Join us for a day of Pennsylvania history, exploring the city where the needs of the privileged few collided with nature and a city of unsuspecting people. On May 31, 1889, after repeated warnings from those who knew, the dam at Lake Conemaugh, the playground of the South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club, broke and released 20 million tons of water, forming a wall of water up to 75 ft high. Traveling at 40 mph and collecting a rolling mountain of debris, the flood engulfed Johnstown at 4:07pm. It's an incredible story and we will hear and see the details of that day when over 2,200 people were killed. It was one of the worst man-made disasters in US history and entirely preventable.
We will leave campus (location TBA) at 8:30am. Upon arrival at Johnstown’s Heritage Discovery Center, we will have brunch sandwiches provided by local shop Ryan’s. During our docent-led tour filled with interesting history, the Heritage Discovery Center will showcase the area's story on immigration, the steel industry and these influences on the 1889 flood.
Following the Discovery Center, we will go to the Johnstown Flood Museum. Part of the Downtown Johnstown Historic District, the museum chronicles the events of the flood through exhibits and an Academy Award winning film about that fateful day. We will have a docent-led tour as well as free time to explore the museum.
We will end the day with some time to explore downtown Johnstown and the shops and businesses there including George's Song Shop--the oldest record store in the United States, Blaine Boring Chocolates, and the Antique Gallery Market. Visit the shops or walk leisurely to our dinner location three blocks away at Balance Restaurant. Dinner will include salad, pastas, chicken and roasted vegetables. Soft drinks are included and other drinks will be available for purchase.
Looking to enhance your day even further? Check out one of these books to become more immersed: "In Sunlight In a Beautiful Garden" by Kathleen Cambor (historical fiction) and "The Johnstown Flood" by David McCollough.
The cost of the trip is $100 for members. This trip will be for members only unless space is available after May 22. If there is space available, the trip will cost $115 for guests of members. It includes transportation, lunch, admission to all venues along with docent-led tours, dinner, and tips for meals and our bus driver.