Northumberland County Historical Society

10/23/2026

This 2025 PA DEP map shows the location of active mine fires in Northumberland County. All locations are listed as "confirmed burning" with temperature monitoring and periodic visual site inspections. The Glen Burn locations include aerial thermal imaging. See comments section for more details.

#33 North Franklin (Trevorton Southwest)
#34 Bear Valley Southwest
#35 Glen Burn (Cameron)
#36 Glen Burn (Hickory Swamp)
#37 Glen Burn (Luke Fidler)
#38 Locust Summit
#39 Locust Summit West

10/21/2026

The Snyder County Historical Society has an exciting presentation to end our program year! Craig Specht, a local popular educator and Jefferson historian, will discuss the friendship between Thomas Jefferson and Joseph Priestly. The program will be held on Sunday, November 8 at 2:00 PM at the society's building in Middleburg.

10/20/2026

Here is a video recording of Darrell Byerly presenting a lecture about the history of the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary at the Northumberland County Historical Society this past Sunday, October 18th.

10/20/2026

This sounds like it could be an interesting evening...got anything cool to share?

The Mahanoy and Mahantongo Historical and Preservation Society will hold its regular meeting this evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church, 2354 S.R. 225, Herndon, PA 17830. Attendees should bring something interesting to show and tell. Everyone is welcome to attend this enjoyable sharing of individual historical items.

10/18/2026

10/18/2026

Pennsylvania's anthracite region is famous for its rich coal history, but did you know that it's also home to a remarkable fossil find? St. Clair fossils, featuring beautifully preserved ferns and clubmosses, are common in the Llewellyn Formation around central and eastern Pennsylvania. These plant fossils are around 305 million years old.

What makes them so distinctive is their striking appearance. Over millions of years, the original plant material was replaced by pyrophyllite, a soft, white mineral that preserves the original plant structure with exceptional clarity. When paired with the dark shale they're typically found in, the result is a striking display that makes these fossils instantly recognizable.

Have you ever come across one of these stunning fossils? Share your experience in the comments!

10/18/2026

👻 Something is stirring at the Priestley House… 🎃

Join us Saturday, October 31st for our annual Ghost Tour Experience! Come early for free family activities from 4–6 PM, then step inside after dark when tours begin at 6:30 PM.

🕯️ Booths from the Friends of the Joseph Priestley House, the Priestley-Forsyth Memorial Library, and The Paranormal Podcast Booth
☕ Sister Brewed will be on-site
🍂 Refreshments & more

🎟️ Tickets are available now at https://joseph-priestley-house.org/events/ or by emailing [email protected]. Spots are limited, so grab yours before they vanish!

📍 472 Priestley Avenue, Northumberland, PA
📞 570-428-2873

10/17/2026

The State Archives is having a bit of fun reviewing the Gov. Milton Shapp & Gov. Dick Thornburgh photo files in the Department of Transportation collection. In this photo, Gov. Shapp rides the horse, Mr. Rhythm, in the Capitol Building during Pennsylvania National Horse Show Week on Oct. 16, 1978. Check out other collections. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) ⬇

10/16/2026

10/16/2026