Lock Haven: Then and Now
The Heisey Museum
Lyndsey Hewitt
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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In the past, students have heard creepy stories and have been told of paranormal accounts in the various buildings on campus such as Russell Hall, Sloan, the Stevenson Library and more. Students will be given the opportunity to learn more interesting information about each building and their potential hauntings.
The Social Science Club on campus will be holding a Ghost Walk on the 28th, 29th and 30th that tour these said to be haunted buildings, as well as tour Highland cemetery. There will even be a real-life paranormal investigator on the walk. The Ghost Walk is for students and the general public. In order to go on the walk, students are just asked to meet in the lobby of Raub at 6:30 p.m. The tour will go on until approximately 9 p.m. It will cost $1.00 to go on the walk and all proceeds go towards Clinton County's Historical Society and the Heisey Museum.
The Ghost Walk is one of many activities being held to benefit the Heisey Museum in coming time. From November 2nd through November 20th, the Heisey Museum will be holding a food drive. Anybody who brings in any kind of non-perishable food is eligible for a free tour of the Heisey House. Many Lock Haven students unfortunately do not know of the Heisey Museum and all it has to offer.
"We really want to reach out to the students. Many of them believe that there isn't much to do, but in reality there is so much cool stuff this town has to offer. The history of Clinton County, and Lock Haven alone is unbelievably interesting," said the Heisey Museum curator and resident of the Lock Haven area for 19 years, Lou Bernard.
Lou suggested giving tours at different hours to accommodate the normally irregular schedule of the average college student.
"I really enjoy the students. I wish more of them were aware of what the museum has to offer them. Perhaps we could do later tours if they were requested," said Lou.
The Heisey Museum's regular hours are currently 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and other hours by appointment. However, if tours and general interest in seeing the museum doesn't pick up, these hours may be subject to change due to budget cuts. The current price for a tour for a student with their student I.D. is $2.00.
Inside the Heisey House, it is set up the way it would have been in the 1800s. There are many precious artifacts on display, including some from an archaeological dig, which students have helped with. One of the rare items the museum is proud of is an early American flag made by Sarah Wilson, the great granddaughter of Betsy Wilson. There are only 5 in the world according to the Betsy Ross Museum and the Heisey Museum in Lock Haven has one, which is currently on display. Another great thing the museum has to offer students is the possibility of an internship.
"LHU students of various majors may perform an internship for a college credit. They will assist museum staff in the day-to-day operations of the museum, as well as help out with projects like the dig, and they also may create displays and do research. I'll teach the interns how to run a museum and do historic research. They'll often learn things they're not taught in school," said Lou Bernard.
The kinds of work students do while participating in an internship at the museum varies. It ranges from day to day research and paperwork and other exciting things.
"Over the summer, intern Megan Hansen, who is an LHU senior and History major, helped with our dig. She also accompanied me into some underground tunnels under a local restaurant to get photographs," said Lou.
The Heisey Museum is the legacy of Clinton County's history. In addition to tours, the museum will be open for groups to hold meetings and events. Also offered are many educational opportunities including research, community service and volunteering. Students are encouraged by the museum to check it out in the event they are struck with boredom, or just generally interested in learning more about the town's history. It is located at 362 East Water Street, just up the street from the courthouse.
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