History was on display Saturday afternoon at the Fairlane Village mall.
The Schuylkill County Association of Historical Societies and Museums hosted its ninth annual History Fair at the mall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"I think we had a great turnout," Jennifer Bowen, president of the association and of the Orwigsburg Historical Society, said Saturday. "We have seen a lot of new faces and a lot of familiar faces.
Bowen said the event started with five organizations and has grown to feature 20 historical societies and museums throughout the county this year. She said the event acts as a network for the organizations to interact with each other.
"People look forward to it each year and it provides a great opportunity for information and raises awareness about the active preservation in the county," Bowen said.
Rick Nagle, Schuylkill Haven, had some of his personal collection on display Saturday.
Nagle said he collects "anything and everything" bearing the name Schuylkill Haven. He said he has collected more than 1,500 pieces over the last 30 years from antique shops, yard sales and individuals.
"I've just always been into history since I was a kid," Nagle said.
One of the oldest pieces in his collection is a 1847 letter from Gideon Bast, a prominent business man in the early history of the borough.
Nagle has been at the annual event for the last five years and said it raises awareness about what the historical societies in the county have to offer.
"I get asked a lot of questions, and I really enjoy that," Nagle said. "That's why I like setting up here and come back each year. I want to share it. That's why I do it."
The Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society had various photos on display that included the 1935 high school football team that won the state championship and the original borough hall building at 501 Chestnut St.
The borough is the process of donating the original borough building to the historical society so they can renovate it and then use it, board member Jack Jones said. Built in 1867, Jones said it is one of the oldest buildings in the borough and was used for multiple purposes.
"People appreciate what we do," Jim Klock, society treasurer, said.
The historical society relies on donations and fundraisers for its renovation projects.
"It's unbelievable the amount of support we get from people who live here and who used to live here," Jones said Saturday.
Bill Fisher, another board member, said the photographs had many people at the mall talking about growing up in the borough.
"When you see something, it sparks a whole train of thought and conversations," Fisher said. "It gets you talking and that's a big part of history."