Living History Offers Opportunity to Step Back in Time

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to work the fields on a plantation during the Revolutionary War? Or stroll through an 18th century village? Or fight in battle during the Civil War? Living history offers an interactive perspective which incorporates historical activities and dress providing a sense of stepping back in time. So, how can YOU step back in time?

Rock Ford volunteer Nancy Bradley in the Study of the mansion

Rock Ford Plantation, in Lancaster County, PA, will be hosting a Volunteer Tour Guide Recruitment Event on Sunday, 22 March. They need tour guides for its upcoming tour season. Built circa 1794, Rock Ford was the home of Edward Hand and his family. Hand, an Irish immigrant and physician, served as Adjutant General to George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

Volunteer tour guides at Rock Ford bring the past to life for museum visitors. A tour guide can be any person aged 18 years and up. No experience is necessary, and training will be provided by the Curator. Printed materials are also provided so that all guides can become confident, successful and valuable members of this historic site. Rock Ford’s tour guides are offered other volunteer opportunities after they have become an established tour guide. A tour guide should have the ability to be on his or her feet for at least an hour and the ability to climb stairs.

The event will begin at 2 p.m. with an information session in the Rock Ford Barn, followed by a brief guided tour of the mansion. Interested persons should confirm their attendance prior to 19 March by calling the Rock Ford office at 717-392-7223. Rock Ford Plantation is located at 881 Rockford Road, Lancaster, PA 17602. The historic property is open for tours Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from April to October. It is operated by the non-profit Rock Ford Foundation. For more information, visit www.rockfordplantation.org.

Another great opportunity in Lancaster County is the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum. Landis Valley is a 100 acre plot situated on the crossroads of a former rural village. Brothers Henry K. Landis and George Landis, who grew up in Lancaster during the 1870s and 1880s, shared and interest in Pennsylvania German history. They became active collectors of a range of historic artifacts, antique furniture, buttons, coins, Conestoga Wagons, dishes and glassware, farm equipment and tools, guns, pottery, quilts and more. In 1925 the Landis brothers founded the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum in order to preserve that history. In 1953 the brothers transferred the property to the Commonwealth, at which time it became a living history museum.

Today, Landis Valley offers numerous classes and workshops to the public. Subject matter varies from broom making to blacksmithing, from rug hooking to gardening, baking, livestock classes, and so much more.

Volunteer opportunities at Landis Valley include: museum guides, store volunteers, gardeners, office support, curatorial work, and special events. For more information on volunteering at Landis Valley, visit: https://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/support/volunteer/.

Photo credit: Rock Ford Plantation

Coatesville's First Serial Killer

Young Alexander Meyer was a disturbed and angry young man with some major issues. He had failed sixth and seventh grade, and instead of having to repeat eighth grade again, he finally gave up on school. At age 16 he quit Downingtown Junior High. Meyer is not a relative, nor are his victims (that I am aware). I stumbled upon young Alex while reading Tortured Minds: Pennsylvania's Most Bizarre - But Forgotten - Murders by Tammy Mal. On 11 February 1937 Alexander Thweatt Meyer killed young Helen Moyer as she walked home from school in Coatesville along Modena Road. She was not his first. The jury was out only three minutes after hearing Dr. Michael Margolis' testimony on the death of Helen Moyer. The jury determined Meyer had murdered Moyer and should be held for first degree murder. The jury also condemned the parole system which had released Meyer back into the public, after having served just 14 months in Huntingdon Reformatory, for the murder of two other girls - Anna Blasc...

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52 Ancestors: Remembering the King

Today is Elvis’ birthday. He would have been 80 today. I was only eight when he died so obviously I am too young to have seen Elvis perform. However, when I hear his music, I go back in time. I am once again that young girl dancing in the living room to Elvis and other greats with my father. Back then girls learned to dance by dancing with their fathers not some video of scantly dressed people doing all sorts of things young ladies should not be doing in public! What is YOUR favorite memory - either of your father or of Elvis? 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is a weekly genealogical challenge issued by Amy Johnson Crow, of No Story Too Small . Look for my weekly posts each Thursday! © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015

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