About Centre County

Welcome to the Centre County Historical Society museum store. CCHS has published several books that help preserve Centre County's heritage. We also carry dozens of other books, maps, prints, and gift items. Everything in the museum store is available for sale at the Centre Furnace Mansion or by mail using the order form in our publications catalog. To receive a 10% discount on all CCHS publications become a member.

A Book of Stories And Relations: Of Essays And Narrations George Shultz, reprinted 1998 Part one of George Shultz's diary of life in Philipsburg. This section is entitled "Stories of Our Early Town." (Philipsburg Historical Foundation) Pages: 71 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $8.00

A Celebration of Barns Sara E. Hess, 1992 A sampling of barns located in the Centre Region, highlighted with photographs and family histories. Pages: 32 Size: 11 x 8 1/2 Extras: color illustrations Paperback Price: $10.00

A Penns Creek Companion Douglas Macneal, 2005 A complete history and guide of Centre County’s Dutch valley, including full color photographs and maps, fishing tips, poetry and stories by local writers, scenic drives and hikes, and area attractions. (Penns Valley Conservation Association) Pages: 205 Size: 6 x 9 Extras: color illustrations Paperback Price: $18.87

Atlas of Centre County A. Pomeroy & Co., 1874 A collector's edition reprint of the 1874 Centre County atlas. All townships and boroughs that were surveyed in 1874, including many that no longer exist, are included. Each township map is supported by tables of distances, population figures, and all 44 post offices in the county at the time. This reprint duplicates the original with a new index of family, business, municipal, and topographical names for easy reference. Pages: 108 Size: 12 x 15 Extras: maps Hardcover Price: $45.00     * Hardcover Member Price: $40.50

Benner Township, 150 Years of Families, Forging, Farming, Fishing and Flying Benner Township History Committee, 2003 The members of the Benner Township History Committee put together a wonderful book detailing the history of Benner Township to celebrate its 150th anniversary. As the title suggests, there is focus on influential families of the region, the business industries, farming, fishing, and leisure activities. Also included is a fold-out map of landmarks. Pages: 268 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: illustrations Hardcover Price: $25.00

Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair: A History of Master Rhone's Pic-Nic Norman K. Lathbury, 1999 Published in honor of the 125th anniversary of the Grange Fair, this full color book will bring back memories for anyone who has ever atteneded this last old-time tenting fair in the country. The author and the Grange Fair's History Book Committee pored over treasure troves of photographs, newspapers, family stories, souvenirs, and letters from many long-time fairgoers. (Centre Publications) Pages: 80 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: color illustrations Hardcover Price: $22.00

Centre County, PA - The County in Which We Live J. Marvin Lee, 1999 (revised) This collection of maps, articles and photographs documents the history of Centre County. Originally published in 1965, the collection was revised by Nancy Lee Stover after J. Marvin Lee’s death in 1986. Also included are biographies of influential figures who were born or lived in Centre County, and detailed information on the boroughs and townships. Pages: 93 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Paperback Price: $20.00

Centre County, PA American Revolution Soldiers Nancy Lee Stover, 1999 Nancy Stover has spent nearly 20 years compiling this fully indexed set of genealogical and resource information on the Centre County men who fought in the Revolutionary War or in some way aided the cause of independence. When available, spouse and family information is included. Pages: 238 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $32.00

Centre County, PA Marriage Index, 1764-2005 (CD-ROM) Justin K. Houser, 2006 Includes index references to over 70,000 marriages. The names of bride and groom, the date of marriage, a book and page reference are given for each entry. Also includes an introduction, reviews marriage license law, procedure, and history for the area, gives a list of the clerks who recorded the licenses, and many other interesting details. Fully indexed and searchable. The index appears in PDF format, in alphabetical order, with an accompanying Microsoft Access file. (CCGS) Pages: - Size: Hardcover Price: $25.00

Centre County, Pennsylvania: A Bibliography Joan Elaine Lee, 1980 Have a question about anything in Centre County? This detailed resource, Number 8 in the Penn State Libraries' Bibliographic Series, is a bibliography of all historical research references for Centre County. Lee surveyed books, manuscripts, newspapers, and other publicly available archival records to create this complete work. This reference is out of print, and only a few copies still remain! (Penn State Press) Pages: 327 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: index Paperback Price: $10.00

Centre Furnace Mansion Architecture Scavenger Hunt Centre County Historical Society, 2002 This booklet, designed for children in Grades 3-5, explores architectural and design elements of building construction through a case study of the Centre Furnace Mansion. This booklet is part of a children's program, Building the 19th Century Way, presented by CCHS, but it is also ideal for families who would like to explore the Mansion and learn about architecture. Pages: 13 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $3.00

Centre Furnace Mansion Explorer's Guide Centre County Historical Society, 2001 This Explorer's Guide is designed for families visiting the Centre Furnace Mansion with children in grades 3-5. The guide will help explorers understand what life was like at the Centre Furnace Mansion during the mid 1800's when the Thompson family were in residence. Pages: 10 Size: 5 x 9 1/2 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $1.00

Fast As the Wind: A Story of Curtin Village in the 1860's Mary Frances Ward, 1978 The fictional story of a family in Curtin Village, in the Allegheny Mountains of central Pennsylvania in 1868, published by the Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace. Pages: 42 Size: 6 x 9 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $5.00

Glimpses of the Past: A Selected History of Penn Township Centre County, Pennsylvania 1844-1994 Bruce Teeple, 1994 Stories, photographs and newspaper articles document Penn Township's rich history in this Sesquicentennial collection. This is a detailed collection filled with many interesting clips. Pages: 105 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $13.00

Going Local Ken Hull, 2007 Artist Ken Hull has spent years riding, exploring and tasting his way across Central Pennsylvania to find the best places for food, beer and coffee. This is a book about his adventures. More than a guidebook, it is a journal, travelogue, memoir, fact, fiction and resource to the area’s unique eats, cool pubs and cozy cafés. (The Indie Press) Pages: 299 Size: 5 1/4 x 8 Extras: illustrations, maps Paperback Price: $18.87

Haines Township Life and Tradition Barbara M. Anderson, 1976 A narrative written by the people of Haines Township, Centre County (Haines Township Bicentennial Committee) Pages: 86 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: illustrations Hardcover Price: $20.00

Historic Resources of the Centre Region: A Remembrance of Things Past Edited by Dennis I. Elpern, 1982 "This report presents, on a Region-wide scale, a local history, inventory and analysis of selected historic buildings, structures, sites, and districts, and a survey of preservation techniques. Preservation plans are then presented for the Centre Region" (from the introduction). How has the Centre Region done in the intervening 20 years? (Centre Regional Planning Commission) Pages: 116 Size: 12 x 8 1/2 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $6.00

History of Walker Township, 1810-1999 Walker Township Historical Committee, 2000 A fascinating and look at the history of the township that includes the villages of Hecla, Hublersburg, Huston, Mingoville, Nittany, Snydertown, and Zion. The committee unearthed a treasure trove of photographs and other illustrations to make the history come alive. Pages: 281 Size: 9 x 11 Extras: illustrations, index Paperback Price: $16.00

In Schadde Vun Rundkopp (In the Shadow of Roundtop) Edited by Michael Huey, Bruce Teeple, and Dan Warntz, 1999 Subtitled "A Selected History of the Woodward/Fiedler Area," this book is full of reminiscences, articles, reprints, photographs, and maps tracing the history of these two communities in the eastern tip of Centre County. Pages: 185 Size: 8 3/4 x 11 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $15.00

In The Shadow of Mount Nittany J. Mavin Lee, 1963 The legend of Mount Nittany, one of the most famous mountains in this region, introduces this historical account of Houserville. This fascinating story details Jacob Houser’s impact on the Spring Creek area. Pages: 36 Size: 6 x 9 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $6.00

Linden Hall Village Association History Dennis and Beth Ricker, 1998 The Linden Hall Village Association was formed in 1987 to create and care for the park in the village. This liberally illustrated book records the work that was done between 1987 and 1998 to make the park a community centerpiece. Also included is a brief history of the Linden Hall Roller Mill. (Linden Hall Village Association) Pages: 36 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $8.00

Making Iron on the Bald Eagle Gerald Eggert, 1999 This illustrated book details the 125-year rise and fall of the Roland Curtin family and their ironworks at the furnace complex now known as Curtin Village. This fascinating and detailed study of the last ironworks in Centre County is a joint publication of the Centre County Historical Society and the Penn State Press. Pages: 189 Size: 6 1/4 x 9 1/4 Extras: illustrations Hardcover Price: $22.50     * Hardcover Member Price: $20.25

Philip Benner, Ironmaster J. Thomas Mitchell, This sketch is based on the account of General Benner's life, as set forth in the "History of Centre and Clinton Counties" by John Blair Linn, along with more personal details obtained through letters and conversations with his great-granddaughter. Pages: 8 Size: 6 x 9 Paperback Price: $5.00

Pine Grove Mills: History of a Hometown 1801-2001 Felicia Thibeault Mulley and the People of Pine Grove Mills, 2002 An outstanding compilation of newspaper articles, photographic images, and reminiscences. (Pine Grove Mills Community in Action Foundation, Inc.) Pages: 146 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 1/4 Extras: maps, images Hardcover Price: $25.00

Quakers of Centre County Pennsylvania Elwood Way, 2000 Lifelong resident Elwood Way has compiled a complete history of the Quaker presence in Centre County, including the meetings at Centre, Bald Eagle, Bellefonte, and Friends. The photographs, the stories, and the names will give you a clear picture of the county's Friends. Pages: 104 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $7.00

State College, A Photographic Celebration State College Centennial Commission, 1995 On September 12, 1995 nearly 200 amateur and professional photographers used their cameras to record a day in the life of their town. This book documents that day as seen through the eyes of its residents. (State College Centennial Commission) Pages: - Size: 8 3/4 x 8 3/4 Extras: color illustrations Paperback Price: $10.00

The Best of Philipsburg Remembrances Catherine Wrye, A reprint of forty of Catherine Wrye's columns from The Progress newspaper, reminiscing about the history of the Philipsburg area. (Philipsburg Historical Foundation) Pages: 61 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Paperback Price: $8.00

The Centre Furnace Story, A Return to Our Roots S.K. Stevens and Philip S. Klein, 1985 Centre Furnace: The birthplace of the county's iron industry and Penn State. The men and women who settled Centre Furnace Village in 1791 could never have imagined the long-term consequences of their work. This is their story. The book began as Dr. Stevens' thesis in 1922, and was expanded by historian Philip Klein in 1985 with information that was uncovered during the restoration of the Centre Furnace Mansion in the early 1980s. (CCHS) Pages: 68 Size: 8 3/4 x 11 1/4 Extras: illustrations, index Hardcover Price: $17.50     * Hardcover Member Price: $15.75 Paperback Price: $12.00     * Paperback Member Price: $10.80

The Historic Gem that is Bellefonte Jacqueline Melander, 1992 A guide to the preservation of historic properties in the borough of Bellefonte, the Centre County seat. The book includes a survey with photographs of existing buildings, guidelines for maintenance and changes to historic structures, and a history of the preservation efforts that have been made in Bellefonte. (Bellefonte Borough) Pages: 42 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: illustrations Paperback Price: $4.00

The History of Centre and Clinton Counties John Blair Linn, 1883, 7th ed. printed 2000 The definitive chronicle of the county's early years, John Blair Linn's 1883 History recounts the people, places, and events that shaped Centre County. With a name and subject index and many illustrations, Linn's is an invaluable resource for locating early residents and their roles in county history. Whether you are a genealogist, historian, or simply a curious-minded resident, Linn's History is a must for your library. Pages: 1052 acid-free Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: illustrations, index Hardcover Price: $85.00     * Hardcover Member Price: $76.50

The Story of Scotia Harry Williams. Edited by Betty Johnson, 1992 Harry Williams, a former Scotia resident, chronicles his long gone village, once a bustling mining community founded by Andrew Carnegie. Carefully edited by Betty Johnson, the book includes a fine selection of photographs and a fold-out map. Pages: 113 Size: 8 3/4 x 11 1/4 Extras: illustrations Hardcover Price: $30.00     * Hardcover Member Price: $27.00

The Story of the Century: Borough of State College Josephine Chesworth, 1996 This official State College Centennial book is a handsome work, full of history and photographs of State College's first century, including its people, its businesses, and its events. (Borough of State College) Pages: 224 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Extras: illustrations Hardcover Price: $30.00

With Heart of Fire and Iron Nerve: Centre County's Railroads Sara Phinney Kelley, 2000 This short booklet, from the Centre Furnace Mansion exhibit of the same name, gives an overview of the seven main common carrier railroads that existed in Centre County, their history, and some sense of their impact. Each railroad's history is accompanied by a listing of stations along that line, and in most cases, photographs of stations, rail lines, and trains. The history is supplemented by brief descriptions of hotels and tourist venues that sprang up to take advantage of the railroads. The centerpiece of the booklet is a color map showing the routes of those rail lines in 1910. (CCHS) Pages: 20 Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 Extras: illustrations, map Paperback Price: $5.00     * Paperback Member Price: $4.50