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Join the Sharon Historical Society as we celebrate the release of our newest book, “The Civil War Era in the Shenango Valley,” with a special lecture. In this lecture, we’ll explore the Shenango Valley’s pivotal role during the American Civil War. While the region didn’t witness major battles, it became a critical center for Union support, supplying troops, and other war materials. For those interested in the region’s history, “The Civil War Era in the Shenango Valley” offers a compelling account of the valley’s early development. Book Synopsis: Following the fall of Fort Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln and Pennsylvania’s War Governor Andrew Curtin called for 75,000 men to suppress the rebellion. Many from the Shenango Valley enlisted, uncertain of what lay ahead. In the years leading up to the war, Sharon transitioned from a small village to a thriving town, spurred by the discovery of Sharon Block Coal and the arrival of the Erie Extension Canal, which helped make the valley a bustling commercial center. The founding of the Sharon Iron Company in 1850 marked the beginning of industrialization, with Sharon, Wheatland, and Sharpsville becoming known as “the three links of the iron chain.” By the war’s end, returning soldiers had been transformed by their experiences, many rising to become community leaders. Monuments were built to honor their sacrifices, and the Grand Army of the Republic played a significant role in supporting veterans. Author and historian Taylor Galaska explores the impressive history of the Shenango Valley during one of the nation’s most troubled times. This lecture is provided by Taylor Galaska, President of the Board of Directors of the Sharon Historical Society. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2014 when he joined at the age of 15. A graduate of Westminster College in New Wilmington, where he earned a bachelor’s in marketing and professional sales, Galaska’s true passion has always been local history. His first book, “Grand Homes of the Gilded Age,” which was released in 2022 as the Historical Society’s first coffee-table-style book, has received much praise. Since then, Galaska and the Shenango Heritage Press have released “Built by Steel: Frank and Julia Buhl’s Mansion and Legacy” (2022; coauthored with Laura Ackley), “Black Gold: Boomtowns, Prominent Men, & Grand Farmhouses of Hickory Township” (2023), and “The Magic City: The Men, Mills, & Homes of a Company Town Forged in Steel” (2024). This lecture is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. No reservations or tickets are required. The book will be on sale before and after the lecture; the author will also be available to sign copies. The event will be at the Sharon Municipal Building, City Council Chambers, 155 West Connelly Blvd. Sharon, PA 16146 on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 6:30 pm.
