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Erie County History
S. S. Lehman was appointed Erie County's first county agent in 1915. He served in that role until 1921. Under his leadership, extension's youth program consisted primarily of corn clubs. These were not officially 4-H clubs, but they laid the groundwork for what later became a strong county 4-H Youth Development Program. Robert E. Engle served as the county's second agent from 1921 until 1928, and it was during his tenure that 4-H club work began in Erie County.
Throughout the 1930's and 1940's, club work continued to expand. Robert Hopkins of West Springfield reports that he joined 4-H in 1930 at the age of 10 and continued until he was 21, at which time he was "ushered out" of 4-H in official ceremonies held on the Penn State campus. He carried pig, capon, and popcorn projects. Mr. Hopkins reports participating in county 4-H roundups held in downtown Erie on the sixth floor of the Boston Store. These early roundups were sponsored by the Erie Kiwanis.
Another Erie County 4-H alumnus, Leon Wasielewski, reports that 4-H was the center of the community for youth in the late 1940's and 1950's. "There was nothing else to do," he says, "unlike today." He remembers annual county picnics, club softball games, and county dances. In fact, he met his wife in 1957 at an Erie County 4-H event.
Extension worked aggressively in the 1970's to diversify 4-H membership and to reach youth in the City of Erie. Also in the 1970's the 4-H Fair moved from its traditional home in Wattsburg to the Waterford Fairgrounds, where it's still held today.
4-H Bear, a costumed character, joined the ranks of Erie County 4-H in the early 1980's. Popular with young people, he has helped promote 4-H for the past 20 years. In 1990, he appeared as one of Santa's helpers at the first 4-H holiday party held at Erie's Edison Elementary School. 4-H was named an "adopt-a-school" partner of Edison in December of that year, and that partnership continues today. Among the benefits to students have been after school 4-H clubs, school enrichment programs, a "learn and earn" program, and opportunities to attend 4-H camp.
Teen and adult leadership development and efforts by volunteers to expand programming, raise funds for 4-H, and serve as role models for members have been key to the success of Erie County 4-H from its beginning. The Concord Community 4-H Club, still going strong after more than 50 years, has been led by many outstanding volunteers, including Joe McCray and Howard Blakeslee, who were the first two inductees to the Erie County 4-H Hall of Fame in ceremonies kicking off the county's celebration of the nation's 4-H Centennial. The county's unique 4-H Clover Power Project and a 4-H member and alumni pig roast were also components of the 2002 celebration.
- Contributed by Carolyn L. Belczyk and Shawn E. Graves
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