It’s that time of the year! Friends and relatives will be arriving for their annual visits. The big question always arises: Where will you take them this year? Fortunately, residents of the Susquehanna Valley don’t have to look high and low to find historic sites, cultural influence or random spots of interest.
From a historic perspective, Lancaster City is rich with spots dedicated to abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens and the 15th President of the United States, James Buchanan. The Red Rose City even served as the capitol of our nation for a few brief hours before moving across the river to York. Culturally, the city is home to an art museum named after Lancaster painter Charles Demuth. And, we can’t forget Central Market, which is regarded as the nation’s oldest farmers’ market.
Beyond the city, the area holds a vast wealth of spots that are off the proverbial beaten track. My guess is that both you and your guests will learn something new about the history that abounds here. Here are four gems you might enjoy visiting.
A VILLAGE
“The idea that we are a mom-and-pop operation is something that a lot of people who aren’t familiar with the railroad have adopted. It’s a misconception,” says Craig. In actuality, Ma stands for Maryland, while Pa signifies Pennsylvania, which the 78-mile short line connects by winding through picturesque countryside from Baltimore to York.
Beyond a mere train ride that covers 2.6 miles of track four times per day on Sundays (and Saturdays for special events), the Village is home to a restored circa 1920s general store with railroad station, post office, town offices and a telephone room; historic photographs and a diorama; a roller mill and grain elevator; and volunteer interpreters who serve as docents.
“If you’re not a rail fan, you may have never heard of the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad,” Craig explains, triumphing the line’s distinction. “If you are a rail fan anywhere in the United States, you most certainly have heard of it. It was one of the most famous short line railroads in the United States.”
Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage Village. 1258 Muddy Creek Forks Rd., Airville (York County). 717-927-9565 or maandparailroad.com.
A FORGE
Rescued from decaying into a blighted property, the respite known as Poole Forge is located in Eastern Lancaster County, just minutes from Churchtown. In 2005, Caernarvon Township purchased the 23-acre plot of land on Route 23. With its iconic red covered bridge that was built in 1859 – crossing over the yet-to-meander Conestoga River – the property is a testament to what community can do to save a historic treasure. Volunteers logged thousands of hours repairing river banks and buildings – Poole Forge is comprised of the Ironmaster’s Mansion (circa 1700), Paymaster’s Building, a spring house, two tenant houses and the remains of a lime kiln.
It is rumored that James Buchanan, in his younger years, frequented Poole Forge with his fiancée, Ann Caroline Coleman. Other sources speculate that he spent his summers at Poole Forge.
Today, the Historic Preservation Trust Site is a welcoming, passive recreational area. It’s a peaceful and beautiful place where family and friends can gather for picnics and playdates. It’s also become a wedding venue and a beloved site for photo shoots. It’s also become a popular place for special events sponsored by local service organizations.
Historic Poole Forge Inc. 1940 Main St., Narvon. 717-445-0472 or historicpooleforge.org. Poole Forge is open year-round (weather permitting) from dawn until dusk.
A MILL
Photo by Seth Dochter
Photo by Seth Dochter
Harold Yoder, who is the director of The Ressler Mill Foundation, the governing body in charge of maintaining the mill and the adjacent Ressler Family Home, where three generations of the mill’s operating family once lived, describes the site’s importance best: “The entire complex of the Ressler Mill, miller’s home, adjacent store-house building, and other facilities that make up the site combine to present a remarkable grouping of buildings that helps to tell the story of life in rural Lancaster County and its most important early industry, agriculture.”
The foundation also maintains the William Morton Bird Sanctuary on the other side of the dam on Mill Creek, the force of water powering the mill. A majestic white swan makes the sanctuary home and can be seen most mornings burying its head in the water for its breakfast of tadpoles or wild grass.
Mascot Roller Mills and Ressler Family Home. 443 W. Newport Rd., Ronks. 717-656-7616 or resslermill.com.
The mill and family home are open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., starting May 1 through October 21. Admission is free.
A HOME
In 1965, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased a nondescript, two-story stone house along Route 222, 6 miles south of Quarryville. The property was the birthplace of Robert Fulton, who put his stamp on the world by inventing the steamboat, which he named The Clermont. Until the arrival of the railroad, the steamboat was the primary mode of transportation in the country. Fulton was also a renowned painter.
After the purchase, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission restored the house and furnished it as it would have appeared in Fulton’s lifetime (1765-1815). One area of the landmark is dedicated to an exhibit chronicling Fulton’s life and accomplishments. Visitors who drop by when the house is closed can enjoy the period-specific garden at the rear of the property.
Robert Fulton Birthplace. 1932 Robert Fulton Hwy. (Route 222), Quarryville. 717-548-2679.
Managed by the Southern Lancaster County Historical Society, Fulton’s birthplace is open weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day – Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. The site is also open Memorial Day (May 29), July 4th, and Labor Day (September 4).
Admission: $4 for adults (12 and over) and $2 for children under 12. For those who do not remember their elementary lessons on local history, more information about Robert Fulton can be found at southernlancasterhistory.org.
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