What was the connection between the preforming Durang family, who spent some time in York during the early 19th century and our national anthem? I wrote a York Sunday News column on the subject in 2006. I just realized I never posted the column on this blog, which I started
It is almost time for the Fifth Annual York County History Storytellers Night at 7 p.m. next Tuesday, December 10 at the Appell Center’s Capitol Theater, a beautiful historic site in its own right. We have had great turnouts in the past and expect the same this year, so we
Harry Houdini (Ehrich Weiss) and his wife Bess (Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner) were young circus performers in 1898. They came to York County with the Welsh Brothers circus in September of that year. The show set up at Poplar and Edgar Streets with two performances each day for several days. The
Over the years I heard of the “Hermit of the Hellam Hills,” and came across a couple late 19th century newspaper articles that mentioned Joel Strong, the hermit. When I started digging in the files at the York County History Center and perusing newspapers.com (available to use at the YCHC
Cindy Martin, friend and volunteer at the York County History Center Library and Archives, just shared this story with me. Cindy related that she plans to replenish her book supply at the York County History Center Book Blast, which will be held this year from August 9th (members’ night) through
In my column a couple of months ago on the Weaver Organ and Piano Company, I asked readers to share their stories about with the company and its instruments. I have heard from several people about their Weaver encounters, as well as from some that would currently be happy to give
In my recent York Sunday News article on the history of the Weaver Organ and Piano Company, I invited people to share any memories connected with Weaver. A couple of responses were from individuals who fondly remembered playing in recitals at the Weaver studios in the factory complex. Dorothy
Who knows how many thousands of sturdy musical instruments emanated out of the growing complex of buildings that stood imposingly for 136 years at the intersection of Broad and Philadelphia streets in York? The York County History Center Library/Archives has 16 volumes of shipping records, up through 1944, and it
Are you going to help us unravel York County history this year? The York Daily Record/York Sunday News team of history bloggers is setting out once again to entertain you with snippets of our fascinating past. The theme of our third annual event is “Weird York.” I will join other
I try to get to at least a few performances at the Belmont Theatre (formerly York Little Theatre) each year. They always do a great job. Click this link for my York Sunday News column on the history of the theater, which dates back to 1933. Besides the talented local