Local History

It took a year to dry the birdhouse gourds for children to paint at Saturday's Living History Day at the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum. But it only took a few hours Saturday for visitors to claim all 35 of the shells made from the hollowed-out fruit harvested from the Washington County Master Gardeners' plot last year at the Agricultural Education Center. "It was just a huge success," said Karen Greeley, who lamented not having enough birdhouses for the demand at the second year of the event, which demonstrated life in Washington County from the early to mid-1800s.

On the second Tuesday of each month, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., a small group of local history enthusiasts gathers at the Conococheague Institute's Welsh Barrens Visitors Center, 12995 Bain Road, Mercersburg, Pa. The group delves into informal discussions of local history, moderated by the Conococheague Institute's historian, Calvin Bricker Jr. Bricker's concept of “History Hippies” stems from his personal experience with learning history....

laurae@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Did you know that the oldest building in Chambersburg is now occupied by Sellers Funeral Home? Or that Nellie Fox is the Franklin County native inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame? Those were just some of the local history tidbits fifth-graders were asked about Sunday at a contest sponsored by the Rotary Club of Chambersburg. "I asked these questions to grown-ups at my house and none of them knew the answers," said master of ceremonies Bob Harrison.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Waynesboro resident Bob Ringer, known for his collection of thousands of local historical photos, died Tuesday. Ringer, 81, spent his life in Waynesboro and as early as age 15, he began assuming the role of local historian by collecting photos of the area in its early days. Ruth Gembe didn't meet Ringer until later in life when he sought out her help in researching the history of some of the photos that came into his possession.

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Betty Lou Harmison celebrated her 81st birthday Monday, and earlier this month she was named the 2007 History Hero by the West Virginia Archives and History Commission. Nominated by the Museum of the Berkeley Springs, Harmison has served on the board of directors and help found the organization in 1984. "The history here is so compelling. I had to know about this town," she said. Born in Bridgewater, Va., Betty Lou Lambert moved to Berkeley Springs with her mother in 1943.

WAYNESBORO, PA. Jackie Barlup doesn't understand why anyone would want to write a newspaper story about her life. "What's newsworthy about me?" she said. Barlup's name often shows up as the author of some historical research document or pamphlet about Waynesboro, its architecture or its people. Barlup, 73, and her husband, Louis Barlup Jr., Waynesboro's mayor, were married in August 1949. She retired as a teacher in the Waynesboro Area School District in 1993. She also taught at Shippensburg (Pa.)

Do you believe in ghosts? Do you like history - local history? You can find both in "Legends," a program that will premiere Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. on Antietam Cable Television channel 65. The 90-minute piece presents several local legends - colorful tales that have been handed down through years of Washington County history. Dave Dull, who produced, wrote, photographed and edited "Legends," says he's always been interested in history - especially local history.

A video recounting the history of escaped slaves using the Underground Railroad in the South Mountain region was unveiled Friday to educators and other community members at a private showing at Caledonia State Park. The Franklin County Visitors Bureau and the South Mountain Partnership's 15-minute DVD, titled "Road to Freedom," was shown to school administrators, library directors and others at the ranger station in the park off Pa. 30 in Fayetteville, Pa. The video featured Thaddeus Stevens' blacksmith shop at Caledonia State Park, which has been designated as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

James "Jim" Reeder grew up on a farm near Boonsboro on Amos Reeder Road, named for his father who was a Washington County commissioner. History was important to Jim, known as James by his mother, sister and sister's family. So much so that he invested a lot of time in preserving local history through the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum. Jim also became known as "Pappy" once his first grandchild, Tara, was born. Jim's grandfather was called "Pap," and when Jim's daughter, Vicki, asked what he would like to be called, Jim chose Pappy.

Jim Price, Shepherdstown's official historian laureate, has self-published a book titled “And so I did stories of Shepherdstown.” It comes out Nov. 11. Jim Price, Shepherdstown's official historian laureate, finally finished his book after years of being encouraged to do so by his wife and son, now both deceased. “I promised my wife and son that I would write it one day, and now, I did,” he said of his book, titled “And So I Did Stories of Shepherdstown.” For years, Price, 82, because of his passion for storytelling, writing and researching local history about people, places and events, has been the resource residents, newcomers, amateur historians, genealogists and journalists turn to for obscure or long-forgotten bits of town history or lore.

Jim Price, Shepherdstown's official historian laureate, has self-published a book titled “And so I did stories of Shepherdstown.” It comes out Nov. 11. Jim Price, Shepherdstown's official historian laureate, finally finished his book after years of being encouraged to do so by his wife and son, now both deceased. “I promised my wife and son that I would write it one day, and now, I did,” he said of his book, titled “And So I Did Stories of Shepherdstown.” For years, Price, 82, because of his passion for storytelling, writing and researching local history about people, places and events, has been the resource residents, newcomers, amateur historians, genealogists and journalists turn to for obscure or long-forgotten bits of town history or lore.

Washington County has deep Civil War roots, and learning about it is only a remote control click away. On Monday, Sept. 17, Antietam Cable will premiere the seven-part "The Civil War in Washington County" series. The show airs at 8 p.m. on Antietam Cable's Channel 30. Producer David Dull said the series will begin before the war with John Brown's Raid and follow the history into the post-war years. Dull said the project started last year. He said he had lunch in November with local historians Ted Alexander, Tom Clemens and Dennis Frye, to discuss a way to bring local Civil War history to the TV screen.

For more than 50 years, Don C. Wood had two passions - his roses and collecting and writing the history of Berkeley County, W.Va., its people, its historic properties and its way of life. Wood, who died Sunday after a brief illness, was born in Berkeley County in 1933 and, except for brief periods, rarely left the county, or for that matter, West Virginia, said Todd Funkhouser, president of the Berkeley County Historical Society. Wood belonged to the society for 40 years, including 20 years as its president.

Before a Sunday afternoon thunderstorm caused Fort Frederick State Park to cancel the remainder of its French and Indian War Muster weekend, visitors got to witness one battle re-enactment outside the stone fort. Musket fire volleyed back and forth between the French and British sides of the re-enacted battle. Some French could be heard among the re-enactors portraying French Marines and Milice, or French militia. That French came in handy Sunday, as the state park had visitors from France among its tourists, said Park Ranger Bob Study with the Maryland Park Service.

David Preston "Kip" Koontz, 48, of Frederick, Md., a former member of the city's board of aldermen, died unexpectedly Sunday, April 8, 2012, at his home. He is survived by his devoted spouse of 19 years, J.D. Hulse. Born June 11, 1963, in Hagerstown, Md., he was the son of the late Harry E. and Karen Ann Stouffer Koontz. He was a 1981 graduate of South Hagerstown High and received his bachelor's degree from Western Maryland College in Westminster, Md. He was a history buff who shared his tremendous love of local history, especially of Washington and Frederick counties.

On the second Tuesday of each month, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., a small group of local history enthusiasts gathers at the Conococheague Institute's Welsh Barrens Visitors Center, 12995 Bain Road, Mercersburg, Pa. The group delves into informal discussions of local history, moderated by the Conococheague Institute's historian, Calvin Bricker Jr. Bricker's concept of “History Hippies” stems from his personal experience with learning history....

With a love of history and architecture, Glenn Shindle has found the perfect niche for his interests: The Washington County Historical Society. Membership gives him the opportunity to learn more about the area's heritage, and he helps preserve it. Shindle said a friend invited him to become a member of the group about seven years ago, and the rest, as they say, is history. “I really enjoy it,” the Hagerstown resident said. “Certainly, anyone who has an interest in historic properties would enjoy it.” Shindle said he supports the local society by helping maintain several of its sites, including Beaver Creek School Museum, a two-room schoolhouse dating back to 1904.

James "Jim" Reeder grew up on a farm near Boonsboro on Amos Reeder Road, named for his father who was a Washington County commissioner. History was important to Jim, known as James by his mother, sister and sister's family. So much so that he invested a lot of time in preserving local history through the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum. Jim also became known as "Pappy" once his first grandchild, Tara, was born. Jim's grandfather was called "Pap," and when Jim's daughter, Vicki, asked what he would like to be called, Jim chose Pappy.

It took a year to dry the birdhouse gourds for children to paint at Saturday's Living History Day at the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum. But it only took a few hours Saturday for visitors to claim all 35 of the shells made from the hollowed-out fruit harvested from the Washington County Master Gardeners' plot last year at the Agricultural Education Center. "It was just a huge success," said Karen Greeley, who lamented not having enough birdhouses for the demand at the second year of the event, which demonstrated life in Washington County from the early to mid-1800s.

A few of the many yard sales lining Main Street during the Sharpsburg Heritage Festival Saturday morning turned into porch sales. Rain dampened the enthusiasm of those who ran yard sales and concession stands, and there were a lot fewer of them in town than if the sun had been shining. Plastic bags, sheets and tarps became the order of the day as vendors tried to protect their wares. "We usually do a good business ... when it's not raining," said Kathy Gustafson, who, with fellow members of the Sharpsburg Church of the Brethren at 123 E. Main St., huddled under canopies to protect their homemade ham and bean, chicken corn and vegetable soups, chili and baked goods.