The Annual Membership Meeting of the Lycoming County Historical Society took place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in the Community Room. President of the Board Seth Burch served as the Master of Ceremonies. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Taber Museum’s Volunteer of the Year to Tom “Tank” Baird.
Tank Baird has been actively volunteering at the Taber Museum for many years. An avocational archaeologist and local historian, Tank’s volunteerism at the Taber Museum revolves around sharing his knowledge of Native Americans and their artifacts.
Always willing to help, Tank has given talks in the American Indian Gallery to children many times throughout the years. He has assisted with school tours, Summer History Day Camp and Trick or Treat at the Taber. Tank is known for ending his tour by having the children climb into the dug out canoe where they learn paddling techniques with the wooden spoons he provides.
Tank has helped with many adult tours as well, including bus tours and educators from local colleges. In 2023, Tank’s Native American Indian Gallery presentation was filmed and aired on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) Channel 21.
Tank presented a talk for one of our History Coffee Hour Programs entitled The Very First Settlers of the West Branch Valley, authored an article for the Historical Society’s Journal and is always willing to help us assist the public by answering questions about Indian artifacts they have found around the area.
In the Fine Arts Gallery is a very rare Native American effigy, as well as a facsimile of the effigy, on long-term loan by Tank and Anita, his wife.
Tank is the former President and Vice President of the Northcentral Chapter 8 of the Society for PA Archaeology. He is self-taught and spends much of his free time reading about prehistoric cultures in the Northeast and visiting museums and archaeology sites. He has made many new friends over the past ten years and has introduced a lot of people to archaeology.
Hayley Green, a senior at Muncy Junior/Senior High School, received the Student Historian Award for her essay, “Lucky Like Birdy”. Education Committee Chairman Pat Damaska presented Hayley with a Certificate of Appreciation and a check for $500.
Dr. John Piper presented an illuminating talk, “The possibility of an addition to the Museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society”, expressing the interest in a backyard extension which would embrace the technological aspects of the County’s history, most notably the impact of Lycoming Motors from the early decades of the 20th century through World War II in the production of automobile and aircraft engine production [photo of John presenting]
An election of Officers for the coming year was held with the following results. Seth Burch- President; Mary Holstein- Vice President; Sue Beidler- Secretary; and Randall DiPalo-Treasurer. In addition, several members were appointed to their first term on the Board of Governors: Lori Spangler, Lisa DeVito, John Killian and Gary Weber. Marc Pompeo was elected to a third term. John Piper rotated off the Board after finishing three terms. Rounding out the Board are members Brad Nason, Connie Phillips, Pat Damaska, and Sara Hillis Ousby The Budget for 2025-2026 was approved by the membership.
