Officers & Board Members

Executive Director/Curator:
Mary Lea Lucas
Chairman:
Berlie Etzel
Vice Chairman:
Michael Smith
Secretary:
Janet Stewart
Treasurer:
Cathy Aaron
Board Members:
Dave Burnham
Rudy Jannazzo
Harry Nulph
STAFF - Administrative Assistant:
Karen Slack
Genealogy:
Deb Schwabenbauer
FWSP Students:
Chrissy Campbell
Jen Miller

Links Section

	CCHS DATEBOOK
	PENNSYLVANIA ROOTS
	HANK'S CLARION HISTORY SLIDE SHOW
	PHMC
	NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
	CLARION COUNTY

18 Grant Street, Clarion, PA 16214

HISTORY

In 1839 a young attorney from Indiana, Pennsylvania moved his family to the newwly established town of Clarion, PA. His name was Thomas Sutton, grandson of Peter Sutton, a Revolutionary War veteran originally from New Jersey. In 1841 Thomas Sutton was accepted into the Clarion County Bar Association and quickly became a well respected and admired attorney.

Nine years later, in 1850, he constructed a two-story rough brick structure on the south side of the Clarion Courthouse Square. It was a two-story rough brick home with a front and side porch.

Sometime between 1841 and 1851 a small brick structured law office was constructed on the northeast corner of his property.

Sadly,the Sutton family enjoyed their new home for only three years. Mr. Sutton contracted typhoid fever and died on March 26, 1853 , and three days later his young son, Thomas, Jr., died of scarlet fever. Both are buried in the Clarion Protestant Cemetery. Mrs. Sutton and her remaining children moved shortly after the death of her husband and young son.

The home saw a number of owners over the next half century. During the mid to late 1890's John Keller operated a school for young boys in the home, and in 1908 it was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. John A. Ditz. Mr. Ditz owned the Ditz & Mooney hardware store.

Shortly after the Ditz family took possession, local residents were seeing many changes taking place at the former Sutton home. As owner of the local hardware store, Mr. Ditz had access to the finest lumber and other materials for his new home. The roof was raised to create a full third floor, finished brick was placed over the original rough brick, leaded glass windows were installed on the first floor and a large, balconied Greek Revival front porch and a two-story back porch were added to the home.

The interior was completely remodeled in 1909 , and the house still features the original open back staircase; oak, maple and chestnut woodwork , including carved mantles of the same woods in each room, and the original lighting fixtures. The home is a transitional representation of the late Victorian, Greek Revival,and early Arts and Crafts Movement.

After the depression years the Ditz family operated a tourist home, today's equivalent of a "Bed & Breakfast", in the house.

Today, the home is maintained and operated by the Clarion County Historical Society as a museum with period rooms and exhibit spaces.

OFFICE - LIBRARY - MUSEUM

OPEN:

MONDAY

NOON-5PM

TUESDAY-FRIDAY

10AM - 4PM

OFF DAYS & EVENINGS by APPOINTMENT

* Our volunteer staff will gladly accommodate individuals that are unable to visit during our regular hours. Call 814-226-4450 for an appointment!

~Keystone Joint High School Open House Brochure; Sligo High School Yearbooks,"The Black Diamond", 1948 & 1949; Clarion State Teacher's College yearbooks, "Sequelle", 1954 & 1955. Donated by Arnold Kepple, Callensburg, PA

~ Spinning wheel, yarn winder, Pennsylvania chestnut kitchen cupboard circa 1850; brass samovar & brass desk accessories. Donated by George Due`, Pittsburgh, PA, from his mother's estate.

~Scrapbook collection, 40 years of the LWV. Donated by The League of Women Voters of Clarion County

~Photo collection of the Myers Family. Donated by Ronald Myers, Butler, PA.

~Shannondale Ladies Aid Society name quilt identification list & photos of quilt. Donated by Janice Horn, Clarion, PA.

~Photos of remodeling of The White Pillars (the Graham House, Main Street, Clarion). Donated by Janice Horn, Clarion, PA.