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Winters Heritage House Museum

e w s l e t t e
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Published quarterly by the Elizabethtown Preservation Associates, Inc. Autumn 2017

Inside—
 Dear Elizabeth –Advice from the Past
 Our 100% Local Museum Store
 Elizabethtown Heritage Craft Show
 Fall Events List!

(717) 367-4672
Permit No. 1
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Elizabethtown, PA
47 East High St.,
Non-profit Org.
P.O. Box 14
US Postage Paid Return Service Requested
Winters Heritage House Museum
 Winters Heritage House Museum

KEEP YOUR MEMBERSHIP 2017

ACTIVE! Elizabethtown Heritage

Craft Show
Friday, November 10, 4pm to 8pm
Perfect for the History Enthusiast Saturday, November 11, 9am to 3pm
47 East High Street, Elizabethtown , Pennsylvania
Memberships are our primary
(Free parking behind museum)
resource for maintaining the
Museum members receive Free Admission! Regular
museum. Please take the time to renew your admission $2 or a food bank donation (at door)
annual membership, or consider becoming a Nogging
Brick member and auto-contributing monthly. Don’t Special Sneak-Peek
worry, if you renew early we will add the membership Shopping night, Friday,
year to your existing due date. November 10, 4pm to 8pm!
Iron work, pottery, quilts,
baskets, local foods,
Membership Form New Renew traditional crafts,
handmade toys, hand knit
items,
Name: _________________________________________
holiday décor, hand
poured soaps, teas, turned
Address: _______________________________________
wood, and more!

Phone: ________________________________________

Email: _________________________________________
See You There!!
Membership level (circle one)
Individual—$20 Patron — $100 Volunteer Committees at the Winters Heritage House
Family — $40 Sponsor — $250
Museum
Sustaining — $60 Benefactor — $500 These are the people that keep this place buzzing along! If you are
interested in helping out, please call to learn more about these
Set me up as a Nogging Brick Membership at $_______/ Month valuable committees!

Thank you for your support! Front Desk and Museum Support staff

Check enclosed # _________ Amount : ____________ Genealogy Library staff

Museum Docents
Or Credit Card: __________________________________
Textile Group
Expiration: _____
Quilt Committee
Please send this Winters Heritage House Herb Garden Committee
form to the address
provided here. The Museum Hearth Cooking Committee
museum does not
have an on-site
P.O. Box 14 Property Committee
Pre-School Story Hour
mailbox.
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
 George Wormley $6.25 for 2 ½ days recorded on this same page; July 21-
scooping of cellar. “Ella, Luther & Aaron went to
Columbia at noon. Railroad strike
Apr 26: Started leveling stone from
getting to be general.
tunnel (possibly he means the
collapsed RR tunnel, now a cut, July 22: Another item recorded on
behind Mount Tunnel Cemetery.) for the following page; A warm day.
cellar foundation. Received a telegram from Aaron to
come to Columbia for them as the
Apr 30: Hauled stone all day.
railroads struck today. Terrible time
Lumber arrived. Geo Wormley and
at Pittsburgh. 125 locomotives and
Allen were hauling lumber, were
3000 cars burned by the rioters.
compelled to quit after wagon broke
down with 10,000 lath on wagon. July 23: Railroad strike nearly all over
The Diary of a House the United States. I went to Columbia
May 18: Hauled 30 loads of sand
From the Seibert Library Archives
to bring Ella, Luther and Uncle Aaron
today with two wagons. Paid 10 cents
up. I left here a 3 o’clock in the
a load for pure sand.
Here are excerpts from a diary kept by morning. No freight trains running.
H. U. Coble during the construction of June 4: 3000 brick arrived from About 500 men were around the depot
33 East High street, Elizabethtown, in Maytown today. Not the brick they at Columbia. 150 persons killed at
1877. were to be. Pittsburgh, some by soldiers, others
Some information was added in June 5: More brick arrived from May by rioters. About ten million dollars’
italics, and this is only 1/4 of the town today, but were rejected, due to worth of property destroyed.
total diary. For the unedited script, inferior quality. No more brick would July 26: Very warm today. Geo
please contact the Seibert Library. It’s be accepted. Wormley was hauling ground with
fascinating! cart. A man with a 4 mule team
June 6: McLanachan went to
Middletown to make arrangements for brought the lime. Team almost
brick. fagged out (from the heat). Lime cost
The plot of ground was purchased by 30 cents bushel.
Jacob Dyer on February 22, 1877. June 7: two carload of brick arrived
The diary states, “The lot is purchased from Middletown, Allen and myself July 28: No Hauling today. Many
for the sum of $500.00. High price, unloaded brick. persons weak from heat.
but would not sell it for a thousand. A August 4: Plasterers again working at
June 12: Two more carloads of brick
house is to be built on it this coming house.
arrived today. Getting full of brick
summer.”
everywhere. Sept 18: Some of the rooms in the
Feb 22: Frank (possibly this refers to house finished.
June 30: Masons finished brick work
a Frank Ebersole)* and I were
on house today. Sept 20: Moved into the new house,
dragging stone out to the pile from
Slaters (roofing slate workers) came Frank, Clay Bryan and myself done
tunnel on a dray (a heavy sled) for a
last night but did not get to work with the work.
cellar wall. Some snow on the
ground. today due to a grand Fireman’s parade Dec 20: Very pleasant day. Finished
through all the principal streets setting steps in front of house. They
Mar 23: Started tearing down the old
accompanied by the band. After the look very well. I am pleased with
barn on lot where house is to be built.
parade there were several heavy them. People walking around in shirt
Mar 24: A number of fellows helped fights. Two women also fought. sleeves. Fine, warm weather for
tear down the old barn today. They about 1 week, no frost on ground.
July 11: Dave Cover, George
were treated to cider.
Hornafius and I commenced digging Dec 25: (Christmas day) played ball
Mar 31: Found an Indian Tomahawk at well again. About one foot of with the boys in the forenoon.
while digging for cellar this morning. water in the well this morning. Weather fine. Helped eat a turkey in
Will need 78,000 brick for house the new house at Dyers.
July 13: John Good hauled 5 loads of
Apr 16: George Wormley started stone from the tunnel for well wall. I
scooping for the cellar this morning. took them out as fast as Good hauled
them.
Apr 21: Took about 300 buckets of
water out of cellar. We had 3 days of July 14; Very hot today had to rest
heavy rain. occasionally.
Apr 24: Scooping cellar today. Paid Here is a note that may be of interest
A fun read from the Seibert Library “Beautiful Spot” an(sic) “Ideal
Archives. This is an excerpt of an Location”. Uniquely
article by Harvey Reem, for the early Elizabethtown:
Elizabethtown Chronicle, written c. Thomas Harris “Warranted some
1930 land” on the west side of the Our Architectural
Conoy Creek during 1727, where Treasures
he established a trading post and
store. An exhibit gathered by Ben
There evidently was considerable Wohlbowne, Student at EAHS
travel following the Indian trails
which eventually became the main Exhibit Opening
route of the Paxtang-Conestoga Friday, November 17, from 5-8
“Great Road”, later termed the pm.
How Elizabethtown Came to Be Harrisburg-Lancaster Turnpike.
Join us for a closer look at
More than two centuries ago (1727 as In all probability a movement was Elizabethton’s unique and
the starting date), what is now known under way previous to 1727 to wonderful architecture.
as Elizabethtown and the surroundings establish the Paxtang-Conestoga
was nothing but virgin forests where highway. Realizing that
wild beasts feasted upon the foliage, “Peshtauk” was located along the A personal walk through of the
and the Indian tribes roved from place proposed route to be adopted, exhibit will commence at 6:30pm.
to place, following narrow pathways Thomas Harris, a shrewd business
that really had no destination. man of those early days, conceived
the idea that this was an ideal point to time along the frontier. Several years
When Europeans first set foot upon this establish a tavern to care for the white after he received his patent, or in 1749,
soil, there apparently, was something travelers and also serve as headquarters he sold his holdings, including the
here that attracted attention, and a name for the Indian traders. “Black Bear” to Lazarus Lowery,
in keeping with the surroundings was another veteran Indian trader, who was
adopted, which according to historians At all events, records show “that in very wealthy having had extensive land
was “Peshtauk” being interpreted means 1730, Thomas Harris erected a tavern holdings between what is now Marietta
on his land adjoining the Conoy Creek”, and Donegal Church. After disposing
and immediately enjoyed a lucrative of his holdings here, Captain Thomas
business. He evidently was an Harris moved to Conewago Creek
“influential business man, and the where his brother John had established
following year, 1731, the “Great Road” a post.
was laid from Paxtang to his tavern”.
This building was of log structure, and Lazarus Lowery, according to old
was evidently sturdily built as the records, never located here, evidently
building stood until 1835, being used as purchasing the land and tavern to
a “smithy Shop” after it was abandoned speculate. He rented the “Black Bear”
as a tavern. to Banabus Hughes who was a business
agent for Wharton and Company of
The tavern and trading business Philadelphia. This company forwarded
prospered to such a degree that in 1745 large sums of money here, thus
The stone tavern erected by Thomas a more substantial and elaborate establishing the largest fur-trading post
Harris in 1730 had fallen into disrepair by structure was erected a few feet north of as this point between Harrisburg and
the 1880s the original tavern. The original walls Philadelphia.
of this latter building are intact today.
During 1915, after Dr. Vere Treichler Hughes evidently did a very lucrative
purchased this old edifice, the building business as in 1750 Captain Barnabus
was remodeled and the massive walls Hughes purchased the Bear Tavern
repaired to a high standard that the “old from the Lowery’s and also the whole
tavern” will stand for another century or Harris tract. “The following year
more. (1751) he laid out a town and named it
after his wife, Elizabeth. (At this date
There is evidence in old records to the village was changed to “Elizabeth”
prove that Thomas Harris was instead of “Peshtauk”). The plot as laid
innkeeper of the Black Bear for a out at that time included the entire
number of years. western portion of the present
During his residence here, Thomas Elizabethtown, as well as several
Harris served as captain of a company hundred acres on the South side of
The same building today, located at 56 Conoy Creek.
of Rangers and, therefore, spent much
North Market Street.
 Dear C-Mom,
Dear Elizabeth I often find it
Our Historic Advice Column disappointing that people
in the current time see
The spirit of our town founder, Elizabeth Hughes, residing here
themselves as advanced,
from 1750 to 1760, offers her advice to our generation.
and at the same time
If you have any advice needs from or a history question for allude to my own era, the
Elizabeth, please send them to Dear Elizabeth, c/o Winters 1750s, as backwards.
Heritage House Museum email; Winters- From where I sit, the
HH@ElizabethtownHistory.org manner in which we dealt
with our youth and “their
Dear Elizabeth, purpose” made a great
deal more sense, than do
My 18 year old son graduated from high school this past June. your own “advanced”
He did very well in school, and we are very proud of him, but he practices, and this is one
seems to have no idea what to do with himself, now. As for of the grandest examples of such.
further schooling, he says he wants to take a year off or not go at
all. He has looked for a job, but hasn’t put a good deal of effort There sits your son, a man grown, with 12 years of education behind
into that, and isn’t sure what career path is right for him. So far, him, and yet has he no confidence in his abilities or the incentive to
all he wants to do is sit at home playing video games. How can I go out into the world and make his way. Nor has he any
motivate my child to plan for his future? comprehension of what to do about those lacking pieces.
For some odd reason, it has come to be that your young people are
Concerned Mom pressured to find for themselves an occupation that will give great
meaning to their life, as if that purpose will someday leap from

Liz Mosher’s behind a bush and present itself. It seems a sad thing that a grown
man (or grown woman too, of course) is commonly left floundering,
wondering, and waiting for this revelation to occur to them. I
Yoga Class Beginning in September, suppose ‘tis no wonder the poor soul needs an uplifting game
slaughtering pretend people to cheer him.
Dahn Yoga Master, Elizabeth Mosher, is leading Yoga
Contrast your system of education to that of my era. At the age of
Classes in the museum’s community 12, some events even before, a son is apprenticed to a tradesman
building (33 East High St.) every selected for him by his parents. He leaves his home behind and is
taken off to live with tradesman and family, where he receives no un-
Wednesday from 10:30am to earned benefits, and makes no proper wages, while learning the skills
11:30am. at hand. During that time, it is true that he may not care deeply for
the trade he has been commissioned to, but at worst, he emerges with
a skill in place and a freedom to proceed forward and make a place
for himself in the community.
Story Hour Program 2017
There is no soul-searched-for meaning to his career path beyond an
Our Story Hour program for children ages 4-6 will begin on ability to serve in some masterful capacity. Should he opt to leave
Friday, this profession, a man grown even at 18 years of age has plenty of
time to take on other ventures, but ’twill have this one skill set at
October 13. Each Story Hour lets children join in an activity least to support him while he does so.
or craft, hear a story about local history or tradition, and share
in a snack. Rarely does this happen, as once invested in a career, it is not often
that one cannot find some redeeming values in it. And that is the
lesson that they do not seem able to impart through your current
Story Hour runs several times throughout the day,
system of education; How to be productive and enjoy your mastery
and parents can plan to attend at of skills, rather than expecting your skills to bring you enjoyment
and make you productive.
9:30 or 10:45 in the morning,
or in the afternoon at 1:00pm. My advice to you is to quickly indenture him to the nearest butcher,
baker or candlestick maker and hope for the best, as he is off to a

There is a $2 cost for each very late start. Regards,

participating child. Elizabeth
 Shop in our Museum Store
Winters Heritage House Our museum store sells only locally
made and USA made
Museum items. Support local
Upcoming Events: crafts people and enjoy
the unique things we
October offer.

13th—
Hand grown and
Story Hour begins for children ages 4-6 blended teas, cold
(runs monthly: Nov. 3, Dec. 1) process soaps, hand
13th — sewn quilts, alpaca and
mohair yarns, hand
Elizabethtown Second Friday thrown pottery, vintage
Costume Crawl Event! Stop at the museum teacups and ware, hand
for a spooky story in our old log painted wine glasses, exotic hardwood
house…..ooooooooooo! cutting boards, hand forged
iron, locally grown herbs and
16th -20th— spices, sugar scrubs and
Elizabethtown School District Third Grade lotions, hand dipped candles,
Walking Tours — Docents, get ready!! locally authored books, hand
woven items, American
Heritage Chocolate (made by
November Mars right here in
Elizabethtown), and more!
10th & 11th —
27th Annual Elizabethtown Heritage Craft
Show

On November 17th, E-town College students

To participate, visit
www.ExtraGive.com
Friday evening 4-8pm, Saturday 9-3

will be on hand at the museum to lend

assistance for any ExtraGive patrons.
Admission $2 or a Food Bank contribution.
All local artisans and crafters, décor, gifts,
food!
17th —
Exhibit Opening Night : Uniquely
Elizabethtown, Our Architectural
Treasures 5pm –8pm
Lancaster County Community Foundation
Extra-Ordinary Day of Giving
Look for us!
Winters Heritage House Museum, 47 East High Street
P.O. Box 14, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 717 367-4672
December Hours: Wed., Thurs., Fri., 9:30am to 3pm and by appointment
8th — Last day for regular hours until www.ElizabethtownHistory.org Winters-HH@ElizabethtownHistory.org
March 2018