Bedford County Historical Society, Inc.
“As we look to the past,
the future looks to us.”
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Our Mission
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The mission of the Bedford County Historical Society is to preserve, protect and document the history of Bedford County for future generations, as well as educate the public concerning the same. |
| © 2010-2026 Pioneer Library, Bedford County Historical Society, Inc. All rights reserved. |
Previous Events of BCHS Held in 2026
Annual History Banquet
The Bedford County Historical Society will be holding its Annual History Banquet on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 6:00 pm at the Hall at Kinton`s Knob (BCHS, 2nd floor) 6441 Lincoln Highway, Bedford.
We will be honoring Krista Cessna Fleszar of Hummelstown, PA as the 2025 BCHS Historian of the Year. She published `A Dent in Time: Our Cessna, James and Schaffer Story 1854-1947` about the family of John Thomas Cessna of Rainsburg, PA.
The featured speaker for the banquet is: Jodi Stouffer of Martinsburg, PA. She will speak on `The Martinsburg Indian Training School`.
Tickets are $35.00 each. Please make your reservation by Tuesday, April 14, 2026. For tickets or more information, please contact the Society at 814-623-2011, email: bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com.
2026 Winter Lecture Series
The Bedford County Historical Society is pleased to announce their annual Winter Lecture Series. All programs will be held Saturday, at 2 p.m., 6441 Lincoln Highway (lower level), Bedford, PA.
March 28 - presenter Michael Maloney - `Rattlesnake Colonel: Thomas Cresap, an American Paradox`.
These events are free and open to the public. In the event of a forecast of inclement weather, please call the Bedford County Historical Society at 814-623-2011 on Friday, prior to the event.
BCHS Accepting Nominations for `Historian Of The Year`
The Bedford County Historical Society is seeking nominations for `Historian of the Year` for 2025.
Criteria for nominee qualifications are as follows: The nominee must not have previously been given the award; the nominee must be a resident, group, or citizen of Bedford County or a society member; the nominee must have completed in the past year an item or project involving the history of Bedford County through research, restoration, writing, collection, preservation, etc. This may be cumulative work over a period of years, but it needs to have been accomplished in the past year. The nominee must not have been financially compensated for their project or have been employed by someone or by an organization to accomplish their project.
Suggestions for where to look for potential candidates are: various patriotic organizations like the DAR, SAR, LGAR or veterans` organizations, church groups, civic groups, schools or individuals. Has someone compiled a family genealogy that can be used in the society`s reference library? If you receive the Pioneer newsletters please review for historical preservation.
The deadline for nominations is March 2, 2026. The award will be presented at the society`s annual historical society banquet in April 2026.
Please submit nominations in written form to the Bedford County Historical Society at 6441 Lincoln Highway, Bedford, PA 15522, attention Chairperson `Historian of the Year` Committee. Please contact BCHS at 814-623-2011 or bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com with any questions.
Indoor Yard Sale
Bedford County Historical Society Indoor Yard Sale will be held upstairs at the Society's Hall
Friday, February 20, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday. February 21, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
We will be taking donations starting January 15, until February 19, till noon during normal business hours.
Please no Clothing, TV and Computer Equipment. The society has the right to reject any deemed unsellable items. Proceeds Benefit the Bedford County Historical Society.
Thanks for your support!
Speaker Event planned for this weekend
At the Society on January 31st at 2:00 PM. downstairs. Our guest speaker will be Landon Defibaugh from The Fort Bedford Museum. Landon will talk about The History of Fort Bedford Museum and its Artifacts. Refreshments will be served. The event is Free to the public!
THE BEDFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS: `President Buchanan, Harriet Lane, and their Summer Fortnights in Bedford`
The Bedford County Historical Society, will be presenting `President Buchanan, Harriet Lane, and their Summer Fortnights in Bedford` given by Kris Schaale. During the mid-19th century, President James Buchanan and his niece Harriet Lane, who served as First Lady, spent several summers in Bedford, Pennsylvania, seeking respite from Washington`s heat and political pressures. Their stays at the historic Bedford Springs Hotel offered both relaxation and a strategic retreat, as Buchanan conducted presidential business from the resort`s tranquil setting. This period highlighted the blending of leisure and leadership, leaving a lasting legacy in Bedford`s historical narrative. Missives from overseas, Supreme Court sessions, and political intrigues were all part and parcel of summers in Bedford during the Buchanan administration. The event will be held Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 2:00 pm downstairs at The Bedford County Historical Society, 6441 Lincoln Hwy, Bedford, PA. This free event is open to the public. In the event of a forecast of inclement weather, please call the Bedford County Historical Society at 814-623-2011 on Friday, January 9th for further updates.