Clarion County Historical Society

    ~ In 1839 a young attorney from Indiana, Pennsylvania moved his family to the newly established town of Clarion, PA. His name was Thomas Sutton, grandson of Peter Sutton, a Revolutionary War veteran originally from New Jersey. In 1841 Thomas Sutton was accepted into the Clarion County Bar Association and quickly became a well respected and admired attorney.

   ~ Nine years later, in 1850, he constructed a two-story rough brick structure on the south side of the Clarion Courthouse Park Square. It was a two-story rough brick home with a front and side porch.  Sometime between 1841 and 1851 a small brick structured law office was constructed on the northeast corner of his property.
 

   ~The home saw a number of owners over the next half century. During the mid to late 1890's John Keller operated a school for young boys in the home, and then in 1908 it was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. John A. Ditz. Mr. Ditz owned the Ditz & Mooney hardware store on Main Street in Clarion.

   ~ Shortly after the Ditz family took possession, local residents were seeing many changes taking place at the former Sutton home.  As owner of the local hardware store, Mr. Ditz had access to the finest lumber and other materials for his new home. The roof was raised to create a full third floor, finished brick was placed over the original rough brick, plate and leaded glass windows were installed on the first floor, a large, balconied Greek Revival front porch and a two-story back porch were added to the home.

   ~The interior was completely remodeled in 1909 , and the house still features the original open back staircase; oak, maple and chestnut woodwork , including carved mantles of the same woods in each room, and the original lighting fixtures. The home is a transitional representation of the late Victorian, Greek Revival,and early Arts and Crafts Movement.

   ~ After the depression years the Ditz family operated a "Tourist Home" for short term guests and  long term  residents.

   ~In 1976 the Clarion County Historical Society was looking for a location to house a growing collection, and purchased the house from the Ditz estate for $80.000, made possible with donations from the people of Clarion County.

   ~ Today, the home is maintained and operated  Society as a museum with period rooms, a Military Room, A DAR Women’s History Room,  a "General Store" ,  Industry Exhibits and changing  exhibits from the Society's collections.

   ~The Society holds lectures, classes, Victorian Teas, Etiquette Classes for children and college students, and many special events at the Sutton-Ditz Museum.