Schuylkill County is large and diverse.

It consists of 783 square miles and 145,000 residents living in 69 communities.

On Feb. 8, those history-rich areas were showcased at the 21st Annual Schuylkill County History Faire held at Fairlane Village Mall, Route 61, Norwegian Township.

This year’s event, the largest and most strongly attended to date, featured 25 historical societies, museums and private collections.

Attendees said they made sure to be on hand for a variety of reasons.

“We’re walking around here looking for members and to encourage interest,” said Patricia McAteer of Lebanon, national quartermaster of the Daughters of ’98, an offshoot of the Auxiliary of the United Spanish War Veterans, daughters of Spanish-American War veterans.

She was accompanied by James McAteer, descendant of Alexander Quinn, Medal of Honor recipient for gallantry.

But some stumbled on the event by accident.

For Josh Holmberg of South Tamaqua, and son Ryder, 8, the celebration was a pleasant surprise.

“We came here to buy him some baseball gear and saw this going on.”

Holmberg said Ryder, a third-grade student at Tamaqua Elementary School, is starting to appreciate the concept of history and is asking questions.

Bill Schuetrumpf of Coaldale said he’s a late bloomer with his appreciation of history.

“History wasn’t my best subject in school.”

But nowadays, he’s interested in all facets of the past.

“I love all things old.”

Exhibitor Bill Harleman of the Lansford Historical Society and Number 9 Mine and Museum said the Lansford museum hosted members of the Schuylkill County Coalition of Historical Societies as recently as January.

Truth is, the love of history doesn’t end at the county line.

“They were scheduled to tour the Tamaqua museum, but it was closed for renovations, so they came to Lansford.”

Bob Vybrenner and Dale Freudenberger staffed the Tamaqua Historical Society display tables and said attendance was very strong and enthusiastic.

The day is offered free to the public and celebrates county history by examining activities of each historical society, club or related organization. Each organization typically hosts several tables filled with displays, information about their projects and items for sale.

Staffers said questions from the public typically center on canals, railroads, mining and early industry, genealogy, geography and culture.

Historical societies, museums and private collections represented came from: Auburn, Coal Region Racing, Frackville, Girardville, Lansford, Mahanoy City and area, Minersville, No. 9 Mine, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pine Grove, Railway Restoration Project 113, Schuylkill County Agriculture, Schuylkill County Historical Society, Schuylkill County Hikes, Schuylkill County Railroad History, Schuylkill Historical Fire Society, Schuylkill Historical Model Railroad Club, Sons of the Spanish-American War Camp 173, St. Clair, Stanhope School Restoration, Tamaqua and Tremont.