The Minersville Area Historical Society will mark two decades of preserving local history with a free wine and cheese open house on .
The celebration will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the society’s History House in the Thomas Asenavage Memorial Building, 100 S. Third St., Minersville. The event is open to the public, and refreshments will be complimentary.
20th Anniversary Open House Details
- Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
- Location: History House, Thomas Asenavage Memorial Building, 100 S. Third St., Minersville
- Admission: Free and open to the public
- Refreshments: Complimentary wine and cheese
- 50/50 drawing: 3 p.m.
The winning ticket for the society’s summer-long 50/50 fundraiser will be drawn during the celebration.
How the Minersville Area Historical Society Began
The anniversary celebrates an organization that began with a conversation at a meeting at Minersville Borough. Twenty years ago, Dora Rizzardi Santarelli overheard people discussing what to do with items connected to the community’s history. She tapped Barbara Graf on the shoulder and asked whether Minersville had a historical society.
“No, there isn’t,” Graf replied, “but I always wanted to start one.”
The two later organized a wine and cheese gathering at the Minersville Public Library to gauge interest in forming a society. The response helped launch the Minersville Area Historical Society, bringing together volunteers who wanted to preserve the archives, artifacts and photographs documenting Minersville, surrounding communities and the Anthracite Region.
The society’s charter members were Joseph Anthony, Francis Burke, Jack Flynn, Loretta Flynn, Anne Hahn, M. Irvil Kear, Robert E. Kimmel, Jack Kline, Vincent Land, David McSurdy, Megan Paul, Colleen Slovick, Joseph Slovick, James Stutz and Tom Symons, Sr.
History House Became a Permanent Home in 2016
For its first decade, the society housed its growing collection in the basements of various churches in town. That changed in 2016, when William H. Agnew presented the Thomas Asenavage Memorial Building to the society in memory of his uncle.
Known as the History House, the building now features a first-floor museum. Its second floor houses archive storage, a research and meeting room, and the society’s office.
Preserving Minersville and Anthracite Region History
Over the years, the society has hosted history walks, Memorial Day ceremonies at Union Cemetery, high school talent shows, bingo nights and educational programs. It has also shared local history through displays at Spirit Day and Project 113 Community Day.
According to the society, its collections have drawn visitors from across the country, including Oregon, Wisconsin, Tennessee, California and New York, as well as Philadelphia.
In 2016, the society became the first organization to participate in the Hardcoal Chronicles 250th Anniversary. Its participation was commemorated in a photograph by Scott Herring, known as “The Last Anthracite Photographer.”
History House Visiting Hours
The History House’s regular hours are Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visits are also available by appointment.
