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By: Ryan Bowman, HAHS President October 1, 2025 The original outhouses at the Taylor's One Room Schoolhouse can be seen in this photograph, circa 1920. Photograph procured from HAHS Archives. From the president: I think it is safe to say that history lovers see the world a bit differently than most do. My years of observation and interaction with those such as myself have proven time and time again that those who appreciate the past and our roots tend to see things positively

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member & Ryan Bowman, HAHS President December 13, 2025 During a tense moment for those nearby, Halifax Mayor Jeff Enders faces off with the Belsnickel at the parade held annually in the small town to honor the fur-clad legend. Photograph by Dylan Bowman. A Town's Hero On December 6 of this year, a large group of attendees at the Halifax Area Historical Society’s Annual Belsnickel Holiday Parade and Festival inadvertently found themselves near a h

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member December 11, 2025 Visitors to the 22nd Annual Belsnickel Parade & Festival get their photo with the Belsnickel. Photograph by Emma Bowman. Selfies and Stories During the Belsnickel Parade & Festivities, I noticed (as with every year), a great number of individuals and families capturing EPIC photos with the grand old Belsnickel himself. As usual, there were even some photos captured with him disciplining the impish to the sheer delight of t

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member December 11, 2025 HAHS Board Member Judy Vallier purchases some festive kettle corn from BFD's Snack Wagon at the 22nd Annual Belsnickel Parade & Festival. Photographs by Dylan Bowman. Feasting in the Valley As the 22nd Annual Belsnickel Parade had been nearing, the HAHS Belsnickel Committee had been planning for some time, and asking the essential question: "How can we have amazing food and level up without causing so many volunteers to be

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member December 10, 2025 HAHS volunteers make a third batch of hot chocolate. Photograph by Dylan Bowman. To Those in the Trenches The 22nd Annual Belsnickel Parade & Festival was a massive success. But it would never have even got off the ground without the volunteers and many other helping hands that made everything move like clockwork. Making hot chocolate (over and over and over again). Parking cars in the cold. Directing traffic. Participatin

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member December 10, 2025 All Eyes on the Mountain Eyes turned to the mountain on December 6th, as all in the Halifax region knew that the Belsnickel was again descending to their town...and bringing with him, judgement . With the Halifax Area Historical Society at the helm, the Halifax Youth Center was again transformed into a place of holiday magic. Christmas tunes rolled over the Valley from the loudspeakers there, Christmas lights were strung,

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member December 2, 2025 HAHS Board Member and November presenter, Danean Walker, stands with some of her favorite Halifax history artifacts, including Halifax's old U.S. Post Office sign due to her husband being a USPS worker. Photograph by Dylan Bowman. What This Town is Made Of Halifax has a long and what some would even consider complex history. But then again, what history isn't complex? Every single addition, demolition, rebuilding, restorati

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member & Ryan Bowman, HAHS President October 1, 2025 HAHS School Marm, "Miss" Danean Walker stands outside...

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member August 6, 2025 James Irvin Hoffman, Sergeant in the CWS, 1912. Photograph provided by Hoffman Family....

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member August 3, 2025 Dan Bellis and Lou Leeper happily display their purchases from the HAHS Annual Yard...

By: Ryan Bowman, HAHS President July 5, 2025 An Eastman Kodak advertisement from the early 1900’s featuring the “Kodak Girl.” Note the...

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member June 26, 2025 HAHS President Ryan Bowman (left) and 1st Vice President Austin Enders (right) pose in...

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member May 28, 2025 Halifaxians look on as Mark Zimmerman stuns the crowd with a Broadway tune. Photograph...

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member May 27, 2025 HAHS Vice President Austin Enders and Enders Family Association Secretary and...

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member May 26, 2025 Participants in the Halifax Memorial Day Parade pass out flags and interact with fellow...

By: Ryan Bowman, HAHS President April 8, 2025 From the president: As I write these words, warm weather has finally begun to return to the...

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member March 4, 2025 Halifaxians grab a warm bowl of soup on a cold night. Photograph by Dylan Bowman. Soup,...

By: Ryan Bowman, HAHS President January 7, 2025 Arnold Friberg's “The Prayer at Valley Forge” (1975). From the president: Over the years,...

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member January 18, 2025 The Belsnickel and Uncle Sam of Keystone - DS&T Insurance (Dylan Troutman) switching...

By: Dylan Bowman, HAHS Board Member January 6, 2023 Volunteers Emma Bowman and Graylee Dobbin make a signature hot chocolate for...