A Day In The Life Of A Civil War Soldier

A great time was had by all at our Civil War encampment on Sunday, August 13, 2023. The encampment was set up by members of the 40th Regiment PA Volunteer Infantry Reserves Company C. Three presentations were made; first by Jonathan Richardson detailing the life of General Samuel Jackson and second by Cindy McShane who talked about the women during the Civil War & specifically Mary Walker, the first female U.S. Army surgeon of the U.S. Army of the Civil War. Finally Don and Becky Becker presented the accoutrements of the soldier in the field and his wife at home. Great presentations and the audience learned a lot. Following are pictures taken by Jonathan Richardson and Denise Flickinger. The first set is Jonathan Richardson’s presentation.

AAHS Members Take A Tour of Historic Saltsburg Museum And Old Mill

On Saturday, July 29, 2023, a group of AAHS members were given a behind the scenes look at the Rebecca Hadden Stone House Museum and the Old Saltsburg Mill. Jack Maguire, along with Chuck Colton, provided the tour to Denise Flickinger, Alan Morgan, Sherry Miller, Sue Casella, Bonnie Kautz, and Bob & Becky Kane. Sue Casella & Denise Flickinger took the following photos.

Following the tour, the group had lunch at the Point Street Tavern. A good time was had by all.

Grandma’s House Kids Are On The Move!

The kids from Grandma’s House have visited the WCTU Building/Museum twice this summer along with their trips to the Drake Log Cabin. We are thrilled to have them take an interest in Apollo’s history. The most exciting fact for them was that Apollo,PA is spelled the same forward & backwards! (palindrome!!) Thanks to Wendy Minik & Sue Ott for hosting their visits!

If your group is interested in a personal tour, please contact us at 724-478-2899 or email apollopahistory@gmail.com. Thanks!

Grandma’s House Kids Visit The Drake Log Cabin

The kids from Grandma’s House visited the Drake Log Cabin twice this summer. They especially enjoyed seeing the renovated spring house & the new outhouse. Several offered to “christen” it for us! We sure enjoyed having them. Thanks to Denise Flickinger & Sue Ott for hosting the tours.

If your group is interested in a personal tour of the cabin or the WCTU Building/Museum, please contact us at 724-478-2899 or email at apollopahistory@gmail.com. We’d love to have you!

History Alive!

On Saturday, June 17, 2023, a group of notable citizens from our great town on Apollo visited the Drake Log Cabin. As our audience ate pizza donated by Apollo’s Fox’s Pizza Den and veggie trays donated by Naser’s Foods and Held’s Shop ‘n Save, the reenactors gave a monologue of their contributions to Apollo. A great time was had by all. Below are some photos taken by Bill Kerr of our event.

Apollo Trivia Questions Nellie Bly

Test your knowledge of Apollo’ s famous citizen Nellie Bly with the questions below!

What was Nellie Bly’s birth name?
Elizabeth Jane Cochran.
Correct! She added the “e” to Cochran later in life because she thought it looked more sophisticated!
Eleanor Jane Cochrane.
Wrong. Try again!
When was Nellie Bly born?
May 5, 1864
Correct! She was born in Cochran’s Mills, PA.
May 5, 1884
Wrong. Try again!
Elizabeth’s childhood nickname was???
Pink
Correct! Her mother would dress her in pink instead of the usual drab gray!
Lizzie
Actually Elizabeth was known to sign her name as Lizzie on occasion!
Nellie
She didn’t take the name Nellie Bly until she began writing for the Pittsburg Dispatch.
Elizabeth had how many siblings/half siblings?
14
Correct! Her father, Michael Cochran had 10 children with his first wife, then 5 more with Elizabeth’s mother, Mary Jane.
10
Wrong. Try again!
Which event came first in Nellie Bly’s life?
Her adventure in Blackwell’s Island, home of the infamous Women’s Lunatic Asylum.
Correct! She got herself committed there in 1887 to expose the horrible conditions.
Her trip around the world.
That happened in 1889 in a successful attempt to beat Jules Verne’s book “Around the World in Eighty Days.

Brand New T-Shirt Available!

The Apollo Area Historical Society is excited about our new t-shirt that has been delivered and is ready for sale! The price is $12 for Adult sizes Small through 1X and $15 for 2X and $16 for 3X and up. Shipping is $8 for the first shirt and $2 for each other shirt. Call 724-478-2899 or contact us here or at apollopahistory@gmail.com for more information. The shirts will be for sale at our WCTU Building/Museum beginning Saturday, April 1 and every Saturday & Wednesday, 11-2 during museum hours. Children’s sizes can be special ordered.


Christmas At The Cabin 2022

We invited Santa Claus to visit Drake’s Log Cabin again this year. We had such a good time with the families that stopped by. Hope you enjoy our montage of pictures. Thanks to all the AAHS members who were able to help out in so many ways. The treat bags were filled with donations from the following: Sherry Miller, Sue Casella, Becky Kane, Jessi Casella, Denise Flickinger, Bill Miller, Bonnie Kautz, Debbie Bash, Debbie Flickinger, Sue Ott, and the Apollo Lions. Thanks also to the Leo Club students who volunteered their time to help with the kids as they visited. They were truly Santa’s Helpers!

Our youngest visitor was only 6 days old!

An Amazing Christmas Meeting & Tour

Clockwise from left: Bob Knepshield, Bonnie Kautz, Sue Ott, Alan Morgan, Bill Miller, Denise Flickinger, Sherry Miller, Jessi Casella, Wendy Minik, and Becky Kane.

The Apollo Area Historical Society held its monthly meeting on December 8, 2022 at the wonderful Jackson Mansion on Terrace Avenue. We were invited to hold our meeting there by Rob Jackson, the owner. Rob is a descendent of General Samuel Jackson who had the house built in 1883. You can learn more about the house by clicking here.

After our meeting, we were given a tour of the mansion by Bill Kerr. He took the photos in this article. We ended the enjoyable evening with cookies and cider. What a treasure we have right here in Apollo!

AAHS 50th+1 Anniversary Dinner

On Saturday, September 18, 2021, the Apollo Area Historical Society celebrated our 50th+1 Anniversary with a Banquet at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Apollo.  The dinner, catered by Tommy’s Catering, was delicious, as was the beautiful sheet cake donated by Held’s Shop ’n Save.  Pastor Phil Ramstad of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church gave both the invocation and benediction for the event. Bill Kerr, as master of ceremonies, gave a powerpoint presentation with highlights from the past 50 years, beginning with the restoration of the Drake Log Cabin and continuing through our programs, guest speakers, bus trips, W.C.T.U. restoration and displays, and so much more.  The Apollo Area Historical Society honored Tony and Rhonda Difillipo with a certificate thanking them for their many years of helping the society while owning Wyble’s Drug Store.  Tom Toland presented the Society with an “Heart Of A Lion” plaque and a proclamation was read by Apollo Mayor Cindee Virostek, congratulating the AAHS for our 50 years of service to the community.  Proclamations were also received from the Armstrong County Board of Commissioners, State Senator Joe Pittman, and State Rep. Jason Silvis. A great time was had by all.  Following are photos taken by Bill Kerr throughout the evening.

The tables set up & ready for diners!
The A.A.H.S. Officers and Board Members
We’d like to thank the following individuals and businesses for contributing door prizes for our banquet.  Thank you each so very much!  · Apollo Milling · Lackey’s Dairy Queen · Central Restaurant · Apollo Fox’s Pizza Den · Tuck’s Pizza Patrick’s Pub · Hoagie Shop · Held’s Shop ‘n Save · Dolly’s Guesthouse · Dot Doty · Bill & Debbie Kerr   And finally, thank all of you who worked behind the scenes to make our banquet such a success.  You are our unsung heroes!