Connellsville history remembered
Bryan Cunning, portraying Col. George Washington, lead a contingent of reenators and visitors as they ford the Youghiogheny River to commemorate Gen. Edward Braddock's army crossing the river more then 250 ago during the French and Indian War. The Braddock's Crossing and Art on the Yough with continue Sunday at Connellsville's Yough River Park.
Performing music that was popular during the colonial days in America are Ginger and David Hilderbrand.
Blacksmith's Wayne Kelly (left) and Terry Viviani demonstrate the skills needed to make live on the frontier more comfortable.
?CONNELLSVILLE — Two men tasked with separate missions to secure land deemed valuable to many, were remembered Saturday by those taking part in the Connellsville Area Historical Society’s Braddock’s Crossing of the Youghiogheny River.
Although more than two centuries separated their missions, both men — Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock who led the 110 mile ‘mission impossible’ to Fort Duquesne in 1755, and William Balsley, founder of the society, dedicated their lives to carrying out their respective tasks.
Their accomplishments were marked with a variety of activities, including the dedication of the William Balsley Pavilion, re-enactments, demonstrations, performances by musicians and music historians, David and Ginger Hildebrand, and the crossing of the Youghiogheny River at Crawford’s Cabin along the banks of the river and adjacent to Yough Park.
Festivities continue today beginning at noon with a second river crossing to take place at 1?p.m.
For Braddock, said Karen Hechler, historical society president, the mission was to build a road from Fort Cumberland to the fork of the Ohio River where the French had built a fort.
After spending two days in late June of 1755 along the river to rest and bake bread in preparation of the last part of their journey, the 2,000 British and Colonial soldiers, artillery and supply wagons headed to what would later be known as Pittsburgh.
Just a few miles from their destination, Braddock’s army was attacked, and he was fatally wounded.
Hechler said that it was Balsley’s goal to secure the land where Braddock had crossed and Col. William Crawford, pioneer and a friend of George Washington, had built his cabin.
“All of us dream; we all have goals,” said Hechler, during the dedication of the pavilion. “The amazing people are those who dream and then turn their dreams into reality.
“Bill Balsley was a dreamer, but he found a way to turn a dream into something of use.”
Known as “Mr. Connellsville” because of his vast knowledge of the city’s history, Hechler said that Balsley worked tirelessly to secure the property and later supervised the construction of a replica of Crawford’s Cabin.
Balsley died in January 2007.
The newly constructed wood pavilion with a concrete floor, replaced an antiquated one that had fallen during a 2009 snowstorm. Contractor Keith Miller constructed the pavilion and Geno Gallo designed the sign to honor Balsley.
In a letter read by Hechler from Balsley’s daughter, Sally Balsley Hughes, she recounted her father’s love for the property.
“Of all his visions and projects, this is the one he loved the most,” said Hughes. “Dad knew of the historic value and wanted to share it with others.”
Judy VanGundy, the step-daughter of William Balsley, said that he would be very pleased with the new pavilion and it bearing his name.
“Bill would be exceedingly humbled and exceedingly proud,” she said.
Hechler said the construction costs were defrayed through grants received from the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau and the Community Foundation of Fayette County.
Ronald Virag, executive director of the visitors bureau, said that the vision of William Balsley, the historical society property and the community’s dedication to preserving its history today will be remembered by those in the future.
“Let the history of Connellsville live on for centuries to come and let the history reflect the hard work and dedication of those that strive today to commemorate and celebrate the past as we improve the future,” he said. “Hopefully, our descendants will not forget the many events and accomplishments of our era that will become the history of tomorrow.”
In addition to the 1?p.m. reenactment of the river crossing and other activities, musician Adam Sutch will perform.
Also taking part in the Saturday dedication ceremonies was Fayette County Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink, Clara Pascoe, Community Foundation of Fayette County executive director, soloist Todd Reagan, musician Ben Haines and Boy Scout Troop 101.
New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co. Scuba Team and Fayette EMS oversaw the river crossing.