For history aficionados and those just sparking their curiosity, the Schuylkill County Coalition of Historical Societies will host its 21st annual Schuylkill County History Faire from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Taking place in the main area of the Fairlane Village mall, the event will boast its biggest ever turnout, said Jennifer Bowen, president of the coalition and the Orwigsburg Historical Society.
There will be 21 vendors consisting of various historical societies from the county, with the exception of one — private collector Richard Nagel, Bowen said.
“He has an extremely extensive collection of Schuylkill Haven history — lots of very unique photographs, information on industries in Schuylkill Haven, sports. You name it, he’s got it,” she said.
Bowen said visitors always enjoy Nagel’s display of artifacts.
The other vendors, historical societies and museums from around the county, will also bring their own representations of their respective communities or boroughs, including photographs, artifacts and “facets of Schuylkill County history such as coal mining, agriculture or industry,” Bowen said.
The Orwigsburg Historical Society will bring photographs and information pertaining to Orwigsburg being the first seat of government in Schuylkill County, Bowen said. She said the society will also touch on Orwigsburg’s industrial history.
“We’re the shoe capitol of Schuylkill County, so we cover a good bit of the history of shoe manufacturing in our county. Cigar making was also one of Orwigsburg’s notable industries,” she said.
Almost every borough or community in the county will be represented, including Girardville Historical Society, the Schuylkill County Agricultural Museum, Auburn Area Historic Preservation Society, Frackville Museum and the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum.
A little known fact, Bowen said, is that many of the societies offer genealogical research services, and they will have information on such services at the faire.
For more information, visit the faire’s Facebook page or call the Orwigsburg Historical Society at 570-366-8769.
Contact the writer: cwertz@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6004