Results tagged “Lewis Miller” from York Town Square

The ascension of brave folks in balloons has taken place for decades. Here, artist Lewis Miller captures the ascension of a balloon from York, Pa.'s Penn Park in 1835. Notice the crowd that had gathered to watch the contraption ascend. Also of interest: 5,000 Penn Park fans witnessed first York night baseball and Posts linking to Lewis Miller's art and Where was York County's earliest documented airstrip?

In 1854, George Elliott prepared himself to ascend in a balloon over Hanover. A newspaper reported that arrangements are made with the "intrepid Aeronaut" for the public-pleasing stunt.

This information came from my "Never to be Forgotten," and is presented here as a tie-in to the confusing incident in Colorado in which a 6-year-old boy was thought to be aboard a balloon.

In the 1800s, itinerant balloonists toured the country - and York County - to show off.

According to "Never to be Forgotten":

Nineteenth-century artist Lewis Miller captured 49ers from York, Pa. Background posts: There's oil in those New Salem hills and Iron-mine-turned-into-party-spot turned into York County park and Site filled with wealth of York County geological info.

49ers from York?

Fellow blogger June Lloyd, who has extensively researched 19th-century California prospectors from York County, took a look at those local folks suffering from gold fever.

She blogged:

"By April 1849, sixteen other York County professionals and craftsmen had organized themselves into "The California Company" and were equipped and ready to sail on the ship Andalusia from Baltimore." ...

York artist Lewis Miller's depiction of a Christmas tree is part of the York County Heritage Trust's collection. The Trust, largest holder of Miller drawings, has just introduced a new Web Site. The Miller art pieces are the crown jewels of the Trust's collection. Background posts: Don't know much about York County history? Part I and The Four Bloggers write and Stack of books on York County's Civil War past getting higher.

Looking to learn more about your house?

The York County Heritage Trust's newly designed Web site lists resources to check out.

The site's extensive listing of such resources starts like this: ...

York County was blessed with engraver William Wagner, who drew this scene, and fellow artist Lewis Miller, who left a legacy of 19th-century scenes that tell us much about how people lived. The York County Heritage Trust, which owns many pieces by both artists, has published two books on their respective work. Background posts: Late June marks pivotal moments in York history, Striking architecture lined York's South Duke Street and York's western gate: One image says so much.

Continuing, our series of images that say a lot about York County's past, posted in observance of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown's John Smith, first English visitor to this region: ...

This Lewis Miller drawing shows Christ Lutheran Church's steeple, second from left, among four dominating York's skyline in the 1800s. The steeples and construction dates, from left: German Reformed, 1799-1800, no longer standing; Christ Lutheran, 1815; first court house steeple, 1815, no longer standing; second courthouse steeple, 1849, no longer standing. (Courtesy, York County Heritage Trust.)

York's Christ Lutheran Church - the church with the renovated steeple - is one of the two oldest in present-day York County.

No disagreement there.

The first church building went up in 1744.

No disagreement there.

Its replacement - the current South George Street structure - was dedicated on May 1, 1814.

No disagreement there.

But when was the church actually founded?

Some disagreement there... .

The Continental Congress met in York's Centre Square Court House, seen here in this Lewis Miller drawing. The York County Heritage Trust, operator of the courthouse replica, is sponsoring an essay contest linked to the Articles of Confederation and other congressional actions in the courthouse during that body's nine-month stay. (Courtesy, York County Heritage Trust)

American wars have spawned essayists as a means of building patriotism or expressing loss or hope.

Phyllis Wheatley was one such political writer. The young black poet, whose work caught George Washington's eye, was optimistic - overly so - in writing in 1772 that Britain's new North American secretary would be supportive of all American colonists:

"No more America, in mournful strain/
Of wrongs, and grievance unredress'd complain/
No longer shalt though dread the iron chain/
Which wanton Tyrannny with lawless hand/
Had Made, and with it meant t' enslave the land."

The York County Heritage Trust is borrowing a page from Phyllis Wheatley in sponsoring an essay contest to commemorate the anniversary of the reconstruction of York's Colonial Courthouse and the 230th anniversary of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation... .¶

Lewis Miller captures Gen. Judson Kilpatrick near Hanover. That's old Mr. Rudyseal on the fence, a pro-Union man. "Come to my house and take some wine," Rudyseal tells Kilpatrick. "You do me a favor. Let us stand up for the government, and all bear against the rebel." The York Civil War Roundtable, scheduled to start meeting at the York County Heritage Trust, 250 E. Market St., will explore regional Civil War history, such as the Battle of Hanover. (Drawing courtesy of the York County Heritage Trust.)

After years at Borders Books and other locales, the York Civil War Round Table has found a new home at the York County Heritage Trust.

The roundtable's first program, free and open to the public, in its new location is set for 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17. Dr. Charles C. Fennell, Jr., will discuss "The other Side of the Story." ...

Artist Lewis Miller captures members of the black community celebrating after receiving news of the Emancipation Proclamation. (Courtesy, York County Heritage Trust.)

Underground Railroad enthusiasts will have two opportunities to learn more about that network that led many fugitives to freedom through York and Adams counties.

Organizers of the Goodridge Freedom House in York plan an Emancipation Proclamation Celebration from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Ex-slave William C. Goodridge's former residence on East Philadelphia Street is being developed as a museum. When completed, it will be officially known as the William C. Goodridge Freedom House and Underground Railroad Museum.

Goodridge was a 19th-century York businessman whose home, business properties and rail line are believed to have been part of the Underground Railroad.

In Adams County, Underground Railroad Tours of Adams County will be conducted on Gettysburg Tour Center buses and vans Saturdays through the fall... .