About the Mercersburg Historical Society - Updated 5/4/2026

The Society has regularly scheduled lectures or other programs on the third Thursday of January, February, March, April, May, September, October, and November. The only exception to this pattern occurs with the variable date of Easter. The Society meets on the first Thursdays in June and December. Advertisements for each meeting are printed in The Merchant in two successive weeks before the meeting. Regular posts and announcements are also located on our Facebook page Mercersburg Historical Society@mercersburghistoricalsociety.  Everyone is cordially invited to attend these meetings for which there is no charge except for the annual Society dinner held each year in April for which there is a charge.

The Society several times a year publishes and sends to all members and interested people a newsletter that always contains both an article, almost always written by a local person, of historical interest to people living in the larger Mercersburg area and information pertinent to the Society.

In 2000 with a second printing in 2001 the Society published the Tuscarora Reader, a book of local area history with articles written by ninety- six local residents. The Reader published with the goal of bringing history to school children and with five hundred copies given to the Tuscarora School District to be used in grade four has found a large audience among adults. It includes articles about life in the area before the settlers, the colonial period, trade and transportation in the nineteenth century, material culture, people of note in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Civil War era, early public education, higher and private education in the area, early industries, significant events of the twentieth century, and leisure activities. Copies of these books are available at the price of $25 at the Fendrick Library in Mercersburg or by calling 717-328-2248.


Each year the Society holds the Nancy Horton Heefner Memorial Art Show in honor of the late Mrs. Heefner, local artist, art teacher, vice-president of the Society, and one of the editors of the Tuscarora Reader.  This year's show is scheduled for October 6 - November 15, 2026.  A Reception will take place on Sunday, October 11, 3 - 4:30 PM. This non-juried art show, held in the Burgin Center for the Arts of the Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, is open to residents of Franklin and Fulton Counties in Pennsylvania and Washington County in Maryland. To receive an entry form please call Syd Caretti at 717-328-6206 or consult the Society’s website.

The public is cordially invited to attend.

Call for Art Entries

The Mercersburg Historical Society

in conjunction with Mercersburg Academy will again be hosting the Annual Nancy Horton Heefner Memorial Art Show.

Drop off your entry Saturday, October 3, or Sunday, October 4, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m.

in the Cofrin Gallery, Burgin Center for the Arts, Mercersburg Academy, 100 Academy Drive.

Annual Nancy Horton Heefner Memorial Art Show

October 6 - November 15, 2026

Artist Reception: Sunday, October 11, 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Questions please contact Director of Galleries, Syd Caretti, 717-328-6206

The Annual Nancy Horton Heefner Memorial Art Show is an opportunity for artists to exhibit their artwork of the subject, message and medium of their choice. This show is non-juried; however, please submit recent artwork when possible.

Mercersburg Academy is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Irvine Memorial Chapel and, if so inclined, encourages you to display works of art inspired by the Chapel.

Artwork must be ready to hang on a wall or displayed on a pedestal. ONE entry per artist. Please see exhibition guidelines for full details.

No need to RSVP - the delivery of artwork with forms and labels is all that is needed : )

EXHIBIT ENTRY DEADLINE - art and forms due no later than 5:30 p.m., Sunday, October 4, 2026       

 

Artist name                                                                                                     Title                                                                                               Medium                                                   Price                            

Artist name:                                                                                                                                    

 

 

Town/City you live:                                                                                                                         

 

 

Phone:                                                              Email:                                                                      

 

 

Waiver Release and Agreement - please initial each statement.

 

                      I, as the exhibitor, understand that Mercersburg Academy will take every reasonable step to ensure safe handling and exhibition of my art.

                      I understand that Mercersburg Academy does not carry insurance for exhibited works of art.

                      I release Mercersburg Academy, its staff, members, employees, volunteers, and agents free and harmless from any loss, or damage that may happen to my art, or resulting cost or liability during the time that my art is at Mercersburg Academy.

                      I also agree that this waiver, release, and agreement is to be binding on my heirs and assigns.

                      I also agree to allow Mercersburg Academy and The Mercersburg Historical Society use of artwork images taken in conjunction with the exhibition, preparation and take down, for the purposes of promoting the exhibition during the exhibition and in the future.

                            I have carefully read this waiver, release, and agreement. I fully understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liabilities and a contract between Mercersburg Academy, its staff, students, faculty, and myself and agents and I sign it of my own free will.

                           I understand that my work is to arrive at Mercersburg Academy Burgin Center for the Arts, Cofrin Gallery, by Sunday 5:30p.m., October 4, 2026, and will remain on exhibit until 3p.m. Sunday, November 15, 2026. If I do not pick my work up by 6 p.m., November 15, 2026, I will not hold Mercersburg Academy accountable for the safekeeping of my work. However, Syd will care for it to the best of her ability.

 

Artist Signature                                                                                                     Date                      

 

 

Staff use only: Art received by                                                                                 Date                        

 

EXHIBIT ENTRY DEADLINE - Accepting artwork Saturday, October 3, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 4, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Artwork and forms are due by 6 p.m. Sunday, October 4, 2026, to be  included in the exhibit. Thank you : )

Staff signs: Art received by                                                                               Date                        

Artist Reception

Sunday, October 11, 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Annual Nancy Horton Heefner Memorial Art Show

Teacher, artist, and author Nancy Horton Heefner attended McConnellsburg High School and graduated from Fairfax Hall in Waynesboro, VA. She earned a fine arts degree from Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA, and did postgraduate work at Alfred University in New York and San Francisco

State University.

For 22 years she taught art history, drawing, and ceramics at Mercersburg Academy. She served as head of the arts department for seven years and retired in 1994. Her husband, Tom ’57, is a Mercersburg alumnus and a former member of the school’s Alumni Council.

Mrs. Heefner traveled extensively in foreign countries to enrich her teaching

and art studies. She was a member of the Mercersburg Women’s Club and vice president of the Mercersburg Historical Society. Co-editor of the Tuscarora Reader, Mrs. Heefner was the driving force behind the publication of this book featuring 155 articles of Mercersburg area history written by local residents. First published by the Society in 2000, the Tuscarora Reader was reprinted in 2001.

 

PLEASE PICK UP Artwork:

Sunday, November 15, 1:30- 6 p.m.    OR     Monday, November 16, 1:30 - 6 p.m.        

For your reference:

Exhibition Guidelines and Information

Display

All works to be hung must be securely wired and ready for display. No picture frames with easel back stands will be accepted. We encourage simple, quality frames that reflect a level of professional presentation and not home décor. All entries must remain on exhibit until the show closes. Artists who desire to insure their work must make their own arrangements. Mercersburg Academy will not be responsible in case of loss or damage. All reasonable care will be taken with entries.

Entry Checklist - Please keep this page for your planning and records! Thank you for exhibiting!!

       Completed Entry form

       Signed Waiver form

       Labeled artwork matches entry form information.

       Please review and adhere to exhibition guidelines.

Any questions, please contact Director of Galleries Syd Caretti, 717-328-6206

or carettis@mercersburg.edu.

Please note that the entrance off Constitution Avenue is closed. You can access campus through the main entrance off Rt. 16 and/or off McFarland and onto Magnolia. Looking forward to seeing you!

Please attach this label to the back of your artwork:

-----------------------------------------cut   here---------------------------------------------------------

 

Artist name:                                         Town/City and State:                            Phone:             Email:                          Title of work:                                        Medium:                     Price $ 

A teacher, artist and author, Nancy Horton Heefner attended McConnellsburg High School and was a graduate of Fairfax Hall, Waynesboro, VA. She earned a degree in fine arts from Wilson College (Chambersburg, PA) and did postgraduate work at Alfred University in New York and San Francisco State University.

For 22 years, she taught art history, drawing and ceramics at Mercersburg Academy. She was the head of its art department for seven years, retiring in 1994.

Mrs. Heefner traveled extensively in foreign countries to enrich her teaching and art studies. She was a member of the Mercersburg Women's Club; vice president of Mercersburg Historical Society; and co-editor of the Tuscarora Reader.

 

Items the Society Has Placed on Loan

The Society has on loan to the Fendrick Library a bronze bust, One of the 54th, by the sculptor, Don Huntsman, of Aspen, Colorado. In 2002 the Society purchased this bust with its walnut pedestal in memory of Nancy Horton Heefner. It is appropriate that this bust be in Mercersburg as thirteen veterans of the Massachusetts 54th are interred in the local Zion Union Cemetery.
                                                                    

                                                                  *****************

The Society has on loan to the Fendrick Library of Mercersburg an 1853 map, which it recently had restored, of Mercersburg and the surrounding area. This map, a gift to the Society by one of its members, indicates land and plot owners and a list of subscribers to the map with their occupations.

Mercersburg Historical Society is a 501 C3 not-for-profit organization so that all gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Board of Directors

President - Sue Stoner
Vice-president - Richard Anderson
Secretary - Betty Jane Lee
Treasurer - Tom Heefner
Members at Large -
               William Barnes
               Ronald Martin-Minnich
               Sahand Miraminy
               John Snider

Joan C. McCulloh - Director Emeritus