The Heritage Herald for January 2013

THE
January, 2013
HERITAGE HERALD
Washington County Rural Heritage Museum
7313 Sharpsburg Pike
Boonsboro, MD 21713
Phone: 240-420-1714
Fax: 240-420-1713
Welcome
In The News
Annual Report
Accom plishm ents &
Goals
Spudfest
Docent Training
Mem bership
Breakfast Buffet
In Memoriam
150th Anniversary
Dr. Fahrney Garden
Four-Square Garden
Artisan Bread Calendar
Displays and Exhibits
www.ruralheritagemuseum.org
email: [email protected]
Welcome to the 2013 Rural Heritage Museum Season
We would like to begin the 2013 season, by praising the many volunteers who have
graciously given their tim e making our museum a well-known tourist attraction in
Washington County. We have entertained visitors from far and wide, even some
visitors who hailed from France. Without the constant support of our volunteers, we
would not be able to continue im proving the reputation of the ever-expanding museum.
We have received much praise from the County Commissioners concerning the reliable
volunteers who are effective in all of pur activities.
We would like to share a volunteer prayer given to us by Katherine BurtnerA VOLUNT EERS PRAYER
“I thank thee, Lord, as a volunteer
For the chance to serve another year.
And to give of myself in some small way,
To those not blessed as I each day.
My thanks for health of mind and soul,
To aid me ever toward my goal.
For eyes to see the good in all,
A hand to extend before a fall.
For legs to go where the need is great
Learning to love - forgetting to hate.
For ears to hear and heart to care,
When someone's cross is hard to bear.
A smile to show my affection true,
With energy aplenty- the task to do.
And all I ask, dear Lord, if I may,
Is to serve you better day by day.”
If you are interested in becoming a part of a group of caring volunteers, please let us
know through email or phone. We would love to have you join us.
Accessions
Village
Living History Day
Village by Candlelight
Transportation Museum
Holiday Open House
Cookie Baking
Security System
Upcoming Events
Bowman Grant
PB Eggs & Pretzel Sale
Recipe
Board of Directors
In The News
Hagerstown Magazine-January/February 2013
A Time Travel er's Life- Washington County’s Unique Museums
Offer Visitors Hands-on History Adventures
by Jane F. Schmidt + photos by Pang Tubhirun
Agrarian Life
Relive the “good old days” at The Rural Heritage Museum, Boonsboro. Begun by a
citizen group, the first building opened in 2001 and featured agrarian tools, artifacts,
and displays. The second building erected in
July 2009 houses solely farming equipm ent.
Building Three highlighting transportation will
open in April 2013. The grounds include a
pre-Victorian farmstead, German F our-Square
garden, and outdoor oven. Nearby is a growing
country village showcasing actual historic
buildings, including Mt. Tabor Brethren
Church, Dr. Peter Fahrney’s m edical office, and
Glass and Poffenberger family cabins —
plentiful opportunities to explore and imagine.
Friends of the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum Annual Report– 2012
The Friends was incorporated for the purpose of supporting the Rural Heritage Museum. This support includes,
but is not limited to, the recruitment and training of volunteers to work in the Museum and to supervise the
activities of the volunteers under the ultimate supervision of the Museum Committee. The Friends plan, coordinate
and present special events and programs at the Agricultural and Education Center. The Friends also operate and
manage a gift shop located in the Museum Building for the benefit of the public. In order to accomplish these tasks
the following four committees have been designated: Finance, Membership, Gift Shop and Special Events
1. Finance: The finance chairman, Ron Frey, has been doing a fabulous job working with the accountant
and the Friends to streamline the process of sharing accurate information about the Friends. The process of
learning the complexities of all that we do can be time consuming. We are looking for an assistant treasurer, or
someone interested in becoming the treasurer.
2. Membership: Millie Hendrickson is our wonderful membership chairperson. Under her direction we
have 273 paid mem bers. (298). Our membership has rem ained over 250 for several years. Millie is working
diligently to organize our mem bership luncheon which will be held during the first part of 2013.
A volunteer (docent) training was held on April 14th. Thank you to Sally Waltz for organizing the morning
with Tom Riford. We have had requests for additional trainings about the items in each of the museums so
hopefully this was the first of a series of trainings for volunteers.
3. Gift Shop: Marge Peters is the manager of the Gift Shop. During the year, a gift shop committee was
form ed to rejuvenate the gift shop. The decision was made to create a gift shop where local artisans could display
and sell there items. We now have weaving by Sally W altz, pottery by Foxcross, soap by Cedar Ridge Soaps,
candles by Millhouse Candles, paintings by Carolyn Smith, blacksmith items by Joe Scheerer, hooked pillows etc.
by Barbara Twigg, repurposed feedbags by Patsy Ardinger and the newly released Boonsboro book by Doug Bast,
and much more to come. Think of the gift shop when doing your holiday shopping.
4. Special Events: The Special Events committee is responsible for the raising funds for the Rural
Heritage Museum. Our goal this year was to raise $9,000.00. We will reach our goal at the conclusion on the
Candlelight Tour this year. To accomplish this task we have had a number of events.
Candy Making: The candy factory opened February 8th this year making peanut butter eggs and a few
coconut eggs. We sold each for $1.00. When the chocolate was put away in April we had made approximately
$3,000.00 in profit. This is also a fantastic marketing tool because we are able to distribute our calendar of events
for the coming year. This year we are looking for new markets for our eggs. If you would like to take orders or if
you know of a business that will allow us to sell our eggs, see Mary Poffenberger.
Garden Tour: This year the Garden Tour was held Saturday, June 9th. Gardens were featured in the south
end of the county and across the river in Shepherdstown. Approximately 20 volunteers manned the 6 garden
stations to make the garden tour a success. We received help from three teens who came to us from Volunteer
Washington County.
Bread Program: Bill Theriault is the chairman for the Bread Program. He has several loyal bread bak ers,
which I call the Bread Guild. Bill and the guild mak e bread most every warm month, the second Saturday of the
month, (depending on the availability of the facility). The bread is made in the bread oven near the Poffenberger
cabin. A pavilion is being built over the bread oven by the boy scouts. It should be finished by years end. Bill
makes rustic white as well as other flavorful breads and sells each for $5.00 a loaf. If you would like to order
bread, please contact Erin or e-mail Bill. Bill also has Wheat to Bread program takes place almost every tim e he
makes bread, however, this year on September 22nd a special m ore elaborate program was shared with the public.
In addition to bread baking, wheat weaving was demonstrated. Other demonstrations regarding the entire process
of getting wheat harvested and ground into flour to make bread were shared with the public.
Heritage Fun Day was held Sunday, July 22 in conjunction with the Ag Expo. The Ag Expo committee and
the Special Events committee worked together to introduce the 4-H’ ers to early farming in Washington County
Spudfest: The last Saturday in the month of August has long been the tim e known for the Spudfest. Our
goal has been to educate the public about farming and growing food. We have opened the kitchen to make this a
fund raiser by selling a lunch consisting m ostly of potatoes or potato products. The candy mak ers opened the
factory to make potato candy for sale at the Spudfest. The Bread Guild was making and selling bread. This year
the Master Gardeners also featured the Taste of the Garden. The village and farmstead were open for the public
as well. Antique tractors were in operation and dem onstrations of stone crushing kept everyone interested. The
team of horses were back to dig the potatoes. Jamie Kenton, the 4-H youth development extension educator, had
an array of gam es relating to potatoes for all to play. The farm family of the year was also announced during the
Spudfest. This coming year, 2013, the Spudfest will be held the 4th Saturday in August, August 24th. There are 5
Saturdays in August in 2013.
Special Speakers: During the anniversary on the 150th Battle of Antietam we hosted to speakers: Paul
McDermott and Abe Lincoln. The attendance from the public was small however; the volunteers thoroughly
enjoyed resting while listening to the lectures.
October 20th was Living History Day. One of the goals of the Rural Heritage Museum is to depict life in
early Washington County - 1800’s. We know it was predominately a community of German farmers hence the
name Heritage Gathering- Erbe Versaumuling. This year were had the publicity of L ou Scally broadcasting from
our event. Our visitors were able to see how apple butter is made as well as blacksmithing. Multiple hand crafts
were demonstrated. Volunteers were working the saw mill for the event. The fund raiser was the lunch in the
kitchen. This event features food that would have been eaten in early Washington County.
Country Breakfast Buffet: The Ag Board and the Friends work together to conduct the Country Breakfast
Buffet held this year on November 10th. Our goal was to sell 500 tickets. This year we reached that goal. Our
buffet m enu expanded as well as our expenses. The final profit is not yet available.
Candlelight Tour: The last fund raising event for the year is the Candlelight Tour to be held November
30th from 6 pm – 9pm. The village will be illuminated by candlelight and the them e will be 1876, the
centennial- reconstruction after the civil war.
In addition to the scheduled activities we have hosted 3 tours in which we served lunch for a fee. These
tours also gave the museum a donation.
The Truck Farm committee is new this year thanks to Bill Poffenberger and Howard Thom as. They were
able to grow and sell: sweet corn, potatoes and popcorn. I expect this project will grow as well.
5. Other Business: Our wish list was not too large this year. It consisted of: a freezer thanks to Marge and
Ken Peters, funding to restore the Hamm ond’s garage thanks to Rose Marie and Carl Gearhart, sign and funding
to move the General Store from Fairview to the Village thanks to Don and Mary Jane Spickler. We also wanted to
finds a grant or two to supplem ent special projects: restoration of the 1934 Dodge truck and a security system.
We now have a freezer, the Hammond’s garage sign is being restored by Don Bowm an and Tim Fraker, and the
General Store will come to the village. We were able to obtain two grants: The Bowm an grant for the truck and
the Snyder grant for our security system.
I would like to thank all the Friends volunteers because none of these events could happen with out you.
To Erin Overdorff a huge Thank You for being our publicity person and go to gal. And a Thank You Jim Sterling
for all he does for the facility. Rem ember it only takes 3 1/2 hours a month to be a regular volunteer docent in the
museum on Saturday or Sunday from 1-4 pm to keep our museum open.
2012 has been a great year and I’m looking forward to and even better year in 2013.
Patsy Ardinger, President, Friends of the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum– submitted 11/13/12
2012 Accomplishments and 2013 Goals for the Rural Heritage Museum
2012 was a great year here at the Rural Heritage Museum. Spudfest, Living History Day and the
Candlelight Tour were well attended as well as our overall attendance was up.
This past year we complete the construction of the Black Smith Shop, the Transportation Building and
construction was started on the bread oven pavilion. The 1934 Dodge truck was painted and restoration is
continuing. We now have a crew of ladies coming in once a month help with cleaning.
After alm ost a year of preparation and hard work the newest building acquisition was set on its foundation
on Dec 17, 2012. Yes, the Spickler store is now sitting in the village and is awaiting restoration. View our village
update for more inform ation on the move.
The transportation building now has the security system with cam eras up and working. The Hammond
Garage display in the transportation building is almost finished with a few minor details needing com pletion.
Items should start moving from building to building by the end of January.
Goals for 2013:
- Com plete the rearrangem ent of building #2 to better tell the story of agriculture in Washington County before
1940- build a wagon body lift, set up a display of orchard items, rearrange equipm ent and set up a dairy display
- In the first building rearrange items to depict the way people lived prior to 1940
- Continue to recruit and train additional docents
- Continue searching all avenues to secure additional funding for the Village and Farmstead.
- Continue the search for additional buildings for the Farmstead and Village, but not limited to a log stable, school
and weavers houses.
- We also looking for a nice early gas powered Maytag washer, ground drive corn binder and real early phone
equipm ent.
- Work with the County Parks Dept and Swartz family to start construction on Carpenters shop.
- Equip the blacksmith shop.
I want to thank all of our many dedicated volunteers, docents and helpers whose hard work and dedication
have made this museum what it is today and what it will be tom orrow.
Thanks ever so much!
Phil Muritz, Museum Board of Directors President
Spudfest– The Gigantic Potato Harvest
When you purchase potatoes from the supermarket, they usually weigh in at about four to five ounces apiece. Not
at the RHM!!! When Jamie Baker and his family began digging the potatoes with their horses hooked to a steel
plow they had som e problems. Since the ground where the potatoes were planted had never been tilled until that
fateful day, August 25, 2012 known as the Spud Fest, the plow snapped to the dism ay of many volunteers and over
250 children and adults. If the ground was that tough, how many potatoes would we be able to harvest? Never fear!
When the plow was ready again, the potatoes began to pop. We were in awe at the size of the monsters. They were
HUGE! Many children had plastic bags in which they placed their trophy spuds. To their dismay, the bags began to
split open due to the weight. The largest potato weighed in at 16.2 ounces - enough to feed a small family. We did
see som e smaller spuds, but that was O.K. because the majority was quite large. Som e of the potatoes were taken
home and others were used to make French fries. Potato chips were also a favorite being fried on the spot. The
Special Events volunteers were busy in the kitchen selling the fries, potato candy, potato pie, potato soup,
hamburgers and hot dogs were served on potato rolls. We also sold baked potatoes with all kinds of toppings. T he
Master Gardeners had a great turnout for their Taste of the Garden event and the bread oven added their
expertise to the day. Children also thoroughly enjoyed 4-H Youth Developm ent’s activities and gam es- potato
poppers, potato plop, electric potato and sack races. If you have not experienced the Spud Fest, put it on your
calendar for Saturday, August 24th, 2013.
One of the item s on the menu for the Spud Fest caused som e interest from the hungry crowd. Many of the people
had no idea about what a "steam er" was. Som e thought it was associated with clams or lobsters. So here goes with
the story from our area that many people grew up with in Williamsport. The two icons who were involved were
"Hooper" W olfe and "Pootie" Castle. Hooper was well known for his stories about the C and O Canal, having been a
boater on the canal and Pootie worked at Wolfe's on the Square in Williamsport. Wolfe's sold everything from fire
arms, ammunition, food and, of course, worms and hellgrammites for the avid fishermen who frequented the
Conococheague Creek and the Potomac River. A part of the menu was steam ers that were daily handed out to the
hobos who knew where they could get a m eal. Early on, steam ers were called spoon bread. Not only were they
enjoyed free of charge for the hobos, but were a staple to the people in Williamsport. They sold early on, for 5 cents
and later rose to 10 cents a piece. You can find a recipe from the C and O Canal Cook Book which follows: 5 lb. of
hamburger (no lean), steam the meat until brown, dip off the fat; add one can of tomato soup and one cup of
chopped onion. Mix well. Salt to taste. The key ingredient is "lots" of black pepper. Simmer until the onions are
soft. Try this recipe if you’d like to enjoy a taste from the past.
Docent Training!
Attention all RHM Members!
A docent training and workshop is scheduled for
Wednes day, February 20 at 1: 00p.m.
How many times have you heard or seen this word from the Rural Heritage
Museum? What is a docent and what does it mean to be a docent? If I am a
docent, how much time do I have to give?
Mark your calendars for April 20 and plan on attending this workshop for
all of the answers. This workshop is designed for all- those who are already
active docents- those who would like to becom e a docent- and those that want to just find out more about what
docents do.
All mem bers are asked to attend this event.
RSVP is requested by calling the museum office at 240-420-1714 and leaving a m essage.
Extensive valuable information will be offered including a walk-through of the museum buildings, also:
Become educated on the duties of docent, how scheduling works, and familiarization with the collection
Become a part of friendship and fellowship!
Membership Update
Our 2012 membership season was quite successful due to the many renewals being sent in shortly after receiving
the request. We had 277 members who continued their relationship with our museum. Included in the group
were 31 new mem bers who joined us after visiting som e of the events. Of that new member group, five have
begun to volunteer at various events. There was a small group of 2011 members who failed to renew in 2012
given the possibility of misplacing the request for membership which is so easy to do. It is very important to
renew as quickly as possible so that rem oval of your nam e from our mem bership list does not happen to you. We
want all of our members to continue their support in our efforts. You will
receive the renewal application in January. Sunday, February 10, 2013
we will have our m embership banquet at the Academy Theater on
Washington Street in Hagerstown. This is the first tim e at this venue and
we know that you will enjoy the choices that we have selected for you.
This buffet is being catered by Applause Caterers. We chose this caterer
because we have had many of our members who have given us good
reports about the quality of the food. You should have received an
invitation in the mail including an R.S.V.P. slip to be returned with your
check payable to the RHM. Please return the R.S.V.P. and check as soon
as possible because we need to have a head count at least ten days before
the event. We would like to thank all members for their support and wish
you a happy and healthy new year.
Breakfast Buffet
Did You Miss It? The N ovem ber 10, 2012 Country Breakfast Buffet, a cooperative affair by the Ag Ed Center
Board and the Friends of the Rural Heritage Museum was absolutely magnificent. We dined on pancakes, eggs,
sausage and sausage gravy, bacon, biscuits, coffee, tea, milk, juice and Hunter’s Stew ( stew prepared by Sally
and John W altz).
More than 500 folks enjoyed the buffet. A big THANK YOU to all who volunteered to make this event a success.
Next year will be the third year for this event. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 9, 2013. There is
nothing you could possibly do on that day that would be m ore enjoyable – So be there!
In Memoriam
The museum sadly lost a member during the last half of 2012. Samuel "Sam" Bayer passed away on December 5,
2012. He and his wife were both members of our museum since the opening. They were editors of the
Cumberland Valley Revue Magazine for 25 years. Our condolence to his family.
150th Anniversary of the Battle at Antietam
Among the many activities surrounding the 150th
anniversary of the battle of Antietam, the Rural Heritage
Museum hosted Paul McDerm ott, Professor Emeritus at
Montgom ery College and Abe Lincoln to speak at the museum
on Saturday and Sunday, Septem ber 15th and 16th.
Paul McDermott taught geography and cartography for
thirty-four years at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD. He is
an avid photographer and has written and lectured
extensively on historical geography. Professor McDerm ott has
compiled the Land Patents, also know as Land Grants, of
Washington County from 1730-1830. He has details about every
inch of Washington County since 1730. The talk on Septem ber
15 was fascinating: So much so that he has agreed to return for
the mem bership luncheon on February 10, 2013.
Abe Lincoln a.k.a. James Hayney, a professional actor,
spoke of the Agriculture Bill that he signed in 1862 which was the
beginning of the Department of Agriculture as we know it today.
The basic mission in 1862 was “to acquire and diffuse am ong the
people of the United States useful information on subjects
connected with agriculture in the most general and comprehensive
sense of the word.” James Hayney has portrayed Abraham Lincoln
since 2005, when he was asked to dress up as the 16th president for
a fundraising event at the National Civil War Museum in
Harrisburg. “I’ d always been wanting to do a one-m an play and
found a Lincoln play – a two-act, one-man show. That really got me
into it.” “The rest is history.” This Lincoln was recently spotted as
Grand Marshal of the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
The visitors to the museum for these events were slim, however; those in attendance found the days to be very
inform ative and relaxing. Thanks to all who made it possible.
The Dr. Peter Fahrney Medicinal Garden
During the cold and wintry days, the Medicinal Garden is asleep waiting for the first signs of spring. As it
sleeps, the Master Gardeners have been planning the next growing season with anticipation that the Garden will
continue to expand and further support the story of Dr. Peter Fahrney.
In the fall of 2012, the Master Gardeners expanded the garden by installing three raised beds, one in the
front yard for herbs and two along the left side to dem onstrate the popular 19th century garden practice of strip
beds. They will be planted with a variety of plants that were and are still used by herbalists. The plan of the
Master Gardeners is to show the public that many plants we grow today for beauty and companion plants in our
vegetable beds have their roots in medicinal gardening. This past fall the Master Gardeners also planted the front
yard in black-eyed susans, feverfew, New England asters, dwarf boxwood, a blackhaw viburnum and an heirloom
rose, ‘Shailer’s Provence’ all of which have medicinal uses. Please visit the Dr. Peter Fahrney Medicinal Garden
this spring. Lots of planting and excitem ent will be in the air.
Four-Square Garden Update
The Germ an Four-Square Garden & Farmstead underwent som e renovation and a few changes in 2012. The
original fence (2007) surrounding the 4 square garden, got some shoring up and repairs before we could plant in
the border beds. Once planted, the garden thrived throughout the season due to timely rainstorms and hard
work from the Master Gardeners.
The Poffenberger cabin has a new garden in front of
the porch. Planted with shrubs and flowers
appropriate to the time period, it will be a beautiful
addition to the Farmstead and Village. In 2013 we
plan to add som e signage to this garden.
In June, the Children’s Garden was constructed of 6
raised beds, on the north side of the 4 square garden.
The 4 square group and Master Gardeners are
partnering with the Washington County 4-H. The
adopt-a-garden program will offer Master Gardeners
the opportunities to teach the 4-H kids som e tips and
techniques of gardening, as well as the historic way
it was done, as in the 4 square garden.
Once again, thanks to Jeff Semler for plowing and
planting the cover crops in the lower bed. This is
improving the soil for future plantings down there.
We had a busy calendar last year and lots more visitors to our events. Partnering with Spud Fest, our Taste of
the Garden event had 150 visitors and we ran out of food! On Living History Day, we had 95 youth and 185
adults up at the Farmstead and gardens. The kids painted 68 birdhouse gourds, but we still didn’t have enough.
The highlight of the gardens, however, was the 12 x 60 foot sunflower patch. This garden attracted people who
came just to take pictures of it! We will do another sunflower patch in 2013!
Last year we finally got our weekly work teams started. Each team of 4-5 volunteers works the same week each
month. They plant, weed, water, evaluate situations (like bugs and plant issues) and harvest whatever is ripe in
their week. We will continue this practice this year.
Our calendar for 2013 is still being worked on. Watch for press releases and dates on the RHM website.
Many thanks to our dedicated Master Gardeners for sharing their talents at the 4 square garden.
Artisan Bread Baking Calendar- 2013
Do you enjoy eating the fresh Artisan Bread baked by our bread guild? If so, mark these dates on your calendar.
Be sure to give us a call or send us an em ail prior to the date so we may reserve your loaf.
April 6- Would you like to learn the art? Sign up for our next ADVANCED bread baking class on April 6.
Contact us for m ore details.
May 11- Outdoor artisan bread baking dem onstration at the wood-fired oven.
June 8- Outdoor artisan bread baking demonstration at the wood-fired oven.
July 13- Outdoor artisan bread baking demonstration at the wood-fired oven.
August 24- Outdoor artisan bread baking demonstration at the wood-fired oven.
October 19- Outdoor artisan bread baking demonstration at the wood-fired oven.
December 7- Artisan bread tasting. Annual Holiday Open House from 1pm-4pm.
Displays and Exhibits
If it has been a while since you have visited our museum, the exhibits and displays are continuing to
change. In 2012 the newly form ed exhibits committee began to tackle the monumental task of rearranging our
current exhibits to tell the story of Life in Washington County from 1800 to 1940. During the winter m onths,
volunteers are welcom e to help us revitalize the three exhibit halls at the Rural Heritage Museum. By April,
many changes will be easily noticed as we are moving items around for our new building. We are in need of
researchers, interpretive sign makers, strong m overs etc. Contact the museum office for m ore details.
The large display cabinets in the front of the main museum building were updated before the holiday’s
and will be available to view through mid-year. Don’t miss seeing the newest collections.
One case contains an amazingly diverse collection of original sleigh
and animal bells, as well as an educational display of bridle rosettes and pins.
All items are from the Stanley and Jean Thom as collections and were chosen
carefully to give you a glimpse of som e of the m ost popular items of this type
in use a century ago. All are labeled to give you a quick education and all you
have to do is visit your museum to learn more. Am ong the items you can
expect to see are rare foundry bell m olds and a string of sleigh bells made from
them, a very rare belled martingale strap, a
turkey bell and a complete collection of signed
bells from American bell makers that alone is
worth your trip. In addition, you will see a
brief history of bridle rosettes and examples
of Civil War era, leather/wooden and
beautiful English made rosettes.
The other case is displaying a great
sampling of carousels, bells and toys.
A small collection is showcased of lovely
carousels with delicate detail. Sleigh bells
and school bells are also displayed that take
us back in time as well as glass bells of
different shapes and sizes and silver Christmas bells. There is also a small
collection of farm toys from the 1920’s of trucks, tractors and wagons, and a
wooden train. These items are graciously being loaned by various individuals.
Don’t miss your opportunity to see these items before they return to
private collections.
Accessions Activity
The accessions committee is still active. In the past few months, the members have been busy with
obtaining new items for the Museum’s collection. Here are a few of the new items that the accessions
committee has taken in:
Village Update
WOW - What excitement we had on the evening of December 17,
2012. The Country Store was ready to leave its hom e place in
Fairview (Route 494) for its new location in our Village.
On December 12, Fout Crane Com pany loaded the 20’x40’ building
and roof separately onto two flat bed trailers to await
transportation to the RHM. Starting at 12:00a.m. on December
17, the move began. The tractors were hooked to the trailers and
the 25 mile journey began. It was certainly an experience to
remember. The caravan started with a State Police escort,
followed by a long line of trailers, trucks with large spot lights to
watch for low wires on the roads, men that lifted the wires when
necessary, a County vehicle to help if necessary, members of the
RHM Village committee, representatives of the Spickler family
and a State Police escort at the rear. The journey took roughly 2
hrs and 45 min. The biggest problem was low hanging wires on
the Sharpsburg Pike. Men with long poles would get out of the
truck and lift the wire up above the top of the store as it passed
under. It took alm ost as long to go from Fairview to the Interstate
70 Sharpsburg Exit as it did to go from the Interstate 70 Exit to
the Museum. Once daylight brok e, work began on setting the
building onto its foundation. All in all, the m ove went very
smooth thanks to a job well done by the Fout Crane Co crew.
With the building now at its new hom e, work will begin when weather permits during the winter m onths. It is a
wonderful addition to our Village and we are thankful to Mary Jane and Don Spickler for their generosity in
helping us to visually display buildings and artifacts from days gone by.
We have received funding toward the restoration- any additional donations toward this cost would be appreciated.
There is only a sm all am ount of
work that still has to be done to the
Blacksmith Shop. At the United Way Day of
Caring, stain was applied to the outside of
the building by volunteers. We purchased
the stain to be applied. There are still a few
finishing touches to be applied to the Shop
and after that work, appropriate artifacts
can be placed in the building. The Grand
Opening of the building was
October 20– Living History Day.
Living History Day
October 20th was a glorious day to be outside enjoying coming together with friends and family and seeing how life was
lived in “early days.” There were plenty of displays and demonstrators for all to see. Some were very interactive, like
washing clothes on a wash board and hanging cloths on a line to dry. Children flocked to this demonstration to give the
wringer washer a try. The children also enjoyed the old fashioned games put together by the 4-H Youth Development
group led by Jamie Kenton. The wood carver’s delicate birds were exceptional, as well as the work done by the chair
caner and many more. Our resident Blacksmith Joe Sheerer enjoyed showing his trade as this day was also the grand
opening of the Blacksmith Shop in the Village. Lunch time was especially delightful with a sausage sandwich and soup.
The menu consisted of foods typically eaten in the “early days”- no hot dogs or French fries could be found. Lou Scally,
local radio personality from WJEJ, was on hand for a live broadcast. Thank you to all the volunteers who worked many
hours behind the scenes to make this day simply fabulous.
Rural Heritage Village by Candlelight
On November 30th the Rural Heritage Museum hosted the 3rd Annual
Candlelight Tour.
Each year the museum presents a different them e. Last year the them e
was the aftermath of the civil war with re-enactors and presentations by
narrators, in our rebuilt cabins, to present life as it was: its problems, realities
and horrors of starvation and misery following the battle of Antietam.
This year was a celebration of the 100th anniversary of our nation and
the life and tim es of area residents. The tour was enjoyed by hundreds of
visitors. The cost was $10.00 per car load of folks. Lighted pathways from our
eight cabins allowed visitors to see life at that time and learn about the
German customs of
Washington County with
hosts at each cabin, place of
business or at the Church of
the Brethren and hear carols
beautifully presented. For
those needing assistance,
comfortable golf carts with
drivers were instantly available. The tour ended at the main
museum building where visitors enjoyed cookies and hot
chocolate. When ready to depart, visitors had the pleasure of a
tractor pulled hay ride to return to parking.
It was a magnificent experience for all.
Mark your calendars for next year – December 6, 2013-you will
be forever pleased that you did.
Transportation Museum Update
The dedication of our newest building that will exhibit transportation artifacts unique to Washington County
from the 1800’s to 1940 followed the Country Breakfast Buffet on November 10. Newly elected City Councilm an
and Former Maryland State Senator Don Munson, Ron Shifler- Ag Ed Center Board President, Phil MuritzRHM President, and Stanley Thomas– Transportation Committee m ember addressed the crowd. One of the two
existing Dagmar motor cars, manufactured in Hagerstown, was the highlight of the dedication, along with a
pre-view of what’s to come.
The Grand Opening of the long awaited Transportation Museum will be April 6, 2013.
Holiday Open House
December 1, 2012 again saw Santa Claus visiting our museum in his usual place sitting in the sleigh
listening to many wish lists from excited children. Some were a little fearful, but others especially liked the real
deal - the bushy, white beard. Each child received a candy cane before heading off to either the cookie and punch
table or to the many crafts that were set up in the extension room. There were many tables set up at which
children could construct a holiday card, make a bird seed treat, mak e an ornament or add stickers to a pattern to
create snowmen or a Santa Claus. Many of the little ones left the craft room with a bag full of their creations. We
would lik e to thank the 4-H Youth Development helpers and especially Jamie Kenton for their creations.
On the way out of the craft room, the accompanying parents were drawn to the luscious smells of the
bread tasting event. Matter-a-fact, some of the parents said the bread tasting was one of the reasons that they
returned to the Open House. Who could turn down the chocolate cranberry roll, the kalamata olive bread, the
wonderful dark rye bread that was almost addictive, and the blue cheese sourdough - W ONDERFUL! Our
talented bread bakers led by Master Baker Bill Theriault and volunteers always keep them coming back for m ore.
Mr. Bill was able to add people who are interested in learning the bread baking skill. If you haven't experienced
the artisan breads, please make sure you check the calendar for the next bread baking event where you can
purchase a loaf of fresh bread. The only problem on bread baking days is that you have to wait for one hour before
you can taste the bread, but it is worth the wait.
The beautiful quilt donated by the Poffenberger family was raffled during 2012. The winning ticket
number 483 was drawn during the open house and won by Gary Beaver.
Cookie Baking
In November the Special Events ladies and gentlemen met at the multi-purpose building to bake a variety of
cookies to offer at the 3rd Annual Candle Light Tour and the Holiday Open House. After the cookies were baked
a soup and sandwich lunch was enjoyed by all. Once again we thank all of our volunteers who make our events
possible. “Many hands make the load light.”
Find the Rural Heritage Museum on Facebook!
Log into your Facebook account and search “Washington County Rural Heritage
Museum.” Click “Like” and receive museum updates as they com e available.
Youtube videos are also published for your viewing pleasure. Tell your friends!
Museum Security System Update
The security system, which was purchased by a grant from the Leonard P. Snyder Fund,
has been installed in the Transportation Museum thanks to Phil Muritz and his team.
Upcoming 2013 Events
April 6 and 7- Annual Spring Open Hous e from 1pm -4pm. All museum buildings will be open including the
Cabins and Village. Light refreshments are served. Free Event.
Grand Opening Celebration of the Rural Heritage Transportation Museum.
May 11- Garden activity in the Four-Square garden with the Master Gardeners from 1pm -4pm. Free Event.
Outdoor artisan bread baking demonstration at the wood-fired oven.
June 8– 4th Annual Washington County Garden Tour from 10am-5pm. Featured gardens to be announced.
Spend your day traveling around the county and exploring the beautiful sights of gardens. Cost $10- tickets sold
day of at each garden.
At the Rural Heritage Museum, Master Gardener garden activity and Outdoor artisan bread baking
dem onstration at the wood-fired oven.
July 13- Garden activity in the Four-Square garden with the Master Gardeners from 1pm-4pm. Free Event.
Outdoor artisan bread baking demonstration at the wood-fired oven.
August 24– 11th Annual Spudfest beginning at 11am sharp! Potatoes planted in the spring are harvested by
horse-drawn plow. Prizes are awarded to the children, in age groups, for finding the certain potatoes. Some of the
harvested potatoes will be used to demonstrate making hom emade potato chips. Free Event.
Taste of the Garden in the Four-Square garden with the Master Gardeners from 1pm-4pm.
Outdoor artisan bread baking demonstration at the wood-fired oven.
October 19– 4th Annual Living History Day from 10am-5pm. Imagine what rural life was lik e in Washington
County in the mid 1800’s. All buildings in the Village and Farmstead will be open with dem onstrators in each.
Free Event.
November 9– Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser– Tickets sold in advance– additional information pending
December 6– 4th Annual Rural Heritage Village by Candlelight from 6pm-9pm. Cost $10 per family, $5
single. Enjoy a guided tour on foot by candlelight, visiting each of our Village buildings. Enjoy listening to
storytellers, learning holiday customs, singing along with caroling, and warming by the hearth in the cabin as you
celebrate the season.
December 7- Annual Holiday Open House from 1pm-4pm. Visit Santa Claus in an
authentic sleigh for picture taking opportunities. Children’s workshop and craft area. Special Holiday
decorations. Punch and cookies served.
All dates, times, and costs are subject to change, visit the website to confirm prior to the event.
Bowman Grant Expended
Thanks to the Mary K Bowm an Historical and Fine Arts Fund the truck once used at Lehman’s Mill has been
painted. Howard Myers work ed with Mace Auto Body Shop and the truck is now the original color – green.
Howard Thomas and Ed Doub are recreating the interior. The truck will be taking on a new life as part of an
exhibit about the many Mills that once were extrem ely important in the economy of W ashington County.
Before
After
Peanut Butter Egg and Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sale
The Special Events Committee will be making and selling Peanut Butter Eggs and Chocolate
Covered Pretzels this year. They will be sold for $1.00 each. The Special Events committee
would love to have your help making the candy. If you would like to help, you can call the office
for times.
Recipe
Our Newsletter usually has an old-tim e recipe to share with our mem bers; however, we would like to begin with a
poem. This poem was written by E. R. Lytton and appeared in the Riverside Dan River Cotton Mills Cook Book
which was published in 1918.
"We may live without poetry, music and art:
We may live without conscience, and live without heart:
We may live without friends; we may live without books;
But civilized m en cannot live without cooks."
This recipe called Cheap Sponge Cake was a favorite of families in 1918. The following ingredients were very
common, without much fanfare. You'll notice that there wasn't an oven temperature - just a m oderate oven.
Cheap Sponge Cake
Yolks - 2eggs
2/3 cup sugar
2 tsp hot water
2/3 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/6 tsp. salt
Whites - 2 eggs
1/2 Tbsp Vinegar
Beat yolks till thick
Add sugar and k eep beating
Add water, flour, baking powder and salt. Keep beating
Take egg whites and beat till stiff. Keep beating and add vinegar
Fold all together
Bake 35 minutes in m oderate oven. Use buttered or unbuttered cake pan. Suit yourself.
Needs to cool a while before cutting.
2013 Board of Directors and Committee Chairs
Rural Heritage Mus eum
Friends of the Mus eum
RHM Committee Chairpersons
Derek Artz
Doug Bast
Bob Courtemanche
Dick Helfrich
Roy May
Wilbur Miner
Phil Muritz- President
Howard Myers
Marge Peters
Gerald Poffenberger
William Poffenberger
Franklin Spielman
Howard Thomas
Stanley Thomas
Sally Waltz
Patsy Ardinger– President
Janson Ardinger
Karen Greeley
Marguerite Kline
Wilbur Miner
Charlotte Muritz
Robert Stoner
Don Talbert– Secretary
Sally W altz
Ronald Frey– Treasurer
Accessions– Bill Poffenberger
Exhibits– Phil Muritz
Finance– Ronald Frey
Four Square Garden– Karen Greeley
Gift Shop– Marge Peters
Landscape– Janson Ardinger
Mem bership– Millie Hendrickson
Special Events– Patsy Ardinger
Transportation– Franklin Spielm an
Village– Marge Peters
Volunteers– Terry Wunderlich
Washington County
Rural Heritage Museum
7313 Sharpsburg Pike
Boonsboro, MD 21713
Phone: 240-420-1714
Fax: 240-420-1713
Website:
www.ruralheritagemuseum.org
Email: [email protected]
To preserve the past,
educate and stimulate
public awareness of
rural life in Washington
County prior to 1940.