The area around historic Wrightsville is defined by unsurpassed natural beauty. Travel to Long Level and you’ll find the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, which serves as the headquarters of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area and is the state’s official Visitor Contact and Passport Station for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. 

The view from atop Highpoint Scenic Vista & Recreation Area in York County takes in the riverscape on both sides of the Susquehanna. Interestingly, the border between Lancaster and York counties is not located in the middle of the river – Lancaster County extends to the shoreline of York County.

On March 12, 2019, the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act (Senate Bill 47) was signed into law by the president. According to a press release from the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, “The bipartisan legislation contains more than 120 public lands, resources, sportsmen, conservation, and water management bills. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 92 to 8 on February 12, and the House passed it on February 26 by a vote of 363 to 62.”

A Collaborative Effort 

Adirondack chairs that fill a patio at the Zimmerman Center provide a comfortable place to relax and take in the solitude of the river.

Senate Bill 47 had an almost-immediate impact on Lancaster and York counties, as it designates the areas that border the lower watershed of the river as the Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA). The designation is the 55th of its kind. It differs from national park status in that heritage areas are maintained through a combination of public and private funding sources. Heritage areas also differ from national parks in that people live, work and operate businesses within their boundaries. Heritage areas are free to use the national park logo and benefit from the presence of rangers from the National Park Service. 

In the case of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, funding and collaboration are provided by private donors and partners including the National Park Service, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, County of Lancaster, County of York and Columbia Borough.   

Actually, the groundwork for establishing such an area was launched in 2001, when Lancaster and York counties together were designated as one of 12 Pennsylvania Heritage Areas and a nonprofit organization – Lancaster-York Heritage Region – was founded to manage the heritage area. According to Mark Platts, who is the president of the SNHA, it represented the first time interested parties – public and private – from both sides of the Susquehanna River came together to make people aware of the natural and cultural treasures that exist within Lancaster and York counties, with the unifying factor being the Susquehanna River. 

Susquehanna National Heritage Area is headquartered in a historic home that dates to the mid-1700s. John and Kathryn Zimmerman restored it in the 1990s and gifted it to the Lancaster-York Heritage Region in 2007, thus the center is named in their honor.

Mark is very aware of the “urban myths” that surround rivers and hold that they create psychological barriers that prevent locals from traveling to “the other side” for shopping, attending community events and playing tourist. He views a river – especially his beloved Susquehanna – through different eyes. “Rivers are uniters, not dividers,” he professes. He personifies that sentiment, as he makes his way to Long Level, York County, from his home in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, nearly every day. He appreciates and loves to experience what both counties have to offer.  

Mark, who grew up in York County, brings a wealth of experience in urban planning, community development, landscape conservation and heritage tourism development to the job. After working in Orlando, Florida, Seattle, Washington, and Washington, D.C., he accepted the position of Lancaster-York Heritage Region’s first executive director in 2003. “Our office was located at the York County History Center,” he recalls. Educational and recreational programs offered by the Lancaster-York Heritage Region debuted that same year. 

The walls of the rooms inside the Zimmerman Center are hung with river-oriented paintings. The painting on the left – Down River – is by Mark Workman of Lititz.

By 2008-09, those initiatives were “coming together” and making an impact. After a strategic-planning process with the board of directors and staff, the group changed its name to Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area, shifting the focus to river history and outdoor recreation. Thus began an 11-year effort for Congressional designation of both counties as a National Heritage Area. “From a marketing perspective, there are countless stories to be told here that relate to the Revolutionary and Civil wars, Captain John Smith venturing up the river, the Susquehannocks, the Underground Railroad, the burning of the bridge in 1863, the development of industry and the list goes on,” Mark notes. 

Growth is also attributed to gaining an official “home” for the regional organization. In 2007, John and Kathryn Zimmerman donated a historic home in Long Level to the Lancaster-York Heritage Region. The house, which dates to the mid-1700s was beautifully restored by the Zimmermans in the 1990s. In honor of their contribution, it was named the John and Kathryn Zimmerman Center for Heritage. 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Agnes, which devastated the area in late June 1972. At the time it was the costliest hurricane on record, as it caused $2.1 billion in damage that extended from the Caribbean to Canada. Artist Peter Paone’s Agnes Susquehanna – Born 1972 depicts the devastation and suffering that occurred along the Susquehanna in the aftermath of the storm.

Since moving to the site, SNHA has enhanced it with a waterfront pavilion, a boardwalk, a floating dock, a paddle-craft landing and much more. Inside, a room is devoted to the story of the Susquehannocks. Exhibits of historical items are also on view. Art lovers will appreciate that the walls of each room are hung with paintings that depict various aspects of the river and were part of the Visions of the Susquehanna exhibit that was curated by Wrightsville artist Rob Evans in 2006 and traveled the state through 2008. According to Mark, artists from the 1800s were drawn to the Susquehanna River, as they considered the river valley to be an exotic location. 

One of the rooms in the Zimmerman Center is dedicated to the story of the Susquehannocks, whose last-known encampment was located at the rear of the property.

“The fact that we now had a high-quality visitors facility on the river prompted the National Park Service to designate the site as an official visitor center for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, a water trail that traverses the entire Susquehanna and the Chesapeake Bay,” Mark explains of bringing the National Park arrowhead symbol to the entire area for the first time.  

Behind the Zimmerman Center is the 180-acre Native Lands County Park, portions of which overlap the Mason-Dixon Trail and whose waystops include a cemetery in which members of the Dritt family are buried. Johann Tritt/Dritt, a Swiss émigré, soldier, farmer, businessman and ferry operator, had purchased the property in 1783. 

Highpoint, which is comprised of 87 acres, was created in 2007. The pathway that circles the hill leads to a summit that provides unsurpassed views of the riverscape and countryside. The Mason-Dixon Trail bisects the park.

Previous to that, the property had been home to the last-known settlement of the Susquehannocks, who departed the area by 1680, making their way to Maryland. Some remnants of the tribe returned several years later, settling in Lancaster County, where they were known as the Conestogas. Trails meander through hayfields and at times offer views of the river and beyond that, Lancaster County. It’s truly a beautiful and peaceful place to commune with nature.  

Across the river is another SNHA-managed  facility – Columbia Crossing River Trails Center – which is owned by Columbia Borough and sits in the shadow of Veterans Memorial Bridge and is fronted by Columbia River Park. The center hosts educational programs, art exhibits and serves as the trailhead for land and water routes. It can also be rented for private events. It is managed by Hope Byers. 

Native Lands County Park features trails that meander through hayfields and include waystops that relate to area history.

Both centers are utilized by school groups for field trips. Students in fourth grade visit the Zimmerman Center for NPS Junior Ranger field trips that entail history lessons (via a scavenger hunt), hiking and creek walks. They are also sworn in as junior rangers at the end of their visit. Fifth graders head for Columbia Crossing for Canoemobile field trips, through which they learn more about river history and the environment and then go on canoe rides. The programs are made possible through a grant from the National Park Foundation. Mark estimates that 2,000 students have thus far visited the two sites. “It’s really gratifying to welcome the students,” he says.

As for adults, visitation to the area has no doubt surpassed expectations. Finding parking at lots along the river on weekends is a challenge. When Jordan Bush and I were out for photography purposes on weekdays in mid-May, we were surprised to see the number of cars in the parking lots. Hit the trail – any trail – and you’ll encounter hikers, dog walkers, parents pushing baby strollers, roller bladers and, of course, lots of bicycle riders. The opening of the Safe Harbor trestle that connects two portions of the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail will undoubtedly spur new interest and turnout.   

Mark Platts (right) is the president of Susquehanna National Heritage Area, while Jackie Kramer is on staff as a park ranger with the National Park Service.

Mark became aware of the phenomenon when the Zimmerman Center was closed during COVID shutdowns but the park behind the facility remained open. “Even though the center was closed for two months in 2020, I kept coming to the office,” he recalls. “I remember the first time I left for the day and walked outside to find our parking lot packed with cars. It was an amazing sight to see!” 

We’re Going to Need a Bigger Boat!

Over the course of the last three summers, SNHA offered free tours of the river via pontoon boats. “We were doing four trips a day on Saturday and Sunday, each lasting an hour and 20 minutes,” Mark says. “When word first got out, so many people were trying to make reservations online that the website crashed.” 

Chief Uncas, a 55-foot-long electric-powered boat that was purchased by SNHA in 2021, will become a tour boat on the Susquehanna later this summer. Visit SusqNHA.org for reservation information. Photo courtesy of SNHA.

Taking a cue from Chief Brody in the movie Jaws, Mark saw the need for a bigger boat. Fortunately, the owners of Shank’s Mare Outfitters in Long Level knew of the perfect candidate from visiting Lake Otsego – the headwaters of the Susquehanna – in Cooperstown, New York. Dating to 1912, the classic electric-powered boat was originally owned by Adolphus Busch (of Anheuser-Busch beer fame), who named it Chief Uncas (in honor of a Native character in James Fenimore Cooper’s novel, The Last of the Mohicans). 

The boat remained in the Busch family until 2021, when SNHA made an offer to purchase it. “Walt Rowen, who was the board chairman at the time, and I went up to Cooperstown in 2019 over the Christmas holidays to look it over,” Mark says. They returned in September 2020 to take a cruise on the boat. “It was pleasant and relaxing,” he recalls. SNHA – with help from private donors and public grants – successfully purchased it in July 2021. The purchase showcased the partnership forged by Lancaster and York counties as major funding was provided by Ann Barshinger (Lancaster) and Doug Hoke and George and Bambi Long (York). 

Students in fourth grade can visit the Zimmerman Center for field trips, while fifth graders travel to Columbia Crossing. Photo courtesy of SNHA.

The soon to be Coast Guard-certified boat arrived in Marietta in October 2021, where it has been stored and undergoing a cleaning/fine-tuning process. SNHA hopes to have it operating in Long Level by mid-July and continuing through early October. Riders will incur a fee that will help to keep the 55-foot-long boat in tip-top condition for years to come. Mark also sees it being used for private events. 

We Need a Bigger Visitors Center, Too! 

Mark is especially excited about the recent acquisition of the historic Mifflin house and farm by SNHA partner, The Conservation Fund, for transfer to SNHA within a year. The farm sits off the Route 30 exit for Wrightsville. Its original owner was John Wright Sr., who operated a ferry service in Columbia and went on to purchase hundreds of acres in what is now Hellam Township. His children inherited his holdings, with Susanna Wright and her husband, Jonathan Mifflin, being granted the acreage that included a farmhouse. They named the farm Hybla. Their son, Samuel, then inherited it. As Quakers, the Wrights and Mifflins denounced the practice of slavery and Hybla became an integral part of the Underground Railroad, as Wrightsville-Columbia provided enslaved people with a major connection to points further north. Hybla is one of only a few “stops” that can be verified as Samuel Mifflin shared his memories with Dr. Robert Smedley, who wrote History of the Underground Railroad in Chester and the Neighboring Counties of Pennsylvania in the 1880s. 

The Mifflin Farm, which was originally owned by members of the Wright family, has been substantiated as a stop on the Underground Railroad. It will become a major visitors center in the region. Plans call for the development of a Discovery Center and an educational center that will focus on the Underground Railroad. Focus will also be put on the skirmish that took place on the farm between Confederate and Union soldiers prior to the burning of the bridge that spanned the river in order to prevent Confederate forces from advancing to the North.

The farm is also significant in that it was the scene of a skirmish between Confederate and Union forces in late June 1863. The Confederates planned to cross the covered bridge that spanned the river between Wrightsville and Columbia and make their way to Philadelphia or Harrisburg. Union troops were outmanned and retreated to Columbia, where they made plans to block Confederate progress across the bridge with explosives. When that failed, they resorted to destroying the bridge with fire. A few days later, the Battle of Gettysburg ensued. 

SNHA will complete acquisition of the property from The Conservation Fund in 2023.  Plans call for transforming the property into a visitors center. Potential projects include a Discovery Center in which the area’s history will be shared through heritage exhibits and art. Adaptive reuse will be used to restore and modernize the barn complex for those purposes. The farmhouse will also be restored; plans call for it to serve as an educational center whose focus is interpreting the Underground Railroad. A park-like area will focus on the skirmish that took place prior to the burning of the bridge. A greenway will link the property to the river. Observation silos will provide views of the countryside and riverscape. “It’s probably a 10-year project,” Mark says. 

The visitors center is part of the region’s quest to encourage visitors to spend “just one more day” in the area. “We want visitors to experience our natural wonders and fascinating history,” Mark says, noting that the economic impact would be substantial for river towns such as Wrightsville, Columbia and Marietta. “Ten million visitors come to Lancaster and York counties on an annual basis,” he says. “They spend an average of $200-$400 per day. If just five percent of those visitors would spend an extra day with us, the region would definitely benefit,” he says, placing the increased revenue at $100,000,000 per year. 

For more information about the activities that are available in the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, visit SusqNHA.org. 

For information about Wrightsville events, visit historicwrightsvillePA.org.

Thanks to historic preservation, adaptive reuse and the ever-growing presence of antiques shops, Columbia is attracting the attention of tourists and entrepreneurs alike. 

Daisy and Tony Pagan have combined all three phenomena by restoring a 150-year-old building on Locust Street, adapting it to serve as an events venue and their residence and decorating it with finds they discovered during the renovation process.  

Tony and Daisy Pagan live on the second floor of the building they restored on Locust Street.

Women are regarded as consummate multitaskers, but Daisy takes it to another level. She not only plans and hosts what she calls “celebrating joy” events that are held in the first-floor venue she named Perfect Settings, but she is the manager of Murphy’s Mercantile & Co., which is part of Hinkle’s Restaurant and is modeled on the concept of general stores of yesteryear, as it offers everything from candy, greeting cards and gifts to seasonal items, home accessories and more. She also oversees the food-oriented stand Murphy’s Mercantile operates at the Columbia Market House and is the vice president of the Columbia Merchants Association. She is also a grandmother.

The first floor of the building the Pagans are renovating is dedicated to retail (Thistle & Sage Creative). The red/white/blue bunting and decorations were in place for a decorating contest downtown businesses took part in for Memorial Day.

According to Daisy, Tony is not one to let the grass grow under his feet either. “That man works eight days a week,” she says. When he’s not fulfilling his duties as a sales rep for Ecolab, Tony helps Daisy with the set-up and tear-down of events held at Perfect Settings. He utilized his carpentry skills to restore the building, creating a first-floor venue, a second-floor residence and a rooftop terrace that offers a view of the Susquehanna River. “He did 80% of the work himself,” Daisy reports. The two aren’t finished. Last year they purchased an adjacent building, for which they have plans. 

What attracted the Lancaster-born Pagans to Columbia? Frustration and economics played key roles. Daisy has been an event planner for as long as she can remember and in working with brides and party hostesses, she became frustrated by the lack of mid-sized venues that were available in Lancaster during the early 2000s. The available venues were either too big or too small to accommodate her clients’ guest lists. 

The Pagans acquired the property next door in order to gain access to a courtyard they are in the process of updating and landscaping. It will be used for wedding ceremonies and pre-reception cocktails.

One day, she shared her frustrations with her boss. “I was the personal assistant to Richard Good,” she says of the former owner of Good’s Furniture & Carpet. “I was working with a bride from Philadelphia and I shared with him that we were having a difficult time scheduling visits to venues. I said, ‘I should just open my own.’ He encouraged me to go for it and told me, ‘You’ll always have regrets if you don’t.’” While Daisy never considered herself to be an entrepreneur, she credits Mr. Good for giving her the courage to dream. Fortunately, Tony had her back, as well. The search was on for a suitable building.  

One day, while visiting her sister in Columbia, Daisy became aware of a building on Locust Street that was sitting empty. Even though it wasn’t for sale, it piqued Daisy’s interest. A neighbor had access to it and offered to give Daisy and Tony a tour. Built in 1850, it had become a time capsule of Columbia’s history, as it originally served as the home of the town’s Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Daisy understands the first floor of the building was home to the post office, while the second floor held a ballroom. Offices and meeting spaces filled the third and fourth floors. In the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, the building served as a hospital. It also was the site of a speakeasy, a machine shop, a shoe factory and most recently, a sewing factory. 

The building’s first floor is home to Perfect Settings, an events venue that seats 100 guests.

The building was anything but empty – remnants of the sewing factory greeted the Pagans when they walked in. Rows of sewing machines filled the first floor, while scraps of cloth and other materials filled the cellar. Creepy was their first impression. “The place was such a mess that Tony turned around and left,” Daisy recalls. “I think I ran out,” Tony says. Despite her husband’s reaction, Daisy was intrigued and toured the entire building. 

The two then began scouting properties in Lancaster. “The price difference for square footage was huge,” Daisy notes. Tony had second thoughts about the building in Columbia and suggested that they take another look at it. This time, he deemed it had possibilities. They negotiated a price with the building’s owner, took a deep breath and hoped they had made the right decision. 

Daisy’s enthusiasm waned, however, when Richard Good shared that he had driven to Columbia to check out the property and questioned if she and Tony had made a mistake. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Daisy remembers him asking. He couldn’t help but notice boarded-up storefronts and blighted properties as he drove through town. She had to agree with his assessment but countered that she had a feeling Columbia was on the path to revitalization. “I hope you’re right and I’m wrong,” he told her. 

Tony spent the next year creating a home for them on the second floor. (A fire had destroyed the third and fourth floors.) The following year was spent creating the events venue.

Perfect Settings, which opened in 2007, provided the dazzle that Locust Street needed. Open houses and coverage via The Knot helped to put the 100-seat venue on the map. “We are totally booked for 2022,” Daisy reports, noting that it represents a complete turnaround from 2020, when the pandemic closed venues such as Perfect Settings. “It was really painful,” Daisy says, noting that she and Tony chose “to do the right thing” and refunded the down-payments couples and hostesses had made. Thinking 2021 would represent a return to normalcy was met with more pandemic-related challenges. “It feels good to be back,” she says of an event-filled 2022 and beyond. 

When Hinkle’s announced it would be closing in 2017 – after 124 years – townspeople were in shock at the prospect of losing such a landmark. Entrepreneurs Don and Becky Murphy stepped in and announced they would be purchasing the property. After making extensive renovations, the couple reopened the restaurant and ultimately leased it to Don Murphy, John Sipe, Tom Davis and Robin Ortman, who have 70 years of combined management and restaurant experience, some of it via Hinkle’s. 

Cimarron Investments will be transforming a former potato chip factory into a hotel.

The Murphys also revamped the gift shop and invited Daisy to manage it. Since then, Daisy has had the opportunity to collaborate on other economic development projects the Murphys are undertaking. She is excited that the Murphys’ investment company, Cimarron Investments, will be developing a property that sits catty-corner across the intersection of Locust and South Second streets from her and Tony’s properties. Announced in 2018 but delayed by the pandemic, the Chip Factory Hotel will employ adaptive reuse to transform a former potato chip factory that closed in 1940 into a premier Ascend Hotel Collection property that will feature approximately 79 guest rooms, as well as meeting spaces, a restaurant and bar and a rooftop lounge. 

As for the Pagans, they purchased the building that is adjacent to theirs in order to expand Perfect Settings’ offerings to include a courtyard that can be used for wedding ceremonies and cocktail hour. At one time, both buildings had access to the courtyard but at one point the entryway from 200 Locust was bricked over, which Tony plans to remedy. “In order to gain the courtyard, we had to buy the entire building,” Daisy notes. “Tony really wanted that courtyard! So, we’re back to square one,” she says of rehabbing a building. 

Over the past year they created retail space on the first floor; it is now home to Thistle & Sage Creative, which specializes in custom floral arrangements and wreaths, home and garden décor, original fine art and a line of sunscreen products from Beautycounter. The second and third floors will be dedicated to a spacious (2,500 square feet) apartment. Tony is excited to put the finishing touches on the courtyard that was designed and built by Tom Jones Landscape & Lawn Care of Marietta. 

The Columbia Crossing River Trails Center welcomes visitors to exhibits and private events. It also serves as a trailhead for river and hiking trails. The state is in the preliminary stages of carrying out rehabilitative work on Veterans Memorial Bridge, which was completed and opened in 1930. One idea on the drawing board is to install lights under the bridge in hopes of enticing mayflies away from the fixtures that illuminate the roadway on the bridge.

Daisy is also proud to offer couples another amenity – the Susquehanna River as a backdrop for wedding photos. The refurbished Columbia River Park provides a perfect setting as it offers backdrops that include the river and Veterans Memorial Bridge. “It’s perfect for people who are on a tight timeline,” she says of the river’s close proximity to her venue. 

Daisy is proud to live and work in Columbia for another reason: the collaborative spirit that exists among organizations such as the Columbia Merchants Association, Susquehanna National Heritage Area, Create Columbia, the Columbia Economic Development District and Columbia Historic Preservation Society, as well as nonprofit groups and government. Businesses and entrepreneurs are taking notice. “The Welcome Wagon committee [an arm of the Columbia Merchants Association] has probably been averaging three ribbon cuttings a month,” she says of recent economic activity in the town. The annual holiday event, An Old-fashioned Christmas, which coincides with Small Business Saturday (following Thanksgiving), will be celebrating its fifth year. “Our goal and motto is to get feet in the streets,” she notes. 

Despite progress, Columbians continue to take pride in the fact that the town marches to the beat of its own drum. It’s no secret that Columbia has been perceived as Lancaster County’s “wild west” town since its earliest days. To a degree, Columbia embraces that perception. A person noted on the Columbia Spy’s Facebook page that Columbia is “cool” in a “bad-ass” sort of way.    

Through her various endeavors, Daisy recognizes the positive changes that have impacted Columbia. “It’s become a destination,” she says. “I’m amazed when I look at the guest book [at Murphy’s Mercantile]. People visit Columbia from all over the world!” Now, with more businesses opening and the changes that are on the horizon, visitors will be able to hike or bike the river trails, shop, go antiquing, dine, visit museums and historic sites and stay overnight in Columbia. “It’s an exciting time to be a part of Columbia,” Daisy says. 

For more information, visit perfectsettings.net. 

For information about happenings in Columbia, visit columbiamerchants.com and createcolumbia.org.

Go Antiquing! 

Antiquing has become a major draw in Columbia, with many businesses taking over abandoned or underused warehouse spaces.

Antiques are hot! The younger generation is discovering the allure of antique and vintage décor and furniture. Because of pandemic-related supply-chain issues, consumers are opting to shop for furnishings in antiques, consignment and second-hand shops. Columbia has become a thriving center for antiques, vintage, collectibles and the creative arts. If you’re not in the shopping mood, there are several museums in town that pay homage to the passage
of time. 

Burning Bridge Antiques 

Don and Becky Murphy recently bought this popular destination that was formerly the home of a hardware store. Since 2005, the three-story building (circa 1800s) has been a showcase for antiques and collectibles that are made available through 200+ vendors and consigners. 

304 Walnut St. • Burningbridgeantiques.com 

Bootleg Antiques & Oddities 

Located in a building that dates to 1822, Bootleg is home to 70+ vendors and features an in-store café that is open weekends. 

135 Bridge St. • Bootlegantiques.net 

Rivertowne Antiques Center 

Housed in a former tobacco warehouse that’s listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, Rivertowne features two floors of furniture, primitive and Americana décor, folk art and much more. 

125 Bank Ave. • Rivertowneantiques.com

Railroad Avenue Antiques and Toy Trains 

Train enthusiasts will appreciate the quality railroad memorabilia and toy trains – from Lionel, American Flyer and more – that define this shop. 

304 Walnut St.
Facebook.com/Railroad-Ave-Antiques-and-Toy-Trains-1861881837360892  

Tollbooth Antique Marketplace

Open since 2010, this former garment factory is now comprised of boutique-sized booths that specialize in antiques and collectibles. 

215 Chestnut St. • Tollboothantiques.smugmug.com 

Keystone Artisan Werks 

Originally a repair shop for the railroad, the building is now home to 50+ artists, crafters and makers. Keystone also hosts special tasting events that showcase local breweries and vintners. 

199 Bridge St. • Keystoneartisanwerks.com 

Keystone Artisan Werks is cool! Owned by Shawn and Katie Yohe, it opened last July. “It’s the only place in town with a boat in it!” says Shawn of the oddities, finds, antiques, collectibles and maker creations that fill it. The Yohes also host tastings with regional brewers and vintners on weekends. Lastly, there’s a “man cave” that is uniquely decorated and offers a big-screen TV, table games and digital ax-throwing and is available to rent for private events. Shawn, who is a licensed auctioneer, calls the project “a labor of love.”

Fragments of the Past 

According to one reviewer, this relatively new shop offers “everything you grew up with” but haven’t seen in ages. The selection ranges from stained glass to action figures. Enjoy complimentary coffee in the courtyard. 

313 Walnut St.
Facebook.com/fragmentsofthepast717 

National Watch & Clock Museum 

The history of timekeeping is the focus of this museum that boasts more than 13,000 clocks and watches – the largest and most comprehensive horological collection in
North America. 

514 Poplar St. • Nawcc.org

Wright’s Ferry Mansion 

Built in 1738, it was the home of Susanna Wright, whose sophisticated tastes and wide variety of interests are reflected in the furnishings and accessories that were curated by the Von Hess Foundation following the restoration of the house. The ceramics, glass, metals, textiles and PA-made furniture reflect the 1700-1750 time period and comprise what is considered to be the most complete collection of its kind. 

Second and Cherry streets
Facebook.com/pages/Wrights-Ferry-Mansion/371989566166143  

Turkey Hill Experience 

Introduce the kids to the concept of adaptive reuse and some tasty Lancaster County history at this fun and interactive “museum” that makes its home in a once-deteriorating silk mill. Beautifully restored and adapted to its new role, the building is now used to tell the story of the iconic dairy that is located a few miles away and overlooks the Susquehanna from atop Turkey Hill.  

301 Linden St. • Turkeyhillexperience.com

Historic preservation, adaptive reuse, a thriving restaurant scene and a new focus on the arts define this riverside town.  

Marietta’s architecture is a work of art in itself! It endures thanks to residents, businesses and organizations that respect and revere historic preservation. The architecture is part of the reason for Marietta’s successful holiday tour of homes that is one of the oldest events of its kind in the state.

The Marietta Community House 

Upon buying the house at 264 West Market Street in 1919, Henry S. Hiestand made community the focus of its existence. Originally built in 1871 by Dr. John Huston, the house was sold four years later to Amos Bowman, a banker and entrepreneur. In 1909, Edith Gilliland purchased the property and transformed it into a sanitarium she named The Pines. 

Upon buying the property, Hiestand and his wife renamed it The Marietta Community House. They also formed a corporation – using the same name – and dedicated both to the memory of their son, Lt. Benjamin Hiestand, a lieutenant in the United States Air Service, who was killed during a training session with a cadet in Florida. Dedicated on December 30, 1919, the goal of the corporation was “the promotion of the spiritual, intellectual, educational, social and physical welfare of men, women and children of Marietta.” 

A refurbishing project that was undertaken in 2019-2020 at The Marietta Community House created a venue that is perfect for micro-weddings and other small-scale events. In addition, the building at the rear of the property was also updated and renamed Studio 264. Marietta Community House photo.

One of the organization’s first projects was building a gymnasium on the property. In 1920, townspeople gathered to launch the project by hand-digging a foundation for the building. Marietta High School utilized the gym until 1936. Since then, it has seen various uses, including serving as the home of Susquehanna Stage from 2008 to 2018.  

Throughout the 20th century, The Marietta Community House met the needs of the community. From the ’30s to the ’50s, it was home to a well-baby clinic. During the Depression, it functioned as a soup kitchen and coal distribution center. When flooding occurred, the Red Cross arrived to set up a command center on the property. It became a meeting place for clubs, nonprofit organizations and youth groups. For a time, Community Bible Church held services there. It also served as a school for a time – the Pennsylvania School of the Arts (now Pennsylvania College of Art & Design) was headquartered there until 1982, at which time it moved to Lancaster. 

The 21st century has seen The Marietta Community House once again adapt to the needs of the area it serves. A new emphasis has been placed on micro-weddings and other social events that require seating for 65 or less. While the venue dates to the Victorian era, the rooms for such occasions reflect the current trend of white walls and minimal décor, allowing for florals and linens to set the scene for the event. Get-ready suites and the house’s fireplace were also renovated as a result of the refurbishing project that was carried out in 2019-2020. “During the pandemic, the Community House Board approved of and worked hard to improve the amenities of the house,” Joy Persinger of Fancy Peacock Events shared via email. Joy was also brought aboard as the venue’s manager and is excited that the upgrades have proven to be a hit – events were booked throughout the spring. 

She was also pleased by the “reception” that Make Your History in Marietta – a collaborative website of local venues and vendors – received during the inaugural Wedding Walk event that was held on March 27. Participants could tour venues in town, visit with vendors and win prizes.  

The reaction to Marietta Art Alive’s Plein Air event in April made organizers realize that the “draw” of the river appeals to both artists and art lovers alike. They will soon begin planning next year’s event. Photo by Kaylee Rex.

The former gymnasium has also been given a new lease on life. Now known as Studio 264, the refreshed interior was unveiled in late April when the Marietta Art Alive River Towns Plein Air art exhibit was open to the public for viewing. Members of the board that oversee The Marietta Community House perceive Studio 264 being used for a plethora of possibilities including fashion shows, craft/maker shows, art exhibits, educational classes, seminars, yoga/meditation … they are open to all suggestions.  

In the meantime, The Marietta Community House is welcoming back popular fundraising events such as the dinner and auction that was held May 14 in Studio 264. Last month, the property served as the headquarters for the annual garden tour and a barbecue dinner. 

264 W. Market St. • Mariettacommunityhouse.org

Marietta Center for the Arts/Susquehanna Stage 

In 2018, Susquehanna Stage fulfilled its dream of owning its own theatre with the purchase of a vacant church building at 133 West Market Street.

Founded in 2008 by a small but enthusiastic group of theatre lovers who were intent on bringing community theatre back to Lancaster County, Susquehanna Stage made its debut in the former gymnasium that sat at the rear of The Marietta Community House. To their astonishment (and delight) the first production – The Music Man – was a hit. As productions grew more sophisticated, the public responded with donations and by buying tickets. The dream scenario was for Susquehanna Stage to secure its own building. 

The dream became a reality in 2018 with the purchase of an empty church building on West Market Street that dates to 1853 and offers 12,000 square feet of space. 

Now a part of an umbrella organization called Marietta Center for the Arts (MCA), Susquehanna Stage presents plays and musicals in Eater Theatre, the main stage that was named in honor of the Eater Family Foundation, which generously donated to the effort. A smaller theatre, the Gallery Stage, hosts events such as open-mics, live music and staged readings. 

The lower level of the building holds a sewing room, storage for costumes and props, dressing rooms and classrooms. Spaces for private events are also available. 

Education is also a key element of MCA. The expanded space now allows them to offer classes and workshops for adults, as well as activities for children, including camps in the summer. 

The balance of this year’s lineup includes the following productions: 

Cats

July 29-August 7 

One of the longest-running shows on Broadway, Cats, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, won seven Tony awards in 1983, including Best Musical. 

Agnes of God 

October 21-30 

The Tony Award-winning psychological drama tells the story of a novice nun who gives birth to a baby and the psychiatrist and mother superior who clash during the investigation into the mystery. 

Rent 

December 9-18 

The pop-culture phenomenon and Tony Award-winning musical focuses on falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. 

Upcoming Staged Readings 

All the Way by Robert Schenkkan

July 2, 6:30 p.m.

The play focuses on Lyndon Johnson’s efforts to achieve passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

Fade by Tanya Saracho 

September 3, 8 p.m. 

Presented by Teatro Paloma, Lancaster’s Latinx Theatre, the play tells the story of Lucia, a Mexican-born novelist who is offered a job on the set of a male-dominated television show. The only welcoming face belongs to Abel, who is the janitor. 

Camps 

Arts Alive Summer Camp

July 11-15 for ages 7-13

Guest instructors will help campers explore self-expression and creativity. 

Arts Alive Show Camp 

August 15-20 for ages 7-13 

Through learning the basics of musical theatre, campers will stage a musical for friends and family at the close of the session. 

133 W. Market St. • Susquehannastage.com

Marietta Art Alive 

Thanks to the efforts of six women – Marianne Calenda, Melissa W. Carroll, Susan D. Darling, Marita Hines, Joanne McIlvaine and Linda Mylin Ross, who are collectively known as Marietta Art Alive – 60 artists from five states were painting up a storm from April 18-27. The event Marietta Art Alive sponsored, River Towns Plein Air, saw the artists fan out across the area to create paintings that captured the play of sun and shadows on the architecture of the river towns or the riverscape, essentially capturing a moment in time with paint. Another event, which was held on April 23, was called Quick Draw. Open to all artists, it was held in Marietta and the challenge was to finish a painting in under two hours. The following day, a family-oriented event saw children learn the nuances of the Japanese technique of “fish painting.” 

Jay Dombach won first place (Open Award category) in Marietta Art Alive’s Plein Air event for his painting, Old House on the Hill. Marietta Art Alive photo.

At the conclusion of the sessions, Marietta Art Alive staged a three-day exhibit of 323 paintings at Studio 264. The sale of the art on display benefitted The Marietta Community House and Rivertownes PA, USA. In reflecting on the event’s success, Linda Mylin Ross noted, “The Susquehanna River has always been a mecca for artists.” 

The members of Marietta Art Alive are all accomplished artists who love to share their passion for art with others. Member Marita Hines remembers meeting at what is now Molly’s Courtyard Café in 2019 with a group that also included a business owner and other Marietta artists in hopes of starting a co-op. She shared in an email: “Our initial interest in forming an artist co-op never materialized but the group, which consists of six artists, keeps the MH Gallery [42 W. Market St.] open two days a week and has worked with other organizations such as the Marietta Center for the Arts, Susquehanna Waldorf School, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design and the Demuth Foundation. In 2020, we became part of Rivertownes PA, USA, whose mission is to cultivate art, heritage and recreation in the river towns of Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville. It seemed like a great fit and helped us to further our alliances.” 

Marietta Art Alive is driven by original organizers (left to right): Melissa Carroll, Susan D. Darling, Joanne McIlvaine, Marita Hines, Marianne Calenda and Linda Mylin Ross. Marietta Art Alive photo.

The success of the Plein Air event provided more than enough evidence that the public cherishes the river and feels a connection to it. Marita explained, “It was clear to the organizers that visitors to the final art show connected with the unique landscape portrayals on a personal level.” The group was also grateful to the residents (who hosted out-of-state artists in their homes) and businesses that supported the event. The visiting artists were also enthusiastic about the event, as well as the results – sales of art were brisk – and many asked if they could return. 

The overwhelming response convinced the organizers that Plein Air #3 is in order. They will soon begin to plan next year’s event. “It was clearly the talk of the locals!” Marita reports. As the event takes shape, news will be posted to the group’s website. 

Mariettaartalive.com 

For more information on Rivertownes PA, USA, visit rivertownes.org.

Are you looking for a pristine place to practice the outdoor trend that became a huge phenomenon during the pandemic? 

For the uninitiated, forest bathing became trendy in Japan in the 1980s. It made a “splash” on the West Coast about 10 years ago and traveled East. It entails the practice of “immersing” yourself – in a mindful way – in nature. The Japanese discovered that by disconnecting from technology and tuning into the natural world, forest bathers experienced an improvement in their mental and physical well-being. Think of it as wandering through the woods as opposed to hiking with the intent to get from Point A to Point B at a swift pace. 

There’s a spot along the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail that’s perfect for forest bathing thanks to the efforts of the Lancaster Conservancy (and its partners), which continues to play an active role in preserving our riverlands in both Lancaster and York counties. One such preserve is located in Falmouth. From the parking lot, it’s a short walk to the Falmouth Forest Garden. The restored floodplain garden is filled with trees such as black walnut, persimmon, pawpaw and hazelnut. Shrubs such as native serviceberry and elderberry have been reintroduced, as well. Groundcover includes native herbs and wildflowers. It’s interesting and educational. 

Walk on through the Conoy Wetlands Nature Preserve and you’re surrounded by towering trees. Birds sing. Bees buzz. Butterflies flutter about. Fishermen steal an hour to put rod to water. Soon, you hear the sound of rushing water. A bridge provides a view of creek water tumbling over rocks as it makes its way to the river. 

Next up is the jackpot – a wetlands area whose mirror-like water reflects the trees and sky. A shelter with observation windows allows you to become one with nature. It’s absolutely beautiful. 

Jordan Bush and I walked four miles without even realizing it. We both rated the experience as a wow! 

For information about the preserves maintained by the Lancaster Conservancy, visit lancasterconservancy.org.