At the end of May, the Mountville Museum, located at 120 College Ave., Mountville, opened an exhibit titled "Growing Up in Mountville." The exhibit features items that highlight the experiences children in the area have had from the 19th century to modern times.

Many of the items in the display have been donated by those who spent their youth in Mountville, including those who no longer live there. The exhibit contains a collection of toys, sports memorabilia, items from elementary schools and churches and equipment that was used by Scouting groups. Certificates from completing courses or vacation Bible school dating back to the early 19th century, and high school diplomas are included as well.

When the new exhibit was announced, dozens of long-term residents of Mountville and their families donated items that either belonged to them as children or were left behind by loved ones. "People today don't keep things like they used to, and fewer people hang on to antiques and old memorabilia," said Elaine Savukas, the exhibit curator. "They brought these things to us, and we accept anything that shows the area's history." Bob Zink, a member of the board for the museum, donated his entire collection of items such as household goods and sports equipment, which totaled four truckloads of donations. Zink was honored with a certificate from the borough to commemorate his donation.

Many of the items offer a glimpse of what life in Mountville used to be like and how it has changed over the years. The building that currently houses the Mountville Area Community Center and the museum was formerly a school for grades one through 12, and it even had its own graduation ceremony. The school eventually merged with Hempfield School District, although Dayspring Christian Academy operates today in the adjacent building.

"I think for a small town, kids had a good life here," Savukas said. "The toys were simple things like pickup sticks and jacks. You left your house in the morning and came home for dinner." Savukas, who is a lifelong resident of Mountville, fondly recalled living close to her friends, walking everywhere from school to playgrounds to the library. "We had a good, wholesome life here. Our parents never had to worry where we were," Savukas added.

The Mountville Museum opened in 2013, just prior to the town's bicentennial celebration. Savukas and the other volunteers at museum are always accepting donations, which they carefully take time to catalog and add to the collection. "Growing Up in Mountville" is able to be viewed at the museum on the second and fourth Sundays of every month from 1 to 4 p.m. and will remain up until December. For more information, contact Savukas at 717-285-4910. For details about the Mountville Area Community Center, visit isit https://mountvillemacc.com .