Mercer County Historical Society

The present Executive Director of the Mercer County Historical Society, William Philson has decided to retire. His final day will be December 31, 2020. Philson will finish his vacation time at the Society starting November 21, 2020. President Robert Lark will be manning the desk of the Society starting Tuesday, November 24th. The Society will be open November 25th then closed until December 1 for Thanksgiving. Mr. Lark will keep the Society open through New Years, maintaining... its normal business hours, Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 until 4:30, and Saturdays, 10:00 until 3:00. The Society will be closing Christmas Eve, December 24th, and through January 5th for the Holidays. Bill Philson wishes to thank the Society, its Board of Directors, and Patrons for 20+ years of service and employment. The Historical Society has expressed its appreciation to Mr. Philson for his many years of service, and extends to him its best wishes for his retirement. There may be some days in January when the Historical Society is closed for cleaning and maintenance which will be announced and posted. However, please call the Historical Society at 724-662-3490 before you visit in the month of January.

Civil War Roundtable Tonight 11/11/2020 Tonight at 7:00 PM we will be looking at the Battle of Sailor's Creek on Zoom. Jim Carnes will be giving our presentation. Our meeting ID is 976 186 1773 Please come and enjoy

Wishing all a happy and spooky Halloween full of ghost stories from the past.

FYI Our thanks to Bob Lark for providing this Memorial Card.

Dr. James K. Sewall, 1925-2020 It is with heavy heart we report the passing of one of our long-time volunteers. Jim Sewall worked at the Society from 1979 until 2007. RIP, Jim Dr. James Kerr Sewall, 95, of Grove City, also known as Greer Kerr Sewall, formerly of New Wilmington, passed away on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, at Grove Manor.... Jim was born in Lackawannock Township, Mercer County, to Lewis F. and Mary Kerr Sewall. He graduated from New Wilmington High School and Grove City College. After serving in the Army, Jim received his master's degree from Case Western Reserve and his doctorate in linguistics from the Ibero-American University in Mexico. Jim's early career teaching Spanish and French took him across many cities. His greatest joy was the 25 years at Westminster College, where he was a member of the foreign language department. "Señor Sewall" was loved by his students, many of whom stayed in touch with him over the years. Jim is known for his volunteer work with the Mercer County Historical Society, where he served as librarian in the James Sewall Library; through his genealogy work he helped many to research their family ancestry. Jim often shared his greatest passion was counseling the youth assigned to the society to complete their community service work. A lifelong bachelor, Jim considered his students, fellow genealogists, foreign exchange students he hosted, and the youth he mentored to all be part of his extended family. Jim was a former member and elder at Center United Presbyterian Church, Grove City, and was a member of Mineral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Ohio, since 1995. Jim is survived by his brother Robert Sewall; brother-in-law Stephen Reynolds; and 12 nieces, nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Mary Lou and husband Domenic DiRienzo; sister Betty Jean Reynolds; and niece Marjorie DiRienzo. "Uncle Jim" was a present, loving uncle and he emphasized the loving support of "brother Bob" and his nieces and nephews throughout his life. In later years, Jim was cared for by the staff at Grove Manor, where he received exceptional care and was well-loved. Memorials may be given to The Mercer County Historical Society, The First Presbyterian Church of Mineral Ridge, OH, The Westminster College Athletic Department, or Grove Manor Christian Loving Fund. From the Sharon Herald. 9/22/2020