Harry L. Porter Military Room dedicated during ceremony at Gibson House in Connellsville
Mark Soroka
State Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, was one of many dignitaries who spoke at the dedication of the Harry L. Porter Military Room.
The Harry L. Porter Military Room features U.S. armed forces memorabilia from a number of different wars.
From left, Barbara (Porter) Husband, Janice Porter Kimmel, Gloria Jean Porter, State Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, and State Rep. Ryan Warner, R-Perryopolis, enjoying their tour of the Harry L. Porter Military Room.
The Harry L. Porter Military Room features U.S. armed forces memorabilia from a number of different wars.
Two of Connellsville’s most celebrated military heroes were recognized during a dedication ceremony at the Connellsville Area Historical Society’s Gibson House on Saturday.
The event was held to commemorate the dedication of the Harry L. Porter Military Room. Located on the second floor of the Gibson House in Connellsville, the Harry L. Porter Military Room features a collection of war memorabilia ranging from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War.
“I want to welcome you today, as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Gibson House,” said Karen Hechler, president of the Connellsville Area Historical Society. “It has housed many families, and now it is the permanent home of our historical society and a new military museum. It’s a pleasure to honor two of Connellsville’s most esteemed veterans.”
Harry L. Porter, who served as an electrician for the U.S. Navy during WWII and took part in several dangerous minesweeping operations, is now a member of the Connellsville Area Historical Society.
Porter, 94, was unable to attend the dedication because he is recovering from an illness. He was represented by his wife, Gloria Jean Porter and two of his daughters, Barbara Husband and Janice Porter Kimmel.
“I’m very proud of my father’s military years,” said Kimmel. “He’s a very patriotic man and comes from a military family that began serving our country during the Revolutionary War. It means a lot to him to see this military room being dedicated.”
Also, during the ceremony, the Connellsville Area Historical Society remembered Florence “Shutsy” Reynolds, one of over 1,100 women who served in the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) during the Second World War. She was also a noted silversmith, lapidarist, silk screener and airbrush artist, as well as a humanitarian.
Reynolds and her fellow WASP servicewomen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2010 for their service during WWII. Before her death on March 15, 2018, Reynolds donated her medal to the historical society. The medal will be on permanent display in the Harry L. Porter Military Room.
State Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, commended the historical society for purchasing and restoring the Gibson House. The oldest house in Connellsville, the Gibson House was built in 1818 and survived two devastating fires. Porter, a Historical Society board member, played a key role in overseeing the renovation of this historic structure.
“I remember walking by the Gibson House when I was in high school,” said Stefano. “It was in pretty rough shape then. But through your hard work, we still have this beautiful house. I want to thank you and our veterans for all you have done to preserve our history in Connellsville.”
State Rep. Ryan Warner, R-Perryopolis, who read several citations from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, said the Gibson House is a testament to a group of people who are dedicated to preserving the region’s history.
“We are deeply grateful to the people in this room who took the time out of their lives to renovate this building and keep our history alive,” said Warner. “Because once we forget our history and lose buildings like this, they are gone forever. You should all be proud of yourselves, no matter what you did to help restore the Gibson House.”
Other speakers at the dedication ceremony included Patty Yauger, western field representative for U.S. Congressman Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg; Ann Nemanic, executive director, Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau; Angela Zimmerlink, Fayette County commissioner; Vincent Vicites, Fayette County commissioner; and Ethan Keedy, Connellsville councilman.