The City of Oil City’s 150-year anniversary celebration set for 2021 got off to a hefty start Tuesday as several residents signed on to help with the commemoration.
“We have a very special celebration coming up in a year,” said Kelly Amos, director of the city’s community development department, at an informal gathering at the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce. “My hope is that from January through December 2021, we’ll have something special going on at least each month.”
Oil City Mayor Bill Moon offered to serve as chairman of the sesquicentennial committee. His co-chair will be his wife, Robin.
Serving as the lead organization for the observance is Take Pride, a coalition of local organizations led by the South Side, North Side and Siverly Neighborhood Associations.
“While they are leading this, we want everyone involved,” said Amos. “If an organization would take a day out of a month for an event, we could have a whole year of celebration.”
The group of about 20 individuals at Tuesday’s session included representatives from the city, the Oil City Garden Club, the Oil City Heritage Society, Venango Museum, Chamber of Commerce, Oil Region Alliance, Oil City Library, Main Street program, Oil City Arts and others.
To date, only one specific event has been listed on a sesquicentennial calendar. It will be the opening of a time capsule buried during the city’s centennial observance in 1971 in Justus Park.
“The museum will provide a public reception following that ceremony,” museum director Betsy Kellner said. “And we will have a 150th display at the museum.”
The Oil City Heritage Society could offer a monthly display of city-related photographs and artifacts at the library as a sesquicentennial event, said society member Margo Mong. In addition, programs on the city’s distinct neighborhoods may be presented during the year.
Various publications on the city’s heritage may also be re-issued.
Natalie Cubbon of the Oil City Library said walking tours to showcase the city’s history could be part of the celebration. She referred to similar tours led several years ago by two Oil City elementary school teachers.
Liz Selden of the Oil City Garden Club suggested tours of the city churches might be part of the 150th celebration. The club’s Rhododendron Arboretum in Hasson Park could be a focal point for a community picnic or other event in the park, noted club president Rhonda Cubbon.
Emily Altomare of the Oil Region Alliance noted the agency’s annual historic preservation awards event would be earmarked for Oil City in May 2021. The organization’s annual meeting, too, will be held in the city to mark the 150th observance.
A variety of topics
The volunteers also briefly discussed possible events on the city’s waterways, a program on Native American history in the area, various contests ranging from poster design to men’s beards and more.
There will be coordination, too, noted the group among other local entities marking 2021 milestones including The Derrick newspaper and Good Hope Lutheran Church, each 150 years old in 2021.
Souvenirs, a sesquicentennial logo and a focused “branding effort” to promote the 150th anniversary will be among the tasks addressed by the planning group. Police chief Dave Ragon suggested the city sell a commemorative coin marking the 150th as a fundraiser and souvenir.
The next meeting, open to all interested persons, will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, in council chambers at city hall.
“Everyone is invited. We especially hope to get our clubs, like the PNA and the VFW, involved,” said Amos. “Any ideas, any questions, just get in touch with me.”
Additional information is available by contacting Amos at kamos@oc.org or (814) 678-3018.
