Published: May 13, 2022

Stepping into the Past

160 years and 7 days ago the Homestead Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. The act opened millions of acres of government owned land for purchase. Homesteaders could move west, acquiring up to 160 acres for just $1.25 per acre, with the condition that they lived on the land and cultivated it for 5 years. This act accelerated the settlement of the western territory, however it did not help reduce the poverty level of the time. While the land was affordable, few poorer citizens could not afford to build a farm and a house from scratch or afford the tools to run a farm.

The act was worded very vaguely which allowed for cases of fraud. To make matters worse, modification to the Act only increased the problem. The Act was in effect from 1862-1904, homesteaders were able to acquire 80 million acres, with more going to speculators, cattle owners, miners, loggers, and railroads.

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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Fall Harvest Festival

CANCELLED

$15 per person. Children under 15 years of age are free.

Event Sign Ups

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Board of Directors

Ron Querns

(Acting) 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

Maintenance Personnel

From the Desk of the Director
Haley I. M. Strong

We have had quite a few changes in the past month at the Museum and more on our horizon, but we are resilient as ever. With our recent Board changes and our upcoming staff change, we continue to keep focused on our mission and our upcoming events.

While we are navigating forward we have achieved a tremendous amount in the past month. The long awaited re-siding project of our beloved cannery building is almost complete. We have had repairs done to our public bathrooms, including reinstallation of the water heater for the men's restroom. The display barn floor has been repaired and is now ready for the public.

On the internal side of the Museum, memberships and volunteer involvement are up this year and we are full steam ahead with planning events. We are working on creating a strategic plan to lay a path forward and are excited for all the ideas and opportunities that are happening.

I personally, and on behalf of the Museum would like to thank your for supporting of us and our mission.