Published: April 8, 2022
Stepping into the Past
Today we have mass forms of communication. We can send a letter, package, email or even place a call to someone on the other side of the planet. Most modern day communication can happen instantaneously. This wasn’t the case 162 years ago, when the normal method of communication was mail through the federal government--which could take up to 3 weeks depending on mailing location. To help with the long wait, on April 3rd 1860, the Pony Express opened boasting a cross country delivery time of just 10 days. The cost was $5 for an ounce and was handled by a new rider every 75 to 100 miles. Unfortunately, this service only lasted less than two years due to the creation of the overland telegraph system.
Steppingstone Farm Museum is operated by the Steppingstone Museum Association, Inc., a
private non-profit with a long term lease of the previous Paul farm property in Susquehanna State Park. This land is part of the Land of Promise tract from the first land survey in 1684. The museum was established in 1970 with the collections of Mr. J.E. Bull. After his passing in 1976, the museum moved to the Land of Promise in Susquehanna State Park. The museum demonstrates historic trades to the public from 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays from
April-October. The office is open year-round from
9am-2pm Tuesday- Friday and the grounds are open to foot, paw, hoof, and bike traffic from 9am to sunset every day.
The museum offers many special events throughout the season, private and school tours, special programs, and site rentals. These programs, gift shop sales, grants, memberships, and private donations support the museum.
Calendar of Events
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Rowdy Rooster
5/3/24 - 5/5/23
$5 per car (workshops, disc golf and plien are additional)
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Saturday on the Farm
6/8/24
$5 for adults, free admission for members and children 15 and under.
Saturday on the Farm
7/13/24
$5 for adults, free admission for members and children 15 and under.
Event Sign Ups
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Board of Directors
Robert Thresher
President
Ron Querns
First Vice President
Teresa Stout
Second Vice President
Robert Thresher
(Acting) Treasurer
Wendy O'Steen
Secretary
Josephine Bodt
John Stanley
Amanda Hickman
Mark Herman
Honorary Directors
Don Osman
Carolyn Smith
Museum Staff
Haley I. M. Strong
Executive Director
director@steppingstonemuseum.org
Stephanie Kennedy
Museum Manager
stephanie@steppingstonemuseum.org
Katelyn Long
Curator
katelyn@steppingstonemuseum.org
Heather Uzdilla
Site Coordinator
heather@steppingstonemuseum.org
Taylor Kennedy - LaRosa
Maintenance Personnel
From the Desk of the Director
Haley I. M. Strong
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
April is an extremely important month for the Museum. In 1991, the month of April was established as National Volunteer Month by President George H. W. Bush with his 1000 Points of Light campaign. While the Museum boasts a Board of eight directors and five employees, we could not run without the help of our dedicated volunteers. We appreciate the selfless giving nature of this group of astonishing individuals and would like to thank them for all they have done for our community, the Museum and our mission.
Steppingstone Wish List
The below items are needed at the museum. We will provide a donation letter for your tax deduction use.
Thank you for thinking of us!
Our Amazon Wishlist can
be found by clicking
HERE
Season's Views
This week we had a brief visit from a local turkey. We hope she enjoyed her tour of the museum!
Keep in Step with the Steppingstone
The
Cornerstone
Steppingstone's Volunteer Corner
Thank you to all the Volunteers that have helped out at or with past events!
Mark Herman
Will Herman
Russ Emery
Gareth Dirlam
John Hughes
Jim Pisciotta
Karen Whitlock
Wade Whitlock
Madelyn Danner
Bridget Graff
Geoff Graff
Bill Watson
Ron Querns
Shirley Querns
Gail Connolly
Brennan McDonough
Grace Sampson
Ginger Sampson
Jacob Sampson
Dave Kauffman
Harry Dutcher
Art Elsner
Jo Bodt
Amanda Hickman
Kelly Landers
Gerry Scarfe
Joe Cambria
Dawn Thresher
Robert Thresher
Trisha Clayton
Abby Clayton
Amber Litchfield
Alesana Litchfield
Caroline Litchfield
Oliver Litchfield
R. Effinger
M. Effinger
Kenneth Kleesig
Andrina Mills
Sean Lee
Matthew Giordano
Henry Giordano
Jon Elam
Sean Elam
Andy Whaley
Shane Whaley
Rob Olsen
Jonah Olsen
Andrea Serg
Emily Kraczek
Andrew Kraczek
Matthew Kraczek
Craig White
Emerson White
Grayson White
Lou Kosydar
Brian Sayre
Nathan Sayre
Robin Evick
Reminders:
-Volunteer Meeting: April 12th at 6:30, Studio
- Saturday on the Farm: May 7th
- 2022 Memberships are still available
NEW
@ The Museum
Thanks to the amazing volunteer, Karen Whitlock, the museum was able to welcome a new addition to our events. Karen hand painted several photo op figure cut outs displaying life in historic rural Harford County.
The Steppingstone Grind
With 23+ Buildings and 23 acres, the museum is more than what a team of 5 can handle. While we do our best to maintain the cleanliness of the property, we can always use help. The Grind is the place to find our chore list for the month. If you, or a group you belong to, would like to work on one of these projects please email Stephanie, the Museum Manager at stephanie@steppingstonemuseum.org
CHICKEN COOP
Trim trees around and over coop
MACHINE BARN
Fix sliding door (bottom rows)
STAGE
Design and build handicap ramp
GAZEBO
Wire brush, prime and paint front sign
FARMHOUSE
Patch and paint window sills
CARRIAGE BARN
Re-nail corner board and battens
Welcome to the Family
2022
New and Renewing Members
Samantha Morter & Danney France
Rachel Sacrey & Travis Dunaway
Kapri & Geoff Stafford
Sarah Hewitt & James Mast
Brendon Heroux & Courtney Reil
Sharon Comer & Ron Wickline
Alexandra Protos & Brandon Saraceno
John Boyer & Amand Harvey
Bailey Alampi & Mitchell Herzing
Congratulations to our new wedding members:
Bernie Bodt
Bryon Bodt
Linda Bullis
Carole DeRan
Heather Hamilton
Lilma Huntley
Moira Kearney
Brenda Kinzinger
Christina Kramer
William Lee
Leocea McLanahan
Fred Ritzel
Gerry Scarfe
John Stanley
Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home, P.A.
Walter G Coale INC.
Kelly Mechanical Services, Inc.
Aimee O'Neill & Co., Inc.
Cathy Price
Madelyn Danner
Craig Lake
Bridget Graff
John Stanley
F.O. Mitchell
Hopkins Farm Brewery
Jay DuBree
Bob Worthington
Mark Herman
Elsner Family
Peg & Bill Bossemeyer
Harry Dutcher
Harford County Farm Bureau
Alex Horneman
Mary Schweers
Christina McLoughlin
Gareth Dirlam
Ginger Sampson
Delightful Discoveries
Donated by a local geology fan from his personal collection, this slab of slate is a stunning example of how slate shingles were split. Collected in the Cardiff area, this slab features very obvious cracks along the length of its side (known as cleavage) where skilled workers would chisel between slices until split, then measure and straighten any sides to create a slate tile worth shingling a house with! Since some slates have been known to last over 200 years, they can be found on almost every kind of structure. It is perhaps most often associated with institutional, ecclesiastical, and government buildings, where longevity is an especially important consideration in material choices. The slate mined from this area was so renowned, The Biltmore Mansion in North Carolina was roofed with it!
A glimpse back into time...
Images from this past month
When shopping on Amazon remember to use Amazon Smile and select Steppingstone Museum Association. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the museum.
Thank You for your support!
Please share with your friends
and tell them about
"Your Country Retreat".
Steppingstone Farm Museum educational programs and historic preservation supported by grants from:
Thank you to our Business Members!
