01/13/2026
The Crawford County Historical Society publishes an online journal/blog on our website, titled The Crawford Messenger. Each Monday, we’ll start your week by “dropping by your inbox” with an article about the fascinating, odd, or exciting history of the area we live in. We’re looking forward to sharing YOUR history each week!
This week’s issue:
Saint Brigid (St. Bridget’s) Roman Catholic Church –
An 1888 Biography
With St. Brigid Catholic Church of Meadville to be deconsecrated in early 2026, we thought it a good opportunity to discuss its origins. This week’s blog is a biography of the church written in 1888 by the Meadville Tribune Republican, the predecessor to today’s Meadville Tribune newspaper.
Read more stories on the Crawford Messenger
Upcoming
America250PA-Crawford Event:
Quilt Documentation Day: Recording Your Family's Story through Quilts
January 24th, 2026 ~ 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Mount Hope: Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum
Schedule a time with Quilt Historian, Jill Mezaros to learn about your family's heirlooms and document them for future generations!
Many Crawford Countians own quilts that have passed through the family, been purchased, or otherwise acquired and would love to know more about them. These works of fabric art help document the life and legacy of 250 years of our American history (and beyond). Jill Mezaros, a Quilt Documentarian through the American Quilter’s Society will be leading a documentation day where individuals bring their quilt to be documented using the AQS Quilt Index.
Pre-registration is required-30 minutes time slots per quilt-No more than 2 quilts per person.
America’s 250th Schedule in Crawford County is Here!
Thanks to a wonderful list of sponsors and the fantastic people of Crawford County, we are excited to announce we’re releasing a schedule to be proud of for America’s 250th! We have a few more events to add (including several in Titusville, Townville, and even Spartansburg!) as we finalize details, but please click the graphic above or button below to learn more about how YOU can be a part of our nation’s 250th birthday celebration! From parades and community celebrations to programs and bus trips, we’re thrilled to share YOUR history with you throughout Crawford County.
America250PA - Crawford Sponsors:
The RDL Family Foundation
Allegheny College
City of Meadville
Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Crawford County Historical Society
Wesbury Methodist Retirement Community
Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative
Howard Hanna Bainbridge Kaufman Real Estate
Channellock
ERIEBANK
Seton Catholic School
Highland Bed and Breakfast
Thank you for your generosity and support of our community’s history!
Taking You to Philadelphia
for America’s 250th:
Bus Tour to Philadelphia and Valley Forge:
Visiting America's Story!
April 23 - 26, 2026
Visit the places and learn about the people that ARE America's story!
The Crawford County Historical Society is sponsoring a tour to one of the most historic cities in our nation! View the Liberty Bell up close, see inside Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed, eat dinner inside Carpenter’s Hall in the room where the First Continental Congress was convened in 1774, tour the Museum of the American Revolution and the National Constitution Center, visit Valley Forge where Washington’s troops were encamped during the long winter of 1777/78, eat and drink in Philadelphia's oldest continually operated tavern, learn about the Justice Bell, which travelled throughout Pennsylvania in 1915 to help win women’s right to vote (visiting Meadville twice!) and more! Enjoy four days and three nights full of special tours and amazing food!
Here’s What’s Included:
Breakfast on Friday
Lunch on Saturday
Dinners on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights
Hotel Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights
Two-hour guided bus tour of Valley Forge Battlefield
Docent-led tour of Washington’s Memorial Chapel
Visit to Reading Market
Tour of National Constitution Center and Museum of the American Revolution
Tour of Carpenter’s Hall
Optional Walking Tour of Independence Mall, including the Liberty Bell
Optional free time to explore on your own in Old City Philadelphia
Entrance fees and gratuities
Motorcoach transportation from Meadville
Informational videos and historical-themed talks by CCHS Executive Director
Access to private page limited to tour registrants as a place to share information and updates
Spend a long weekend with friends and community members as we explore our nation’s founding together - in the place that started it all 250 years ago!
Space is limited - don’t delay in reserving your spot for this incredible opportunity!
Join CCHS
