and recognized historical society honoring the Bennett's Valley,
its history, heritage, veterans, and pioneer citizens.
HOW IT STARTED
The Mt. Zion Historical Society was founded in 1999 by Joseph Burke and Peter Kunes.
It was their idea to create an organization to preserve and recognize both the history
and rich pioneer heritage of the Bennett's Valley Area. Their initial plan included
developing a historical park at the site of the former Mt. Zion Church. In addition
to the historical significance of the church, being Elk County oldest protestant church,
this site is located next the Mt. Zion Cemetery in which many of the early settlers
to the area are buried.
The lot upon which the church once stood is owned by the Mt. Zion Cemetery Committee.
The church was destroyed by fire in 1976. The trustees of the cemetery committee
endorsed the idea, and granted the Mt. Zion Historical Society permission to proceed
with the development of the park.
Under Joseph Burke's guidance, the Mt. Zion Historical Society was chartered as a
non-profit corporation in 2002, making the Society a publicly supported organization,
and allowing donations and gifts to the Society to be tax deductible. On April 3, 2000,
Joseph Burke passed away, and for a number of months following his death there was
very little activity on the park.
Helen Burke shared the same enthusiastic desire for the park as her husband Joseph.
She encouraged and reignited the committee to reorganize and go forward. In addition,
she established the "Joseph & Helen Burke Memorial Trust Fund" to provide for the
long term maintenance of the park.
When the Mt. Zion Historical Society became a non-profit organization the officers
and board members included: Joseph J. Burke, Peter Kunes, Helen Burke, Vera Kunes,
Susan Mc Clintick, and James Burke.
OUR BOARD MEMBERS
MT ZION HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROJECTS
The Mt Zion Historical Society has been making great strides it fulfilling its mission as the premier historical
organization for the Bennett's Valley area. It has been most proud of its Mt Zion Historical Park and Veteran's
Memorial Park and walkway. A summary of our current activities and accomplishments can be seen on this page.
Recent Additions to the MZHS Park
Several additions have been made to the Veterans' Memorial Park by MZHS in time for this year's Memorial Weekend Dedication.
These included the following:
- "The Bell of Freedom" on the new Distinguished Veterans Walk (including Carmen Parziale plaque)
- Plaques honoring missionary Eugenio Kincaid,hymn writer Phillip Bliss, Am Rev Vet Peter Pearsall
- Bulletin Board Plaques
- Third Flag Pole and planter
Veteran Walkway Pavers
To date the Mt. Zion Historical Society has installed over 200 Veteran’s Pavers for the Veteran’s Walkway at the Mt.
Zion Historical Park. The Society and Valley American Legion are furnishing free pavers for all veterans up to
and including World War I. In addition, the they are also providing free pavers for all veterans of Jay and
Benezette Townships who have been KIA, MIA, or POW. You can check the names of local veteran’s in
the Recognizing our Veteran’s section of this
web-site.
We attempt to be as accurate as possible but if you see errors please let us know so we can correct them.
Veterans' Information
You can help by visiting the Recognizing
our Veteran’s section and help to update the page by furnishing information
on the veterans - additions, missing names, corrections, and or supplemental information ( for the empty spaces).
Remembering Our Veterans
On the Honoring our Veterans page of the Mt. Zion
Historical Society’s web-site is our special project "Lest We Forget".
Here are stories honoring and remembering our veterans. Many thanks to Evo Facchine who granted permission to
use a number of his stories, and thanks to those that have added their own stories of their loved veterans. This
project has exceeded our dreams and we hope you find these both interesting and inspirational.
If you would like to add a story to this collection contact
Jim Burke of the Mt Zion Historical Society.
MZHS Scholarships Available
The Mt. Zion Historical is offering two scholarships totaling $1,000. The St. Mary Area School District has
agreed to work with the society on this project. The Scholarship
is open to all local students. The qualification to compete for the Scholarship is to write an essay on any
subject relating to the History of Bennett’s Valley. You can get additional information on the scholarship by contacting
Rita Fence Ovell at Abby Road, Weedville, Pa. 15868, Phone # 814-787-7282, e-mail address rdgrnrs2@windstream.net.
The funds for the scholarship have been made available by the sponsorship of four local donors.
Web Store Under Construction
We are continually updating our web site and we hope you will find it interesting and enjoy it. We are in the process
of adding an on line store with PayPal for you to be able to purchase special MZHS items like books, clothing,
pictures, etc. Look for it soon.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
As you can see we have come a long way in the past decade since our founding in 1997.
We have ambitious plans to continually improve our initiatives to meet our mission and vision.
Your support and participation would be very much appreciated. You can help in
may ways: by becoming a member; by providing donations; by particiapting in our
special projects; or through your purchases of brick pavers or park benches for
our veterans. See our Membership section.
MEETINGS
The Mt. Zion Historical Society meets on the third Tuesday of each month, except for
December. Meetings are open to the public, and anyone desiring to attend are more
than welcome. The meetings are held at either a room provided for the society in
the basement of the W Church in Weedville, or at the Park depending upon the weather.
For information call Susan Mc Clintick, Phone 814-787-7823.
Thanks for visiting our site and we hope you can visit our historical park soon.
Again for membership information go to our membership section.
Copyright © 2008-2009
Mt Zion Historical
Society, Inc
All materials located on this website are the sole
property of the Mt. Zion Historical Society.
Home,
About MZHS,
Current Events,
History,
Vets,
Membership,
Church,
Historical Park,
Cemeteries,
Visiting Today/Elk