Centre County Historical Society

06/18/2026

This is your opportunity to visit the Match Factory, home of the American Philatelic Society & Philatelic Library!
Besides the beautiful and interesting details found throughout the building, two former Smithsonian exhibits, Alphabetilately and the historic Headsville Post Office are on display, on display is the emotional Philatelic Memorial of the Holocaust, featuring the postal history of the Holocaust and an installation of 11 million stamps representing the lives lost to Hitler’s regime plus other interesting things!
The complex which served as a Match Factory from 1900 to 1947 is listed on the National Registry of Historical Places.

More about the Match Factory history: https://centrehistory.org/article/match-factory/

Join us for SCOPEX 2026! On June 20th the Mount Nittany Philatelic Society and the APS host a FREE day of fun for the whole family!
• Visit stamp dealers and view exhibits
• Match Factory Open House and Tours of our historic building
• Informal evaluations of stamps, coins and small antiques with What's In Your Attic 10am - 12pm
• The famous Inverted Jenny stamp on display
• Stamp crafts
• American Philatelic Resource Library and APS Gift Shop
•. Postcrossing Meetup 11am - 1pm
Visit our website (link in bio) > Events > APC Events for more info!

05/20/2026

For nearly a century the coal industry was an important element of Centre County’s economy. Bituminous coal from the Mountaintop and Moshannon Valley areas helped to power the nation’s industrial revolution and later fueled electric generating stations. Coal mining also bequeathed a diverse cultural legacy, as the industry attracted immigrants from many parts of Europe.

In 2024, virtually all the coal mined in the county was aimed at the export market. Three strip mines remained active in the county in 2024, employing twenty-five people and shipping 160,598 tons. Although the coal industry is no longer a vital part of Centre County’s economy, its heritage lingers in such areas as the county’s ethnic composition and the built environment of the Moshannon Valley and Mountaintop areas.

Read more about the Coal Industry in Centre County via the Centre County Encyclopedia of History & Culture at https://centrehistory.org/article/coal-industry/

05/16/2026

Join us TODAY for the Centre Furnace Mansion Plant Celebration! A great opportunity to get beautiful plants, coffee with friends, check out books and garden items for sale, and a lovely day! https://conta.cc/4dN8mHm

05/15/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

The Centre Furnace Mansion will be opoen 9am-2pm. Stop in for a peek or a guided tour learn about the historical significance of Centre Furnace, the iron-making process and Victorian life through the Mansion's collections.

Centre Furnace Mansion and surrounding grounds is on the National Register of Historic Places and represents a small portion of the late 18th-19th century ironmaking village once located here. The site includes the Centre Furnace Mansion, Furnace Stack, and surrounding eight acres of landscaped grounds with walkways and period inspired gardens. Its interpretation is based on historical documentation and archaeological research.

05/14/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

Supporting the Plant Celebration for a number of years now, we are happy to have Standing Stone Coffee Company on site with hot and cold beverages and baked goods. Be sure to check out their cafe the next time you are near Huntingdon. https://standingstonecoffeecompany.com/

05/13/2026

John Wieland Oswald served as Penn State’s thirteenth president from 1970 to 1983. During his tenure he dealt with the university’s financial problems, student protests, and faculty discontent, while his policies stabilized the university fiscally, diversified student enrollment, and expanded the physical plant.

By the end of Oswald’s presidency, enrollment was about equally divided between male and female students; the total operating budget increased had from $190 million to $566 million, and more than three million square feet of building space had been added, including nine buildings on the University Park campus and fifty-four major buildings across all campuses.

Oswald stepped down as president in 1983.

Read more about John W. Oswald via the Centre County Encyclopedia of History & Culture at https://centrehistory.org/article/john-w-oswald/

05/13/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

Returning is Backyard Forest. At Backyard Forest, we provide quality native trees, shrubs, and perennials. Our goal is to help landowners create habitat for the animals and insects native to our region. https://backyard-forest.com/

05/12/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

New this year! Sadie's Babies - Sadie is a college student who loves to grow houseplants and spread planty joy! She will also have an assortment of pots to accessorize your plants with.

05/12/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

Common Ground Farm produces certified organic heirloom garden seedlings and PA Native, pollinator-friendly trees, shrubs and perennials. Looking for something special? You may preorder and pick up at the sale: https://commongroundfarm.square.site/

05/10/2026

Join us rain or shine for the annual Plant Celebration and Garden Sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Full details at https://centrehistory.org/events/plant-celebration.

The Centre Furnace Mansion garden committee has been hard at work not only with garden bed spring cleaning but they have also potted, labeled and priced over 1,400 plants! When sold, these plants are a 100% profit to CCHS and towards the maintinace of the Centre Furnace grounds and gardens.