History

73 articles

Crooked house

The Crooked House: Public Art Explores The Meaning Of Home

“What do you do with an 1857 house that can’t be saved?”

It depends on who you ask. If you ask Benjamin Fehl, who moved to the area to go to Penn State and fell in love with Happy Valley, the answer is clear: You make art.

Fehl, who has a background in both art and architecture, bought an 1850s house in Milesburg at an auction in 2004. At first, his vision was to restore the little house that had belonged to Abigail Miles, the niece of the founder of Milesburg. He uncovered bits of history, from a massive stone fireplace to 150-year-old handprints in the plaster.

Centre Furnace Mansion ecs0629201511b HDR

Central Pennsylvania Stories

State College, PA – Central Pennsylvania Stories, a new anthology of 41 historical articles by local historian Ralph Seeley, has just arrived at Centre Furnace Mansion and is now available to the public. Published for the Centre County Historical Society by Mt. Nittany Press, the book’s varied stories cover Centre County and nearby locales from the 17th through 20th centuries.

Bob Cameron Boal Mansion in Spring

Boal Museum Classical Music Series for Spring 2022!

Sundays on April 24, May 8, and May 22

The Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum announces this year’s Spring Classical Music Series beginning Sunday, April 24, with Piano Duo Azul, featuring Hyeyoung Song and Amy Gustafson playing piano four-hands. The concert will be held in the Mansion Ballroom at 3 pm.

Farmers Market_Veggies

Take a Little of Happy Valley Home from a Local Farm Market

Happy Valley has such an abundance of farm markets and community supported agriculture (CSA) options that it’s easy to make “eat fresh, eat local” a way of life. Between weekly markets, CSA delivery and local farms, our family enjoys a year-round supply of meat and eggs, dairy products and seasonal vegetables, all grown or raised right here in Happy Valley.

Alexander Kobrin plays in the Boal Mansion ballroom 021919 by Mary Szmolko

Historical Destinations in Happy Valley

Philipsburg’s Heritage Days

Philipsburg’s annual Heritage Days celebration was founded as a way to keep enthusiasm for local history alive.

In 1997, Philipsburg celebrated its bicentennial. The town came together to treat thousands of visitors to a week’s worth of events featuring reenactments, vendors, crafters, presentations, concerts, a parade, and fireworks, among other things.

HUB Gallery

News Tip! Must see exhibition of portraiture at HUB Gallery

True Likeness presents an exhibition of contemporary portraits from diverse makers in a variety of media including video, photography, painting collage, installation, sculpture, printmaking, and drawing. Artists, some familiar, others more on the fringe of the art world, hail from all over the United States.

Palmer Museum of Art 02

Palmer Museum of Art marks 50th anniversary with year-long celebration

Current Exhibitions

An American Place: Selections from the James and Barbara Palmer CollectionThrough April 24, 2022

The story of the coming of age of American art is filled with alliances and ruptures, expatriates and immigrants, transatlantic dialogues and the search for an authentic aesthetic rooted in America.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau publishes up-to-date event information at HappyValley.com/events