Jon Provost remembers when there were just three television channels to choose from. One of them showcased his own show.
The former child actor, who played Timmy on the television series “Lassie” in the 1950s and 60s, spent years on set with treasured dogs and Hollywood legends, a show he said was one of the many materials representing “Americana.”
He’ll be among the unique array of figures — some living, many long gone — representing 250 years of American history as part of the upcoming History Expo on Saturday, May 23, at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum in Allentown.
“Jon and I just revel in all of that marvelous history,” said Laurie Jacobson, Provost’s wife, an author and Hollywood-history expert who will give two talks during the expo focusing on the Beatles and Hollywood. “And I think the world does, too. The world is thrilled with what we have produced over the decades, and that is all to be celebrated.”
The annual expo, which this year will mark America’s semiquincentennial, seeks to both invite audiences back to the start of U.S. history, and celebrate its future, explained Jim Higgins, executive director of the Lehigh County Historical Society, which organizes the event. The society is aiming to beat a record expo attendance of 1,750 guests.
The organization’s members believe the expo is an opportunity for anyone to celebrate American history. It is one of many upcoming Lehigh Valley celebrations paying homage to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The 1816 Lehigh County Courthouse Bell, featured in one of the museum’s exhibits, which was a site at the courthouse in the early 19th century. (Andreas Pelekis/Special to The Morning Call)
Higgins explained that the Lehigh Valley was an essential ground for the Revolutionary War, a barrier for opposing troops, with both the Blue Mountain and South Mountain ranges providing “a safe haven.” There were no battles fought in the area.
“We always gear each tour to what people are interested in, what the visitors are interested in,” said Jill Youngken, the historical society’s assistant director and chief curator, displaying an exhibit map that explained Lehigh Valley’s geography in the 18th century. “But we do hope to impart some of the Revolutionary War here too, so that people really understand that this affected everyone.”
Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum Executive Director Jim Higgins (left) and Chief Curator Jill Youngken (right) stand in the lobby of the Allentown museum. (Andreas Pelekis/Special to The Morning Call)
The expo, beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m., will begin with a painting unveiling led by Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel. It will wrap up with a performance courtesy of the Allentown Band, with more than a dozen local historical societies participating. Original artwork created by Allentown School District students will also be showcased.
A new exhibit at the museum from the Lehrman Institute of American History, titled “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy,” will feature key turning points in the nation’s history. And a collection of classic cars from the collection of Ron Smith — including a 1914 Model T Ford Touring Car, a 1966 Ford Custom Police Car, and a 1922 Chevrolet Coupe Model 490 utility — will be on display.
Allentown’s Trout Hall will be open to guided mini-tours during the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum’s History Expo. (Kevin Mingora/The Morning Call)
The event will include guided mini-tours of Trout Hall, a mansion dating back to 1770 that was built by James Allen, a son of Allentown’s namesake William Allen. “The Brandywine Colonials Fife and Drums Corps” band will perform classic 18th and 19th century military field tunes at 11 a.m.
“There’s not going to be any lapse in terms of what’s going on here,” said Youngken, who also worked on a pop-up exhibit highlighting the nation’s bicentennial celebrations in 1976.
Provost will sign autographs and participate in book signing presentations, while discussing his favorite memories while on the set of “Lassie.”
“The actors, the adults, made more mistakes than the dogs did,” said Provost, who visited the museum more than a decade ago.
Now 76, Provost said “Lassie” is still fresh in people’s minds from all across the world, just as he wants U.S. history to always remain fresh and important. “Lassie” still airs on channels internationally, while full episodes have been uploaded to YouTube. He said he gets regular emails from show viewers from across the globe.
Actor Jon Provost, who played Timmy from the TV show “Lassie”, signs copies of his book Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Ric Francis/AP)
Jacobson said that “Lassie,” among the other classic Hollywood shows that can be coined as “Americana,” are the ones that still speak to people.
“The subject matter is still relevant today,” she said, as the couple described how Provost’s character Timmy regularly gets into trouble, while learning from mistakes in the process.
“There was always a moral involved, not so much like regular TV shows today,” Provost said.
Provost and Jacobson hope to reminisce about “Americana” and Hollywood’s golden age at the expo, but they also want the history buffs and family visitors to remember what America means to them.
“It’s definitely a milestone,” Provost said of the semiquincentennial. “And obviously, I think it’s a great time for people to come together and celebrate what our country stands for.”
If you go: Free admission, and the event begins at 10 a.m. at 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown. More details can be found on the Lehigh County Historical Society website at www.lehighcountyhistoricalsociety.org.
Andreas Pelekis is a freelance writer.