Then we took a look at the downstairs. Here was a work bench that had definitely seen some blood, sweat and tears. There were plows and scythes and metal working tools that must have required Popeye himself to use. An early pottery wheel and corn sheller made hard work easier, but it was still hard. It’s like a handyman’s garage from a hundred years ago. There’s even a bicycle hanging on the wall. (It’s an Iver Johnson, second one ever made!) The Mooresburg One Room Schoolhouse has so much more than meets the eye at first glance. Appointments may be made for touring the museums by calling 570-271-0830. Please leave your name and message and someone will return your call. The Schoolhouse will also be open for visitors from 1pm to 4pm on July 26, August 23 and September 20th. The Montour County Historical Society has lovingly preserved a place that celebrates local history and it reminds us that communities can come together for great things. Plan your visit today!
Before radar and during the ongoing war, small communities such as Mooresburg organized townspeople to man these watch boxes and scan the skies. They had a guide for the shape of various planes and when suspected danger came near, they would raise the alarm for everyone to turn their lights out. These were run by unpaid volunteer community members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is still a copy of a weekly schedule inside, handwritten proof of a village’s commitment to one another. We stepped back out into the sunshine and Shane asked again if I was ready to see the rest. It was starting to feel a little like one of those “But wait, there’s more!” commercials. He opened the doors to the non-descript building behind the watch box to a one-of-a-kind display of typewriters, as Mooresburg is the birthplace of C. Latham Sholes, one of the inventors of the modern typewriter and of the QWERTY keyboard. Beside typewriters, there are dozens of farm implements, pottery and a gorgeous model farm display taking up an entire corner.
TEACHER'S DESK
MODEL 26 TYPEWRITER
COLUMBIA MONTOUR Quarterly
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