The county was named after Hon. John Blair, one of its most prominent residents, who was born at Blair's Gap, now in Allegheny township,
Blair County has within its bounds some of the loftiest mountains, the most beautifully picturesque scenery and the greatest natural curiosities in the State. It has considerable mineral wealth and many fertile and well watered valleys.
In it are the head waters of the Blue Juniata river, and passing through, from east to west, is the main line of the richest railroad in the United States, perhaps the richest in the world, the P. R. R. Here has been the birthplace or early home of some of the most noted people of the State, some whose name and fame are world wide, not as leaders of great armies but as financial giants, originators of great enterprises, directors and managers of colossal industries; eminently successful business men.

The Society was organized in 1979 exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes. Its purpose is to compile, study and exchange information of a genealogical and historical nature and to preserve, perpetuate and publish the genealogical and historical heritage of the Blair County area for the benefit of its members, schools, and the general public.
In their index of publications two of my three published books are listed: "The Cove - Institutions, Customs and Traditions" and "Cove Giants of the 20th Century".

The mission of the Blair County Historical Society is to preserve, promote, and interpret the history of Blair County, Pennsylvania.
The members of the Blair County Historical Society, in cooperation with other local and state organizations, are working hard to achieve the goal of interpreting the county's story -- your story -- to visitors and residents.
In addition to maintaining historic properties and its collection, the Society sponsors many programs and events each year and responds to hundreds of research inquiries.
I was presented with the Society's 2005 "Excellence in Preservation of County History & Heritage" Award for my books on Morrisons Cove history and my articles "Morrisons Cove - Then and Now" published in the Morrisons Cove Herald.

The County of Bedford was formed in 1771. Bedford County is rich with history. At the county seat, visitors will find the oldest Pennsylvania County Courthouse still in use. The fourteen covered bridges that dot the county's landscape are another sign of the area's history.
Located in SouthCentral Pennsylvania, as part of the Allegheny Mountains, Bedford County's rolling hills, livestock and wildlife, and stone farmhouses all contribute to the county's rural character and small town charm. Its safe schools, low crime rate, and dependable workforce make the area attractive to businesses and a popular retirement destination.
A rich history blended with a pictureque countryside, all work together to make Bedford County a wonderful area in which to live, work, and raise a family.

The town of Hollidaysburg was first laid out in 1796; by 1814 it consisted of several houses and a tavern. Hollidaysburg became the main transfer point between the Pennsylvania Canal and the Portage Railroad, a gateway to western Pennsylvania. The canal and Portage Railroad spurred industrial and commercial development in Hollidaysburg in the 1830's. In 1836, Hollidaysburg was established as a borough.
When Blair County was organized in 1846, the Borough of Hollidaysburg was designated the county seat. This designation allowed the Borough to prosper when politicians and attorneys became attracted to the Borough.
In 1903, the Pennsylvania Railroad constructed a large switching yard and US Route 22 was directed through the Borough.

Located in Blair and Bedford Counties - the rural niche of Morrisons Cove sits within the Allegheny Mountains.It's a beautiful valley in western Pennsylvania west of the Tussey Mountains and north of the town of Bedford.
This valley is about 35 miles long north and south, and about 14 miles wide east and west. It extends from the Tussey Mountains on the east, westward to the Dunning, Loop, and Lock Mountains. The valley is bounded on the northwest by the Bald Eagle Mountains. Entirely surrounded by mountains, the only openings are at Loysburg Gap in the south, McKee Gap in the west, and Williamsburg to the north.
The towns of The Cove are Roaring Spring, Martinsburg, Wiliamsburg, and Woodbury. Although on the other side of the mountain, Claysburg is included in this list because of the shared culture and customs of the area.

From agricultural college to world-class learning community -- the story of The Pennsylvania State University is one of an expanding mission of teaching, research, and public service.

"Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state university of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found." (Taken from a report of the Board of Regents in 1894.)

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a world class centre for its concentration of teaching and research across the full range of the social, political and economic sciences. Founded in 1895 by Beatrice and Sidney Webb, LSE has an outstanding reputation for academic excellence.

The American University in Cairo was founded in 1919 by Americans devoted to education and service in the Middle East. For its first 27 years the university was shaped by its founding president, Dr. Charles A. Watson who wanted to create an English-language university based on high standards of conduct and scholarship and to contribute to intellectual growth, discipline, and good character of the future leaders of Egypt and the region.

The American College in London benefits from the united expertise and facilities of Regent's College and Webster University, offering you a unique international learning environment. The academic programs are grounded in the liberal arts tradition developed in the USA focusing on intellectual depth and cultural breadth. The College places great emphasis on quality teaching in a modern learning environment and equips students with the skills, knowledge and values they will need in a world characterized by globalization and rapid change.

On Friday, October 13, 1775, meeting in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress voted to fit out two sailing vessels, armed with ten carriage guns, as well as swivel guns, and manned by crews of eighty, and to send them out on a cruise of three months to intercept transports carrying munitions and stores to the British army in America. This was the original legislation out of which the Continental Navy grew and as such constitutes the birth certificate of the navy.

A narrative with photographs of my Navy Duty in Vietnam (1968-69)

On October 6, 1884, The Secretary of the Navy, William E. Chandler signed General Order 325, which began by simply stating: "A college is hereby established for an advanced course of professional study for naval officers, to be known as the Naval War College." The order went on to assign the principal building on Coaster's Harbor Island, Newport, R.I., the Newport Asylum for the Poor, built in 1820 to its use and Commodore Stephen B. Luce . . . to duty as president of the college. Such were the humble beginnings of what is now the oldest continuing institution of its kind in the world.

Since 1954, the Defense Language Institute (DLI) has performed its mission to support the policies and objectives of the US Government and the US Department of Defense (DoD). In addition, the DLI curriculum meets the diverse needs of the adult military population with tailored courses that address the specific language requirements of our students’ career fields.

Theta Xi is one of North America's oldest social fraternities with a rich and proud history. Founded April 29, 1864, it is the only social fraternity founded during the Civil War.
Theta Xi was founded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York, by Peter Henry Fox, Ralph Gooding Packard, Christopher Champlin Waite, George Bradford Brainerd, Samuel Buel Jr., Henry Harrison Farnum, Thomas Cole Raymond, and Nathaniel Henry Starbuck. Minutes of the original meeting, Constitution and Ritual have been preserved by the Fraternity to this day. Their tradition is truly continuous.

The American Legion was founded in Paris at the first caucus by members of the American Expeditionary Force.
Today there is no accurate record of the total number of veterans' organizations, but among them all, none has grown so large or has exercised such wide influence as The American Legion. None is so intimately identified with the word "veteran".

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves. In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

The USNPAAA is an association of retired, active duty and civilian US Navy public affairs officers, journalists and photographers. It was formed in 1997 by founding member Captain Herbert Hetu. Its mission is fellowship and support of the US Navy and its public affairs community. It holds an annual reunion at which awards are presented to retired and active duty members who have distinguished themselves in support of the overall mission.