We are so busy now that we are preparing for the Christmas Tea at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Lawrence County Historical museum at Sixth and Adams Streets.

The Historical Essay Contest winners have been chosen. First prize – Sarah Kingery, second prize – John Higgins and third prize – Hunter Humphreys.

This has been so successful that we plan to have another essay contest next year.

The goal of the contest is to continue educating people about the history of Lawrence County. The museum is open to the schools for special tours and it is only necessary that you call 532-8961 to make arrangements.

Our special surprise for the Christmas Season is the birth of the “Gray House Toy Emporium.”

Our very special friend and musician, Jean Kinley who passed away recently, donated a very beautiful mansion (dollhouse) to establish a toy room upstairs in the museum. Her grandfather built this dollhouse for her when she was a small child.

In the mansion you will find three stories including the attic rooms. You will find each room with the furniture and tools needed, such as a kitchen, a dining room, parlor that includes a piano and harp, and bedrooms with furniture. The attic rooms are for the children including a bathroom.

It is very lovely and the adults as well as the children will certainly enjoy it.

It was prepared by Fondalene Alfrey, Mary Kay Rader, and Patricia Arrington. Bring your family and see this new and special surprise.

The museum is decorated in a Victorian manner and refreshments are being planned for your enjoyment.

In the back room you will see angels “Silver Bells” decorated by Peggy Karshar and Nancy Livingston. The middle bedroom, with the children asleep in the bed, is the work of Margaret Rheme. In the military room, which is in red, white, and blue, is by Linda Freemen, Jane Preston, and Janet Jarvius. The medical room has a very large snowman and its baby is by Elizabeth Melvin. We will continue describing the downstairs next week. It is beautiful also.

The museum will be open to the public on Thanksgiving Day, from l p.m. to 4 p.m. If you have your friends and families in, they are very welcome to come view our “Victorian Home.” You will enjoy it.

Historical Fact: Migration Patterns Within U.S.

1818 – Pensions for service granted to veterans who had been in the Continental forces during the Revolution, rather than for disability.

1819 – Financial panic in the United States, many state banks collapse. Much internal migration within this country.

1820 – Fourth U.S. federal census, Many Revolutionary War pensioners removed from pension rolls because they were not indigent, (indigent – impoverished, need).

1823 – A “fever” starts along the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania and spreads across the country as many migrate.

1821 – Sante Fe Trail becomes popular migration route to Texas and the Southwest.

1822 – Some Revolutionary War pensioners restored to pension rolls, with newly collected veterans information.

1828 – Former officers and soldiers of the Revolution who didn’t qualify previously for service pensions awarded such.

1830 – 5th national census.

1831 – Asiatic cholera begins in England and is brought to America by emigrant ships. Glesses Society of Germany attempts to set a German colony in America. Some of the immigrants stop off in New York City, western Pennsylvania and Ohio. The remainder settle in Louisiana, but the colony doesn’t proper.

1832 – Cholera ravages in New York City and other large American cities. First service pension authorized for all Revolutionary War service personnel. Widows and dependents entitled to monies due a deceased veteran, making new applications with more family information and death records of verterans that had to be sent to apply.

1833 – Germans from Hesse and Bavaria start a colony in Arkansas.

1834 – German colonists arrive from Bremen and start a colony near St. Charles, Missouri settlement. This colony, too, was sponsored by the Glessen Society. Records Kept.

(To be continued)

Naomi Deer, Trustee LCHS