(2/27) Although slowed by the pandemic, the Fairfield Area Historical Society is up and running. The Society started as a Civil War Sesquicentennial committee and morphed into the historical society known today in 2015.
The society acquires and catalogs artifacts and information with local historical significance of the boroughs of Fairfield and Carroll Valley as well as the townships of Hamiltonban and Liberty. Membership benefits include supervised access to the collection of the Society at no charge, as well as discounts on products and activities sponsored by the society.
The most exciting aspect of working with the society, FAHS President Camille Cline says, are looking at the deeds that the society has collected. Some of them date all the way back to properties from the mid 1800’s,"it’s amazing to see how today’s property lines changed over time, and discover names that have long disappeared into history."
The society is always looking for new members and history buffs of all kinds to join in their crusade and lead as program presenters. "I am always willing to learn and listen. We want this society to be more than just about the Civil War," Cline said.
The society is active in the community and has commissioned professional town studies and aims to hold four publicly engaging programs a year. The first of which will be the hosting of the ‘Victorian Historian,’ Adam Shefts, March 17, at the Fairfield town Hall.
Shefts leads participants in a grandiose escapade portraying glimpses of the Victorian days of the late nineteenth century. Partake in a one-of-a-kind journey into the unique, fascinating, and sometimes shocking facts, stories, and happenings to come out of America’s Victorian and Edwardian eras.
Daily events and happenings showcased by the Historian occurred country-wide during the Victorian era including spirit communication seances and could very likely have happened right in Fairfield, society President Camile Cline said.
Shefts’ passion for American history spans the Civil War through the sinking of the Titanic so most topics range between the 1860s and 1912, though some subject matter may occasionally pre-date the 1860s. Categories covered by Shefts include everything from common trends, natural disasters, to criminal masterminds of the era.
If you’ve ever wondered about the amount of arsenic dolled by fashionable Victorian women, criminal masterminds, or regular superstitions taken to heart during that era, then Sheft’s presentation will be right up your alley.
Tickets are also on sale for the society’s annual fundraiser, which this year will feature: "Patsy Cline with Kip Young," on April 2. Young is a professional Patsy Cline singer, impersonator, and entertainer from the Thurmont area.
Young has held performances all over Franklin County and promises spectators an audience-engaging extravaganza with all of Patsy Cline’s masterpieces. Proceeds from the annual fundraiser support the historical society’s efforts towards preserving the local historical heritage through identifying and acquiring historic artifacts and information significant to the area.
More information about the FAHS and membership can be found at www.fairfieldpahistoricalsociety.org and by calling 717- 642-5640.
