A Brief History of Blair County
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Blair County celebrated its sesquicentennial in 1996. We have looked to our past with the satisfaction that our ancestors have built a true community. Now, we look forward to a future that will carry us into the twenty-first century. We have great opportunities to carry Blair County forward in the upcoming years, building a richer future by preserving the past. Please feel free to read A Brief History of Blair County by Sylva Emerson to gain a comprehensive understanding of how local people, places, events, ideals, and traditions transformed the county into what it is today.
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About the Blair County Historical Society
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The Blair County Historical Society (BCHS) was chartered on July 23, 1906 as a non-profit association open to all persons interested in preserving the history of Blair County. Since its inception, the society has taken an active role in preserving and interpreting this region's heritage, through marking historical sites, publishing books and pamphlets on local history, and collecting and preserving artifacts relevant to the heritage of the area's people.
Since 1922, our headquarters have been located at Baker Mansion in Altoona. After leasing the building for two decades, the society purchased it from the Baker heirs in 1941. Here the society operates its museum, at which visitors can see period rooms depicting the Baker family's lifestyle, as well as exhibits on the early iron industry, transportation, medicine, military history, toys, geology, and education. Rotating displays are presented on the second floor. The mansion also holds the society's offices, library and archives. The society formerly owned the Springfield Furnace Mansion (Royer House) which has been rehabilitated. Royer Mansion is now owned and operated by Royer Mansion Preservation Society, a Nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization. Where work continues to enhance the property and offer community events. You can learn more about the Royer Mansion and RMPS at their website https://www.royer-mansion.com. Our funding comes from memberships, museum admission fees, donations, grants, and fundraising events. We are completely dependent upon the time, talent, financial resources, and passion of our volunteers and benefactors. The society is a member of the Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and Historical Organizations, the Alliance of Pennsylvania County Historical Societies, the American Association for State and Local History, Explore Altoona, and the Blair County Chamber of Commerce. Today, we proudly boast a wide array of accomplishments and goals in the community. Offering diverse levels of educational programs, lectures, tours, reenactments, publications, and services, we intend to build upon our rich tradition as a non-profit organization. |
Members of the Blair County Historical Society at Baker Mansion in 1934. Left to right, seated: William I. Woodcock, Plymouth W. Snyder, Harry A. Jacobs; standing: Dr. Guy C. Robb, Bertha McLaughlin, Annie E. Berg, Tarring S. Davis, Bessie Confer, Floyd G. Hoenstine, Matthew M. Morrow, Donald Yoder, Mary M. Morrow, Margaret Nicholson, Walter S. Irvine, Nellie Berg, William T. Canan, and Thomas J. Trout.
Amtran bus services celebrates its anniversary at Baker Mansion prior to the structure's exterior renovation.
Baker Mansion at Christmas. Courtesy of John Patton.
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Historic Plaque Application
The Blair County Historical Society has established an Historical Commission to document structures in Blair County worthy of a Historical Plaque. To be eligible, the structure must be at least 75 years old, have approximately 75% of its original exterior and be located in Blair County, Pennsylvania.
For a structure to be listed as historic, an owner may purchase a plaque identifying the house or building as historic with the date of construction. If the exact year of construction is not known, the word “CIRCA” will be used on the plaque in place of “BUILT”.
The lacquered plaque is made of bronze, painted with a brown background with raised lettering and border in polished bronze. The plaque (approximate weight: 5 lbs) is an 9 x 6 inch oval, pre-drilled for mounting on wood or with hardware include for mounting on concrete/brick. The cost of this plaque is $325.
For consistency with other houses, and so the plaques are easily recognized, orders MUST include the following information. Plaques may be purchased from the Blair County Historical Society by check, credit card, or PayPal.
APPLICATION FOR HISTORIC PLAQUE
For a structure to be listed as historic, an owner may purchase a plaque identifying the house or building as historic with the date of construction. If the exact year of construction is not known, the word “CIRCA” will be used on the plaque in place of “BUILT”.
The lacquered plaque is made of bronze, painted with a brown background with raised lettering and border in polished bronze. The plaque (approximate weight: 5 lbs) is an 9 x 6 inch oval, pre-drilled for mounting on wood or with hardware include for mounting on concrete/brick. The cost of this plaque is $325.
For consistency with other houses, and so the plaques are easily recognized, orders MUST include the following information. Plaques may be purchased from the Blair County Historical Society by check, credit card, or PayPal.
APPLICATION FOR HISTORIC PLAQUE
| Downloadable Application for Historic Plaque |
BCHS Promotional video from 2015
