Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan
Chapter 5. Cultural Resources
Following Isaac Benson’s death in 1894, his widow remained in the home until the mansion and
surround property was transferred to the Lodge of Perfection on March 6, 1912. Since that time a
cathedral building, large auditorium, and adjoining rooms have been added. For more information visit
their website: http://www.coudersportconsistory.com.
The Coudersport Theatre has been in operation in Coudersport, Pa. since it was built for $25,000 in
1922. Over the years, the theatre was renovated numerous times from a hall where silent pictures were
once shown to the movie theatre it is today. The theatre can
seat 276 people and is open evenings Thursday to Monday. It
is among the last small town movie theatres still in operation
in the U.S. For more information about the theatre, its
history, and what movies are playing, visit their website
http://www.coudersporttheatre.com/index.html.
Eldred World War II Memorial Museum opened on
Memorial Day in 1996. The museum is dedicated to the
memory of U.S. fighting forces and citizens on the home
front who supported the war efforts, such as those who McKean County Historical Society is
worked in the British and American munitions plant in located in the “Old Jail,” which is
Eldred to produce bombs, mortar shells, and fuses. The believed to be haunted by a convicted
museum features a large research library and exhibits that are murder who threatened to haunt the jail
dedicated to preserving the history of World War II. More after his execution
information about the museum, including hours of operation
and cost, can be found on their website at http://www.eldredwwiimuseum.org.
McKean County Historical Society Old Jail Museum’s “Windows of Time” is a historical
display about the life, times, style, and towns within McKean County. Additionally, the museum features
exhibits about the Bucktail Regiment and the oil boom. The museum also houses the Society’s library,
which contains historic newspapers, cemetery listings, and genealogical information.
Olga’s Living with Art and Yarn is a local store in Coudersport, Pa. that sells a wide selection of
hand-made fine arts and crafts; hand-knit, wearable art created by Olga Snyder; and an extensive selection
of luxury yarns and natural fibers. Her art is inspired by the natural resources and landscapes within the
Pennsylvania Wilds region. In addition knitting and arts and craft workshops are offered. For more
information visit the website: http://www.eggdecorator.com/default.aspx?pageId=1
Penn-Brad Oil Museum is located along Route 219 south of Bradford. The museum features
artifacts associated with the oil boom in northcentral Pennsylvania in the late 1800s, including old
equipment and memorabilia, as well as a 72-foot drilling rig. The museum is open from Memorial Day
through Labor Day. For more information visit the planet ware website: http://www.planetware.com/
bradford/penn-brad-oil-museum-us-pa-pb.htm.
Potter County Historical Society maintains a reference library at its headquarters in Coudersport,
Pa. The library contains over 3,000 archives of reference and genealogical materials. The Society is open
on Mondays and Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment. A catalog of the library’s
resources can be reviewed on the Historical Society’s website at: http://history.pottercountypa.net.
Potter County Marathon, also known as God’s Country Marathon, is a 26.2-mile race starting in
Galeton and finishing in Coudersport. According to Runners’ World magazine, the race is classified as
one of the “Top Ten Toughest” marathons. During the course of the race, runners transcend 1,124 feet to
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