At the annual members meeting of the Historical Society of Perry County on November 25, the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society was presented with the Heritage Award.
The medal recognized the noteworthy contributions to the improvement of Red Bridge’s history. Rotten wood was replaced, new security measures were added, graffiti was removed, new signs were put up, brush was cleared, and a new bench was provided.
The ceremony also featured a moving moment of introspection as the society presented the Silas Wright Award to former state Representative Fred Noye and his wife, Deb, posthumously. Their longstanding commitment to Perry County’s historic preservation was honored with the prize. Although Fred Noye died away earlier this year, his unwavering labor has left a lasting legacy.
His wife offered a moving message emphasizing the value of involving future generations in the preservation of local heritage, despite her inability to attend the conference. For Fred and me, preserving Perry County’s past has been a lifelong passion project. My only wish is that the county’s historical organizations will accept those young collectors and history buffs with open minds and inspire them to share their discoveries and expertise with other Perry County residents. This is important and shouldn’t be placed on the back burner or tabled for many years! Otherwise, no one will recognize or have a connection to Perry County’s mementos, which will wind up in landfills. Furthermore, Perry County’s history will merely disappear and be buried forever if it is not included into our classrooms right soon.
A HISTORY The Historical Society of Perry County presented the Heritage Award to the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society. Judy Kuether, treasurer of the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Jim Smedley, vice president of the same organization, Jason Wilson, the president of the Historical Society, and board member Nathan Lesh were present for the presentation.Times of Perry County
The society celebrated a year full of accomplishments and advancements. Several restoration initiatives and the revival of the Valentine’s Day dinner fundraiser at the Cochran-Anspach House were among the major achievements of 2024. While workdays at the Ludolph Church, Fetter House, and Green Park School improved their surroundings, repairs to the Cochran-Anspach House and Fairview Church maintained the sites’ integrity. At Fairview Church, structural issues were resolved by a bat remediation effort.
Throughout the year, community involvement emerged as a common topic. In addition to open days and special tour groups at the Blue Ball Tavern, the society organized educational tours for Greenwood High School and Greenwood second-graders. Additionally, they held a scholarship raffle fundraiser, put up a booth at the Perry County Fair, and gave a $500 scholarship to a high school student in Perry County. A new website and a book sales program at Dromgold Farm were among the other projects.
Dan Rice and Jill Seamen, two new board members, were introduced. A part-time position was offered to Michelle Smith-Lentz.
The society showcased a number of holiday-themed events in 2025, starting with the 2024 Historic Christmas Homes Tours. The public can visit the Fetter House, Cochran-Anspach House, and Dromgold Farm on December 7. Visitors will be treated to beautifully adorned homes, and at the Fetter House, Melissa Dyvonne will sing Christmas tunes while Linda Morris plays a Steinway piano. A $5 payment is advised to support continued preservation efforts even though the tours are free.
The lighted Christmas carol service at Fairview Church, a beloved tradition, will be held in the 167-year-old structure located in the Tuscarora State Forest. Candlelight caroling and the warmth of the church’s antique wood stove are hallmarks of the ceremony. Additionally, during the Little Buffalo Lights event on December 17–23, the Blue Ball Tavern will be open.
Membership information for the society is available at https://perrycountyhistory.org/membership.
More from the Perry County Times
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!