An Interview with the President of the Dunbar Historical Society

    Fayette/Westmoreland Forgotten History is proud to present an entertaining and informative question and answer session with the President of the Dunbar Historical Society, GUY ROSE. By all accounts this man is quite a popular gentleman and deeply interested in their regional history.

   
    Representing the Fayette County town named after Colonel Dunbar of French and Indian War fame once known as Frogtown and Dunbar City. The Society was founded in the year 1995. It's mission statement is to provide "an avenue to discuss, discover, collect and preserve any material that will establish and illustrate the history of Dunbar", and goes on to say, "to ensure that present and future generations can share in and understand their rich heritage." A quality outlook from the start.

   
   Mr. Rose has been the President of the Society for approximately three years. I had a few problems with different versions of Word, sorry for that. On that issue, Guy and his wife Pat, were seemed very understanding. Surprisingly, my brother Scott knew him from their days working at the Anchor Cap factory in South Connellsville, (something I had no awareness of when contemplating this written interview).


     Now remember, the History Contest from the last posting will end on this Friday, so hurry up and get those important submissions in soon! 
     The Winner along with the Answers will be provided in the next post. Good Luck!

 

Interview with the Dunbar Historical Society President:


     First, I was pleased to receive a phone call from Mr. Rose. I had the opportunity to converse with him and the chance in getting to know him personally while discussing various integral concerns.


   I really appreciate you personally taking the time to help us learn the underpinnings of your opinions, ideas and experiences with the Society you head in a region that contains so much fascinating history! WELCOME!


  1st Question:

    What primary impetus originally drove you to this deep interest in Dunbar?

  I was born in Dunbar, lived there in my youth and wanted to return to my roots.


  2nd Question:

      How do you and your fellow officers find time for your every day pursuits while investing so much time and energy into the various duties of the Dunbar Historical Society which include the Community Fest?

  We make time when there is a need.


   3rd Question:

     Here's a two parter:  First, Any thoughts about how the Society keeps the price of membership so reasonable? Second, what is the most meaningful aspect of the reconstructed coke oven?

  We use our members to promote and grow the Society and the oven is the center of Dunbar...a part of Dunbar.


   4th Question:

   Are there any associations with surrounding historical societies, and do you feel your Society is particularly close knit?

 Connellsville, we share information.


   5th Question:

    Would you name a few of the Dunbar sites or items that uniquely interest or intrigue you the most; perhaps the largest seated torso glass sculpture in the world, donated and returned to Dunbar by Donald Trump, the Sheepskin Trail, the clean up of the local Dunbar Creek, or maybe the unique collection of many photo albums and museum quality artifacts, or something else completely?

 Seated torso starting in Dunbar and its long journey back home.

 
    6th Question:

    What all is involved in the approach and research aspects to the Society's Newsletter?

  Using Facebook to keep every(body) posted as to what events the historical society has scheduled and posting new historical information.


     7th Question:

     Are you and your fellow officers' families also interest and excited by local history, and if so, how much?

 
   We cherish our Dunbar history and future involvement of new members.


    8th Question:

   What do you enjoy most about the monthly meetings?

 Discussion about society involvement in all the activities we plan.


     9th Question:

    Is there any other information you would care to pass on to visitors to the blog?

 Please visit our website and give us your input. 


     10th Question:

     Lastly, how long have you been President of the Dunbar Historical Society?

   Three years.


     Again, I want to give a big Thank You for allowing us to get a close up examination on Dunbar and its in-depth history along with your important personal observations. (The involvement of Secretary, Donna Myers and Guy Roses' wife, Pat are, of course, much appreciated).

   On a personal note, I hope Mr. Rose remains active as President with capable officers for many years to come.


   Here, I would like to include the address and phone number so visitors can make contact with them freely. Please seriously consider  JOINING up with the wonderful Dunbar Historical Society and doing your own small part in helping to preserving their amazing history

    Located at 42 Bridge Street, Dunbar, Pa. 15431; phone, 724-227-8800. Fri. - Sat. 10:00 A. M. to 2:00 P. M.

    The Monthly Meetings are at the Center on the second Wednesday of each month at precisely 6 o'clock.

    There is also the Facebook Page Guy refers to- "Friends of the Dunbar Historical Society."


   
   
Let's give a big  *Thank You*  to Guy Rose for undertaking this interview!

 
 

A History Contest: Winners and Answers!

  The time limit of submissions for the contest sponsored by Fayette/Westmoreland Forgotten History has passed on Friday , Nov. 18, at 10:00 P. M.

The acceptable answers to the 12 questions appear below:
 

Question No. 1

   What famous Revolutionary War hero is buried in a cemetery in Greensburg, Pa?

    Arthur St. Clair


 Question No. 2

   What unusual relic or item from Fayette County had a replica which was once kept at the West  Overton Museum?

      An exact copy of the Indian petroglyphs from Perryopolis


   Question No. 3

   Give the name of the third President of the Braddock Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the American Revolution from the year 1932?

     J. Espey Sherrard


   Question No. 4

    In what vicinity was a plausible trace of the Braddock Road discovered which is also close to the  actual location the Turkey Foot Road probably crossed it? (HINT: This was related exclusively on this blog). Come on folks, haven't you read these posts? (That's still only ONE question!)

       Walnut Hill, Kingview Road, Crossroads, or George's Trading Post, on the border of Upper Tyrone and Bullskin townships, are all acceptable answers.



  Question No. 5

    Properly describe the 1700's location in which Jacobs Cabin existed according to warranty surveys? (The information can also be found on F/WFH). Legendary or mythical sites are not included here.

       At or near West Tech Drive,  the old Sony complex, now the RIDC building, between Mt. Pleasant and Hempfield townships.


   Question No. 6

     Before he moved on to Kentucky, the pioneering hero James Smith of Bedford County moved to what region in the late 1770's to mid-1780's where he later had a warranty survey?

       Near the waters of Jacobs Creek in Bullskin Township, Fayette County, in what was then Westmoreland County and previous to that, Bedford County.


   Question No. 7

     Toward the late 1960's and early 1970's, what music store once had outlets in Connellsville, Mount Pleasant and Scottdale?

      Brown's, sometimes known as the Record Center.



   Question No. 8
      A two part question:

    What ultimate authority gave the order for the building of the Turkey Foot Road, and who were the two men were responsible for this, one of which accomplished his work in Fayette and Westmoreland counties?

      George Washington, while Nathaniel Greene passed down the particular orders through Colonel George Morgan; the two road builders were: Colonel Providence Mounts and Captain Charles Clinton, (in that order)


    Question No. 9

    Tell the name of what popular establishment use to be on the right side at the corner of Pittsburgh Street in Scottdale at the second traffic light back in the !960's into the 1970's?

       The Nut Shop



    Question No. 10

     What well traveled author was the previous President of the Mount Pleasant Glass Museum?

    Cassandra Vivian



     Question No. 11

   What man held a warranty tract survey and an earlier, contested land claim within what became Bullskin Township, Fayette County where tradition said he arrived by 1767?

   Adam Hatfield (the first which was in the locality of Laurelville and was contested; the second, a survey warranted in his name of property which eventually became the Pleasant Valley Country Club).



  
     Question No. 12
(Here's a three part one, so do your best! TWO answers will be acceptable):


  Include one of the two months while giving the date Colonel James Burd build his fort, what was one of the known previous names for this place and who was involved with the earlier work on or very near to it?
   

        Late Oct. to early Nov. 1759, Redstone Old Fort, the Hangard; Captain Trent (in that order)



    
    
      NOTE: Unfortunately no one submitted the correct answers to 11 out of 12 of the questions, therefore there was no winner to be accepted and receive the $25.00 prize. I personally felt the degree of difficulty was not extreme, though it might of been on the tricky side. The responses were on the sparse side and rather disappointing. The format may not be repeated unless comments are favorable. IF good feedback is received, I will seriously consider holding another contest, possibly with answers that would appear easier, or would allow for more incorrect answers and still carry the prize.

LET THE BLOG KNOW IF VISITORS ARE INTERESTED! Thank you.
 
 More exciting historical topics will be explored in the near future, so please check back.