WHO

THE LEGION VILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INCORPORATED

WHO WE ARE

The Anthony Wayne Historical Society is a non- profit organization incorporated on January 10, 1973, under the Non- profit Corporation Law of 1972, State of Pennsylvania. The society was formed to:

A) To collect and preserve historical data concerning Ambridge, Baden, Economy Boroughs and Harmony Township (District #9 of the Beaver County Research and Landmarks Foundation).

B) To publish, disseminate, and present information about, and to encourage interest in, the history of these areas.

C) To relate the past to the present life of the community, to bring to the present the encouragement and inspiration which comes from an accurate knowledge of the past.

D) To undertake the collection of funds for the above purposes.

From 1975-1980, efforts to preserve the site were undertaken. Senator John Heinz III (R) and U.S. Congressman Eugene Atkinson (D) were the driving political force behind these efforts. Subsequently, Senator Heinz sponsored Senate Bill 1104 which would have made the Legion Ville site a National Park. President Jimmy Carter (D) chose not to endorse the bill (Pocket- veto) in 1978 because he deemed the site of only "...local significance." As a result of Carter's veto, efforts to preserve the site waned. In 1989, an undergraduate archaeologist from the University of Pittsburgh, Patrick R. Riley, conducted an extensive research project on the site following a suggestion by Dr. Ronald C. Carlisle, Department of Anthropology. The project eventually led to Mr. Riley's Masters Thesis, Legion Ville Rediscovered: A Forgotten Chapter in American History (© 1993). Interest to preserve the site was rekindled as a result of new findings which solidified the national significance of the cantonment.

Several archaeological projects conducted over a period of years (1989-1994) verified Mr. Riley's theory that the site had archaeological integrity and a wealth of prehistoric and historic remains. During the 1992 Phase II archaeological investigation, Mr. William H. Dignan (metal detector enthusiast) volunteered the use of his services, which led to his finding of several metallic objects directly attributable to the Wayne military camp. These findings proved the worth of metal detectors in future archaeological investigations. Currently Mr. Dignan is the Vice- President of the historical society.

As new members joined the rekindled preservations efforts a reenactment group was formed in 1992, for the express purpose of teaching the public the history of the Legion Ville site and the Legion of the United States (1792- 1796).

Realizing the entire scope of the Legion Ville project, a decision was made in 1994, to change the name from The Anthony Wayne Historical Society, Inc., to The Legion Ville Historical Society, Inc. This decision was meant to focus on the preservation of Legion Ville in its entirety and to pay tribute to not only Anthony Wayne, but that which he is attributed in creating.

Currently the society is made up of individuals from all walks of life. The governing body consists of archaeologists, historians, authors, genealogists, military professionals and the average citizen. The members of The Legion Ville Historical Society, Inc. are dedicated professionals, committed to the preservation of this National Historic Landmark.

As of 2004, we are still trying to save the site. We are working with the Beaver Initiative for Growth (BIG) and several other organizations. We were recently featured in the August 2004 issue of Military Heritage Magazine and a chapter in Alan Gaff’s (2004), Bayonets in the Wilderness, is dedicated to Legion Ville.

We are always looking for re-enactors, so if interested give us a call or e-mail.

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