Globally: The United Nations does not include History, Culture & Arts as a discrete goal, but our class felt this was an important addition to help us better understand the Meadville community and its resilience.
Meadville: Appreciate our rich heritage; celebrate our cultural events and art endeavors; work to increase communication about and accessibility to community assets and events.
What is the history of Meadville’s founding?
Current day Meadville stands on the ancestral and contemporary homelands of the Erielhonan (EE-rie-le-non), Haudenosaunee (HOH-deh-noh-SHOH-nee) and Lenni Lenape (Leh-nee Leh-NAH-peh) indigenous peoples, who have lived in, traveled through, and cared for the French Creek Valley since time immemorial. Meadville and Allegheny College are built upon Cussewago Village, the colonized agricultural and hunting lands of the Lenni Lenape tribe, led by Chief Custaloga.
Founded by David Mead in 1788
Proximity to Cussewago, Mill Run and French Creek provided transportation routes
Notable community developments
My Meadville- connecting Meadvillians through common values (1)
Common Roots- grassroots model for community development and sustainable housing (2)
Northwest Pennsylvania Investment Cooperative - encouraging entrepreneurial spirit and economic health in Meadville by providing commercial spaces at an affordable price (3)
Outdoor recreational activities
Ernst Trail- from the Park Avenue Plaza in Meadville to Route 19, a distance of five miles, built from 1880-1892 by a group of Meadville entrepreneurs to gain access to the Pennsylvania Railroad (4)
French Creek- 117 miles through the Pennsylvania counties of Erie, Crawford, Mercer and Venango. Was a waterway for the French and British in the 1750s, and a battleground through the French & Indian War as well as the American Revolution. (5)
Woodcock Lake Park- walking/biking/skating across the dam, hiking/boating/camping/picnicking in the water/on either side of the land. (6)
Overview of arts
Community theatre- Events communicated via Meadville Calendar/Facebook, super active in encouraging people to audition/attend. Seems more community-involving and hosts parties/small-scale productions. Located in Oddfellows building at Allegheny. (7) (8)
Meadville Academy Theatre- Members of the American Association of Community Theatre and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, seems more ‘flashy’ than the Community Theatre with larger scale productions and more community hype (9) (10)
’Read Between the Signs’ Art- Colourful and aesthetically pleasing way of recycling old PennDOT signs in the forms of flowers/hot air balloons/roller coasters/etc. On Route 322 (11)
Meadville Council of the Arts- space for local artists to showcase works, organise events, lead workshops & lectures, host fundraisers, etc. (12)
Cultural event series
Diamond Park- hosts summer concert series, winter celebrations, and has open space and seating for picnics and other recreation.
Meadville Calendar- Compilation of local events happening in Meadville, ultimate source to know what is going on in town (13)
Multitude of events and activities that are of little/no cost
Meadville Calendar makes finding events easy (if you can access the calendar)
’Read Between the Signs’ art, and many other examples of community artwork, ties sustainability with art and community values.
Meadville Council of the Arts is a hub for culture with regular gallery shows, a theatre that hosts improv and local artists, and a studio space for art and dance.
Lots of events only available in summer (outdoor recreational activities, Diamond Park concerts); low winter hype
Transportation to events isn't provided
SAO PAULO, RIO DE JANEIRO & SALVADOR, BRAZIL: Favela artists creating public art
AUSTIN, TEXAS: Gaining public attraction for their city
(2017), My Meadville <https://www.mymeadville.org/>
Welcome to Common Roots!, <https://commonrootspa.com/>
Northwest Pennsylvania Investment Cooperative, <http://nwpic.coop/>
(2016), Welcome to Ernst Trail, <http://ernsttrail.org/>
Creek Connections, <https://sites.allegheny.edu/creekconnections/northwest-pennsylvania/>
(2013-2016), Woodcock Lake Park <http://www.woodcocklakepark.com/>
Meadville Community Theatre, <https://www.facebook.com/MCT1967/>
Meadville Community Theatre, <http://meadvillecalendar.com/organizer/meadville-community-theatre/>
Academy Theatre, <https://www.facebook.com/AcademyTheatrePA/>
(2016), The Academy Theatre, <https://www.theacademytheatre.org/>
Meadville, Pennsylvania: PennDot Road Sign Sculpture Garden, <https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/12120>
Meadville Council on the Arts- About the Council, <http://www.artsmeadville.org/history/>
Meadville Calendar, <http://meadvillecalendar.com/events/>