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 as “Lafayette”, he was a key figure in the Siege of Yorktown that set up the decisive...
This is the fourth and final article in the series covering a brief history of the Conestoga River. The first article described the conditions prior to European settlement. The second article covered the colonial period and the importance of the river for transportation. The third article covered...
This is the third article in the series in which we are taking a journey through time on the historic waters of the Conestoga River. In the first article, I covered the conditions of the Conestoga prior to European settlement. We looked at how the Conestoga watershed...
A little-known jewel of Lancaster County’s history lies along the Mill Creek in Upper Leacock Township. The Mascot Roller Mill, also known as Ressler’s Mill, is a working, four-story stone grist mill. The mill and adjacent miller’s house are open for tours Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00...
This is the second article in the series in which we are taking a journey through time on the historic waters of the Conestoga River. In the first article, I covered the conditions of the Conestoga prior to European settlement. We looked at how the Conestoga watershed...
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, the river has provided sustenance and transportation for generations. Victorian era resorts and hotels were built along...
Welcome to the third installment of “Amazing Milling Machinery”. In each of these articles I highlight an object that might be found in a typical 19th century, water-powered grist mill. Today’s featured gadget is a dust collector. This device collects flour dust from the air and vents...
I am currently working on a project sponsored by the Ressler Mill Foundation. The Ressler Mill Foundation manages the Mascot Roller Mill on the Mill Stream in Upper Leacock Township. The foundation has engaged a mill wright to refurbish the milling equipment, not necessarily for the purpose...
I was first attracted to Lancaster County’s old grist mills because of their unique architecture. I began photographing them years ago not knowing where that practice might take me. Lately, I have been privileged to get inside some of the mills and have found that they are...
Many of the first European settlers of Lancaster County (originally part of Chester County) came to this part of the world to escape religious persecution. Among these were the French Huguenots with names like Feree, Lefevre, and Leman. Others were the Swiss-German anabaptists named Herr, Funk, Bowman,...
