Schuylkill County's history will be revealed Saturday at the Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville.
Hosted by the Schuylkill County Association of Historical Societies and Museums, the annual History Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature numerous societies and groups displaying their heritage throughout the mall.
"The event is on all things historical related to Schuylkill County," said Jennifer Bowen, association president.
Each year the societies bring new displays to keep the event fresh for returning visitors. For example, the Orwigsburg Historical Society will be showcasing artifacts and information representing the borough's bicentennial. The borough was founded by Peter Orwig in 1796 and incorporated March 12, 1813.
Bowen, who also serves as president of the Orwigsburg Historical Society, said the display will specifically focus on the borough's status as the first seat of government in the county.
The list of participants for the event covers all corners of the county. It includes the Orwigsburg Historical Society, Friends of St. Kieran's, Minersville Area Historical Society, Pine Grove Historical Society, Mahanoy Area Historical Society, Tremont Historical Society, Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, Schuylkill County Agricultural Museum, Saint Clair Community and Historical Society, Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society, Cressona Historical Society, Schuylkill County Historical Society, Project 113 railway restoration, Tamaqua Historical Society, No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum, Girardville Historical Society and Richard Nagle representing Schuylkill Haven.
"I think a lot of people in the county look forward to this event," said Dawn Morris, board member and former president of the Saint Clair society.
The Saint Clair society will be showing a general history of the borough ranging from sports to businesses. A highlight of its display will be photographs of a log cabin dating back to the 1830s. The cabin was uncovered during the demolition of a house on what is now Front Street, according to Morris.
In addition to the history display, Morris said the society will also be selling books and baked goods as a fundraiser for the society.
While visitors to the fair will have the opportunity to learn about their hometowns, Bowen said the societies also gain knowledge from the event. She said they get visitors who share information with them based on items they see displayed. Many times visitors will reveal experiences or memories that are not in the societies' records.
"It's a nice trade," Bowen said.
The same type of interaction occurs between societies. Bowen said the event is a nice way for individual organizations to "network."
However, Morris and Bowen said the most important aspect of the fair is the preservation and sharing of the county's history.
Morris said it is a great way for people to come out and reminisce and recognize their hometowns as they remember them from back in the day.
"It's a nice variety for individuals to see every organization's displays," Bowen said.