YorksPast

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Stephen H. Smith is a retired Mechanical Engineer from York International Corporation and local Family History author. His book “Barshingers in America” won the top prize within the Genealogy and Family History category in the 2002 National Genealogical Society’s Genealogical Writing Competition. An interest in local history is used to enhance his family histories and in the development of talks on various aspects of family and local history. He has a local history Blog that shares his explorations of York’s Past. Now in its 7th year, his aptly titled YorksPast Blog has surpassed 1,000 posts.

TOPICS

This post will continually be updated with the places I’ll be speaking and the current topics that are available. The current list of 23 talks has been expanding at about 2 new talks per year.

Synopsis of 23-talks, with availability and presentation history follow:

[1] First 60 Years of York Corporation; from 1874 to 1934 {Traces the founding of the company, as The York Manufacturing Company, through a change of focus; Air Conditioning} (Previously presented at OLLI, YCHC as Second Saturday Program, Lower Windsor Area Historical Society, West Manchester Township Historical Society, Johnson Controls, and Greater Dover Historical Society) A subset is used in Talk [14]

[2] York Air Conditioning & Refrigeration; from 1935 to 2005 {Traces locally independent York Corporation through Borg-Warner days and back to independence as York International Corporation} (Previously presented at OLLI, West Manchester Township Historical Society, and Lower Windsor Area Historical Society) A subset is used in Talk [14]

[3] Countdown of the Top 50 York County Factories in 1899 {This can be used as a stand alone talk or as part one of a two-part presentation. This part gives a brief overview of all the top 50 factories during York County’s Sesqui-Centennial in 1899} (Previously presented at OLLI) A subset is used in Talk [11]

[4] Highlighting 8 of the Top 50 York County Factories in 1899 {This can be used as a stand alone talk or as part two of a two-part presentation. This part looks more in depth at: A. B. Farquhar Co., York Safe & Lock Co., Hoover Wagon Works, York Manufacturing Co., S. Morgan Smith Co., Hanover Match Co., American Caramel Co., and York Haven Paper Co.} (Previously presented at OLLI) A subset is used in Talk [11]

[5] 19th Century Railway Car Builders of York (Previously presented at OLLI, YCHC, Red Lion Area Historical Society, Normandie Ridge, and a Shiloh Church group) A subset is used in Talks [6 and 16]

[6] Rail Events in the 1800s, Rail Trail Area {An offshoot of Talk [5]; focusing a greater amount along the Northern Central Railway in the 1800s} (Previously presented at Glen Rock Historic Preservation Society, OLLI, Codorus Valley Historical Society in Jefferson and at the New Freedom Train Station)

[7] Never Built? The Town of Pleasant Garden and other Curiosities (Previously presented at Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, Zimmerman Center for Heritage, Lower Windsor Area Historical Society, and Red Lion Area Historical Society)

[8] The Making of a Family History Book {A case study in the making of the award winning family history book “Barshingers in America”} (Previously presented at South Central PA Genealogical Society, Lancaster Family History Conference, and 21 other sites in the Eastern U.S.) A subset is used in Talk [17]

[9] ABC’s of discovering your Family History {Examples are presented which illustrate the basics of discovering your family history} (Previously presented at 14 sites in the Eastern U.S.; scheduled at Codorus Valley Historical Society in Jefferson 9/11/18) A subset is used in Talk [17]

[10] Private Burial Grounds, Discovering Their Stories {Talk has case study on how to trace land ownership back to original Maryland squatters in 1730; uses Dosch Burial Ground in LWT as example} (Previously presented at South Central PA Genealogical Society and Lower Windsor Area Historical Society)

[11] York & Leading Industries of the Gilded Age {A shorter subset of talks [3] & [4], specifically focusing on industries in and near the City of York} (Previously presented to AP History Class at Central High School, YCHC as Second Saturday Program and Country Meadows of Leader Heights)

[12] Examining a Unique African American G.A.R. Post as the Grand Army of the Republic Celebrates 150 Years {Examines the David E. Small Post No. 369, G.A.R. in York, PA as the Grand Army of the Republic celebrates 150-years since it was founded} (Previously presented at York Civil War Round Table and at G.A.R. Museum & Library in Philadelphia)

[13] History of The Susquehanna Trail {Before Interstate-83, the prominent north-south road in York County was the Susquehanna Trail. Learn about the origins and myths of this route} (Previously presented at OLLI, Lower Windsor Area Historical Society, a Shiloh Church group, Historic Wrightsville, Providence Place in Dover, repeated at OLLI and 20-minute version at York Rotary, focusing on Trees for the Trail; Scheduled at Glen Rock Historic Preservation Society on 11/27/18)

[14] Overview of York Corporation {A 15-minute subset of talks [1] & [2], a short history of the company; specifically focusing on the 1874 to 1956 time frame, when company was locally based and locally owned.} (Previously presented at 87th Annual Reunion of the 25 Year Continuous Service Club) Can be combined with Talk [18] to produce a neat 30-minute presentation; with or without slides.

[15] European Perspective on the 9/11 Attacks {A reflective yet sober presentation of reactions by everyday French and German people the author encountered while traveling in Europe during the 9/11/2001 attacks. Also of interest is the ever-changing scenarios impacting flights back into the United States.} (Previously presented at York Twinning Association and at OLLI; Scheduled at St. Joseph Church Group on 9/7/18)

[16] Clockmaker began York’s Railroad Heritage {A 40-minute talk about York’s railroad manufacturing heritage of the 1800s; with an emphasis on Phineas Davis, who was a trained clockmaker and steam engine innovator in addition to designing “The York” locomotive.} (Previously presented at the Watch and Clock Collectors luncheon at York Expo Center, at Retired Federal Employees luncheon; and scheduled at NACWC Chapter 158 luncheon in Mechanicsburg on 9/19/18, at Lower Windsor Area Historical Society on 10/2/18 and at York Masonic luncheon on 10/29/18)

[17] Tips in Applying Family Research Skills to Public History {Contains elements of Talks [8 & 9]; 25 tips are discussed that are equally relevant when researching either family history or public history} (Previously presented at YCHC Writers Roundtable, NeyChip, Stewartstown Historical Society, and 5 other sites in the Eastern U.S.)

[18] The Men who Designed and Built York’s First Ice Machines {A 15-minute talk focusing on engineer George Jarman and the 34 workmen who built York’s first ice machines in the 1880s} (Previously presented at 88th Annual Reunion of the 25 Year Continuous Service Club) Can be combined with Talk [14] to produce a neat 30-minute presentation; with or without slides.

[19] Codorus Navigation Works {Learn about the operation and history of the Codorus Navigation Works. Completed in November of 1833, the 11-miles of canal and slackwater, via the Codorus Creek, allowed navigating 70-foot long canal boats between downtown York and the Susquehanna River} (Previously presented at Manchester Township Historical Society; Scheduled at OLLI during Spring 2019)

[20] History of Yorkco’s 25 Year Club {A 15-minute talk focusing on the history of the 25 Year Continuous Service Club} (Scheduled to be presented at 89th Annual Reunion of the 25 Year Continuous Service Club on 10/11/18) Can be combined with Talk [14 or 18] to produce a neat 30-minute presentation; with or without slides.

[21] Karl Ort and the Great War {The story of World War I trained pilot Karl Ort will bookend stories of York County’s World War I aviators who gave their lives in the fight to save democracy.} (Scheduled as a York County History Center Second Saturday program on 10/13/18)

[22] Earliest Aviation in York County {Stories of York County aviation feats and airfields of the past are shared through the exploits of York’s World War I trained pilot Karl Ort. Explores the first four decades, starting with the first airplane flights at the York Fairgrounds in 1912.} AVAILABLE in March 2019 (Scheduled at OLLI 5/6/19)

[23] Wild Cat Glen in the Hellam Hills {Discover the history of Wild Cat Glen and the resorts located there; when the area was known far and wide as the scenic wonder of York County. The narrow glen, flanked with 150-foot high steep rock faces, is located adjacent to the Susquehanna River; west of Accomac. Wild Cat Run, in draining some of the Hellam Hills, cascades down the rock faces as Wild Cat Falls.} AVAILABLE in May 2019 (Scheduled at joint meeting of Historic Wrightsville, Kreutz Creek Valley Preservation Society, and Lower Windsor Area Historical Society 5/7/19)

If your organization would like to schedule one of these talks, contact me by Email at stephen.smith4@comcast.net

Reading the Headlines: A Quick Index to All YorksPast Posts