Sharon Historical Society - Pennsylvania

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Sharon Historical Society - Pennsylvania

Founded in 2013, we are dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich history of Sharon, Pa.

and the Shenango Valley while educating the public on its local, regional, and national importance.

08/07/2026

Join the Sharon Historical Society for our annual Back to the 50s Ice Cream Social Fundraiser on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 6:00 til 8:00 pm at Haitian Sensation, 76 Shenango Avenue, Sharon, PA 16146.

Take a step back in time and join the Sharon Historical Society for our annual "Back to the '50s" Ice Cream Social Fundraiser! Spend a summer evening enjoying delicious Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream, great conversation, and the company of fellow history enthusiasts while supporting the preservation of Sharon's rich heritage.

Whether you're a longtime member, a local history buff, or simply looking for a fun family outing, this community event is the perfect opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for our city's past. Every ticket purchased helps the Sharon Historical Society continue its mission to preserve, promote, and research the history of Sharon for future generations.

TICKETS are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years old. Tickets can be purchased from Board Members, at the door, or on our website: https://sharonhistoricalsociety.com/shop/ice-cream-social-fundraiser-ticket-2026

The event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and FAMILY/KID FRIENDLY. When purchasing tickets at the door, cash is preferred, but we also gladly accept credit cards, debit cards, and checks.

Parking can be found in the lot across from Haitian Sensation, The City of Sharon, PA/Primary Health Parking Garage off Silver or Pitt streets, street parking throughout downtown, and other public parking lots and spots nearby.

Bring your family, invite your friends, enjoy some of the nation's best ice cream, and help support the Sharon Historical Society's efforts to preserve the stories, people, and places that have shaped our community. We look forward to seeing you for an evening of sweet treats, nostalgia, and local history!

08/03/2026

🎉 We did it — and then some! 🎉

Thanks to your generosity, you've ensured that our local history is preserved for future generations. We not only hit our goal, we exceeded it! Together, we raised an unbelievable $21,751.51 in just one week.

In these days of fast-paced life and easily disposable items, we must continue to fight to keep our history alive. Sharon and the Shenango Valley have played significant roles locally, regionally, and nationally. We cannot let that history be forgotten.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in what we do. You showed up and inspired us. We are proud of our success during our second year participating in PA-OH Gives through The Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern Ohio.

08/01/2026

The Sharon Historical Society and Sharon Community Development Corporation would like to thank everyone for attending The Retail Ramble: A Historic Walking Tour of Sharon’s Shopping Scene on Saturday, July 25 at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm/Noon.

We had over 30 local attend the event, including attendees from Pittsburgh, Canton, and as far as Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania! We appreciate the continued public support of the Society. Did you miss this event? Would you like us to do it again? Let us know in the comments!

Enjoy these photos courtesy of Leanne Lee.

Check out our upcoming events here: https:// sharonhistoricalsociety.com/events

07/29/2026

Did you know that Farrell was once home to over 30 active religious congregations earning the moniker “The City of Churches”?

At the end of the 19th century, as the industrial town of South Sharon (now Farrell) began to rise with the building of many new factories and the expansion of the old, many workers came to settle in the rising community. Among these were people of many different religious faiths including Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Jewish, Byzantine Orthodox, Baptist, and other religious groups.

Our book, The Magic City: The Men, Mills, and Homes of a Company Town Forged in Steel, tells the story of Sharon Steel, the founding of the city of Farrell, its diverse community, and more.

Order your book NOW: https://sharonhistoricalsociety.com/shop/the-magic-city-farrell-pa-history-book

07/21/2026

Join the Sharon Historical Society and the Community Library of the Shenango Valley for a special afternoon lecture with author and historian Taylor Galaska on Wednesday, July 29 at 3:00 pm in the library’s Community Room on the lower level.

Galaska will discuss his acclaimed book, The Magic City: The Men, Mills, and Homes of a Company Town Forged In Steel, an in-depth exploration of the history of Farrell, Pennsylvania — formerly known as South Sharon — and the steel industry that shaped the Shenango Valley. The program comes as the City of Farrell celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2026.

Published by the Sharon Historical Society through Shenango Heritage Press, the full-color book chronicles the rise of Farrell as a booming steel town, the powerful industrial leaders behind its success, the immigrant workers who built the mills, and the grand mansions and modest homes that defined life in the “Magic City.” The book also examines the region’s labor struggles, rapid growth, and lasting industrial legacy.

Taylor Galaska is President of the Board of Directors of the Sharon Historical Society and has become widely known throughout the region for his research and preservation of local history and architecture. A Sharon native, Galaska has authored several books on Shenango Valley history and has led numerous lectures, tours, and preservation initiatives through the Society. Founded in 2013, the Sharon Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and promoting the historical, architectural, and cultural heritage of the Shenango Valley through educational programming, publications, and restoration projects.

This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. It will take place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 3:00 pm at the Community Library of the Shenango Valley, lower-level Community Room, 11 North Sharpsville Avenue, Sharon, PA 16146.

Copies of The Magic City can be purchased at Gifted at Applegate (across from the library), Dot Ju’s next to Gilbert's Risk Solutions, and Daffin's Candies flagship location in Sharon.

07/20/2026

Did you know that before steel the Shenango Valley was known for its unique coal, thanks to General Joel B. Curtis?

Coal was first noticed on the farm of Isaac Patterson as early as 1810, but it didn’t adapt well to domestic use so it wasn’t pursued further. Twenty-five years later, in 1835, General Joel Baker Curtis and his partners paid Patterson $4,000 for 100 acres, bought dogs, and opened a drift mine. General Curtis, in partnership with his brother-in-law George Boyce, developed the first coalfields of Mercer County. Boyce and Curtis partnered and commenced shipping the coal to Pittsburgh. It soon attracted attention for its properties, making it ideal for iron manufacturing.

The Shenango Valley became a kingpin of the iron and steel industry due to the discovery of large deposits of coal in the area. An 1882 business directory of Mercer County stated, “the Sharon or Mercer Block Coal, which has been so extensively mined in this immediate vicinity, possesses qualities of such a peculiar nature so well adapted to making of iron as to have become regarded as one of the strongest factors in the prosperity of this particular section.” The “1909 History of Mercer County” recalled, “the successful use of uncoked coal marked a great advance in the iron industry and helped to give the block coal region of the Shenango valley pre-eminence in this respect.”

The growth of the coal industry here can certainly point to General Joel Baker Curtis for its growth, leading to the great iron industry during the Civil War era.

Read more in one of our newest books. Get a copy HERE: https://sharonhistoricalsociety.com/shop/civil-war-era-in-the-shenango-valley

07/15/2026

See downtown in a different way during our first-ever Retail Ramble on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm/Noon!

Join local historian Taylor Galaska, President of the Sharon Historical Society and author of Lost Department Stores of Sharon, Pennsylvania, for a guided walking tour exploring the streets and architecture of downtown.

Along the way, you'll hear stories of holiday shopping traditions, remarkable entrepreneurs, architectural treasures, and the everyday experiences that made downtown the place to be, especially downtown shopping trips!

Each Retail Ramble historic walking tour will be approximately 1-1.5 hours long over a 1-mile route on flat, sometimes uneven terrain, along East and West State Streets.

Two identical sessions will begin at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm/Noon on Saturday, July 25, 2026. These require an RSVP in advance; $10 per person. Space is limited. Call to make your reservation: 724-301-7942.

The Retail Ramble: A Historic Walking Tour of Sharon’s Shopping Scene starting point will be in front of the former Willson’s furniture store (near Chestnut Street) 98 East State Street, Sharon, PA 16146.

07/10/2026

A richly illustrated tribute to the players, coaches, and fans who built one of western Pennsylvania's most celebrated high school football traditions! 🖤🧡🐅

Few traditions are as deeply rooted in western Pennsylvania as football, and for more than 125 years, Sharon High School has been at the heart of that legacy. From its beginnings as the Yellow Jackets to the glory years at legendary Tiger Stadium, Sharon football has produced championship teams outstanding athletes, and
unforgettable moments. Undefeated teams in 1931, 1956, and 1966 and great players like Joe Bosco, "Rube" White, Dick Bestwick, Wally Jones, Frank Gitschier, Jim “Spike” Moran, Mike Sebastian, Jim Hubicz, Randy Holloway, Mike Connell, Teryl Austin, Mike Archie, and Marlin Jackson helped build a dynasty.

Pads of Glory: 125 Years of the Sharon High School Football Tradition by Anthony “Tony” R. Molinari tells the story of the coaches, players, and loyal fans who built one of the region's most storied football traditions, preserving the history of a program that has inspired generations of Tigers.

GRAB A COPY: https://sharonhistoricalsociety.com/shop/pads-of-glory-sharon-high-football-book

P.S. Shop in-person at Dot Ju’s (42 East State Street), Daffin's Candies flagship location in Sharon (496 East State Street), or Gifted at Applegate (36 North Sharpsville Avenue).

07/09/2026

Explore the stores, streets, and stories that shaped generations of shoppers on Saturday, July 25, 2026 with The Retail Ramble: A Historic Walking Tour of Sharon’s Shopping Scene ! 🛍️

Step back in time and rediscover the bustling shopping district that once made downtown Sharon the commercial heart of the Shenango Valley.

Join local historian Taylor Galaska, President of the Sharon Historical Society and author of Lost Department Stores of Sharon, Pennsylvania, for a guided walking tour exploring the streets and architecture of downtown.

Along the way, you'll hear stories of holiday shopping traditions, remarkable entrepreneurs, architectural treasures, and the everyday experiences that made downtown the place to be.

Each Retail Ramble historic walking tour will be approximately 1-1.5 hours long over a 1-mile route on flat, sometimes uneven terrain, along East and West State Streets.

Two identical sessions will begin at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm/Noon on Saturday, July 25, 2026. These require an RSVP in advance; $10 per person. Space is limited. Call to make your reservation: 724-301-7942.

The Retail Ramble starting point will be in front of the former Willson’s furniture store (near Chestnut Street) 98 East State Street, Sharon, PA 16146.

Address

290 E State Street
Sharon, PA
16146

Website

http://sharonhistoricalsociety.com/

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