RLA gallery features Eagle’s America250 history series
CRANBERRY TWP — Area residents are invited to see an entire year of historical research featured at the Regional Learning Alliance mezzanine gallery through Friday, Nov. 8.
The 90-foot-long exhibit includes rare archival photos, stories, maps and more from the Butler Eagle’s America250: A Journey Through Time monthly series, covering U.S., Pennsylvania and Butler County history.
“There’s something new to learn every time you visit,” said Amy Pack, president of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, and a member of the America250 county committee. “It’s an opportunity for the public to celebrate Butler County and remind people of the important and notable history that sometimes can be forgotten.”
America250 is a nonpartisan initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary — the semiquincentennial — of the 1776 signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
The newspaper series began in January 2023.
The series and the free exhibit were the result of discussions by the Butler County America250 committee, according to committee member and Butler Eagle publisher Tammy Schuey.
“The idea was to create a unique publication that would pull this history together,” Schuey said. “The display at the RLA represents the first year of this effort.”
With about 1,000 people visiting the RLA each week for conferences, classes and other events, quite a few have taken time to stroll through the exhibit, according to Justin Griffith, the RLA’s chief executive officer.
“It’s been a point of interest and conversation,” he said.
At least one school group has come to see and discuss the exhibit, Griffith said.
The RLA, located at 850 Cranberry Woods Drive in Cranberry Township, is open to the public. Visitors can find the exhibit in the second floor gallery area from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays.
“Everyone — schools, civic groups, senior organizations, Scouts and even history buffs — is invited to stop by and see the wall,” said Denise Etter, an America250 committee member.
“It has been said that ‘our history inspires our future,’ and I think this display gives us the opportunity to connect with the people, places, industry and events that are part of our rich history,” she said.
After it is removed Nov. 8, the current exhibit will be stored for use in a future display, Etter said.
The next America250: A Journey Through Time exhibit, featuring articles, artwork and supplemental materials from 2024, will run from February through July 2025 at the RLA.
