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What is the definition of a local historian? A local historian is anyone who has a keen interest in local events, researches, collects, records, writes, and shares the information found about any part of what local history is - including genealogy, chronological happenings, or architecture. A local historian is quite often recognized as an authority because of their years of interest and extent of knowledge.

For Greencastle-Antrim and staying within my life span's memory, the names of G. Fred Ziegler, William P. Conrad, Glen Cump, Jane Alexander, and Ted Alexander immediately come to mind. I would also include the less familiar names of I. H. McCauley author of "Historical Sketch of Franklin County, Pennsylvania 1878" and Professor J. Fraise Richard author of Part II of the "History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania 1887". Like thousands before them in other places and times, all of those I mentioned have written articles, written books, collected and collated information, and kept records of well-known events and not-so-well-known events that occurred in Greencastle-Antrim. They consciously did so in order that we, those who were born and raised here and newcomers to the area, will always have written resources to go to where we can read about our history. I can only surmise that Mr. Ziegler and Mr. Conrad became known as our local historians either because they had always had a keen interest in history in general, or because of their love of our community, or most likely, it was both reasons combined.

I would like to broaden the definition of local historian, though, to include many individuals unknown to us. Each family usually has at least one family member to whom all others look for information about their family background. I can remember my Grandmother Fitz who knew the lineage of every single person born or married into the family. It always amazed me. But it interested her and she enjoyed it. My Aunt Arlene Patterson picked up and took over the job of our family genealogy from my grandmother by recording on paper all of the details. So, I would include family historians, the keepers of genealogy and family history, in my definition of local historians.

All of those who I mentioned in this letter's second paragraph are familiar to us and wrote books and/or articles about many aspects of Greencastle-Antrim's history. But there are many, unknown author's who have also contributed information unbeknown to many of us, except by accident. While going through papers given to the museum that belonged to Mrs. Edgar Zarger, I came upon a written history of the town's "Dipping Box". Its author is unknown and it was typed on Greencastle Borough letterhead but no one knows from where it came. Here follows an excerpt. "Naturally, the new town's first need was a supply of pure water for domestic purposes and for fire protection. Accordingly, on March 8, 1785 Mr. Allison, the Proprietor, entered into a perpetual agreement with a Mr. William Rankin, who owned a fine spring known as Moss Spring, just east of the borough, to divert water from this spring by means of an artificial watercourse through the town. …. It was, naturally, important that such a watercourse should be kept clean and free from leaks. The early borough policemen and constables had quite a job on their hands making weekly inspections; and many were the citizens who were haled before the magistrate for failure to keep their trunking clean or in good repair." You'll learn more about this water system during this year's Old Home Week pageant, as this will be the focus of one of the scenes. There is, I am sure, another account or accounts about the borough water system, but perhaps it does not include some of the details mentioned in this particular vignette from the past. I consider the unknown author of this piece one of Greencastle's local historians.

The April meeting's guest speaker, John W. Thompson, IV, although only a resident of Mercersburg for six years, is considered to be one of their local historians. A newcomer can also become a local historian. Thompson was instrumental in establishing the Mercersburg Historical Association, was president for three of its four years' existence, and wrote, compiled, and published two books - "Historical Views of Old Mercersburg" and "General J.E.B. Stuart's Raid through Mercersburg". His keen interest in his "new" hometown was so great that he, because of all his efforts, is now considered one of Mercersburg's local historians. If the interest is there, and the research is done in depth, and one becomes knowledgeable on a particular aspect of local history, one earns the title of local historian even if one is not a native.

Jacob Samuel Snively probably did not realize he would someday be considered an historian when he wrote his account, in his diary, of the history of the One Hundred Fifty-eight Pennsylvania Regiment-Militia. Snively's account just reached us recently by email from one of his great, great granddaughters currently living in Minnesota. Neither did, I am sure, Alice McLanahan Fleming think of herself as a local historian when her remembrances were recorded in an Echo Pilot interview in 1939. She reminisced about her home place - "Adventure" farm; recounted memories of daily life in Greencastle and Antrim between 1847 and 1939. She shared her vivid memories of the retreat of the Confederate soldiers back through Greencastle after the Battle of Gettysburg as well as recalled her memories of the day the foundry (Crowell) burned. These two accounts can be found, with others, in the museum's library in the Reminisces notebook.

Are you a local historian? Allison-Antrim Museum is very interested in collecting remembrances, whether they are formally published or are transcripts from family members' diaries or thoughts jotted down of an event. We hope you'll consider sharing your or your family's memories of our local history and family genealogies so that the visitors to our museum may read about and research our past. Please contact us at 717.597.9010 concerning anything you have in your memorabilia that you would like to donate.

Plaster Molding

Thank you to Ralph Michael and Foremost Industries for their expertise in reproducing, in wood, the original plaster molding that hung in the grand hallway downstairs. The plaster molding was discovered during "renovation" of the hallway in preparation for our opening in August 1998. It is about 9 inches in width with many differently shaped relieves. In order to reproduce it in wood, Foremost had knives cut to the exact shapes and dimensions of the original molding.

Thanks also goes to Paula Reed, an architectural historian in Hagerstown, Md., who gave us a diagram of a "possible, could-have-been" design shape for the outer most missing relief that is toward the center of the ceiling.

The next step is to use gesso, an artist’s medium, as an undercoat that will help give the wood molding the smooth "look" of plaster. Thank you to Donna and Dick Grosh of Greencastle True Value for their help in matching the original two colors that are on pieces of the plaster molding.

One hundred and fifty years ago, this type of plaster molding would have been made by cutting to shape a template from tin, attaching it to a wood frame, and pulling it through a mound of wet plaster.

This restoration project is a true example of the community working together for the benefit of Allison-Antrim Museum. Please be sure to stop by during the next open house times to see the progress. See accompanying photograph.

If you like to paint or can help with painting the reproduced molding, please call Bonnie at 717.597.9325 as soon as possible. It will be greatly appreciated!

We are back to square one in obtaining an original signature of the late Governor Robert P. Casey, Jr. As it turned out, the letter that was sent to the fourth grade class of Mrs. Ann Schnabel was a photocopy. Casey's signature is the last remaining twentieth century governor needed for the governors of the 1900's. Allison-Antrim Museum would be forever grateful if there is anyone out there who has an original signature of Governor Casey to donate to our collection. It need not be on letterhead from the office of the governor, nor does it need to be during his term of office. A signature on a letter, greeting card, or note would suffice. If anyone has any information please call the museum at 717.597.9010 and leave a message.

Allison-Antrim Museum is starting a project of collecting photographs (professional or personal) and postcard pictures from the past of places, buildings, businesses, etc. in Greencastle and Antrim Township. We are asking to borrow these images to have copies made, but the museum would also gratefully accept the originals as gifts. The images must be identifiable. Please contact the museum at 717.597.9010.

Invitations to other historical organizations and museums in Franklin County will be extended, later this summer, to attend a special meeting to be hosted and sponsored by Allison-Antrim Museum. The focus will be on how we can all best promote ourselves as a unified group - possibly through a special brochure.

Allison-Antrim Museum's May featured exhibit is fifteen antique counted stitch samplers and four antique Pennsylvania German show towels from the collections of Kathy Barrick-Dieter, Hagerstown, Maryland. The grand opening of the exhibit will be on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13, 2001, 1-4 p.m. with another open house on Thursday, May 17, noon - 3 p.m.

The counted stitch sampler collection includes pieces from the early 1800's up to 1886 with one undated Swedish sampler that probably dates from the mid to late 1700's. Information on each of the samplers can be found under the Special Exhibits link.

Also on exhibit will be four Pennsylvania German hand-decorated towels.

Hand-decorated towels were worked by the Pennsylvania German population from 1735 to 1850 and reached the peak of their popularity between 1820 and 1850. Primarily made by young, unmarried women, hand-decorated towels were not practice pieces as were samplers, but were display pieces that were made to add beauty to a home. These finely stitched linen panels were hung on the backs of bedroom doors.

Kathy Barrick-Dieter began collecting antique samplers in the early 1990's. Her love of samplers dates back ten years earlier when she began stitching antique reproduction samplers. In 1997, Kathy began designing samplers and publishing her designs under the name of "Barrick Samplers" through which she markets her charted reproduction sampler designs. Her talents have also been featured in "Early American Life" formerly known as "Early American Homes".

The exhibit may be viewed at all other times through May 31 by appointment.

During the month of May, Allison-Antrim Museum will be celebrating International Museum Day with museums all over the world. The theme for 2001 is "Museums: Building Community".

Museums play an integral part in their communities by becoming effective forces and resources not only on the historical level but also on intellectual, cultural, environmental, esthetic, and economic levels. Museums are embassies within their communities with ambassadors that greet all visitors who enter their doors.

Please visit Allison-Antrim Museum during our open houses on May 13 and May 17 to help celebrate International Museum Day.

Allison-Antrim Museum will have as its featured exhibit in June antique lace from the collection of Shirley Baker, State Line, Pennsylvania. Open houses will be on Thursday, June 7 - noon to 3 p.m. and Sunday, June 10 - 1 to 4 p.m. The exhibit may be viewed at any other time by calling 717.597.9010 to make an appointment.

An exquisite array of antique laces will be displayed. In the collection is an Ozark wedding dress inlaid with lace, eight to ten vintage aprons, collars, lappets, jabots, wedding handkerchiefs, a black mourning handkerchief, sleeves, vintage post cards, and salesmen's samples from France dating to 1920. The types of laces will include both needlepoint and bobbin lace - Valenciennes, Brussels, Carrickmacross, Flemish, Teneriffe, Maltese, and Rosepoint lace. Enhancing the exhibit will be lace-making accessories including bobbins, tatting shuttles, and, courtesy of David Thomas, a lacer's lamp. Interest in the exhibit has already been expressed from as far away as the state of New York.

Present on both days will be members of the Bob-inettes, a chapter of the Chesapeake Regional Lace Guild. Members of the Bob-inettes hail from West Virginia; Washington County, Maryland; and Frederick, Maryland. The ladies will be demonstrating the art of handmade bobbin lace. The imported Belgium thread (size 150) that they use is much finer than sewing thread.

Lace, as we know it today, came into existence about 1500. Because of fragility, many early examples have disintegrated with time and the origins of early lace have become obscure. Both Italy and Flanders claim to have invented lace but it has been made worldwide including France, Brussels, Spain, Holland, Germany, Scandinavia, Sweden, Russia, and the United States. It is believed Puritans brought the art of lace making to the United States in the 1700s.

Lace making is both a craft and an industry. Lace was, in most European countries, a cottage industry. The art can be traced to the Dark Ages when only the rich could afford to wear its beauty. It is considered the "Queen of Textiles" – no textile fabric has contributed more largely to the elegance and luxuries of life. Formerly it was the ultimate status symbol reserved mostly for the very wealthy. Valenciennes lace, for example, was and is one of the most costly of the many kinds. A skilled worker could make only about 1-½ inches of lace per day and it often took a whole year to produce 24 inches. Before lace came into general use, nuns made it for church vestments and altar cloths.

Purists insist that there are only two genuine laces – needlepoint and bobbin. Needlepoint is made with an ordinary needle and a single thread. Often this lace was simply called point lace. Twisting and plaiting large numbers of threads together is how bobbin lace is made. Many different laces were then derived from these two basic styles.

Bobbin lace was a cottage industry from mid 17^th century through most all of the 18^th century. Traditionally women and girls made bobbin lace. This money supplemented the men’s wages. Sometimes men would also assist in making the lace after their day’s work. The men would often know of this art because children of both sexes were taught the craft from the age of three. Especially noted for making laces were clergy, teachers and sailors. Young children worked for approximately 5 hours per day while the mother or parents would work for 15 hours.

Perhaps John Ruskin best sums up the value of lace as a possession. "If you think of it," he wrote, "you will find the whole value of lace as a possession depends on the fact of its having a beauty which has been the reward of industry and attention. The real good of a piece of lace is that it should show first, that the designer of it had a pretty fancy; next, that the maker of it had fine fingers; lastly, that the wearer of it has worthiness or dignity enough to obtain that which is difficult to obtain."

Today we take for granted the lace edging on a pillow or garment and lace’s availability in any fabric shop. How little do we appreciate the hardship of lace's beginnings?

For more information on the exhibit call 717.597.9010.

Thursday, May 10: Monthly meeting, 7 p.m., at the Rescue Hose Company. A video will be viewed and a tour of the fire company's museum will be given by Ray Mowen.

Open Houses - Antique counted stitch samplers and Pennsylvania German show towels. See article.

International Museum Day is celebrated during May. The theme for 2001 is "Museums: Building Community". The International Council of Museums started this day of recognition for museums in 1977, "…in hopes of highlighting the role museums play in preserving heritage and to demonstrate the value of museums in building and sustaining communities across the globe."

Thursday, June 7, 2001, noon to 3 p.m. & Sunday, June 10, 2001, 1 - 4 p.m.: Open Houses - Antique lace exhibit from the collection of Shirley Baker and bobbin lace demonstration. See article.

Thursday, June 14, 2001: Monthly meeting, 7 p.m., Evangelical Lutheran Church - Carl Spidel of Chambersburg will speak on "Lewis the Robber", a noted highwayman and "Robin Hood" figure in south central Pennsylvania.

Thursday, July 5, noon - 3 p.m. & Sunday, July 8, 2001, 1 - 4 p.m.: Open Houses - Tentatively - antique paperweights

Thursday, July 12, 2001: Quarterly meeting, Antrim House Restaurant, 6:30 p.m., Ralph Donnelly speaking on "The Mason-Dixon Line". Reservations for dinner are required by Monday, July 9 and may be made by calling Bonnie Shockey at 717.597.9325.

…the size 9 needlework accessory that is among the archaeological dig finds?

The answer to March’s "Have You Seen…" is the little girl’s check weave dress that dates to 1870-1872 that was made for Sue Crunkleton Brumbaugh, born in Antrim Township on May 4,1868 and died on June 26,1960. It has no button or button hole and was probably pinned shut. It was a gift from her granddaughter, Mary Myers Resley.

• AAMI received via the Greencastle Borough office from the Historical Commission of Milford in Massachusetts, a Carl’s Book Store postcard of the Corporal Rihl monument. It had been in Milford for a while and because of "limited space" (from which all historical organizations suffer) they were seeking its proper home.
• Bonnie submitted information on AAMI to WITF’s "Insiders Guide" which is a special issue, published in July. It features a directory of interesting places, facilities, organizations, attractions, and happenings in Central Pennsylvania.
• Bonnie updated the museum's profile for the American Association of Museums.
• Received a $100 preservation donation from the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation.
• Bonnie and Ken took twelve paper documents to Sue Nash, paper conservator in Shepherdstown, WV for assessment.
• Bonnie and Ken took the James Logan document to the Regional Conservation Center in Philadelphia for conservation work to begin. It will be finished by Old Home Week.
• Bonnie and Ken got to talk to the head of the archaeological dig in Philadelphia that was focused in the block where Gabriel Wilkinson's land was situated.
• Received from the ancestor of Gabriel Wilkinson genealogy information on the Wilkinson family and recorded references from Philadelphia City records on the land deed.
• Ted Alexander was appointed to the position of historian for Allison-Antrim Museum to fill the vacancy left by Glen Cump's resignation from the board of directors.
• Shirley Baker attended a grant writing seminar.

• In accordance with a request of Mrs. Katherine Carl, AAMI accepted and received from the Kittochtinny Historical Society a Pennsylvania Kitchen Table (circa 1760 - 1775) that originally belonged to the Carl family of Greencastle.

• Three books - "Home Town Memories - State Line, Pennsylvania", the Snow Hill auction catalog, and the 50^th reunion book of the Greencastle High School Class of 1944 - giftsfrom Alice Brumbaugh

• Three books - "Echoes in the Valley - Poems of the Cumberland and Shenandoah Valley" by Martha H. Gelbach, "Indians, Indians" by Hayes R. Eschebmann, and "Carpenters and Joiners of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 1750 - 1850" by William Bowers - gifts from Shirley Baker
• One book, "The Politics of Progress, Governor Leader's Administration 1955-1959", a gift from former Governor Leader. This book will, very nicely, complement our Pennsylvania Governors' Signatures Collection.
• The signature of Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker, 1903-1907 - a gift from Barbara Pengelly of Hagerstown, Maryland who is a dealer in autographs and rare documents
• A red, blue, and white hand-woven, Greencastle coverlet, dated 1837 - a gift from Margaret Shughart, Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania It belonged to her grandmother, Della Mae Pensinger Stine.

• A granddaughter of Harry Joseph Deitzel who had a tin shop in Greencastle during the early 1900's contacted us.
• A request from a gentleman in Dryden, Mississippi who owns a Bradley and Crowell farm bell that has a broken part wonders if there are any other known Bradley and Crowell farm bells in the Greencastle-Antrim area. Please call 717.597.9010 if you have any information.
• A request from a young man in Tucuman, Argentina who said, "I really love museums!!" and asked for a brochure to be sent to him.
• Information is sought on the marriage elopement in Greencastle of a Martha Stillwell and Bazel Harrison on March 17, 1790. The ceremony was performed by the local Justice of the Peace.
• Received from the great, great, granddaughter of Jacob Samuel Snively a transcribed copy of Snively's diary account of "The History of the One Hundred Fifty-eight Pennsylvania Regiment-Militia."

Grant Money Received
Not quite a year ago, I filled out a grant application for PA Partners in the Arts money that is administered locally by the Chambersburg Area Council for the Arts.

Our request was for money to purchase a TV/VCR combination that would allow handicapped visitors who are unable to climb the stairs to the second floor to see the exhibit room, the chance to see the exhibits via videotape. The second request was for the purchase of display screen panels on which to hang pieces of art or samplers, such as in our May exhibit.

We did not get the grant when they were handed out last year. But, I was recently contacted with the unexpected, but welcomed news, that because one of the grantees was unable to follow through with their project, their grant money was returned and Allison-Antrim Museum will be receiving about $800 with which we can now purchase the display panels. We will now have our own panels making it less likely that we'll have to borrow panels in the future.