From this location, the Haldeman Mansion is visible beyond the

The Language of Science
From this location, the Haldeman Mansion is visible beyond the railroad tracks. The
mansion was constructed in phases from c. 1767-1811 and was the birthplace of a famous
scientist by the name of Samuel Steman Haldeman (1812-1880). Samuel, the eldest of seven
children, was born in the mansion in 1812. Throughout his childhood, Samuel roamed the
local woods and banks of the Conoy Creek and Susquehanna River collecting insects, shells,
minerals, Native American relics and other objects that drew his attention.
Samuel Steman
Haldeman
(1812-1880)
An early look at the m
ansion.
Courtesy of Haldeman
Mansion
Preservation Society/N
orma Bair.
Samuel’s passion for discovery and knowledge led him on a lifelong journey of exploration
and research into various scientific and scholarly pursuits. Samuel was educated in the
public school system and later attended Dickinson College. Aiding in progressive research
on many fronts, both scientific and linguistic, he made notable contributions in the fields
of malacology, conchology, entomology, philology, orthography and archeology. He also
served as a professor of Natural History and Comparative Philology at the University of
Pennsylvania. Historian of science W. Conner Sorenson noted that he “epitomized the
post-1812 generation of scholars … who advanced American science and letters to a
position of true cultural independence from Europe.”
Several famous and influential scholars were directly influenced by his scientific and
philological contributions, including Charles Darwin and Noah Webster. Charles Darwin,
a renowned evolutionary biologist, cited Samuel’s work in his book “The Origin of Species.”
Likewise, Samuel corresponded with the famous linguist Noah Webster (of Webster’s
Dictionary), and other early dictionary publishers, as he was among the first in the
nineteenth century to undertake spelling reform of English and was a leader in the
development of phonetics as a science.
Scan to visit
www.haldeman-mansion.org
Falmouth
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Bainbridge
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Malacology
Study of Mollusks
Conchology
Study of Seashells
Entomology
Study of Insects
Philology
Study of the Structure
and Development of
Language
Orthography
Study of Proper
Spelling
Archeology
Study of Historic
People & Cultures
NA
HM
NA Native American Heritage
SM Shock’s Mill Bridge
HM Haldeman Mansion
RW Restoring Native Wetlands
QV Quarry & Village of Billmeyer
VF Vinegar’s Ferry
WE LCSWMA
Waste-To-Energy Facility
DS Decatur Street
BE Bald Eagles
Trailhead Access
10 QV
WE BE
9
Mile Marker
SM
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7
Marietta
RW
6
VF
5
This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Environmental Stewardship Fund,
under the administration of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
We are a partner of the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape Initiative, an alliance of organizations working to preserve and
enhance the cultural and natural assets of the lower Susquehanna River. This project was awarded through the Susquehanna Riverlands
partnership with management oversight by the Lancaster County Conservancy.
DS
3
4
2
1
Columbia
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