709 Betty L. Cook: Baseball and Lewisburg History

Class | Registration opens 8/10/2026 11:00 AM

UNION COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER 155 North 15th St Lewisburg, PA 17837 United States
Large Meeting Room
Monday, September 14, 2026-Monday, October 5, 2026
10:00 AM-12:00 PM on Mon
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$45.00

709 Betty L. Cook: Baseball and Lewisburg History

Class | Registration opens 8/10/2026 11:00 AM

This course is designed to cover a variety of topics to include, but not limited to: Lewisburg history, Bucknell University, Christy Mathewson, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and the life story of Betty L. Cook, a local preservationist, historian, and “Belle of the Ball,” according to a newspaper account during her lifetime. The meetings will include two lectures and a history walking tour.

Class 1: This class will discuss the legendary life of New York Giants Hall of Fame player Christy Mathewson and Betty Cook’s affiliation with Jane Mathewson and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It also includes human interest stories of other players of the time.

Class 2: This class consists of a walking tour* and discusses a variety of topics regarding history in Lewisburg. It begins at Soldiers Park on Water Street, traveling south to the edge of Bucknell and concludes at the Cameron Mansion at 201 Market St. Time is approximately 1 1/2 hours.

Class 3: This class will focus on the history of Lewisburg during the Civil War based on an essay by Betty L. Cook, “Reflections of a Town.” This will be followed by the leader’s formal presentation, “The Life Story of Betty Cook.” The session will end with a question and answer period reflecting on the course.

  • This is a three session class planning to meet on 9/14, 9/21 and 9/28, with a rain date/alternative date of 10/5. If the forecast for the Sept. 21 session is poor, the instructor will substitute his lesson plan for Class 3, and the walking tour will be offered on Sept. 28. Should Sept. 28 also prove poor for an outdoor meeting, the final class will be conducted on Oct. 5.

    Participants are expected to have an email address for communication.
Jack Fisher

JACK FISHER is a cousin of Betty L. Cook, who died in 2023 after a lifetime preserving Lewisburg history through her record keeping, collections, community engagement and generous presentations to others, including her unique experience at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Jack has made it his mission to continue Betty’s legacy and share her stories. With a bachelor’s degree in forest science, Penn State, and a master’s in education, Wilkes University, Jack retired after 27 years as an instructor in the Forest Technology program at Pennsylvania College of Technology. He has also taught graduate courses in the summers through Penn State University.