The Story of Seneca George
During Pennsylvania’s colonial period, the colony’s magistrates relied heavily upon a small group of people who could act as translators and help to negotiate agreements between Pennsylvania and the original […]
River of the Year
The Conestoga River has once again been nominated for the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers “River of the Year” award. There are two other streams in the running (no
Cooper’s Mill
Yesterday (November 19), the Susquehanna Ramblers invited me to visit the ruins of an old mill site down in the south-east corner of Peach Bottom Township, York County. This time
Mills
SPOOM Photo Contest 2025
The Society for the Preservation Of Old Mills (SPOOM) holds a photography contest each year. Members can submit exterior and interior photos for inclusion in the contest. The following video
Lafayette Reenactment – Part II
On July 28, 2025, the Marquis de Lafayette visited General Edward Hand’s plantation at Rock Ford. This post features a few images from that day. Many people attended the events
Lafayette Reenactment – Part I
During the American Revolution, a French aristocrat who held the title “Marquis de La Fayette” joined Washington’s Continental Army in which he served as a major general. Known in America
Turbine Maintenance at the Ressler Mill
After 118 years of operation, one of the water turbines at the Ressler Mill needed to be refurbished. This article describes the project engaged in 2024/25 to remove, refurbish, and
Mendelssohn’s Birthday
On February 3, 1899, on the 90th anniversary of the German composer Felix Mendelssohn, Dr. William A. Wolf opened a premier piano studio in Lancaster City. For the next six
A Conestoga Ramble
Two hundred years ago, in November 1824, Captain Ephraim Beach completed his survey and map of the Conestoga River for the purpose of making the river navigable from Lancaster City
Lancaster’s Historic Waterway – Part I
The Conestoga River meanders for sixty miles through the fertile farmlands of Lancaster County. From early Native American inhabitants to the European settlers who made the Conestoga Valley their home,