Ellwood City Area Historical Society

05/29/2026

Ellwood City Area Historical Society Presents
“From Flappers to the Front: Jazz, Jalopies, and Hard Times”

Step back into the sights, sounds, and spirit of America between the World Wars as the Ellwood City Area Historical Society proudly presents its exciting summer historical celebration:

From Flappers to the Front: Jazz, Jalopies, and Hard Times
Sunday, June 14, 2026
10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Historic Ellwood City, Pennsylvania

This lively community event will transport visitors back to the unforgettable years between the Roaring Twenties and the beginning of World War II — a time of jazz music, rumble-seat automobiles, Prohibition, economic hardship, and remarkable American resilience.

The event will feature a variety of attractions designed to entertain the entire family while bringing history to life in a fun and engaging way.

Among the featured attractions will be vintage Model A and Model T automobiles presented by the Beaver Valley Model A Ford Club. Visitors will have the opportunity to see beautifully restored pre-World War II vehicles up close and experience the craftsmanship and style of America’s early automotive age.

Adding to the nostalgic atmosphere will be period music and at 2:00, live music from the acclaimed Swingin' BopCats Big Band, whose energetic big-band sound will fill the air with the unforgettable music of the swing era. Guests are encouraged to wear period attire including flapper dresses, fedoras, suspenders, and vintage fashions to fully embrace the spirit of the day.
Additional attractions will include:

• A fascinating Hobo Camp display highlighting Depression-era America
• Food trucks and refreshments throughout the day
• A special “Great Shootout in Ellwood City” historical slideshow presentation
• Display of the actual Tommy Gun associated with the famous 1941 incident
• An exhibit of authentic World War I artifacts and memorabilia
• Historical displays exploring the Lincoln High School Centennial Time Capsule, the history of local industry, and life in Western Pennsylvania between the wars

The event reflects the Ellwood City Area Historical Society’s continuing mission to preserve and share the rich heritage of Ellwood City and the surrounding region through engaging, educational, and family-friendly programming.

“This event is designed to be both educational and tremendously fun,” organizers noted. “We want people to experience history — to hear the music, see the cars, explore the stories, and feel the atmosphere of an era that shaped both Ellwood City and America itself.”

From jazz melodies and gleaming jalopies to stories of hardship, resilience, and community spirit, From Flappers to the Front promises to be one of the region’s most unique and entertaining historical events of the summer.

Admission is free and open to the public. Cars and displays will be located on 5th Street between Lawrence Avenue and Crescent Avenue. Cars will be on display from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Swingin” BopCats will play from 2:00- 4:00. Fifty-Fifty raffles will be picked at Noon, 2:00 and 4:00. The car that wins the “Best of Show” will be chosen by popular vote of attendees for a $1.00 per- vote fee, proceeds will be split between the winner and the Historical Society. The displays in Historical Society Museum are free of charge.

Come spend a fun day reliving the age of swing, steel, and survival — right here in Ellwood City.

05/25/2026

Who are you remembering today? 🇺🇸

Today, we honor and remember the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

Who are you remembering today?

📸 Elizabeth Fraser

05/13/2026

Ellwood City Area Historical Society Presents 2026 Scholarships
By Eric Krchmar, Historical Society Public Affairs Chairman

Four local high school seniors were awarded scholarships by the Ellwood City Area Historical Society on Monday evening.
Erica Barlow (Lincoln High School), Christina Valencia (Riverside High School), Kiley LeViere (Lincoln High School), and Lucas Bleakney (Lincoln High School) each received $1,500 scholarships to assist with their continuing education.
Barlow and Valencia were awarded Marlene Painter Scholarships for their essays titled, “Why I Want to Be a Teacher.”
LeViere and Bleakney received the Robert and Janice Barensfeld Scholarships after submitting essays on “The History of Schools in Ellwood City.”
The Robert and Janice Barensfeld Scholarships are endowed by the Barensfeld family, while the Marlene Painter Scholarship is funded by her husband, Richard Painter. David Barensfeld presented the awards to LeViere and Bleakney on behalf of his family. Scholarship Committee Chairman Everett Bleakney presented the Painter Scholarships to Barlow and Valencia on behalf of Mr. Painter.
“We are very grateful to the benefactors who donate the scholarship funds that make these awards possible,” said Bleakney. “Without their generosity, this program could not continue.”
Bleakney also thanked the families of the scholarship recipients.
“They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” he said. “Thank you for providing these outstanding students with the support and encouragement they need to succeed.”
Since 1999, the Ellwood City Area Historical Society has awarded scholarships to 65 area seniors, totaling more than $100,000.
For information on becoming a member of the Ellwood City Area Historical Society or to make a donation, visit ellwoodhistory.org or call 724-752-2021. The Ellwood City History Center, located at 310 Fifth Street, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by appointment.

ECAHS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS (l-r) Christina Valencia, Erica Barlow, Kiley LeViere, and Lucas Bleakney

05/12/2026

Can’t wait for June 14 when they will be in Ellwood.

04/24/2026

Mark Your Calendar: June 14, 2026

04/16/2026

100 years ago in the 1926 Ellwoodian: 'In order to be an intelligent student and later an active American citizen, other processes than regular class work must be at work to elevate social standards and ideals.'

04/14/2026

Great evening learning about fossils with Alex Gladis.

04/12/2026

A page taken from the 1926 Ellwoodian, The History of The Ellwood City High School.

02/16/2026

Language, Legacy, and Relocation: The Story of a German Church in Ellwood City

During February’s meeting of the Ellwood City Area Historical Society, the gathered 35 members and guests were treated to a presentation on some local history that began just after the end of the Civil War. Also during the meeting, Linda Ritter Zapadka and Rosemary Morgan were recognized with Certificates of Appreciation for their steadfast service as ECAHS volunteers.

Bill Johnston, historian for the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ellwood City, discussed the history of the church and the cemetery that was associated with the congregation.

"In 1885, three Siebenburg Saxons decided to leave their homeland and seek their fortune in America," Johnston began.

They settled in the village of Wurtemburg, populated primary of German immigrants.
Johnston recounted the struggles that the church faced with having services in both English and German, having split congregations several times because of the language issues. He also talked about the endeavor to move the church from Wurtemburg to Ellwood City in 1893, a year after the town's founding.

"The German church that is now on Wayne Avenue, when it got moved (to Ellwood), it would have had to go down Portersville Road because there was no bridge to go from the north side over," he said. "The church came here when the city was founded."

That was the first time the building was moved. In 1912, it was moved again, but this time only 10 feet.

"They moved it 10 feet over because they said it was too loud to work on a Sunday with engineering works going off right next to them, he said. "It was rattling the building."
Johnston also said that the church building on Wayne Avenue has been utilized of the other church congregations in the area at some point. "Every church that is in Ellwood, including Lilyville, have all prayed and used our church at some point … except for the Presbyterian church that started before ours, so I guess that's fair."

After a lively question and answer session, the gathering was treated to refreshments provided by Louise Carroll and Kathy Phillips. The Next Society meeting on March 9th wil lfeature Author and Historian Brady Cryster talking about Pennsylvania battlefields. The meeting will start at 7:00p.m. at the History Center on 5th Street and is open to the public at no charge.

02/07/2026

Several people asked about the history of the two piers beside the Koppel Bridge. I have a page on my LCM website devoted to the Hartman Piers: http://www.lcmemoirs.com/lcmpages/191/hartman-s-bridge-piers-koppel-pa