There has recently been some discussion on Retro York on Facebook about the Historic York Inn (also known as the Smyser-Bair House Bed and Breakfast) on South Beaver Street, just off of West Market. Their website condenses the history of the wonderful house and includes some beautiful interior photos. Dr.
There is currently an interesting mini-exhibit in the entrance hall of the York County History Center museum at 250 East Market Street. Even though I sometimes mentally live in the 19th century, an exhibit like this reminds me to be thankful that I physically live in the 21st century. The
In the 1970s the York County Bicentennial Commission painstakingly researched the dimensions of the first York County courthouse, which stood in the center of York’s square from 1754 to 1841. This was the building that housed the Continental Congress from September 1777 to June 1778, when the British occupied the former capital,
In my last post I shared my recent visit to the Surratt House Museum in Clinton, Maryland. Less than half an hour away is the Dr. Samuel Mudd House Museum. After picking up arms and ammunition at the Surratt House, the next significant stop on John Wilkes Booth’s escape route
I recently took a field trip that I had been thinking about for some time. For several years I have been researching and writing about Edman “Ned” Spangler, the native Yorker who was a carpenter and stagehand at Ford’s Theater, working there shifting scenery on April 14, 1865, the night
I have always been intrigued by the large and colorful Punch cigar store figure in the York County Heritage Trust collections. As I relate in my recent York Sunday News column, it is especially interesting that he “moved” around Centre/Continental Square in York over the years. In this and the
Several years ago I wrote a York Sunday News column and some blog posts on native York artist Stephen Etnier (1903-1984). Etnier painted scenes of York, the Caribbean and many of Maine, where he spent a good part of his life. Occasionally an Etnier work will come up for auction.
It’s time for 41st Annual Oyster Fest this Sunday, October 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at York County Heritage Trust’s Agricultural and Industrial Museum, 217 West Princess Street in York. Once again fried oysters, raw oysters and oyster stew will be served. Steamed shrimp are also a tradition.
I have written before about the very talented clockmaker and artist, John Fisher (1736-1808) and his remarkable clocks. He was also an able sculptor in wood and painted with such accuracy that his dog Wasser, attacked his newly painted sign for the Black Bear Tavern. Local historian and artist Jim
Edman “Ned” Spangler wrote letters to friends and relatives describing his experiences while a prisoner from 1865 to 1869 at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. Spangler was sent there after being found guilty of helping John Wilkes Booth escape from Ford’s Theater, a charge he vehemently denied the rest