The Millersville Area Historical Society (MAHS) invites the public to a slideshow on "The Colemans and Martic Forge" when it meets at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12, in Millersville's Municipal Center, 100 Municipal Drive. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. and lock at 9:15 a.m.

Jim Polczynski, researcher and author focusing on the Coleman family and its iron dynasty in central Pennsylvania, will be the speaker. He will chronicle the origins of ironmaking and the ironworks in Lancaster County's Martic Township, concentrating on the ownership of Martic Forge by three generations of the Coleman family. Robert Coleman - who had vast industrial holdings, including the Cornwall Iron Furnace - gradually acquired complete control of Martic Forge, bringing his nephew, Edward Brien, into partnership. Following Brien's premature death, Coleman regained complete ownership, and, after his passing in 1825, his sons, and later his grandsons, operated the ironworks until the mid-19th century.

The meeting will conclude with a question-and-answer session. Copies of Polczynski's books, "Souls of Iron" and "A History of Mystery and Detective Games: 1889 to 1969," will be available.

A resident of Cornwall, Lebanon County, Polczynski grew up in western Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh. As a boy, he was fascinated by the local steel mills, a curiosity that eventually led him to become a contractor for many well-known steel and aluminum companies. His interest in the history of central Pennsylvania iron ore mining and iron manufacturing developed when he purchased what had at one time been the Cornwall Company Store, located in Cornwall, where he is now a volunteer tour guide for the Cornwall Iron Furnace and president of the Friends of the Cornwall Iron Furnace.

Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more details, contact Phil Gerber at 717-872-8837 before noon or at pge8507@aol.com.