Pike County Historical Society at The Columns Museum
Introduction
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Images
Pike County Historical Society at The Columns Museum
The " Bloody Lincoln Flag "
One of Exhibits inside The Columns Museum
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
In 1930, the Pike County Historical Society was established to preserve the history of Pike County. It is known as a non-profit community group and becomes the county historical organization. Since 1930, the Pike County Historical Society has become a repository for retaining artifacts and archives for Pike County.
In 1983, the Pike County Historical Society purchased the house, located on Broad Street, named “ The Columns” for expanding the project. The Columns was originally built in 1904 for Dennis McLaughlin, Irish immigrant and wealthy businessman from Jersey, New York. The Columns has twenty two rooms and is in Neo-Greek Revival Style. In 1946, the house was known as other name of “ White House”. This house served as tea room, two bars and dancing school. However, in 1967, the house was acquired by local chapters of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. And finally, this house was sold to the Pike County Historical Society in 1983. From 1983 until the present date, the Columns is known as the home of the Pike County Historical Society and the Columns Museum. The collections of the Society Group is expanded vastly over the time.
The Pike County Historical Society at the Columns Museum maintains the large collection of genealogical resource through the items donation from people who have more research information about their ancestors in Pike County and other nearby areas. Thank to effort and responsibility of the Society, the museum resource is expanded with the extensive collection of early records of births, marriage, death, census, warrant, especially, the museum house a collection of 7,000 obituaries from the tri-state area. Among the collections, the books of the families lived in this area during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries is an impressive collection. Furthermore, the Columns Museum also houses a media file and photograph of historical article, local events.
There are several exhibits and artifacts inside the Columns Museum such as: The Lincoln Flag, Gifford Pinchot and the Pinchot Family, Charles Peirce, Chief Thundercloud, Schocopee Schoolhouse, Summer camps in Pike County, World War II Posters, World Trade Center, Books & Art, Hiawatha Stage Coach, Vintage Clothing and Inns and Boarding Houses.
Now, the Columns Museum offers school programming for all age group and outreach program. The group visitation is encouraged to promote the public of Pike County History.