On Monday we took our dad, Frederick W. Bisbee, to Sunbury, PA to pay a visit to the Northumberland County Historical Society and make a Preserving Pennsylvania donation in his name to the Fort Augusta Project, the society’s ongoing expansion program that includes the building of a new research center and the reconstruction of a replica of the famous French and Indian War-era fort. Our dad Fred is an avid amateur historian and supported many efforts to preserve the rich history of Northumberland County while a resident of the area. Fred retired from the First National Trust Bank of Sunbury in 2000 after serving 22 years as the bank’s president and moved to coastal North Carolina with our mom Eleanor, who also retired in 2000 from Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg.
Fred met with Cindy Inkrote, Director of the Northumberland County Historical Society and discussed the plans to renovate and expand the facilities at Fort Augusta, widely acknowledged as one of the premiere historical sites in the area. A miniature replica of the fort used to be a familiar landmark in the city, but it fell into disrepair and was demolished. One component of the current renovation plan includes the construction of a new replica.
“Fort Augusta was absolutely pivotal to the early development of this area, and it is wonderful to see such far-sighted efforts being put into preserving it for future generations,” Fred said. The donation in his name to the Fort Augusta Project was a surprise birthday gift to honor our dad's long-time love of history in Central Pennsylvania. “We used to bring the kids to the old Fort Augusta replica to play – but I hoped they would learn to appreciate some of its history, too. It would be terrific for the community to see a new replica built,” Fred said.
Inkrote said that tough economic times when government and private sources tighten their belts are always a challenge for historical sites, but communities that make the effort to preserve their past are always glad that they did. So far, the current downturn has not dampened the society’s plans to expand their current facilities with the building of a new research center; but Inkrote said that every donation, big or small, can make a difference.
“Donating money for historical preservation is like making an investment in a community’s economy,” Fred, the career banker, added.
“Last year, we had researchers from 29 different states visit our center here in Northumberland County. Can you believe that?” Inkrote said. “And when they come to do research, they also want to see other area attractions.” A new building will allow the society to better preserve and display its outstanding collection of rare books and documents, Inkrote explained, enabling a greater number of visitors to appreciate their historical value.
Our parents brought their support for community improvement to their new town of Smyrna, North Carolina, where they helped establish a public library and have been very active during their retirement in local development causes. To honor Fred’s 70th birthday this year, we decided to make a donation in his name to a community organization in Sunbury; his love of the area’s history led us to the Fort Augusta Project.
“I can’t think of a better birthday present for me than to have my children give something to a community that has given us so much over the years,” Fred said.
Photo above: Fred Bisbee and Cindy Inkrote at the Hunter House Museum (site of Fort Augusta), Sunbury, PA. New exhibits for the museum are currently under development by local volunteers.
