Summer 2026
Leadership at Steppingstone
Leadership At Steppingstone
At Steppingstone Farm Museum, we believe our greatest strength comes from balancing tradition with fresh ideas. As our organization continues to grow, we are grateful for the dedicated individuals who help preserve our history while shaping our future.
This issue highlights several of the people making an impact at Steppingstone. You'll meet some of our newest Board members, learn more about one of our dedicated staff members, and be introduced to our summer interns, whose enthusiasm and hard work have supported the museum throughout the season.
Together, these individuals represent the shared commitment that keeps Steppingstone thriving, honoring our past while building a strong future for generations to come.
Christina Ward
Board Member
Growing up in Harford County with 4-H and FFA, Christina developed an early love for the land that has since blossomed into a lifelong passion for homesteading, history, and horticulture. Whether she's digging into the past or her garden, you’ll likely find her surrounded by blooms and books, while being accompanied by her 14 year old Pomeranian, Sophia.
Christina's creative side comes out through painting, crafting, and just about any project she can get her hands on. She has always been a hands-on person, a trait she sharpened back in the day while working at her local hardware store.
She looks forward to learning something new every day, meeting new people, and sharpening skills she's already crafted.
James W. Wood
Board Member
James W. Wood retired on 31 Dec 2023 after a fifty-year career with the Department of Defense at the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground. His time as part of the DoD began with four years on active duty with the US Army as an Ordnance and Chemical Staff Officer. He spent his next 33 years as a DoD Army civilian engineer before ending his career after 13 years as a US Air Force civilian engineer.
Though his assignments were quite extensive, James cites working in the destruction of chemical weapon stockpiles as one of the highlights of his career. In the early 1980s, he assisted with the introduction of computer technologies to the Edgewood base, and he would later gain experience in cybersecurity as a partner with the US Army JPEO-CBRND organization. In the last seven years of his career, he worked in their Logistics Division to provide relief support to the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
James holds degrees in Industrial Engineering and Computer Engineering from VA Polytechnic & State University and Johns Hopkins University, respectively, additionally holding a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Florida Institute of Technology. He is also the owner of a Level II Systems Engineering certification.
Thanks to his IT experience, James has provided computer technology consulting work to homeowners and small businesses alike. Essentially, he has found that there are no problems that cannot be solved with a little creativity and some resources.
Connor McDerby
Assistant Director
Connor McDerby joined the Steppingstone team as Assistant Director in April 2026. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a minor in Museum Studies. He is passionate about Museum Education and Interpretive Programming.
Connor began his career in Interpretive Environmental Programming as a member of the Youth Conservation Corps in Delaware State Parks. His time with DSP culminated in his position as Camp Director at White Clay Creek State Park. Throughout his time at the University of Delaware, he worked in the University Galleries, where he gained firsthand knowledge in museum operations and providing accessibility in museum spaces. From there, he worked for the Delaware Historical Society as an Education Intern, creating Primary Source Resource Sets for use by educators in the Delaware Social Studies Curriculum. In these positions, he developed a love for creating programming guidelines and resources for use across a wide range of Historical and Environmental Interpretation.
At Steppingstone, Connor is committed to developing new engaging programming and building relationships with community members and artisans to bring the history and heritage of Harford County to life in an accessible way. He is working to expand the range of programs and events Steppingstone offers the community to increase awareness of the significant heritage Steppingstone curates and interprets.
Sophie Powell
Marketing Intern
Sophie Powell is ecstatic to begin her first season at Steppingstone Farm Museum! A history buff at heart, she has thoroughly enjoyed the time she has spent at the museum and the deeper connection she has fostered with local history.
Her specialty is graphic design, which she has implemented through creating and posting her own advertisements and graphics for the museum. Most recently, Sophie photographed July's Saturday on the Farm and constructed several advertising posts leading up to the event. She aims to increase our reach and bring new audiences to our cause, further solidifying our impact on Harford County and the protection of its rural history.
Sophie is a recent graduate of Bel Air High School and an incoming freshman at the University of Delaware. She is a member of the Honors College working towards her bachelor's degree in Marketing. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in entertainment marketing, combining her advertising experience and her passion for the performing arts. While in high school, Sophie served as FBLA Chapter President and Troupe Leader of the BAHS International Thespian Society, honing her networking and leadership skills in a variety of fields.
Sophie is honored to continue Steppingstone's internship program, and she encourages you to follow our social media pages for exciting updates throughout the summer!
Kaylee Lukas
Archival Intern
Fresh Faces on the Farm: Uncovering the Past
This summer, we welcomed two new members of our community to our summer internship program. One of these interns, Kaylee Lukas, has already become a significant part of the museum’s cause and preservation efforts.
As our new Archival Intern, Kaylee has been tasked with digitizing our museum’s institutional archives. This new step in our archival has been instrumental in the maintenance of our history and the protection of past documentation.
Her work has largely revolved around newsletter records from the 1970s. With the steps she has taken to maintain these records, Kaylee has put us even closer to fully preserving the museum’s history and interpreting this period of our story.
We’re very excited to have Kaylee on our team, and we couldn’t be more proud to continue our internship program with her!
Stay tuned as we share updates on this program!
Upcoming Projects
A New Chapter for the Display Barn
In June 2024, Steppingstone Farm Museum experienced a devastating loss when a fire
destroyed our beloved Display Barn. This building was more than just a structure—it was a
central part of our campus and played an important role in our mission. The Display Barn
served as exhibition space, program space, maintenance facilities, and storage, supporting
countless events, educational programs, and community experiences over the years.
The loss of the Display Barn was felt deeply throughout our Steppingstone family. We lost
important space, resources, and a place filled with memories created by generations of visitors,
volunteers, and supporters. While the Museum continues to recover and adapt to these
changes, we remain committed to preserving Harford County’s rural heritage and creating
meaningful experiences for our community.
We are excited to share an important milestone in our recovery journey: Steppingstone has
officially begun the Display Barn Restoration Feasibility Study in partnership with Preservation
Maryland and with funding support from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.
This study will help us explore the possibilities for the future of this important area of our
campus. While the path forward is not yet defined, this process will allow us to carefully
evaluate options and determine the best way to continue serving our community while
honoring Steppingstone’s history.
The road to recovery is ongoing, but we are encouraged by the support, partnerships, and
dedication of our community. Thank you for standing with Steppingstone through this
challenging chapter. We look forward to sharing updates with you as we explore what the
future holds and continue building the next chapter of the Museum’s story.
This project has been financed in part with State funds from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority but
does not necessarily reflect its views or policies.
Preserving the Foard Blacksmith Shop
We are excited to share an update on one of Steppingstone Farm Museum’s ongoing capital projects!
Thanks to a partnership with Preservation Maryland and funding support from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, the Foard Blacksmith Shop will soon undergo restorative repairs to address critical areas of this important historic structure.
Originally built in 1882, the Foard Blacksmith Shop was relocated to Steppingstone Farm Museum in the 1980s. Since its arrival on our campus, it has served as an important reminder of the craftsmanship, skills, and trades that shaped Maryland’s rural communities.
The blacksmith shop is more than a historic building—it is a place where visitors can connect with the tools, techniques, and traditions of the past. These preservation efforts will help ensure that this significant piece of Harford County history remains protected and available for future generations to experience and enjoy.
We are grateful for the partners, supporters, and funding organizations who make preservation projects like this possible. At Steppingstone, preservation is about more than caring for historic structures—it is about safeguarding the stories, skills, and traditions that connect our community to the past.
Thank you for continuing to support our mission of preserving and sharing Harford County’s rural heritage.
This project has been financed in part with State funds from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority but does not necessarily reflect its views or policies.
Living Traditions
Folk Arts Workshops at Steppingstone
Broommaking
Our newest Living Traditions workshop is coming up fast! Delve into the historic craft of broommaking and travel back to a time before today's modern tools and supplies.
The Living Traditions series aims to explore the rich traditions of folk life, heritage crafts, and cultural practices passed down through generations. Participants are given the opportunity to learn from skilled artisans while they preserve connections between past and present.
The Broommaking event takes place from 11:00am to 3:00pm and costs $85 per two-broom program. Bring a friend, or make a new one!
Upcoming Events
The cornerstone of Steppingstone Farm Museum is our incredible volunteers. Without their dedication, we could not maintain this historic property, showcase the many trades and folk arts that bring our history to life, or host the family and community focused events that make Steppingstone so special.
Volunteers are truly the heart of the Museum, and we are fortunate to have an amazing group of individuals who generously donate their time, skills, and expertise to support our mission.
We've made it halfway through 2026, and thanks to you, this year has already been wonderful! Your commitment and passion inspire us every day, and we are deeply grateful for everything you do.
From the Desk of the Director
Haley I. M. Strong
Returning to Steppingstone in January after nearly a two-year hiatus has been an exciting and rewarding experience. While I was familiar with the Museum from my previous five years here, I quickly realized that Steppingstone was entering a new chapter filled with opportunity. My first priority was understanding where the Museum stood, listening to the Board’s vision for the future, and identifying how we could build on the strong foundation already in place.
Over the past seven months, we have made tremendous progress. Behind the scenes, we have strengthened our operations, improved systems, implemented new policies, and begun welcoming new Board members who will help guide Steppingstone into the future.
One of the most exciting developments has been the addition of Assistant Director Connor McDerby to our team. Connor brings creativity, knowledge, and enthusiasm, and he has been instrumental in launching our Living Traditions program. The success of these workshops has reinforced our renewed commitment to preserving and sharing folk arts, heritage crafts, and rural traditions while creating new opportunities for community engagement.
This summer also marked the return of the Steppingstone Internship Program. We were thrilled to welcome two talented interns who have brought fresh perspectives and energy to the Museum while gaining valuable hands-on experience in their chosen fields.
These accomplishments are just the beginning. The momentum we have built this year has created exciting possibilities for the future, and we look forward to continuing to grow while staying true to our mission of preserving and interpreting the rural heritage of Harford County.
Thank you for your continued support and belief in Steppingstone. Together, we are building a vibrant future while honoring the traditions that make this place so special.
As always, have a historic day.
Haley I. M. Strong
Director of Institutional Improvements
P.S. As we continue to grow, we are always looking for passionate individuals who want to help shape Steppingstone’s future. If you are interested in serving on our Board of Directors or volunteering on one of our committees, click the button below to learn more. We would love to have you join us as we build the next chapter of Steppingstone’s story.
Get Involved & Join the Family
We’d love for you to be part of our story! When you become a member, volunteer, or make a donation, you’re joining a community that cares deeply about preserving and celebrating the rural heritage of Harford County.
Your support helps us care for our beautiful 23 acres and 23 historic buildings, keeping them vibrant and welcoming for everyone who visits. It also makes it possible to offer the family and pet friendly, community-centered programs that bring history to life in fun, meaningful ways.
Whether you have time to share, resources to give, or simply a love of local history, there’s a place for you here. Every membership, volunteer hour, and donation truly makes a difference.
Come join the family and help us keep history alive for generations to come!
2026 Event Gallery
Images from this year
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