Troy Historical Society seeking more members

Published: February 4, 2012

Article Tools
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
Sign Up newsletter

TROY - These days, things are changing in the Troy area, but there's a group of people dedicated to preserving the past.

Formed in 2008, the Troy Historical Society has made a lot of progress in its quest to maintain the past for future generations.

Their work is all the more amazing when you consider that they only have four members: Janet Ordway, Bill Brasington, Joy Laue, and Kelsey Jones.

"The main thing is preserving what is being lost in documentation and photos," said Ordway, the president of the organization.

According to Ordway, the small group has been able to save more than 8,000 pieces of local history. For example, they have a nearly complete set of Troy High School yearbooks going back to the first one in 1917. There's even a Troy Historical Society Research Room in the Allen F. Pierce Free Library in Troy. The public is invited to check it out.

"I'm busy all the time with stuff," Ordway said.

Now, the group is looking for more members to lend a helping hand with its preservation efforts. People who love history and are committed to preserving it are being sought.

If interested, call Ordway at (570) 297-4458 or send the society a message through its Facebook page. Its page on the social networking site has the title of "Troy Historical Society." The group's email is troyhistoricalsociety@frontier.com

According to Ordway, members of the organization identify photos, research history around the area, and decide on what projects to tackle.

Ordway said it's important to preserve the past because "it's your history, your roots."

Having a record of bygone years, she said, allows the public to compare life today with how people lived years ago.

And a window to the past can be found in the most mundane places.

Every once in a while, she said, people may clean out their attic and throw an old newspaper or other document away.

"Our job is to protect that and save that," she said.

And save it they have.

In the historical society's research room, you'll find photos, documents, yearbooks, newspapers, ledgers, letterhead, diaries, postcards, and binders.

"You can't believe all the stuff that's in there," Ordway said.

One area of concern for the historical society is keeping a record of buildings in the area.

"Now that we're losing buildings, do we have pictures of those buildings?" Ordway said.

She noted, for example, that the laundry in downtown Troy was once the site of a movie theatre. The society has letterhead from the theatre.

The society meets the first Thursday of the month at the library. According to Ordway, members discuss their major initiatives and plans.

"The other night we sat there and identified some photos," she said.

She said one project that a new member might get involved with is writing a book on Troy, which is one of the society's future projects.

"I can't do it myself, maybe a new member could get involved," she said.

So, if you're interested in preserving some local history, contact Ordway.

She'll be glad you did.

Do you have something you would like profiled in the Western Bradford Notebook? Contact Eric Hrin at (570) 297-5251 or email reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

Ads by Yahoo!
We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.

Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.
comments powered by Disqus