ASHLAND - The proposed Ashland Boys' Association historical marker has received provisional approval from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which could lead to formal approval in September.
Ashland Mummers Club's Historical Marker Committee Chairman Adam J. Bernodin III, who has been spearheading the marker initiative with James Klock, received a letter dated April 25 from Historical Marker Program Coordinator Karen L. Galle of the PHMC's Bureau for Historic Preservation informing him of the news.
"I was ecstatic when I received the letter," Bernodin said Wednesday while standing on top of the Mother's Memorial near the statue, which is the most visible symbol of the ABA influence at local, state and national levels.
Bernodin submitted an application in 2010 for an historical marker to recognize the accomplishments and influence of the organization from the early 1900s, but the following April he was informed that it was rejected. However, Galle and Chester Kulesa, site administrator at the Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton, provided assistance in making revisions to the application so it could be resubmitted. A nomination for an historical marker may be made three consecutive years, after which an application cannot be resubmitted for another three years.
"There was a total of 15 new historical markers selected out of 59 applications this year," Bernodin said. "The ABA was one of the three to five historical markers each year selected as 'provisional approval' depending on the recommendations in PHMC panel comments. So, additional historical markers are approved later under these circumstances."
Galle's letter to Bernodin said, "The commission's action follows the recommendations of an independent review panel consisting of historians, educators and historical experts from around the commonwealth."
Bernodin said that the proper text that would be on the historical marker is a main part of getting the formal approval. The review panel made the following comment: "The proposed text must be adjusted to focus on how this organization is a statewide example of this Pennsylvania story, and how it developed a unique manner to address this. The PHMC staff will provide direct assistance to verify documentation, ensure the subject meets marker criteria, and provide input on appropriate text that meets PHMC marker style guidelines."
"I look at it this way," Bernodin said. "As long as the historical marker heading says, 'Ashland Boys' Association,' Ashland won. The ABA will be recorded in Pennsylvania record books forever."
The Mother's Memorial statue is a three-dimensional depiction of "Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1," usually identified as "Whistler's Mother," an 1871 oil-on-canvas painting by American-born painter James McNeill Whistler.
"Many people over the years focused on the Mother's Memorial, but the sentimental meaning behind that statue is incredible," Bernodin said. "The meaning of ABA is to come on home, and the word 'home' made all persons think of their mother."
The late Dr. John L. Hoffman was an ABA member.
"Dr. Hoffman was the main force behind the statue, and the statue overlooks Hoffman Boulevard, which is named in his memory," Bernodin said. "He did everything and anything to make this statue a reality."
When approved, the marker will be at the base of the memorial at the north end of Hoffman Boulevard.
"We want the borough to name the area as 'Welcome Home Plaza,' so it will be Mother's Memorial at Welcome Home Plaza, North Hoffman Boulevard, so everything is being honored at once," Bernodin said.
Bernodin will resubmit the information and the nomination form by July 30, with the final approval expected in September.
"The panel will review the recommendations sent to me. It's only a few minor things, and hopefully this will become a reality," said Bernodin.
If approved in September, there will be a whole year to plan the celebration of the historical marker dedication on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, the traditional day for the ABA Mummers Parade. The Mother's Memorial was dedicated in 1938, which means the celebration next year will also mark the memorial's 75th anniversary.
"Being denied last year may have been a blessing in disguise," Klock said. "After that, we found more information on the ABA."
Since grant funds are no longer available, the local committee is required to pay the $1,800 to $2,000 cost for the marker, which will be owned by the historical commission. Bernodin said the markers are manufactured for the commission by Lake Shore Industries, Erie. There are almost 2,200 blue signs with gold lettering marking historical locations throughout the state recognizing people, places and things.