Dr. Karen Black, president of the Warren County Historical Society

In the spirit of a portion of the Warren Woman’s Club’s mission statement to provide “education and information about local issues and interests to our membership,” Dr. Karen Black, president of the Warren County Historical Society (WCHS), outlined their objectives, accomplishments and future events at the February 6 luncheon.

Dr. Black’s credentials include a Bryn Mawr graduate with a BA in Russian Language & Literature, MA from Harvard in Linguistics and PhD from Bryn Mawr in Russian Literature & History of the Russian Language.  She taught at Boston University, Harvard and University of Alaska among other places of higher education and retired in 2002 from Millersville University of PA as Professor Emeritus.

With a family love for history, some objects belonging to her maternal grandparents, immigrants from Sweden in the 1880s, were accessioned in the Historical Society collections.  This led to her interest in leadership there.

A survey by show of hands of Woman’s Club attendees familiar with visiting the Society at 210 Fourth Avenue was taken by Dr. Black.   She explained the organizational structure of the Warren County Historical Society staff under the directorship of Michelle Gray and its Board of Directors.  Their goals include preservation, organization and conservation of documents, historical objects and the oral history of Warren County. Additionally, their goal of education of the public  is accomplished by being a repository of county history, genealogical records and photographic collections. The Wilder Museum located at 51 Erie Avenue in Youngsville is also part of the WCHS system where over 3,000 items are housed.  The Wilder is open for visitation from spring through fall.

Future WCHS fundraising and educational events include the Robert H. Jackson’s Cobham Castle: Fact or Fiction event at the Warren County Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 204 Fourth Avenue at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15; WCHS Annual Dinner & Murder Mystery  Saturday, April 1, at 6 p.m. at the Conewango Club; Classy Castoffs Annual Fundraiser  Saturday, April 29, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 308 Poplar Street, Warren; and Fashion Flaunt Fundraiser at the Wilder Museum Thursday, June 1, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Woman’s Club presidentt Karen Davis thanked hostesses Tana Fegely and Barb Olson for planning the menu and decorating the table in a Valentine theme with red mini-carnations and candles among the club’s antique silver service items.

Volunteers were requested for helping with the annual Useable Discard sale Friday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, April 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the club ballroom.  The May 15 Fashion Show will once again feature clothing and accessories from GG My Love of Bemis Point and Chautauqua, N.Y.

The next Needle Arts gathering is scheduled to meet Monday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m. at the home of Peggy Morgan, 314 Poplar Street.  Bridge continues each Thursday as well.

The next luncheon is Monday, Feb. 20, with Josie Gerardi giving a presentation on the Urban Forest of Warren.

Dottie Higgins and Donna Sadler will hostess.  Reservations are due Friday, Feb. 17, by noon.

A new Woman’s Club year begins in April and new board members are being recruited.

New Woman’s Club members are always welcome to visit the club and join. Details may be found by visiting the Warren Woman’s Club website or calling the club manager Anne Higgins at 723-5910.