Delmont Historical Society looks to the future of the borough's past

Forming a historical society involves a lot more than just finding a bunch of old photos and collecting them in one place.

In fact, as members of the fledgling Delmont Historical Society looked to get their group off the ground, they found themselves initially researching the history of their predecessors, the Salem Crossroads Historical Restoration Society.

“That corporation is still registered with the state, and that is a big deal,” said DHS organizer Vicki Walters. “The fact that we don’t have to redo a whole corporation is a big bonus for us.”

Walters and other members of the society’s organizing committee held a Monday meeting to brainstorm ideas about the group’s goals and mission.

They will have to re-establish nonprofit status for the society, as well as decide whether they want to keep the old name or use “Delmont Historical Society” moving forward.

There is also the matter of a little more than $22,000 left in the original society’s coffers, which Walters said was “given over to the borough as part of a trust agreement” when the society disbanded in 1990.

“The trust fund was set up with Delmont council as the recipient in September 1990,” Walters said. “It’s not known where that money is currently.”

As they work on the logistics, society members are also looking at future events.

Walters said the Westmoreland County Historical Society is looking for homes in the western Westmoreland area to feature as part of its September house tour.

“I’d like to see a walking tour just here in Delmont,” said society member Patty Pietropaoli. “I think we should try and get plaques on all of the historic places in town.”

As a member of the Delmont Lions Club, Pietropaoli was instrumental in restoring a facsimile of the water trough that was once a stop along the Northern Pike for travelers headed to Pittsburgh from Philadelphia.

“Imagine coming from Philadelphia, heading down the hill and finally reaching that water trough,” Pietropaoli said. “You can finally wash your face and your hands and get a drink. To think that the trough is a big part of the reason Delmont exists is just amazing.”

Society members would also like to install a colonial-era garden along a walking path behind the Shields Farm cabin on East Pittsburgh Street.

The group’s next meeting is set for 7 p.m. March 23 in the Delmont Public Library at 77 Greensburg St.