heritage herald - Washington County Rural Heritage Museum

July, 2010
THE
HERITAGE HERALD
Washington County Rural Heritage Museum
7313 Sharpsburg Pike
Boonsboro, MD 21713
Phone: 240-420-1714
Fax: 240-420-1713
Volunteers Needed
Museum Progress Report
Bread Baking
Four Square Garden Update
In Memoriam
Accessions Activity
Newest Displays
Village Update
Membership Update
P.B. Egg Fundraiser
www.ruralheritagemuseum.org
email: [email protected]
WE NEED YOUR HELP
The Washington County Rural Heritage Museum is in its 10th year of operations.
As we have grown, it has become necessary for us to have more members that are
willing to help us give tours to visitors.
We also need weekend volunteers that open the museum, greet people, start the
museum movie, watch over the exhibits and close the buildings at the end of the
day. We are in the process of up dating our signage, when that is complete, we will
pass out self guided tour sheets which should help with answering questions.
All we are asking is that you be willing to give 3 hours of volunteer time to help us
with this important part of our museum operation. You could help once a month,
every two months or quarterly to fit your busy schedules.
Volunteers will be given adequate training and will be assigned with an "old
timer" to help you get acquainted with the “ins and outs” of giving a tour and being
a docent.
Our other need is someone to help with our signage project. We are looking for
people to be able to do some research, or just retype research to make it presentable
for displays.
Spudfest & Tractor Show
Additionally we need two helpers, one to assist Sally Waltz with docent scheduling
and the other to help Millie Hendrickson with membership.
Living History Day
The village committee always needs a helping hand. If you don't mind getting your
hands dirty, get in touch with Marge Peters.
Quilt Raffle
Garden Tour Highlights
Lastly we need one or two people to head up our display committee. They would be
responsible for setting up exhibits in front of the Country Store. This display would
change once or twice a year.
Upcoming Events
If you can be of any assistance, or have any questions, please contact Erin Knight at
our office or Phil Muritz in the evenings at 301 991 5315.
What is it?
There are many other things going on that has made us a definite stop for tourists
when they visit our beautiful Washington County.
Summer Recipe
Thanks to all our volunteers! Without your help, none of this would be possible!
Museum Progress Report
We have had a very busy winter and spring here at the Rural
Heritage Museum. We received permission to move the two large
overhead platforms out of building one and into building two. We
were also told that we could build more platforms for building
two if we used fire proof lumber. We were able to find a product
to fire proof the wood that we used to build the new units and
installed them in the second museum building. A lot of the small
and light items were placed up on these platforms. We moved the
harness display to the south side and hung items on the wall. We
were very fortunate to have had the late Edgar Lehman build us
16 additional stands to hold signage for our displays.
After moving the large overhead platforms and
machinery out of museum building one, we had
plenty of space to work on exhibits. We built two
new walls which gave us three new rooms. In these
rooms we set up a storage area, a new bed room
area, and dining room. We relocated the kitchen
area and used that space for a beautiful period
clothing exhibit. The schoolroom setting is also a
new area depicting the early 1900's. The back of
the museum one building has also been changed to
show additional artifacts, and the Bast Hearst was
returned to this building. We appreciate Clair
Martin for purchasing the John Deere Buggy and
allowing the museum to put the buggy back on
display again.
Bread Baking
On Sunday, May 16, 2010, the aroma of bread baking filled the air near the Poffenberger Cabin with our own
master baker, Bill Theriault in attendance. At 2pm, Marge Peters dedicated the oven as a group of well-wishers
looked on. Certificates were also handed out to those supporters who have worked with Mr. Theriault since the
idea of a bread oven became a reality. The dedication would not have happened without the help of Anne Marie
McCoy, Toni Phelps, and Michael Braid, who began the process of
making the bread on Friday in the multi-purpose kitchen around 7am.
The volunteers mixed, kneaded, and allowed the bread to rise before
the bread was allowed to “sleep” overnight. The fire in the oven was
started around 7am, and the bread was ready to bake around 1pm. Mr.
Theriault answered many questions from interested visitors about the
whole process. He hopes to organize a bread guild for those who have
as much passion as he does for sharing this experience from by-gone
times. There are still a few difficulties to iron out with the permits, but
he and his bakers are optimistic that we will be able to move ahead.
We were also able to being a list of future bakers who are interested in
joining the next bread class. If you are interested in signing up for the
next bread class, please call the museum office for more information.
The museum would like to thank everyone who was instrumental in
this venture.
Four Square Garden Update
The Master Gardeners have been working hard
at our German Four Square Garden. Because of
the cool, wet start to spring, planting began in
early April, after spreading compost and turning
all the raised beds by hand.
We planted cool weather crops including, lettuce,
peas, potatoes, leeks, turnips, beets, cabbage and
kale. Asparagus and horseradish were also
planted in April. At our Second Sunday in April,
we finished with the early planting & the
children planted flower seeds in egg cartons to
take home.
In May, we made new twig pea fences & teepees
for our climbing crops and planted alpine
strawberries, 6 heirloom tomato varieties, sweet
peppers, cucumbers, radishes, bush beans, pole
beans, squash and melons in the 4 square beds.
A few of us made a trip to Landis Valley and
brought back some new herbs for the garden.
Before the garden tour in June, we
had new garden signs hand painted,
created 2 new informative brochures
about the garden and constructed a
compost bin behind the outhouse.
We got the 3 Sisters garden planted
with the corn first, then a couple
weeks later, the beans & pumpkins.
Our humble garden was part of the
Washington County Garden Tour. It
was a hot, muggy, buggy day, but the
garden tour on June 12th was well
attended and well received.
Master Gardeners, who have been
working in the 4 square garden are,
Linda Burns, Gail Pearson, Rosalie
Bielicki, Vickie DeVore, Craig Camp,
Vernell Doyle, Lucy Burnett, Cindy
Dwyer, Catherine Parks, Marice
Nakano, Chris Madeo (signs) and
Karen Greeley.
In Memoriam
Sadly, during the 2010 season, we have lost five of our museum members. Two of those members have been
associated with the museum for a lengthy time: Ruby Hammond and Edgar Lehman. As always, Ruby and
Edgar were willing to give a hand when help was needed. The other three members were: Jesse Shoemaker,
who displayed his craft of woodworking at the museum; Annabelle Roulette, who joined our museum after just
one visit ; and Bruce Artz, a distant member who lived in New York. We offer our condolences to the families.
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:
Hogset used
for hog
butchering
Life Size Horse Statue
5’ x 8’
48 Star
American Flag
Farm Bell made by the Eagle Bell Company
between 1887-1889
John Deere
Potato Cutter
1940 Columbia Bicycle bought from
Delphey’s of Hagerstown
We Announce the Arrival of our Newest Display
In an effort for our museum to appeal to a wider segment of our community, we now offer an impressive
display of vintage clothing. This display was offered by and materialized primarily through the efforts of
Stanley and Jean Thomas of Boonsboro, MD. However, it would never have come to fruition without major
support from museum board member Howard Myers, and the Friends of the Rural Heritage Museum. The
display, while being entertaining, is offered primarily to be educational. It includes clothing for men, women,
and children. It will be rotated on a regular basis to include some seasonal items. The clothing is
representative of the mid-1800’s through 1940, and most likely includes something that will be of interest to
you. This display offers two items you will not see elsewhere in Washington County- a pair of ladies high top
shoes which lace up the back, and a
parasol which contains a power puff in its
handle. Also included in the display is a
mint pair of Updegraff driving gloves
made in Hagerstown, MD.
A great deal of effort has been
made to offer this display to you and the
other citizens of Washington County. By
the time you read this, the display should
be completed. All we ask of you is to
consider dropping by and possibly being
surprised by the quality of this collection
and the quality of its presentation.
After your next visit to see our
newest displays- which include the
one-room school, a dining room, an
upgraded parlor, kitchen, and bedroom- if
you leave with some pride in our efforts,
please help spread the word to our
community.
New Display of Rural One-Room School
Our museum is proud to announce the addition
of our salute to one-room schools. Through the efforts
of Doug Bast, Stanley and Jean Thomas, and others,
we now offer our visitors an appropriate small display
representative of the rural one-room school. Many are
amazed at what was accomplished with such a
surprisingly small space. On your next visit, you will
find the school marm awaiting her students in a highly
detailed school room setting that we feel is most
welcoming. Along with four individual slates for the
students is an appropriate original hand bell used by
the marm to signal the start of classes, end of recess,
etc. Please consider dropping by soon and giving us
your opinion, as well as your encouragement of this
display. As noted on the description in front of the
display, “May we never forget the contributions of
one-room schools to the advancement of our rural
populations.”
Rural Heritage Village Update
The winter weather kept the Village committee from continuing with the
work on the Fahrney. A few weeks ago the work began with the inside walls
being installed. The next step in the Fahrney building is to complete the
painting. After that the trim will be installed around the windows and
doors. Dr. Fahrney's desk has to be repaired as it became detached from the
wall when the move was made from the Fahrney Keedy property. This
building is moving along quite well. There are hopes that the building will
be completed by the fall months, and that artifacts can return to their home
inside the building.
The interior of the Glass Family House is
completed. We are working on receiving furniture to be put inside of the
building. The handicapped entrance to the home is scheduled to be completed
in the near future so that the House can be opened to the public and dedicated.
Plans have been completed for the next building- a broom maker and cobbler
shop. This will be one building that is housing both trades. We are hopeful to
get this underway before summer arrives. The foundation has been started, so
we are in the planning stages of construction.
Plans are also being reviewed for the carpenters shop to be built by Chris Swartz. Chris is building the
carpenters shop in memory of his father, Don Schwartz, who was a long time County Extension Agent. We are
anxious to see this project get underway.
Membership Update
As was mentioned in the previous newsletter, all 2009 renewal requests were sent out in January, 2010. A
second request was sent out at the end of February to those members who had not renewed. By the first part of
July, we had 267 new and renewed members. We also added 4 honorary members to our roster who opened
their gardens to us for the Garden Tour. This places our total membership at 271. We would like to express
our gratitude to all new, renewed and honorary members who make our museum work. We are still waiting for
17 members to renew with us. We hope those members plan to continue to support us. Since we are planning
many new and expanded events for the remainder of 2010, the Special Events committee decided not to have a
membership picnic this year. We elected to return to the membership dinner that was held in previous
years. You will receive more information as we go into the fall season.
Peanut Butter Egg Fundraiser
On March 3rd and again on March 8th, a group of volunteers met at the multi-purpose kitchen to mix, form, dip,
bag, and chill those tasty confections that were in great demand from previous customers. The group was
composed of Jan Ardinger, Patsy Ardinger, Mary Braid, Millie Hendrickson, Donna Myers, Marge Peters, Mary
Poffenberger (who coordinated the activity), Velma Poffenberger, Carol Stoner, and Sally Waltz. We also can’t
forget Frank and Phyllis Spielman who were also present to support our efforts. Are you ready for the total????
The group made 1,605 delicious eggs- all of which were sold. The positive responses from the customers made
us realize that we need to begin earlier next year to increase the total and possibly make other flavors.
Thanks to the people who were constantly having to replenish the stock of eggs at various locations.
Come one Come All
Spud Fest and Antique Tractor Show
August 28, 2010
It’s almost time to dig the potatoes at our annual Spud Fest. The potatoes were planted on April 10th near the
Poffenberger cabin. They look really good this year thanks to Bill Poffenberger. Who will pick up the largest
potato? The children should be ready at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2010. The horses are all set to plow
out the potatoes. With potatoes fresh from the patch to the kettle, potato chips will be available to sample. The
Friends of the Rural Heritage Museum are perfecting their favorite potato dishes for sale in the kitchen – fried
potatoes, old time potato pie, potato salad and potato candy plus hot dogs and steamers on potato rolls and much
more. Come early and stay all afternoon. We would like to thank Gower’s Feed Mill who supplied the potatoes
and the Feed Bin who supplied the fertilizer.
The Antique Tractor Club of Washington County will be joining us with their Antique Tractor Show Saturday
and Sunday. There will be a corn shelling demonstration and the stone crusher will be working. If all goes well
the Saw Mill will be operational too.
There will be games and barrel rides for the children.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 beginning at 3:00 p.m. will be our last Cruise In for the season. Come visit what’s new
at the Rural Heritage Village and Museum. There are new exhibits in both museum buildings. Can you guess
what will go on top of the latest foundation?
We will be looking forward to seeing you!
Save the Date for Living History Day
Saturday September 25, 2010
Civil war Re-enactors will be in the village from the Eighth Virginia Company K.
Imagine what life was like in Washington County during the Civil War.
Other demonstrations will be taking place in the Village and Farmstead.
Come see how our ancestors coped with the activities of daily living.
Quilt Raffle!
Quilt raffle tickets are still on sale for the quilt donated by the
Poffenberger family. Through a special invitation from the Quilters
Guild and Mrs. Perini, we were able to display the quilt and sell raffle
tickets at the quilt show held at HCC on April 17 and 18. Many of the
patrons were impressed by the fine stitching on the quilt and loved the
fact that it was part of Washington County’s heritage. Realizing the
quality of the piece, many of the guild members bought tickets for the
raffle. We would like to thank the guild for giving us the opportunity to
share this beautiful quilt. If you have not purchased any tickets, they
are available at the museum and will be on sale at the many events that
the museum is sponsoring until the open house in December. Don’t
miss the opportunity to support the museum by purchasing raffle
tickets. We appreciate your support.
Garden Tour Highlights
The museum sponsored its 1st Annual Washington County Garden Tour on Saturday, June 12. Thank you to
the 10 museum volunteers who greeted the visitors and collected the money at the gardens. The Master
Gardeners also helped to make this day a success with 12 participating and offering information about
gardening and identifying plants. Amidst the heat and humidity, there was a great turnout of 237 people who
visited the six gardens that were on display.
The special events committee is in the planning stages of the 2nd Annual Washington County Garden Tour for
2011. If you or anyone you know of would be interested in sharing their garden for this day, please contact the
museum office. We will also be looking for museum volunteers to help make this day a success next year.
Gardens featured in 2010:
Waltz Farm Garden
12191 Waltz Rd
Smithsburg, MD
At the home of Sally and John Waltz, there are
a variety of gardens. Featured are meditation,
butterfly, German Four-Square, English
cottage, vegetable and cutting- also visit
Sarah’s Secret Fairy Garden, the potting shed,
drying house, and weaving cottages. Sally is a
board of director’s member at the museum and
spent much time coordinating this event.
Special thanks to Sally!
A Chewsville Garden
21207 Twin Springs Road
Smithsburg, MD
These gardens designed by master gardener and
florist Tim Valerio led you from English Cottage
to formal, to woodland and back again. Visitors
enjoyed a plethora of perennials, stately
evergreens, handsome trees, abundant annuals
and much more.
Old Forge Farm
20702 Old Forge Road
Hagerstown, MD
An aggregate of snips, cuttings, starts and digs
acquired over the years from friends as well as
gleanings from visits to the Mid-Atlantic
Nursery Trade Show, these gardens focus on
plants that like to grow here and vegetables to
feed the family, accented by a few pieces of
garden art, including a teak pig named Conrad
Hogmire, after one of our first County
Commissioners.
The Urban Garden
63 West Side Avenue
Hagerstown, MD
This garden demonstrated how much can
be produced in a small area with clever
planning. Growing up on a dairy farm,
Harry Brubaker sought to create a space
for peace, entertaining and for containers
filled with herbs and vegetables. By
recycling brick, making use of gift plants
from friends and co-workers and
volunteers, Harry has made his yard
bountiful and beautiful. Of course he
saves seeds as well.
Stony Creek Farm
19223 Manor Church Road
Boonsboro, MD
This farm once belonged to Larry and
Laurie Crane, who owned the nursery in
Boonsboro and often hosted garden tours
here in the early 90’s. Now many of the
original varieties of beech trees have
matured as have the paper bark and
Japanese maples. The gardens have
fulfilled the Cranes’ original plan with
many thoughtful additions by the
Kemptons.
German Four-Square Garden
Rural Heritage Museum
Ag Ed Center
7313 Sharpsburg Pike
Boonsboro, MD
Early Swiss and German settlers of this
area brought their traditional garden
plan with them: four symmetrical, raised
garden beds laid out with packed earth
paths between the beds and a picket
fence around to protect the vegetables
and provide support for vining plants.
Here traditional herbs, lettuces, spring
onions, sweet peas and dye-stuffs were
grown. Cabbages, corn and turnips were
raised in fields.
Upcoming Events
August
8- Taste of the Garden in the Four Square Garden with the Master Gardeners from 1-4pm. Fresh samples
from the garden will be offered along with additional treats. Children’s craft activity and information on
canning.
28- Heritage Spud Fest and W.C. Antique Tractor Club Tractor Show
29- Cruise-in and W.C. Antique Tractor Club Tractor Show
September
25- Reenactment Camp Site in the Village– Living History Day
October
10- Pumpkins and Squash in the Garden with the Master Gardeners
24- Pumpkin Day Activities
November
14- Fall Clean up in the Garden with the Master Gardeners
14- Hearth Cooking Class with Sally Waltz
December
4- Holiday Open House
5- Holiday Open House and Quilt Raffle Drawing
What Is It?
Can you identify this object from the Museum
collection? What was it’s purpose? Who would
have used this object and during what time frame?
Last newsletter additions answer: Ripple
Used to comb seeds from flax, broomcorn, etc.
This implement came from Turkey and was in use
circa 1800.
Summer Recipes
Zucchini Patties
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup grated raw zucchini
2 tablespoons minced onion
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
2 tablespoon mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoons butter
Preparation:
Press excess moisture out of grated zucchini between paper towels. Mix together everything but butter to make
the batter. Melt butter in skillet. Spoon batter (about 2 heaping tablespoons per patty) into skillet. Flatten lightly
with spatula. Cook over medium heat until nicely browned on both sides. Serve plain or top with tomato sauce and
grated cheese. Serves 4.
Add ½ teas. dried dill for a different flavor.
Baked Zucchini Chips
Preheat Oven 475 degrees
2 large zucchini (peeled or not peeled)
Slice in ¼ inch round chips
Dip each chip in egg substitute then in crushed corn flakes with Parmesean Cheese
Bake on sprayed baking sheet for 5 – 10 mins, flip and bake another 5 mins or until brown
Squash Casserole With Onions
Ingredients:
4 to 5 slices loaf bread, toasted and crumbled
2 pounds yellow squash, or about 4 cups frozen cooked
1/2 cup chopped onion
salt and pepper, to taste
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper, sautéed until tender
1 jar (4 ounces) chopped pimiento, drained
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Preparation:
Boil squash and onion until done; drain and mash. Add salt, pepper, butter, sugar, mayonnaise, beaten egg, green
pepper, pimiento, toasted bread crumbs and half of the Cheddar cheese. Mix all together and put in buttered
baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and cook at 350° until cheese melts and browns (about 30 minutes).
Special thanks to those who were docents at the museum
during the Ag Expo and Fair week!
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.