Gettysburg 150th spawning virtual offerings and actual events and exhibits

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Jim McClure

070209-KP-port-2.jpgThis photograph of a Civil War re-enactor is part of a slide show of those who take part in this popular hobby at ydr.com’s Media Center. The Media Center will showcase numerous slideshows from Gettysburg 150 observances in York and Adams counties this year. It is one of several virtual offerings and actual exhibits and events planned this year. Also of interest, another 150th attraction: Steam into History is steaming into the present.

Gettysburg 150 is spawning books, exhibits, apps and much more.

Here’s a sampling emphasizing those that deal, in full or in part, with York County in the Civil War: Continue reading →

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Did you know Farquhar Estates is a section of Violet Hill? Linked in with neat York County history stuff, May 22, 2012

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Jim McClure

VioletHill1937

This 1937 aerial photograph, courtesy of Stephen H. Smith’s YorksPast blog, shows A.B. Farquhar’s Edgecombe estate (No. 1) in 1937. It was a part of three posts on the Spring Garden Township hamlet of Violet Hill. Now that’s a thorough look at this place where hundreds of motorists pass through each day. “In my previous post,” Stephen wrote, “I showed that the earliest mapped location of Violet Hill encompassed Arthur B. Farquhar’s Estate and even extended further west along Country Club Road to Reservoir Hill in Spring Garden Township.” I never thought of Farquhar Estates, as the former Farquhar property is known today, as being part of Violet Hill but history says it is.” Also of interest: These old steps lead to Edgecombe, A.B. Farquhar’s former estate.

Neat stuff from all over … .

Shippensburg University has re-released a book about black Civil War veterans: “Dum Spiro, Spero: Chambersburg’s Black Civil War Soldiers and Sailors: A Tribute to the Veterans Laid to Rest in the Mt. Vernon and Lebanon Cemeteries.”

A release says the book comes out on the 150th anniversary year of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 150th anniversary of War Department General Order Number 143 that established the federal Bureau of Colored Troops on May 22, 1863.

Continue reading →

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Story of slain black soldier at Wrightsville reminds reader of cause behind the Civil War – slavery

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Jim McClure

Gettysburg 150th
trench
Union military and civilian officials in Pennsylvania rightly viewed the Susquehanna River as a formidable barrier to the Confederate advance to the east. Still, as I wrote in ‘East of Gettysburg,’ they supplemented the mile-wide river with earthworks along its course. Here, an artist who witnessed the excavation shows workers digging trenches near Wrightsville in eastern York County to provide defenders leverage against an anticipated Confederate offensive to capture the bridge spanning the Susquehanna River between York and Lancaster counties. That anticipated attack happened, and Union officers ordered the bridge burned to stop the advance east. Also of interest: Archivist’s finding sheds light on famous note among the roses.
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Several emailers recently stepped forward with wallets and purses open to help fund a Civil War memorial for the black fighting man who died in the trenches defending Wrightsville in June 1863.

In a column – York County can never forget this unknown Civil War soldier – I had called for the need to recognize this brave man who stood with a handful of others against a rushing, battle-hardened Confederate brigade. Continue reading →

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Gettysburg 150th: The observance is gaining interest in York County, Pa. – Linked in with neat history stuff, May 20, 2012

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Jim McClure

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Lona Full, left, and her husband Art, of Stewartstown, dressed for a Civil War-era church service in nearby Cross Roads in 2006. “Being the ham that I am, wore it today,” she told the York, Pa., Daily Record/Sunday News at the Cross Roads United Methodist Church, where hymns and preaching in the style of the 1860s greeted parishioners. The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg will provide an opportunity for re-enactors, living historians and just people who want to dress in period garb to done their uniforms and dresses. Lona was a member of Cross Roads United Methodist Church as a child. The Stewartstown Historical Society plans a program on the Civil War on June 5. Also of interest: Improved Order of Heptasophs of Stewartstown: Everything you ever wanted to know about this fraternal group

The Stewartstown Historical Society is looking for residents who have 1860s artifacts or photographs to display at Civil War evening in the southeastern York County borough.

The 7:30 p.m., June 5, program at Stewartstown Presbyterian Church will also feature a presentation by Scott Mingus and me on our new book, “Echoing Still: More Civil War Voices from York County, Pa.” We will sign our Civil War books before and after the presentation. Continue reading →

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POW camps: How many have operated in York County, 2 or 3 or 4?

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Jim McClure

artNineteenth-century artist Lewis Miller captures the façade of York, Pa.’s, Washington Hall, built in 1849. The building, sometimes referred to as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows or IOOF hall, housed overflow prisoners after the Battle of Gettysburg. Chief Surgeon Henry Palmer had threatened to resign, rather than treat Rebel wounded, according to letter writer Cassandra Small. The hospital and its satellites were military posts, so Washington Hall can be viewed as a prisoner of war camp site. Washington Hall stands today looking much like it did in this drawing, used here courtesy of the York County Heritage Trust. Also of interest: Cartridge Box helps tell story of Civil War military hospital in York, Pa.

York County has housed three prisoner of war camps in its history.

I made that point and asked the audience at Good News Jail & Prison Ministry’s recent Civil War Remembrance event to name them. Continue reading →

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Glen Rock’s Roland F. Seitz: ‘By his genius … he has earned the title of ‘Parade Music Prince’

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Jim McClure

Brodbecks-Seitz Concert Poster submitted
Glen Rock’s Roland F. Seitz, 1867-1946, was internationally known but he made his music in his hometown. Now, the Glen Rock Historic Preservation Society plans  a band concert to honor Glen Rock’s own ‘Parade Music Prince. ‘ Also of interest:  Parade Music Prince Roland Seitz: From Glen Rock to Friday Night Lights.

Imagine. Sitting in a lawn chair listening to Roland F. Seitz’s compositions played by an old-time community band across from the “Parade Music Prince’s” former Glen Rock home.

Then, as part of the evening, Dr. Lee Zelley, grandson of Roland Seitz, will speak.

There’s an opportunity to do so, courtesy of the Glen Rock Historic Preservation Society. That’s a pretty rich evening, and it’s a free event.

Here’s a short bio about Seitz, provided by the Glen Rock history group: Continue reading →

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Antiquarian Joe Kindig to talk about his life, family and York history – Linked in with neat history stuff, May 17, 2012

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Jim McClure

George Leader/Steam into History/ThinkLoud
joekindig
Antiques expert Joe Kindig, spotlighted in ‘Antiques and the Arts Weekly,’ will be featured in a York County, Pa., Heritage Trust event, ‘A Conversation with … Joe Kindig’ on Saturday June 1. ‘Without his inquisitive nature,’ a Trust newsletter states, ‘the Golden Plough Tavern might not have been restored to its Colonial roots.’ Also of interest: Of York antiquarian Joe Kindig III: ‘He is generous with his knowledge’ .

Joe Kindig, whose knowledge of antiques is legendary in York County and far beyond, will make a rare public appearance at the York County Heritage Trust.

YCHT board member David Walsh will lead the conversation with the noted antiquarian, which will touch on Kindig’s life, his family history and York history.

Here’s a short bio about Kindig, from the trust’s newsletter. Continue reading →

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Utz Arena at the York Expo Center: We’ll get used to it – Linked in with neat history stuff, May 16, 2012

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Jim McClure

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Toyota Arena at York Expo Center is becoming the Utz brand one letter at a time as suggested in this photograph, one of a series captured by York Daily Record/Sunday News photographer Paul Kuehnel. Hanover-based snack food maker Utz secured naming rights to this multi-use building at the old York Fairgrounds. Check out other Kuehnel photos in Yorkblog’s “Look how many ways you can document a sign.” Also of interest: Who performed in the York Fair grandstand in the year (name the year)?

Neat stuff from all over … .

Shane Free is a York County native and filmmaker, and he’s in the early stages of a documentary about the Hex Murder.

He’ll be in York County in July as part of his research. Continue reading →

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Gettysburg 150th – Can you locate this unsung Civil War monument in York County, Pa.? Linked in with neat history stuff, May 15, 2012

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Jim McClure

salemsquare
Can you place this Civil War statue in York County? It’s a little off the beaten track. Actually, it honors those who served in the American Revolution, as well. It’s still there, decades after this photo was taken. See answer below or check out Civil War statue.) Images such as this from the York, Pa., Daily Record/Sunday News’ files, will be popular as public interest grows with the coming of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Also of interest: Check out more than 500 yorktownsquare.com stories and photographs about the Civil War in York County.

Neat stuff from all over … .

Scott Mingus and I will sign copies of their new book “Echoing Still: More Civil War Voices from York County, Pa.” on May 25 at Brown’s Orchards and Farm Market.

The signing for this book, tied to the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg,  is set from 10 a.m. to noon at the Loganville market. Continue reading →

Posted in All politics is local, Archives, all posts, Civil War, Explanations/controversy, For photo fans, Linked in/neat stuff, Local landmarks, Underground Railroad, Unsung/obscure sites, War | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Amish and Mennonites: Don’t know much about Pennsylvania Dutch history? Linked in with neat history stuff, May 14, 2012

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Jim McClure

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The Amish and Mennonites fascinate folks but how often do you have an opportunity to increase your understanding of these Pennsylvania Dutch denominations? Old Order Amish and Mennonite historians who will discuss the topic of “Amish and Mennonite:  History of Growing Faith Communities” at 7 p.m., June 10, at Martindale Mennonite Fellowship Center, in Ephrata, Lancaster County. Steven M. Nolt, Mennonite historian, and three Old Order Mennonite and Amish historians will speak. Among other things, the historians will explore the expansion among Anabaptist religious communities in the United States. That’s certainly happening in southeastern York County. The session is co-sponsored by Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society and the Swiss Pioneer Associates.  For more information about the event, contact director@lmhs.org. Also of interest: Amishman: ‘We are making a commitment to forgive’.

Neat stuff from all over … .

Gettysburg 150 coverage in sister newsrooms in York, Hanover and Chambersburg  is heating up.

For example, recent posts on have included SWAT exercises in Gettysburg and the fact the American Civil War Wax Museum is up for sale. Continue reading →

Posted in Archives, all posts, Civil War, Explanations/controversy, For photo fans, Linked in/neat stuff, Local journalism & Web, Local landmarks, Made in York, Mail bag, Music and musicians, Nostalgia & memories, The Pennsylvania Dutch, War, York celebrities, York Revs/pros, York sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment