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From Mifflinburg Telegraph Weekly Newspaper Archive
The 18th-century farm site on Strawbridge Road, owned and operated by the Union County Historical Society, attracted nearly 1,000 visitors to its recent Rural Heritage four day-event. Demonstrators at the event such as the dulcimer players, red ware potter, and corn dolly maker came from as far away as Ithaca, New York, while other musicians and specialized crafts persons such as the mason, powder horn maker, and paper makers were local people. Committee members Debra Wehr, Ruth-Alice Spangler, Mary Jo Spangler, Diane Meixell, Sue Mapes, Diana and Jeannette Lasansky, Bill Deitrick, Mark Cromley, Bill Clemens, and Jonathan Bastian are already making plans for next year’s Rural Heritage Days in mid-August 2011. And with the large event behind them, historical society volunteers now focus on hosting and giving tours at the Dale/Engle/Walker House every Sunday afternoon through October - tours begin at 2 p.m. and the last tour starts at 3:30 p.m. In addition to learning about the architecture of the site and its social history, which includes slavery and immigration, there are three exhibits to see. The Wagon Shed features farm and transportation vehicles, machines and tools. In the house, the “Making Do” display shows how materials were used in very different ways, and how others were repaired and reused inventively - such as pottery pitchers repaired with tin handles. Another exhibit shows anniversary items from the county's past, with a look forward to Union County’s bicentennial in 2013. For information about large group tours of the 1793 farmstead and about holding special events like family reunions and weddings there, call the Union County Historical Society at 524-8666 or write hstoricl@ptd.net. © Copyright 2010 by Mifflinburg Telegraph Weekly Newspaper |
