The lead car was equipped with electric chimes that played tunes along the way. The group were greeted at 9:15 by crowds at Trout Run where the Repasz Band, which accompanied the party in a huge motor bus, played several selections, and the glee club sang. in Liberty at 10:10, they were greeted with a large sign bearing the message, “Welcome to Liberty.” Almost every residence and place of business displayed flags and bunting, and the whole town had turned out to welcome the visitors. The Liberty High School Band and the Repasz Band performed, and the mayor conducted a tour.

Martha Ann Dartt, A.K.A. Mrs. Maxwell, originally from Charleston Township broke new paths in discoveries and studies in natural science. She even had a sub-species of owl named for her. She established a national reputation and exhibited her collection of Rocky Mountain animal species at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 in Philadelphia.

Grace Crocker Steadman came to Mansfield in 1921, serving as the Director of Music at Mansfield State Normal School and Mansfield State Teachers College until retiring in 1939. Tireless in her efforts to promote Mansfield, she further enhanced the image and reputation of the institution and her students to local, regional and national organizations. The Grace Steadman Theatre in Butler Center is named in her honor.

Margaret Williamson (stage name Margaret Adams) of Mansfield graduated from our local schools and established an international career in music, theater, opera, Broadway, and even movies. She was in the opening cast of Cole Porter's Jubilee. She maintained her friendships throughout her life with the people she grew up with in our town.

Helen Dieffenbach Lutes came to Mansfield in 1946 after serving as lieutenant in the WAVES during WW2. Overseeing women's physical education and women's athletics for the next 28 years, Lutes was a guiding force in gender equality creating opportunities for her students to participate in athletics and supporting them with generosity and intensity. In 1995 Mansfield University built and dedicated the Helen Dieffenbach Lutes Softball Complex in her honor.

Join us at The Museum of Us, 61 North Main Street in Mansfield on March 25 to hear about these remarkable local women.

The History Center Library: Women's History Collection

By Linda Rashidi

In celebration of Women’s History Month, you might want to check out our collection of volumes on women and their writing and accomplishments in the HIS WS section of our library. The oldest book in this section is Women of New York: Or the Underworld of the Great City by George Ellington(pseudonym), published in 1869. This tome details the habits, daily life, and activities of women in New York City when it was in its infancy. There are chapters on afternoon walks, a drive in Central Park, at the races, all delineating the leisure activities of society women of the time. Amazingly there were all-female boating clubs with rowing and picnics, and gambling saloons. But there are also chapters on working “girls” (mostly sewing) and life in the slums, as well as discussion of pickpockets and criminals and prisons for women.

In a less humorous vein, our collection contains a number of diaries by women during the Civil War: The Civil War Diary of Margaret Wight, Civil War Nurse: The Diary and Letters of

Hannah Ropes, Women of the War, and The Private Mary Chestnut. We also have a large collection of diaries and narratives of pioneer women, detailing their life both on the

Let us know what you think of our newsletters or just drop us a note to tell us about you and your family's time in Mansfield. We want to hear from you at [email protected]

Our 40-page quarterly journal which is mailed to members, tells the stories of some outstanding and some ordinary citizens like us who played a role here. In some cases, they get the chance to tell their own stories to a new audience through our Voices from the Archives.

You've thought about it. Now's the time.

After two long Pandemic years, we hope that the High School reunions can start again. If you are planning a reunion, consider a casual afternoon Meet & Greet at the History Center's Museum of Us. In an informal environment, you can chat with your friends, watch a slide show of Mansfield's historic photos, and find traces of yourself, your friends, and your family. Many of our exhibits are geared to those who grew up here. The Blue & Gold Room is full of MHS sports mementos. The pictorial display includes YOU along with all the other MHS graduates in its first hundred years.

Our outside work icomplete: Siding, Stairs, Porch and sidewalks. This 174-year-old building is looking great thanks to Matt Neal and his crew and the community members who chipped in with financial support.

Special thanks to Jim Davies and Mary Robinson-Slabey who tore out the old lath and plaster to get the project started. That was the hardest part of the work.

Be sure to visit our new genealogy-history library. Started on the inside in spring 2019, we are completed on the outside in fall 2022.

For the New Year. Consider a gift membership. Members will receive our 40 page printed journal by mail 3 to 4 times a year with new articles that have never been researched before and outstanding photos to illustrate. Share your love of the Mansfield area with your friends and family.

It's the only way we can continue offering our important services to the community.

The next issue of Voices from the Archives is in preparation. It will be forty pages of articles about the lives and activities of our town. Be sure your membership is current, so you don't miss any.

Family $50

Individual $35

Senior (Over 65) $25

Business Level $100

Lifetime $500

MHS Class Memorial $200

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The History Center

61 N. Main Street

Mansfield PA 16933

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