The Cultural Heritage Element a Strategy for Preserving Our Sense of Place April 2006

Home , Christiana Riot, Conestoga wagon, Fulton Opera House, Hans Herr, Heritage (sculpture)

Heritage

The Cultural Heritage Element A Strategy for Preserving Our Sense of Place April 2006

envision The Comprehensive Plan for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Lancaster County

Table of Contents

Introduction Key Message...... 3 Our Challenge ...... 3 Purpose of This Plan...... 4 Heritage: An Element of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan ...... 5 Need for the Plan...... 7 Approach ...... 7 Contents of This Plan...... 7 Goals, Objectives, and Strategies...... 8 Existing Conditions Historical and Cultural Overview of Lancaster County...... 13 Native American / American Indian Settlement...... 13 Penn’s Woods and the Establishment of Lancaster County...... 16 Settlement Patterns ...... 18 Religious Traditions in 18th-Century Lancaster County ...... 19 18th-Century Built Environment ...... 27 Agriculture in the 18th Century...... 27 18th-Century Industries ...... 27 Revolutionary War and Early Republic ...... 28 Development of Free African Communities. . . 29Growing Transportation Network 30 Table of Contents Arts and Education in the 18th and 19th Centuries...... 33 Slavery, the Civil War, and the Underground Railroad...... 34 Agriculture in the 19th and 20th Centuries...... 38 Manufacturing in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries...... 39 Arts in the 20th Century...... 41 20th Century to Today ...... 41 Preservation Planning In Lancaster County...... 43 Past Efforts...... 43 Present Efforts...... 50 Preservation Trends...... 53 Introduction ...... 53 Positive Trends...... 56 Mixed Results ...... 61 Negative Trends...... 66 Planning Process Guiding Principles ...... 73 Stakeholder Involvement...... 73 Sustainability...... 73 Integration of Supporting Studies ...... 73 Achievable Recommendations...... 74 Research and Assessment...... 74 Public Involvement Strategy...... 75 Lancaster County Cultural Heritage Plan Task Force...... 75 Regional Meetings...... 76 Public Workshop: There’s No Place Like Home...... 76 Public Involvement Findings...... 76 Resident Survey...... 77 Agencies and Organizations Survey...... 77 Municipal Government Survey ...... 77 Survey Conclusions...... 78 Combined Results from All Surveys...... 78 Strategic Vision Purpose of a Vision Statement...... 83 Cultural Heritage Vision for 2015...... 83 Goals, Objectives, and Strategies

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element iii Goal 1: Identify, Conserve, and Preserve Heritage Resources...... 87 Create a GIS Inventory of Tangible Resources...... 89 Build a Database of Intangible Resources...... 90 Develop and Enhance Preservation Tools...... 91 Goal 2: Integrate Preservation into Economic Development...... 93 Promote Conservation as an Economic Tool...... 95 Sustain the County’s Working Landscapes...... 95 Expand Heritage Tourism Opportunities...... 97 Support Traditional Building Trades...... 98 Goal 3: Ensure that New Development Respects Traditional Patterns...... 98 Promote Context-Sensitive Design...... 98 Goal 4: Promote Leadership, Collaboration, and Responsibility...... 100 Support Cultural Heritage Education ...... 100 Encourage Governments to Be Role Models ...... 101 Improve Coordination between Groups...... 102 Strengthen Municipal Involvement...... 103 Encourage Residents to Volunteer...... 103 Build Public Awareness ...... 104 Goal 5: Celebrate and Promote Heritage Resources...... 105 Create New Recognition Programs and Enhance Marketing Efforts...... 106 Goal 6: Provide Financial Resources and Incentives...... 107 Support New State and Federal Legislation ...... 107 Create New Financial Incentives at the Local Level...... 107 Action Plan Existing Preservation System...... 111 Future Preservation System...... 111 Public Sector...... 112 Private Sector...... 116 Non-Profit Sector...... 117 Roles and Responsibilities...... 121 Acronyms...... 141 Conclusion What’s Unique About Our Heritage...... 145

Table of Contents of Table Why It’s Worth Protecting ...... 145 What We Need to Do...... 146 Glossary Preservation, Restoration, and Rehabilitation...... 149 General Preservation Terms...... 149 Heritage Preservation Toolbox Legal Basis for Historic Preservation...... 155 Federal Role...... 155 State Role...... 155 Local Role...... 157 Municipal Implementation Process ...... 157 Economic Benefits of Heritage Preservation ...... 161 Main Street Program...... 162 Elm Street Program...... 162 Heritage Tourism...... 164 Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives...... 164 Easements...... 167 Assistance for Homeowners...... 168 Other Techniques ...... 169

iv Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Acknowledgements RESOLUTION NO. 28 OF 2006

On motion of Commissioner Shaub, seconded by Commissioner Shellenberger;

WHEREAS, The Board of County Commissioners charged the Lancaster County Planning Commission with developing and implementing the Comprehensive Plan for the County, known as Envision Lancaster County; and

WHEREAS, Envision Lancaster County, developed by the Lancaster County Planning Commis- sion, and adopted by the County Board of Commissioners, currently includes seven (7) Elements: ReVisions, the Policy Element; Balance, the Growth Management Element; Choices, the Housing Element; the Open Space Element; the Tourism Element; the Transportation Element; and the Water Resources Element; and

WHEREAS, In 2003 and 2004, the Lancaster County Planning Commission appointed three community-led task forces to amend Envision Lancaster County through updates to Balance, the Growth Management Element; Choices, the Housing Element and through the development of a Cultural Heritage Element (Heritage); and

WHEREAS, Since their inception, these task forces have generated significant public outreach involving public meetings, written and telephonic surveys, focus groups, media events, and website material; and

WHEREAS, In late January 2006, the public outreach process, and the technical expertise of the task forces, staff, and consultants resulted in complete drafts ofBalance, the Growth Management Element Update; Choices, the Housing Element Update; and Heritage, the newly-developed Cultural Heritage Element; and

WHEREAS, The completed draft ofBalance, the Growth Management Element Update, contains goals, objectives, and strategies designed to guide more of the County’s new growth to Growth Areas; strengthen infrastructure within those areas; and create opportunities for redevelopment of those areas through mixed-use, through adaptive reuse of vacant and underutilized buildings, and through infill; and, further,Balance contains goals, objectives, and strategies designed to enhance the preservation and protection of the natural and cultural resources of the County; and

WHEREAS, The completed draft ofChoices, the Housing Element Update, contains goals objectives, and strategies to help increase housing choices for current and future residents by generating more options for housing in terms of housing type, tenure (rental and ownership), location and price; and

WHEREAS, The completed draft ofHeritage, the Cultural Heritage Element, is based on goals, objectives, and strategies to conserve, preserve, and celebrate the County’s unique “sense of place” and community character; and

WHEREAS, Each of these draft documents also contains a host of regulatory tools and incentives that can facilitate implementation of their goals, strategies and objectives; and

WHEREAS, The drafts of these documents were released for a 45-day comment period, extend- ing from February 8, 2006 through March 29, 2006; and

“continued” WHEREAS, The drafts of these documents were also available for public review on the Lancaster County Planning Commission’s website, in libraries, in the office of the Lancaster County Planning Commission, and through a mass mailing to approximately 3,000 elected and appointed officials and other stakeholders during the 45-day comment period; and

WHEREAS, The comments received on these draft documents are focused primarily on a desire for reinforcement of maj or themes already stated in the drafts, including: (1) the importance of preserving agricultural and natural areas; (2) the importance of strengthening and maintaining urban areas; (3) the importance of providing a strong educational program for municipal officials, the, building industry and other stakeholders to facilitate implementation of the amendments; (4) the importance of providing county and other funding to support implementation of the amendments; (5) the importance of adequate infrastructure to support new growth; (6) the importance of consistency between local plans and ordinances and the amendments; and (7) the importance of monitoring; and

WHEREAS, The comments received during the 45-day comment period have precipitated a series of changes that are necessary to: (1) add clarity to existing text; (2) expound on existing text; and (3) add related text regarding existing concepts, policies, goals, and strategies; and

WHEREAS, The Board of Commissioners held a final public hearing today on the draft documents, whereby it provided an opportunity for additional comments on the draft documents and took those comments into consideration with respect to final changes toBalance, Choices and Heritage.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. That the Board hereby accepts the drafts and anticipated modifications, as -de scribed above and acknowledged today, and adopts these documents, with said modifications, as part of Envision Lancaster County.

Motion passed unanimously .

DULY ADOPTED this 19th day of April, 2006 by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in lawful session duly assembled .

Prepared by Lloyd Chapman Lancaster County Planning Commission National Park Service Lancaster County Cultural Heritage Plan Task Force Frank Christoffel, IV(through June 2005) Richard Doenges Consultants Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board Kise, Straw & Kolodner Philadelphia, PA Bruce Evans Cox Evans Architects Urban Partners Philadelphia, PA Patricia Gibble Consulting Archaeologist The Right Word Frenchtown, NJ Clarke Hess Hess Home Builders, Inc. Technical Advisor Ken Hoak Carol Lee, National Register Coordinator Conestoga Area Historical Society Bureau for Historic Preservation Patricia Justice-Levin, PhD Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Franklin & Marshall College

Jeff LeFevre Acknowledgements Lancaster County Board of Coldwell-Banker Real Estate Commissioners Wendy Nagle Dick Shellenberger, Chairman Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Howard “Pete” Shaub Visitors Bureau Molly Henderson Sharon Okin PennDOT District 8 Lancaster County Planning Randy Patterson Commission Lancaster County Housing Charles E . Douts, Jr ., Chairperson & Redevelopment Authority Virginia Brady, Vice Chairperson Jack Phillips Nancy Halliwell, Secretary Building Industry Association Raymond D’Agostino, Jr . of Lancaster County Julianne Dickson Mark N . Platts Dennis Groff Lancaster-York Heritage Region James Miller, Jr . Gordon Reed Jonathan L . Price Conestoga Area Historical Society Matthew Young (from October 2005) James R . Cowhey, AICP, Executive Director Cindy Shaffer Coalition for Smart Growth Cultural Heritage Plan Susan Shearer Task Force Preservation Pennsylvania Charles E. Douts, Jr., Chair Timothy A . Smedick West Hempfield Township Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County Gary Baer Restore ‘N More, Inc. Suzanne Stallings City of Lancaster Ron Bednar Department of Planning Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Robert Stoner Manheim Borough Henry G . Benner Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society Virginia Brady Pequea Township Supervisors

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element ix Project Team

Lancaster County Planning Commission Staff

Long-Range and Heritage Planning Division Scott W . Standish Director for Long-Range and Heritage Planning Michael A . Domin Principal Planner Carole E . Wilson Historic Preservation Specialist Kip Van Blarcom Heritage Planner Andrew N . Helm Heritage Planner (through June 2005) Donna J . Hahn Administrative Secretary

Lancaster County Printing Department Lynn M . Stiles Graphic Designer

This project was funded in part by the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners and by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylva- nia, Department of Community and Economic

Development . Acknowledgements

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Introduction

Key Message

The unusual depth and breadth of historic and cultural resources in Lancaster County plays a key role in defining the county’s identity . To maintain our sense of place and quality of life, we must commit ourselves to making historic and cultural preservation an integral, indispensable part of living and working here .

Heritage, the Cultural Heritage Element of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan, is designed to help residents and visitors discover, interpret, preserve, and celebrate the county’s heritage resources . In addition to focusing on the preservation of historic buildings, Heritage celebrates the county’s people and customs . Our sense of place has as much to do with our traditions as it does with bricks and mortar . Maintaining and enhancing the county’s unique identity requires ongoing investment in both the tangible and intangible expressions of our heritage .

A country with no respect for its past will do of evidence survive all around us, from a regional little worth remembering in the future. German dialect spoken on a Plain Sect farm, to the Puerto Rican Day Parade in Lancaster City, – attributed to Abraham Lincoln to a Buddhist shrine in a Vietnamese restaurant . Introduction If Lancaster County is to live up to its historic reputation as a place where all are welcome, it must continue to discover, interpret, preserve, Our Challenge and celebrate its cultural diversity .

While every place lays claim to being historically Heritage is a limited resource. While and culturally significant, Lancaster County has careful management might renew a exceptionally numerous and diverse heritage damaged forest or stream, a demolished resources for a single county . These resources in- building is gone forever. Cultural clude scenic agricultural landscapes, small towns, traditions that are not shared with dense and varied urban neighborhoods, and younger generations are lost to history. diverse cultures strongly committed to their traditions . While the contributions of a few groups, Heritage is a limited resource . While careful such as Germans, Swiss, and English, are widely management might renew a damaged forest or known in Lancaster County, there are many stream, a demolished building is gone forever . other groups that have contributed to Lancaster Cultural traditions that are not shared with County’s identity, such as African Americans, younger generations are lost to history . When Asians, Welsh, and Latinos . Some residents have an historic building is transformed into a pile of ancestors who arrived here centuries ago, and rubble, the time and effort invested by countless others have only recently made a home here, but craftsmen and women is lost, as is the memory everyone has a story to tell . We have all inherited of the people who lived and worked there . The a legacy of historic and cultural resources – but conditions that produced a hand-hewn beam we have also inherited the responsibility to be or a carved mantelpiece two hundred years ago stewards of that legacy . cannot be recreated now or in the future . While the style can be imitated, and historic techniques While historic buildings are often the most can be taught again, it is impossible to give some- obvious reminders of the county’s past, other thing a past it never had . If Lancaster County is evidence of the past is more difficult to see . Bur- to maintain its historic and cultural identity, it ied below ground are the county’s archeological must strive to preserve the intersections between resources, which not only highlight prehistoric people, place, and tradition . native cultures, but the material culture of generations of Lancastrians since then . Other kinds

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Although awareness of the importance of historic This plan is a blueprint for cultural and cultural resources is growing in Lancaster heritage policy and action at all levels County, commitment to protecting and enhanc- of government and across all sectors ing some types of buildings and traditions has of the community. been inconsistent . Local citizens often express the view that the past will take care of itself, county government . It is a blueprint for cultural and that traditions worthy of surviving will find heritage policy and action at all levels of govern- their own way to continue . Unfortunately, places ment and across all sectors of the community . throughout the world have shown that build- The strategies in the plan are intended to: ings and traditions must not only be protected, but actively nurtured . There was a time when • Actively engage municipalities, agencies, cultures could incrementally grow and change in organizations, and individuals through- response to changes introduced from elsewhere, out the county; but these changes now come at such a rapid pace, • Raise awareness about our rich and that there is never enough time to react . diverse history; • Develop mechanisms for proactive preservation planning; and • Encourage residents to become better stewards of heritage resources .

More specifically, the Cultural Heritage Element builds on existing heritage initiatives and intro- duces new tools to help Lancaster Countians conserve historic and cultural resources . A better understanding of resources and the tools available to preserve those resources will help to ensure the Photo courtesy of PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitors & Convention Dutch PA of courtesy Photo Our cultural landscapes are unique long-term sustainability of Lancaster County’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage . This

Introduction Today, entire cultural landscapes that took plan seeks to: centuries to create can be destroyed in a matter of days, with little regard for the resources that • Promote a greater understanding of the made them unique . While local residents often quantity, quality, and location of tan- speak of the need for a balance between growth gible and intangible heritage resources and preservation, the balance is frequently tipped throughout the county . Knowledge of against historic and cultural resources . All too these resources will ensure that the most often, protecting these resources is seen as a effective tools are implemented to pro- burden, not a duty . Lancaster County’s greatest tect and interpret them . assets are its historic buildings, landscapes, and • Inform citizens about the positive cultural traditions – without them, the county impacts of heritage conservation . An- loses its identity, and a part of America’s heritage swering the question “What’s in it for goes with it . me?” is a great way to build support for conservation strategies . The more that citizens understand about the effect their actions have on historic and cultural Purpose of This Plan resources, the more supportive they will be of heritage initiatives in the future . The Cultural Heritage Element supports the • Identify existing measures to conserve goals of the Lancaster County Comprehensive heritage resources, such as financial Plan by calling on the county’s public, private, incentives and regulations, and explore and non-profit sectors to identify, preserve, and tools that could be implemented in the celebrate the county’s heritage resources . This future, such as educational programs fo- plan goes beyond a set of policies and actions for cusing on the traditional building trades .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element • Promote leadership, responsibility, and traditions that inform our understanding of the awareness of heritage conservation by world around us . Maintaining and enhancing the encouraging Lancaster County residents county’s unique identity requires ongoing invest- to collaborate with each other to implement in both of these elements . ment specific strategies .

Heritage: An Element of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan

The Cultural Heritage Element is an important part of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan called Envision Lancaster County . The Comprehensive Plan outlines where the county is today, where we want to be in the future, and how we are going to get there . The plan includes Photo courtesy of PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitors & Convention Dutch PA of courtesy Photo three major elements:

1. Policy Element, called ReVisions Introduction (1999)

The Policy Element contains the vision and goals of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan . This element is designed to show the interconnectedness between different planning issues . In addition, it discusses Key Focus

Photo courtesy of PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitors & Convention Dutch PA of courtesy Photo Areas . These are issues that county residents feel are worthy of special attention – issues that concern them the most . They are:

• Protect and preserve our natural and cultural heritage; • Revitalize our urban communities; • Develop livable communities; • Create a sustainable economy; • Celebrate, invest in, and mobilize the talents of our human resources; and • Promote strong leadership, awareness, responsibility, and involvement in community issues .

As noted above, the first of these Key Focus In addition to focusing on historic buildings, Areas is to protect and preserve our natural neighborhoods, and landscapes, this plan also and cultural heritage . More specifically, the celebrates the county’s people . Both the tangible Policy Element calls on all sectors of the and intangible elements of our heritage are im- community to maintain the integrity of his- portant to our sense of place . Tangible elements toric buildings and structures, archeological of our heritage are the resources most often sites, and other cultural resources . associated with historic preservation – features such as buildings, structures, neighborhoods, and landscapes . Intangible elements are the cultural

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 2. Growth Management Element, called Balance (2006)

The Growth Management Element translates the goals of the Policy Element into specific, targeted land-use strategies . It identifies areas that are appropriate for urban growth and areas that are better suited for agriculture, other rural uses, and resource conservation . For each of these areas, the Growth Manage- ment Element identifies appropriate tools and techniques for implementation, such as the use of traditional neighborhood design in Urban and Village Growth Areas .

The vision for the Growth Management Ele- ment is to achieve and sustain Lancastrians’ vision of a balanced community where urban centers prosper, natural landscapes flourish, and farming is strengthened as an integral component of our diverse economy and cultural heritage . The goals and objectives of the Growth Management and Policy Elements provide an overall framework and direction for the functional elements listed below .

3. Functional Elements Introduction Functional Elements are specialized planning documents designed to address specific issues of concern, such as cultural heritage . As these plans are completed, they are adopted as official amendments to the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan . These elements (with their year of adoption by the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners) include:

• Cultural Heritage (2006) • Housing (2006) • Tourism (2006) • Transportation (2005) • Water and Wastewater (1997) – The County anticipates starting work on this element in 2007 . • Open Space (1992) – In 2007, the County expects to adopt a “Green Infrastructure Plan” that will serve as an update to this plan .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Two existing elements of the county’s compre- Approach hensive plan were updated concurrently with the Cultural Heritage Element: the Growth Manage- A separate chapter entitled “The Planning Pro- ment Element, called Balance; and the Housing cess” outlines the steps that were followed in de- Element, called Choices . The joint purpose of veloping this plan . The plan’s guiding principles these three amendments is to support balanced were sustainability, stakeholder involvement, growth through policies and strategies designed integration of supporting studies, and achievable to strengthen and sustain Lancaster County’s ur- recommendations . Like all planning processes ban and rural communities, its diverse economy, undertaken by the Lancaster County Planning its choice of housing types and affordability, and Commission (LCPC), this process was designed its natural and cultural heritage . around public involvement . The process started with the creation of a Cultural Heritage Plan In addition, the Tourism Element, one of the Task Force made up of nearly thirty representa- few county-wide tourism plans in the nation, tives from businesses, non-profit organizations, was adopted in June 2005 . The Tourism and municipal governments, and other county agen- Cultural Heritage Elements are linked together cies . The public was also invited to participate in through complementary policies that call for the surveys and public meetings . conservation, preservation, and celebration of important resources as a basis for ensuring that

The plan’s guiding principles Introduction Lancaster County remains a great place to live were sustainability, stakeholder and visit in the future . involvement, integration of supporting studies, and achievable recommendations.

Need for the Plan The plan was prepared by LCPC staff with the The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, assistance of a consulting team that included commonly called the MPC, now mandates that Kise, Straw & Kolodner, an architecture and county comprehensive plans include provi- preservation planning firm based in Philadelphia; sions for the protection of natural and historic Urban Partners, an urban planning firm also resources . The MPC, which was first passed by from Philadelphia; and The Right Word, inter- the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1968, is pretive planners from Frenchtown, New Jersey . the Commonwealth’s “enabling” legislation for municipal governments . It outlines the structure that enables municipalities to create and enforce planning and zoning ordinances . Since its cre- Contents of This Plan ation, the MPC has been amended many times . One of the most sweeping changes occurred in This plan outlines existing conditions, identifies 2000, when the MPC began requiring county some of the challenges the county faces in trying and municipal comprehensive plans to include to conserve its heritage resources, and presents provisions for the protection of natural and his- a strategy for addressing them . It is a road map toric resources . Lancaster County was one of the that guides Lancaster County on the path toward first in the state to meet this requirement through preserving its “sense of place” for future genera- the adoption of Heritage as a new amendment to tions . the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan . • Existing Conditions explains how Lan- caster County developed over time into a community with unusually abundant, diverse, and significant heritage resources . It discusses the county’s history and culture, outlines past and present preservation efforts, and describes some

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element of the trends that residents, municipal • TheGlossary includes planning and officials, local preservation advocates, preservation terms used in this plan . and the Lancaster County Planning Commission have observed . It also ex- • TheHeritage Preservation Toolbox amines the economic benefits of heritage describes the legal basis for heritage preservation . preservation, explains its economic benefits, and outlines potential funding • ThePlanning Process lists the steps that opportunities . were followed in preparing this plan . It outlines the principles that guided the process, discusses the research and assess- Goals, Objectives, and Strategies ment that informed the plan, and sum- marizes the public involvement process . The goals, objectives, and strategies presented in the Cultural Heritage Element outline what • TheStrategic Vision paints a picture of should be accomplished during the life of this Lancaster County’s heritage preservation plan . There are six goals, and these are the prin- efforts as they should be in 2015, after cipal steps that should be followed in order to many of the plan’s recommendations implement the plan’s strategic vision . Objectives have been implemented . It describes describe the goals in more detail, and strategies a future in which the protection of are the specific actions that the plan’s stakehold- heritage resources and the enhancement ers will implement . By implementing these six of community character have become a goals, Lancaster County can protect the sense of standard part of doing business in Lan- place that makes it different from everywhere else caster County . – a more attractive and functional place to live and work . • TheGoals, Objectives, and Strategies outline exactly what should be accomplished during the life of this plan . There Goal 1: Identify, conserve, and preserve the

Introduction are six goals, and these are the principal county’s heritage resources as a basis for steps that must be followed in order to retaining and enhancing strong community implement the plan’s strategic vision . character and sense of place. Objectives describe the goals in more detail, and strategies are the specific 1 .1 Create and maintain a comprehensive, GIS- actions that the plan’s stakeholders will based inventory of the county’s tangible heri- implement . In addition, this chapter tage resources such as buildings, structures, contains sidebars that illustrate how objects, sites, and districts . This includes but these goals can be applied by following is not limited to archeological, historic, and “best practices” and by developing pilot cultural sites; landscapes; byways; archives; projects . and hand-crafted products .

• TheAction Plan describes what the 1 .2 Create and maintain a comprehensive public, private, and non-profit sectors database of the county’s intangible heritage are currently doing to preserve heritage resources – cultural traditions such as music, resources, and how their roles and storytelling, dance, and foodways, together responsibilities might be redefined to with the locations where they take place . achieve better results in the future . It contains a table listing all of the strate- 1 .3 Develop new – and enhance existing – tools gies in the plan and the groups respon- and strategies for the conservation and sible for implementing them . Finally, it preservation of the county’s most significant includes a suggested process that munici- tangible and intangible heritage resources . palities can follow to identify, assess, and protect heritage resources .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Goal 2: Integrate the conservation and preser- 4 .3 Strengthen the involvement of local govern- vation of heritage resources in the economic ments in heritage conservation, and ensure development and revitalization of the county’s that it is an integral part of municipal plan- towns, villages, and rural working landscapes. ning .

2 .1 Promote historic and cultural resource con- 4 .4 Encourage local residents to volunteer in in- servation and preservation as an economic terpretive programs at publicly and privately tool in the revitalization of Lancaster City operated historic and cultural venues . and its neighborhoods, and also in towns and villages throughout the county . 4 .5 Build the public’s awareness of heritage resources and the value of conserving and 2 .2 Identify and implement conservation models preserving them . and actions that will sustain the economic vitality of Lancaster County’s important rural, agricultural, and cultural “working” Goal 5: Celebrate and promote the county’s landscapes . heritage resources.

2 .3 Develop additional heritage tourism oppor- 5 .1 Support existing local and county-wide rec- tunities as a form of economic development ognition programs for heritage resources and that is both sustainable and asset-based . activities, and implement new ones . Introduction

2 .4 Develop new and expanded educational opportunities for learning traditional building Goal 6: Ensure that adequate financial resourc- trades and practices in Lancaster County . es and incentives are available to implement the county’s heritage preservation goals.

Goal 3: Ensure that new development respects 6 .1 Advocate for new legislation to provide and complements the patterns, character, and financial incentives for the conservation and scale of the county’s traditional communities preservation of heritage resources . and rural landscapes. 6 .2 Develop new financial support and incen- 3 .1 Promote context-sensitive design for trans- tives for the conservation and preservation of portation projects, urban infill development, heritage resources . and rural development in towns, villages, and rural landscapes .

Goal 4: Promote strong leadership, collaboration, awareness, and responsibility in the conservation of the county’s heritage resources among the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

4 .1 Encourage county and local governments to serve as role models in promoting the preservation of the county’s heritage resources .

4 .2 Improve the facilitation and coordination of all appropriate public, private, and non- profit groups involved in heritage preservation-related activities .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element

Existing Conditions

Historical and Cultural Overview of Archaic Period (8,000/7,000 BC – 2,000 BC) Lancaster County During this period, the area’s climate grew more temperate, supporting plants and animals that The heritage of Lancaster County, like all com- more closely resemble those found in Lancaster munities, is a combination of many interact- County today . Deer, turkey, bear, and fish were di- ing forces over long periods of time . We have etary staples for native peoples in the Susquehan- inherited a landscape rich in historic resources, na Valley, who supplemented their diet with nuts agricultural landscapes, and the cultural tradi- and berries . Archaic peoples of the Susquehanna tions . All these elements make Lancaster County Valley were less nomadic than their predecessors . a unique and identifiable place . While Paleo-Indian groups were largely nomadic, Archaic peoples maintained a system of base This history is not a complete account of camps and temporary camps for hunting, fishing, Lancaster County’s past, but a summary that and other activities . Stone technologies evolved to focuses on some of the highlights, especially as create more specialized tools such as adzes, axes, they relate to the built environment and cultural and gouges . Projectile points were often made of traditions . It is a compilation from a variety of rhyolite or jasper, a form of quartz . These points sources including scholarly and commemorative were made more deadly by the use of spearthrow- Existing Conditions publications, planning studies, and the websites ers called atlatls . of organizations closely associated with the topics addressed here . While this history may be useful Transitional Period (2,000-1,000/800 BC) as a quick reference, it is not a substitute for This period is sometimes considered a part of the research and analysis based on primary sources . Archaic . One of the most notable changes is the Lancaster County has many more stories to tell, use of soapstone (steatite) vessels . These bowls and scores of talented scholars, researchers, and are usually oval or rectangular, with flat bottoms, citizens are eager to share them . sometimes with handles at the ends . This innovation allowed food to be cooked directly over a fire . In addition, the use of these thick ceramics suggests that the people of this time maintained Native American / American Indian more permanent settlements, because these ves- Settlement sels are much heavier than the baskets used by mobile groups . Paleo-Indian Period (13,000 BC – 8,000/7,000 BC) Woodland Period (1,000/800 BC – AD 1608) When the first human inhabitants of North Settlement patterns at this time show a clear America arrived in the Susquehanna Valley, they shift toward longer term occupations . Large encountered a landscape much different than villages were established on riverbanks and ter- today – a region slowly thawing from the last Ice races near good agricultural soils . Peoples of the Age . Herds of caribou roamed over tundra and Susquehanna Valley created distinctive regional forests of spruce and firs . Small nomadic bands of or tribal identities with an established leadership hunters migrated seasonally, following megafauna structure . Two important changes occurred at including mammoths and mastodons . Native this time: the introduction of agriculture and the peoples used chipped stones to create projectile production of kiln-fired pottery . points, scrapers, knives, and drills . Few of these sites are known to exist in Lancaster County . It The introduction of more intensive farming prac- is likely, however, that other sites were destroyed tices led to significant changes in population and over time through environmental changes, espe- way of life . The peoples of this time grew non- cially by the changing course and depth of rivers native plants including corn, beans, and squash . and streams . These crops were often planted in the now-familiar method of “companion planting,” where

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 13 different crops are grown together to create more or because they wanted to establish new trad- favorable conditions for both crops . Specialized ing opportunities . Smallpox and tuberculosis, tools such as hoes became more common, and diseases introduced to America from Europe, bows and arrows replaced the use of spearthrow- may have reduced their numbers . The Susque- ers for hunting . hannocks established large, fortified villages along the Susquehanna River between Lancaster One of the groups that inhabited this region County’s Conoy and Manor Townships . These during the late Woodland Period is known as villages generally included dwellings known as the Shenk’s Ferry culture . Sites inhabited by this long houses – rectangular, bark-covered buildings group are common in the lower Susquehanna with barrel-shaped roofs . Others were round or Valley . This group is identified as a distinct cul- oval . They were usually made with posts set in ture primarily on the basis of their pottery, which the ground, and roofs made of bark or mats . has recognizably different traits than those found at other sites . Whether this culture resulted from One of the most significant Susquehannock migration, invasion, or development over time towns was located in the vicinity of today’s has been the subject of debate . In the mid-15th Washington Boro . Archeological evidence century (1400s), Shenk’s Ferry people established indicates that the population of the village was a town on a hill overlooking Conestoga Creek, once greater than it is now . This village, known near present-day Millersville Borough . At its as Conestoga Indian Town, was an important height, this village is estimated to have included meeting place where Indians and Europeans approximately 500 individuals living in perhaps traded goods, signed treaties, and discussed mu- 50 round- and oval-shaped dwellings . tual concerns . Although European visitors often identified these Indians as a single tribe, many of Petroglyphs found in and along the Susquehanna Conestoga’s residents were refugees from other River between Columbia, Pennsylvania, and areas . In a sense, this town was a kind of “reserva- Port Deposit, Maryland may be associated with tion” for displaced tribes . this culture . Petroglyphs are images carved into the surface of rocks . In the Susquehanna Valley, these images frequently include humans, birds, animals, and their tracks . These petroglyphs were first described in print in the 19th century, but

Existing Conditions Existing were not extensively studied until the 1930s, prior to the construction of the Conowingo Dam . At that time, many sections of rock were removed to spare them from being submerged .

By 1575, the lower Susquehanna Valley was settled by an Iroquoian group that Europeans called the Susquehannocks, or the Minqua . At various times, the Susquehannocks dominated different parts of the region between northern Virginia Historic Period (1608-1764) and southern New York . Archeologist Barry Kent This period is called “historic” because it denotes identifies ten stages of Susquehannock culture the beginning of first-hand written accounts of history between 1450 and 1763: Iroquois roots, life in the Susquehanna Valley . On the second Proto-Susquehannock, Early Schultz, Schultz, of two voyages in 1608, Captain John Smith Washington Boro, Transitional (Billmyer and (1580-1631) sailed up the Chesapeake Bay and Roberts), Strickler, Leibhart, “the void,” and up the Susquehanna River as far as the falls . At “Conestoga and the other Indians ”. that point, a few of their native guides traveled further on foot to greet the Indians at Conestoga . Archeologists disagree about whether the Susque- There, Indian leaders packed trade goods into hannocks moved to the lower Susquehanna canoes, and prepared for a half-day trip down- Valley to escape political and economic turmoil, stream to meet with Smith . The next day, the

14 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element canoe fleet arrived at the falls with about sixty Several existing roads in Lancaster County men, and gifts were exchanged . owe their origins to early trade routes between Europeans and Native Americans . Many of these Except for Smith’s short visit, the Susquehanna roads appear on the “Native American Legacy” Valley was largely unexplored by Europeans until map included in this plan . Old Peter’s Road, French fur traders created trading posts in the an east-west trade route that passed across the mid-17th century (1600s) . In Europe at that time, northern part of today’s Lancaster County, was furs had become a popular fashion statement for named for Peter Bezaillion . Parts of the road exist the wealthy, and demand was increasing at a rapid today, and other sections are preserved in politi- pace . Although beaver pelts were the primary cal boundaries between several municipalities focus of the fur trade, Europeans also sought fox, including Manheim and Warwick Townships . otter, bear, mink, and panther furs . In return for Another principal trade route was the Great furs, Europeans traded items such as gunpowder, Minquas Path, linking Philadelphia with the lead for bullets, salt, rum, and kettles . Conestoga village (now Washington Boro) . This route survives as Pennsylvania Route 741 from Some of the earliest fur traders in the region Gap through Strasburg to Willow Street, and included Martin Chartier (d . 1718), who traded Long Lane to the vicinity of Rock Hill, south of Existing Conditions along the Susquehanna as early as 1687; James Millersville . In northeastern Lancaster County, Letort; and Peter Bezaillion (1662-1742) . Bezail- today’s U .S . Route 322 was once the Paxton lion traded with the Indians in what are now Road, a link between Philadelphia and the Lancaster, Chester, and Delaware Counties, Indian settlement at Paxton (or Paxtang), which and was particularly active at Conestoga Indian later became Harrisburg . Town . William Penn’s secretary James Logan (1674-1751) was also involved in the Indian Ironically, at the same time that Lancaster trade . Fur traders used established Indian paths County welcomed a variety of European cultures to transport their products to larger markets in and traditions into its midst, the county’s last port cities . Many of these routes led to European remaining Native Americans were killed by a settlements on the Delaware River, including New Castle (Delaware) and Philadelphia .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 15 gang known as the “Paxtang Boys ”. In December and the Duke of York’s province of New York . 1763, they rode into the Conestoga village, kill- Penn’s charter, which was granted in 1681, was ing every Indian could find . Governor John Penn to include the land between the 39th and 42nd vowed to protect the remaining Indians by bring- parallels from the Delaware River westward . This ing them to the Borough of Lancaster, but the claim resulted in a long dispute over the loca- same gang broke into the Lancaster jail in June tion of the Pennsylvania-Maryland border . This 1764 and killed the last surviving Conestogas . A disagreement was not resolved until 1767, when portion of that building’s west wall still stands, the Mason-Dixon Line was established approxi- preserved as a foundation wall in the construc- mately 20 miles south of the 40th parallel, where tion of Fulton Hall (later Fulton Opera House) . it stands today . Although the Pennsylvania governor offered a significant reward for the capture of the Paxtang At the time it was founded, the Commonwealth Boys, they were never prosecuted . of Pennsylvania was organized into three counties: Philadelphia, Bucks, and Chester . Despite some uncertainty about the border with Mary- land, residents of western Chester County peti- Penn’s Woods and the Establishment of tioned the Commonwealth to create a new county Lancaster County in 1729 . John Wright, a prominent early citizen, is thought to have named the county “Lancaster The first European to claim a portion of Lancast- County” after his native Lancashire, England . Un- er County territory was not William Penn, but til the Borough (and later City) of Lancaster was Cecil Calvert, 2nd Lord Baltimore (1606-75) . In established as the county seat, county business was 1632, King Charles I of England granted Calvert undertaken at Postlethwaite’s Tavern, located on a charter to a province that would eventually Long Lane south of today’s Millersville Borough . became the State of Maryland . This charter extended from the reaches of the Chesapeake Bay Although German and Swiss settlers may have north to the 40th parallel of latitude, as far north been the most numerous in early Lancaster as today’s Millersville Borough . County, British settlers dominated government affairs . Rather than being an English effort to Maryland’s claim to the territory below the 40th exclude German-speaking people from govern- parallel went unchallenged for 50 years, until ment, it appears that this arrangement was made

Existing Conditions Existing another royal charter resulted in a boundary by choice . Many of the early German and Swiss dispute between neighboring provinces . The man settlers were associated with religious groups that at the center of the new claim was William Penn preferred to manage their own affairs without (1644-1718), an English nobleman who had outside involvement . shocked the establishment by declaring himself a Quaker in 1667 . “Quaker” was the popular term British control of local government may explain for a member of the Religious Society of Friends, why only one of Lancaster County’s original a group founded by a commoner, George Fox (1624-91) . The main tenets of Quakers are rejec- tion of rituals and oaths, opposition to war, and simplicity of speech and dress .

Penn’s conversion was a boon for Quakers, because King Charles II (1630-85) owed Penn’s father an enormous debt . Admiral Sir William Penn (1621-70) was a wealthy merchant who had assisted Charles II in rebuilding the British Navy after the end of Puritan rule in 1660 . As payment for this debt, the Admiral’s son William Penn asked the King to grant him the territory between Lord Baltimore’s province of Maryland

16 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Native American Legacy 2006 Lancaster County, PA

Existing Conditions

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 17 townships was a given a German name (Man- Germans, Swiss, French, English, Scots-Irish, heim) . Of the other 17 townships created in and Welsh were among the first to establish new 1729, six were given English names (Hemp- communities in Lancaster County, but they were field, Lancaster, Martic, Sadsbury, Salisbury not the county’s only pioneers . Africans arrived and Warwick); four were Irish (Derry, Donegal, here as early as 1726, when “Sal” and “Peter” Drumore, and Leacock); three were Indian were brought here as the property of John Wright (Cocalico, Conestoga, and Paxton); and two were and Samuel Blunston . Welsh (Caernarvon and Lampeter) . Additionally, one was given a biblical place name (Lebanon), At that time, overland travel was the only way to and one was the anglicized name of Graf/Groff reach the county, because it had no navigable riv- (Earl) . ers . Initially, the only established roads were Indi- an trade routes . Later, small roads branched from Portions of these townships were later incorpo- these routes, creating a network that linked mills, rated into other counties . Lancaster County’s churches, and villages . The names given to these original area has been decreased several times since roads generally reflect their destinations, such as its creation . Parts of the county were removed to Mill Road, Ironstone Ridge Road, Mine Road, create the Counties of York (1749), Cumberland Quarry Road, and Church Road . These routes (1750), Berks (1752), Northumberland (1772), were called “customary” roads, because they were Dauphin (1785), and Lebanon (1813) . laid out without legal proceedings . As the county’s population began to grow, public roads were The town of Lancaster was founded in 1730 formally established through a system of court when James Hamilton (1710-83) laid out lots dockets . These dockets record the exact route as in the vicinity of a tavern established by George surveyed and approved by landowners along the Gibson in 1721 . Lots were set aside for a court- way . Many of these roads survive today with only house, market, several churches, and a prison . minor alterations to their original routes . Others were sold to traders, craftsmen, tavern- keepers, merchants, and professionals . In 1739, a Throughout the 18th century, improvements brick courthouse was constructed in the middle were made to the most heavily traveled regional of the town’s Center Square, later called Penn roads . Today’s Old Philadelphia Pike (Penn- Square . This building remained in the square sylvania Route 340) and New Holland Pike until 1853, when the present “Old Courthouse” (Pennsylvania Route 23) were established as

Existing Conditions Existing was built at the corner of King and Duke Streets . King’s Highways, a classification reserved for By 1742, Lancaster was large enough to be incor- the most important roads linking the British porated into a borough . It later became known colonies of North America . Professional team- as one of the largest inland towns in the British sters called “wagoners” used these roads to carry colonies of North America . goods through Lancaster County on their way to settlements further west in Pennsylvania and south along the Blue Ridge into Virginia . Taverns were located every few miles along these roads, Settlement Patterns generally a day’s travel apart . These businesses were a necessity not only for travelers, but for During the early 18th century, changing eco- their horses . In Lancaster, travelers could buy nomic conditions in Europe led many to seek the county’s trademark Conestoga wagons and better opportunities in the American colonies . Pennsylvania long rifles . The manorial system was being eroded, creating a large class of landless people seeking new homes . Once Europeans arrived in Lancaster County, An increase in worldwide commerce and trade they often settled near fellow countrymen and led to an accumulation of capital available for co- women who shared their language and beliefs . lonial ventures . As a new frontier of settlement, The cultural origins of these groups are still Lancaster County attracted farmers, merchants, discernable in place names, architecture, and and craftspeople representing a variety of dif- regional traditions . Other factors in the selection ferent nationalities and religious traditions . of homesites included the quality of the soil,

18 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Early Settlement Patterns 2006 Lancaster County, PA

Existing Conditions

topography of the land, available water sources, religious activity . Wars raged between Protestant and proximity to transportation routes . and Roman Catholic nations, and between Protestant groups with diverging worship tradi- Unlike many New England towns that grew tions . Seeking freedom from these states, where around a public square, early Pennsylvania towns rulers often outlawed religious practices that tended to develop in a linear fashion along key differed from their own, a wide range of religious transportation routes . These towns often had few communities came to Pennsylvania . A novel cross streets . Examples in Lancaster County in- part of William Penn’s plan for his colony was to clude Strasburg, Mountville, New Holland, and establish freedom of religion – the “Holy Experi- Mount Joy . Crossroads villages such as Lampeter ment ”. At the time, Pennsylvania was among and Gap also developed where two main roads the only places in the world which guaranteed came together . Some communities, including that right . As a result, groups that faced religious Manheim Borough and Maytown, were created persecution in Europe were among the first to by investors who subdivided their property and settle in Pennsylvania . Many of these groups sold lots . Columbia and Charles Town (later were minorities in their own countries: Quakers, Washington Boro) took root on the site of aban- Puritans, and Catholics from England, German doned Indian villages . Pietists from Switzerland and the Rhine Valley, and Huguenots from France .

Several towns in Lancaster County, including Religious Traditions in 18th-Century Ephrata and Lititz, were established by religious Lancaster County communities . The tangible elements of these early settlements can be found in many surviv- For at least two centuries prior to European ing 18th- and 19th-century church buildings settlement of North America, city-states and and cemeteries . The intangible elements of these kingdoms in Britain and Europe were hotbeds of

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 19 communities survive today in a broad range of nonite church, and his followers became known worship traditions . as the Amish . Amman’s disagreement with other Mennonites focused on the concept of shunning Mennonites members who had left the church after being The term “Mennonite” derives from Menno baptized into the tradition . Amman felt that Simons (1496-1561), a Protestant reformer . Si- Mennonites needed to implement the ban in a mons, who began his ministry as a Roman Cath- more disciplined and consistent manner . olic priest in 1524, later became an Anabaptist . Some of the principles of this movement include In the early to mid 18th century, the vast major- adult baptism, the right of individuals to inter- ity of the Amish in Europe came to America . pret the bible, and opposition to war and state Many of them arrived in Lancaster County, control of religion . Since many early converts where other groups of Anabaptists had already to this tradition had already been baptized as settled . Although Amish and Mennonite groups children, and were baptized again as adults, they have since split into a variety of different groups, became known as Anabaptists, or re-baptists . they still share the same essential beliefs about baptism and non-violence . Where they differ is Mennonites were regularly persecuted in Europe in matters of dress, technology, language, forms from the 16th through the 18th centuries . Edicts of worship, and interpretation of the bible . and decrees made it difficult for them to find work, and their lands and homes were often

confiscated . In 1711, several Swiss Mennonite Bureau itors families settled in what was then the westernmost edge of European settlement in Pennsylvania . The names of these families are now familiar to Lancaster County residents: Kendig, Miller, Oberholtzer, Meylin, and Herr . By 1732, it is estimated that nearly one-fifth of Mennonites living in the German Palatinate had come to America . Photo courtesy of PA Dutch Convention & Vis & Convention Dutch PA of courtesy Photo An important legacy of the Mennonites’ early

Existing Conditions Existing settlement is the Hans Herr House, built in Today, the most well-recognized of these groups 1719, the oldest known European dwelling is the Old Order Amish, with a Lancaster house surviving in the county . Generations of the County population of approximately 18,000 . same family lived in the house until the 1860s . The Amish stress humility, family, and commu- After that time, it was used as barn and storage nity, and separation from the world . They choose shed until it was restored to its colonial appear- to examine change carefully before accepting it . ance in the 1970s . It is now part of a museum There is no single governing body for the Old complex that includes three farmhouses, several Order community, so each church district de- barns and other outbuildings, and an extensive cides for itself what it will and will not accept . collection of farm equipment . Old Order groups (both Amish and Mennonites) Among the earliest Mennonite meeting houses wear distinctive clothes, drive horse-drawn bug- in Lancaster County are: Strasburg, in Strasburg gies rather than cars, do not have electricity in Township (1740); Weaverland, in East Earl their homes, and send their children to private, (1740); Byerland, in Pequea (1747); Landisville one-room schoolhouses . Among themselves, they (1752); and Groffdale, in West Earl (1755) . speak a dialect known as Pennsylvania German, but they typically speak English with people Amish outside their community . The Amish have their roots in the Anabaptist tradition . In 1693, a Swiss bishop named Jakob Amman (ca . 1644-1708) broke from the Men-

20 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Brethren officially known as Unitas Fratrum (Unity of There are broad differences in religious belief Brethren) . and practice among groups that share the name “brethren ”. Church of the Brethren, one of the After being persecuted throughout the 16th and largest of these groups, was founded in Germany 17th centuries, the Moravian Church experi- in 1708 by a group of Reformed and Lutheran enced a renewal in the 18th century . A German Pietists who adopted beliefs and practices along nobleman, Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf, Anabaptist lines . Due to persecution and poor gave refuge to Moravians on his estate in Saxony . economic conditions, most of the movement’s Later, after an unsuccessful attempt to establish a followers came to North America beginning settlement in Georgia (1735-1740), the Moravi- in 1719 . Until the 20th century, the group ans settled in Pennsylvania, starting the commu- was called the German Baptist Brethren, but nities of Bethlehem and Nazareth . In the 1750s, many people knew them as the “Dunkers” or Moravians established Lititz, a settlement in “Dunkards,” because of their practice of full im- Lancaster County . The name Lititz was chosen to mersion baptism . Like Mennonites and Amish, honor a town in Moravia that had once protected Brethren are pacifists . church members from persecution . For nearly

Existing Conditions One of the most distinctive Brethren groups that settled in Lancaster County is the Seventh- Day Brethren, a group founded by Johann Conrad Beissel (ca . 1690-1768) . After joining the Brethren faith community in Germany, he gathered his followers and moved to Lancaster County, where they built a settlement based on strict religious principles . This group established the Ephrata Cloister in 1732 . Over the next two decades, they constructed two large communal Photo courtesy of PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitors & Convention Dutch PA of courtesy Photo living facilities and a variety of other buildings . The Moravian Church Square, Lititz Although a few notable buildings were later demolished, several of them survive today, and the 100 years, the church owned all property in site is owned and operated by the Pennsylvania Lititz, leasing individual parcels to its members . Historical and Museum Commission . The Moravian Church has a strong musical tradi- The Seventh-Day Brethren were known for dis- tion . In 1733, an organ builder named Johann tinctive musical traditions that included singing Clemm settled in Pennsylvania and began build- without accompaniment . They also made paper ing pipe organs for German churches . Clemm and established a printing press, where they later trained David Tannenberg, one of the best- printed religious tracts . The last member of the known American organ builders of the 18th cen- group died in the 1920s, although a handful of tury . Tannenberg settled in Lititz in 1765, and individuals have devoted themselves to maintain- continued to build organs there until 1804 . He ing the group’s legacy since that time . is known to have built over forty organs, a few of which were among the largest organs ever built Moravians in the American colonies . He built the original The Moravian Church began in the provinces of organ installed for the dedication of the Lititz Bohemia and Moravia in what is now the Czech Moravian Church in 1787 . This organ, which Republic . The ideas embodied by the Moravian has since been moved to the building’s chapel, Church were first articulated by Jan Hus (1369- was restored in 1983 . 1415) . After leading a protest movement against the Roman Catholic hierarchy, Hus was accused Lancaster Moravian Church started in 1746 of heresy and burned at the stake . In 1457, as St . Andrew’s Church . A stone church was followers of Hus started the Moravian Church, built on West Orange Street in 1821, where it remained until 1966, when the congregation re-

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 21 located to Manheim Township . The 1821 church and have a similar theology . Elector Frederick building was demolished and replaced with a III (1515-76) of the Palatine region became one contemporary office building . of the strongest champions of the German Re- formed Church . The principle document of this Lutherans tradition is the Heidelberg Catechism, adopted The key moment in the founding of the Lu- in 1563 . Like all catechisms, it is a series of ques- theran Church occurred in 1517, when a Roman tions and answers about religious beliefs – in this Catholic monk named Martin Luther posted his case, the theology of the Reformed tradition . “95 Theses” on the door of a church in Witten- berg, Germany . These were a series of statements A congregation of German, Swiss, and French protesting the practices of the Catholic Church, settlers in Lancaster organized First Reformed including the sale of “indulgences” that allowed Church in 1729, and built a log church on believers to purchase the forgiveness of sins . In East Orange Street in 1736 . This building was the years that followed, Luther’s teachings spread replaced by a stone church in 1753, and by Lutheran reform throughout northern Europe . the present brick building in 1854 . Prominent pastors at First Reformed have included Phillip In Lancaster County, many early Lutheran and Otterbein, Rev . William Hendel, Dr . Henry Reformed congregations built “union churches” Harbaugh . where both groups worshipped in the same building . Salem Heller’s Church along today’s In addition to First Reformed in Lancaster, other Route 23 in Upper Leacock Township was one early Reform churches in Lancaster County such church . The congregation was organized in include: Salem Heller’s, Upper Leacock (1725); the 1720s, and its first building was constructed Peace Church [Muddy Creek], East Cocalico a few years later . The Lutherans eventually left (1732); Bethany [Cocalico], Ephrata Borough this joint arrangement and built their own (1730); St . Stephen’s [Zeltenreich], New Holland church, Zion Lutheran Church, in 1838 . (1732); Christ [Blaser’s], Elizabethtown (1743); Zion [Pequea, Black Horse], New Providence German settlers established the Evangelical (1750); Jerusalem [White Oak], Penryn (1752); Church of the Holy Trinity in 1730 on one of Maytown, East Donegal (1765); St . Paul’s, Man- the plots set aside by Lancaster’s founder, James heim Borough (1769) . Hamilton . The present church, commonly

Existing Conditions Existing known as Trinity Lutheran, was built on South Huguenots Duke Street beginning in 1761 . Five years later, In 1598, Henry IV of France issued the Edict of the building was dedicated by Henry Melchior Nantes, granting freedom of worship to French Muhlenberg (1711-87), one of the key figures in Protestants, known as Huguenots . Nearly a the establishment of the Lutheran Church in the century later, King Louis XIV revoked the Edict . American colonies . As a result, many Huguenots left France for the Palatine region of Germany, along the Rhine Other early Lancaster County Lutheran churches River . In 1708, Queen Anne of England invited include: Muddy Creek, East Cocalico (1730); Palatine Germans and French Huguenots to Trinity, New Holland (1730); St . Michael’s, England, where they would be granted passports Strasburg Borough (1730); Emmanuel, to settle in America . Among the first settlers in Brickerville (ca . 1742); Christ, Elizabethtown Lancaster County were Marie Ferree (ca . 1650- (1744); St . Paul’s, Penryn (1752); Bergstrasse, 1716), who arrived with her son, Daniel Ferree Ephrata Township (1752); St . John’s, Maytown (1677-1762) and an adopted son, Isaac LeFevre (1767); Zion, Manheim Borough (1769); and (1669-1751) . In 1712, they were given a pat- Swamp, West Cocalico (1774) . ent to 2,000 acres in the Pequea Valley, much of which is now located in Paradise Township . Reformed (later United Church of Christ) Many of the Huguenots who settled in Lancaster The Reformed tradition shares much in common County were associated with Reformed churches . with the Lutheran church . They both had their origin in 16th-century Germany and Holland,

22 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Roman Catholics follow religious rituals or perform sacraments In June 1741, two German-speaking Jesuit such as baptism . To emphasize their belief that priests traveled from Maryland up the Susque- religious experience is not confined to a church hanna and Conestoga Rivers to Lancaster . building, they use the term “meeting house” to Within two years, a log chapel was built on West describe their gathering places . Laws passed in Vine Street . A 1757 census indicated that 212 Britain during Puritan rule and after the restora- Germans and 49 Irish in Lancaster County iden- tion of the monarchy made it difficult for Quak- tified themselves as Roman Catholics . In 1760, ers to live according to their beliefs . Refusing to the log church was destroyed by fire, and a stone take an oath of allegiance became illegal, and citi- church was built on the same site in 1762 . zens were prohibited from holding any religious meetings not sanctioned by the Anglican church . For several decades, Germans comprised the majority of Roman Catholics in Lancaster, but Irish William Penn (1644-1718) became a Quaker in immigration in the early to mid 19th century 1667, and his conversion was instrumental in (1800s) made it difficult to accommodate both spreading the movement to America . Quakers groups in a single church . In 1850, St . Joseph’s were among the first British settlers to move Church was built in Lancaster’s Cabbage Hill into Lancaster County, settling primarily in the Existing Conditions neighborhood to serve as the “German church,” eastern and southern parts of the county . The while St . Mary’s was dubbed the “Irish church ”. first meeting established in Lancaster County was Two years later, St . Mary’s constructed its present organized in 1724 in Sadsbury Township, just church . The 1762 stone church was removed in north of Gap . The present stone building was 1881 to make way for a convent and school . built in 1747 .

St . Mary’s was not the only Roman Catho- Quaker meetings were also established in Bird- lic church founded in the 18th century . Jesuit in-Hand, Lancaster, and Penn Hill (Fulton missionaries based at St . Mary’s established the Township) in the 1750s . Although members of Donegal Mission in Elizabethtown in 1752, and the Wright family who established Columbia this church later became known as the St . Peter were Quakers, few of the borough’s later settlers Church . The stone church built for this congrega- were Quakers, and their activities gradually tion in 1799 still stands on South Market Street . subsided there . Bart Meeting was established in The St . Peter Church remained a mission of St . 1820, and its building, which survives today on Mary’s until 1832, when it was transferred to PA Route 372, was built in 1825 . Like many of another parish . In 1840, St . Peter’s was designated the meetings in Lancaster County, however, this a parish in its own right . Although the church meeting was disbanded in the 20th century . To- moved to a new facility in 1999, some services are day, the only fully functioning meeting is located still held in the historic 1799 building . west of Lancaster City .

Society of Friends (Quakers) Many Quakers opposed slavery, and several Lan- The Society of Friends, whose members are com- caster County Quakers played key roles in the monly called Quakers, was founded in England operation of the Underground Railroad . Among in the 1650s . George Fox (1624-91) is often them were Daniel and Hannah Gibbons (both credited with establishing the movement . Fox lived 1775-1853), their son Joseph, and his wife emphasized the importance of simplicity and hu- Phoebe Gibbons, all of whom lived in Bird-in- mility . He had no formal education, and he felt Hand, East Lampeter Township . strongly that education should not be a requirement for ministry . Some of his views were similar Episcopalians (Anglicans) to those of the Puritans, such as his opposition to Henry VIII of England (1491-1547) created the arts . the Church of England in 1534 after the Pope refused to annul Henry’s first marriage . From Quakers also practice non-violence and reject the that point forward, the British monarch has use of titles and oaths . Unlike many other groups been the official leader of the Anglican Church . that settled in Lancaster County, Quakers do not Since Henry’s principal reason for establishing

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 23 the church was political and not theological, the sides of the border . Over one hundred years Anglican Church maintains traditional forms of after the church’s founding, Edward Buchanan, worship and governance . brother of U .S . President James Buchanan, was ordained at St . John’s in 1835 . Reverend Bu- Since the Anglican Church was an official part chanan spearheaded the building of the present of the British political system, many early settlers church, which was completed in 1838 . in the American colonies were members of that church . In Pennsylvania, however, the Anglican When the Town of Lancaster was founded in Church was not established as an official religion, 1730, several Protestant denominations quickly as it was in Maryland and Virginia . Anglican established new churches . Many churches churches in America maintained their connec- were founded in Lancaster before the Anglican tion to the Church of England until after the Church sent a missionary to start St . James American Revolution . The Protestant Episcopal Church in 1744 . The first of St . James’ buildings Church in America was established as a separate was built at the northeast corner of Duke and organization in 1789 . Orange Streets in 1753 . Among St . James’ early members were Major General Edward Hand, The first Episcopalians to establish a church with- Adjutant General to George Washington, and in the present boundaries of Lancaster County later a member of Congress; and George Ross, arrived here in 1718 . Many of these settlers were signer of the Declaration of Independence . second-generation Americans, sons and daugh- ters of Welsh immigrants who had first settled Methodists outside Philadelphia in the 1680s . Their new set- John Wesley (1703-91), an Episcopal priest in tlement was located in an area that later became England, began the movement that later became Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County . From the Methodist Church . While attending a the Penn family, they requested a 60-acre glebe, Moravian Church meeting in 1738, he became or plot of land dedicated for church use . After inspired to lead a revival movement . He and his setting aside a plot for the church and cemetery, brother Charles became leaders in developing they divided the remainder into lots that were Methodist societies that focused on a methodi- leased to support the church . The church became cal approach to the study of the bible . Under known as Bangor Church, and the village that Wesley’s direction, Methodists became leaders in grew around it was called Churchtown . many social justice issues of the day, including

Existing Conditions Existing prison reform . John Wesley spent most of his Soon after Lancaster County was formed in career in England, but also served as a minister 1729, an Episcopal church called St . John’s was in Savannah, Georgia, soon after the Georgia built in the Chester County village of Compass, colony was established . located a short distance east of the Lancaster County border . Although the church building is Not long after Wesley’s experience in Georgia, not located in Lancaster County, it was intended interest in Methodism began to grow in Pennsyl- to serve residents of the Pequea Valley on both vania . In Lancaster County, a Mennonite bishop named Martin Boehm (1725-1812) felt the need for a more expressive religious experience . He found it at a 1767 revival meeting held in a Lancaster County barn that is now a part of the Landis Valley Museum . One of the attendees was Philip William Otterbein, former pastor of First Reformed Church in Lancaster . Otterbein later joined Boehm in creating the United Brethren in Christ, a denomination that later became a part of the United Methodist Church .

Photo courtesy of PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitors & Convention Dutch PA of courtesy Photo The Boehm home was a frequent stopping Bangor Church, Churchtown place for itinerant ministers and lay evangelists

24 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element who became known as “circuit riders ”. Boehm’s the first to be organized, three of them existed Chapel, the first Methodist church in Lancaster by 1730: Donegal Church, now located in East County, was built near their home in 1791 . Donegal Township; Chestnut Level Church, This chapel, which is still located in the town of in Drumore Township; and Pequea Church, Willow Street, was restored in 1991 . Other early in Salisbury Township . By 1760, Scots-Irish Methodist churches in Lancaster County in- comprised 20 percent of the county’s 26,000 resi- cluded Columbia United Methodist, which was dents . In 1780, they represented 13 percent of founded in 1803, and First United Methodist the county’s 47,000 residents . At that time, the Church in Lancaster, founded in 1807 . townships of Drumore, Colerain, and Salisbury had Scots-Irish majorities . Presbyterians In 1603, King James I inherited the crowns of African-American Community England, Scotland, and Ireland . To ensure his Africans, both free and enslaved, may account rule over Ireland, a Roman Catholic nation, he for perhaps two percent of Lancaster County’s planted Protestant loyalists among them . Many population in the late 18th century . In 1780, Catholic noblemen fled to France, prompting when slavery began to be legally phased out in the British crown to confiscate their vast property Pennsylvania, approximately 800 people were Existing Conditions holdings in northern Ireland, known as Ulster . held as slaves in Lancaster County . This estimate Soon afterward, King James offered Scottish loyalists the opportunity to settle there . Scottish settlers in Ireland became known as the Ulster Scots, or Scots-Irish .

Scottish families came to Ulster seeking better economic opportunities . By 1619, over 8,000 families had relocated there . By 1715, over 1/3 of Ulster’s 600,000 residents were Scottish . Despite the hope of better conditions in Ulster, many Scots-Irish settlers faced the same difficulties

they had in Scotland . A small landholding class Bureau Visitors & Convention Dutch PA of courtesy Photo controlled the fate of thousands of poor tenants . In addition, the Ulster Scots were a religious minority, because many of them were Presbyterian, and the Anglican Church was the official Church of Ireland . Non-Anglicans could not hold office, and they were forced to pay tithes to the Angli- can church .

Since the Scots-Irish had been in Ulster for less than 100 years, and their lives had not substan- tially improved, many of them were eager to seek the next new opportunity . Between 1717 and 1770, as many as 250,000 Scots-Irish left for America . Philadelphia was the most popular port Donegal Church, East Donegal Township for Scots-Irish immigrants, due to pre-established trade routes, the religious tolerance of the Penn- is based on a comparison with numbers officially sylvania colony, and available farmland . recorded in the first census of the United States, undertaken ten years later in 1790 . The largest Much of this farmland was found along number of enslaved people lived in Lancaster Pennsylvania’s western frontier, in what became City, and in Donegal and Salisbury Townships . Lancaster County . Although it is unclear which The majority of slave owners at that time were of Lancaster County’s Presbyterian churches was

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 25 Scots-Irish, but documents show that English, is the home of a free black community whose Welsh, and German residents held slaves as well . history stretches back to early years of the 19th century . Two groups of former slaves from Vir- The religious life of African Americans in colo- ginia settled there between 1817 and 1819, and nial Lancaster County is not well documented, quickly established their own churches . Among but it probably shared many characteristics them was Mount Zion AME Church, still lo- seen in other parts of the American colonies . cated on Columbia’s 5th Street . Although enslaved people sometimes attended religious services with their owners, they also Jewish Community maintained unique religious traditions rooted in The first known Jewish settler in what became Africa and other parts of the New World . From Lancaster County was Isaac Miranda (d . 1732), an early date, however, free African men and an Indian trader who lived near today’s village of women in Lancaster County organized their own Bainbridge, in Conoy Township . He may have religious societies . By the early 19th century, arrived there as early as 1715 . Although some many of these groups formed church congrega- documentation of his business dealings has sur- tions and built their own worship spaces . vived, little is known of his religious life .

The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church A generation later, Joseph Simon, a Jewish settler grew out of the Free African Society (FAS) from England, arrived in the town of Lancaster founded by two former slaves who had bought about 1740 . Simon, together with his nephew, their own freedom . In 1787, Absalom Jones Levy Andrew Levy, owned a store on Center (1746-1818) and Richard Allen (1760-1831) Square (later Penn Square) . Simon held Jew- founded this organization in Philadelphia as a ish religious services in his home and founded “mutual aid society” designed to provide social Lancaster’s Jewish cemetery on Liberty Street . In services to its members . Jones and Allen had 1747, the plot for this cemetery was deeded to been members of a Methodist church, but in Simon and his neighbor, a Spanish Jew named response to racial discrimination, they decided Isaac Henriques . Simon and his family were later to transform the Free African Society into a buried there . formal church organization . Their new church, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, was Although Lancaster’s early Jewish settlers became founded in 1793 with Allen as its pastor . This prominent members of the community, they

Existing Conditions Existing church is often called “Mother Bethel” to distin- were never allowed to vote or hold public office . guish it from other churches that later adopted Throughout the 18th century, Jewish immigrants the same name . continued to settle along the Eastern seaboard, but few ventured further west . By 1790, only The history of the AME Church in Lancaster three Jewish families lived in Lancaster, and when began in 1817, when fifty free people of color Simon died in 1804, only a handful of individu- gathered at the home of James and Elizabeth als remained . Clendenin to establish a house of worship for Africans in Lancaster . Bethel AME Church built Lancaster’s Jewish community would not take its first church building in 1821 . In the 1850s, root again until the late 19th century, when new the church started an African school . Before and immigrants arrived from central and eastern Eu- during the Civil War, Bethel’s members played rope . Congregation Shaarai Shomayim (Gates of an active role in the Underground Railroad . The Heaven) was organized in 1856, and its members congregation’s current church on Strawberry built Lancaster’s first synagogue in 1867 . The Street was built in 1879 . Since the 1980s, the building was located on East Orange Street near church has acquired several adjacent properties, First Reformed Church . In 1896, the congrega- bringing new life to its ChurchTowne neighbor- tion moved to its existing building on North hood . Duke Street .

The Borough of Columbia, located on the banks Two additional Jewish congregations now exist in of the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County, Lancaster County: Temple Beth El, a Conserva-

26 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element tive congregation now located on Rohrerstown already taken place before Europeans settled in Road in East Hempfield Township, and Con- the county, but the expansion of agriculture and gregation Degel Israel, an Orthodox congrega- industry accelerated the process . tion located on Columbia Avenue in Lancaster Township . By the mid-18th century, crops were regularly shipped from Lancaster to port cities including Wilmington (Delaware) and Philadelphia . Manufactured goods followed the same paths 18th-Century Built Environment back to Lancaster County . The primary crop in 18th-century Lancaster County was wheat, Lancaster County’s built environment of the much of which was ground into flour . Grist and 18th century was characterized by vernacular flour mills were located up and down most of architecture – everyday buildings that form the the county’s major streams . Rye, oats, barley, bulk of the built environment – rather than buckwheat, corn, and hemp were important high-style buildings designed by architects . Ger- secondary crops, and some farmers produced man-speaking groups tended to build log houses flax, potatoes, and fruit . Most farmers also had with steeply pitched roofs and central chimneys . livestock . Existing Conditions English-speaking groups built log houses as well, but organized the interior space differently . Con- trary to today’s evidence that favors the survival of brick and stone houses, these materials were the 18th-Century Industries exception rather than the rule . In 1798, nearly three-quarters of houses in the Borough of Lan- Lancaster County’s earliest industries were those caster were one-story houses with a three-room, that involved agricultural products . Weavers central-chimney plan . made cloth from wool and flax produced in the county, and cloth was made into blankets, shirts, and stockings . Other early industries included tanning and leather goods including saddles Agriculture in the 18th Century and harnesses . Clay mining, brick making, pottery, and glass were other important products . One fact about farming in 18th-century Lan- A variety of raw material was mined from the caster County is forgotten by many of today’s res- soil, including clay and precious metals . A silver idents – before any of Lancaster County could be mine was established in Pequea Township, and a farmed, its native forests had to be removed . Set- nickel mine operated near Gap . European settlers tlers who arrived from Europe at that time had to also developed the ample water power available endure rigorous physical labor and deprivation to in Lancaster County . Mills were established not create their farms . As early as the 1760s, up to 60 only for grain, but for a variety of other indus- percent of Lancaster County’s old-growth forest trial purposes . Grist, saw, paper, and fulling mills had been cleared . Some of this clearance had (for making felted wool) were located throughout the county .

Although most Lancaster County residents know that the county supported many heavy industries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they often do not realize that the county’s iron industry started in the 18th century . Iron ore and limestone were necessary goods throughout British America, and Lancaster County had a ready supply of both . In Lancaster County, charcoal iron furnaces were established in places including Caernarvon, Martic, Elizabeth, and Warwick Townships . Furnaces were established

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 27 in forested areas, because acres of woodland were rifled barrel, which gave the ball a spiral motion necessary to support them . Their operation also that also increased shooting accuracy . required reliable sources of water and limestone . Iron furnaces produced pig iron that was further Another significant industry in 18th-century processed by forges into domestic wares, farming Lancaster County was the Manheim glassworks implements, cannon and shot, and other items . established by Henry William Stiegel (1729-85) . Two of the county’s early forges were Speedwell Stiegel came to America from Cologne, Germany, Forge, established in 1760, and Poole Forge, one of Europe’s most important centers for glass established in 1779 . manufacturing . He began making glass at Eliza- beth Furnace in 1763 and moved the operation to In the early years of European settlement, the Manheim in 1765 . The initial focus of his busi- Conestoga wagon and the Pennsylvania long rifle ness was bottle glass, but began to make finer glass were among Lancaster County’s most celebrated after visiting glass factories in Bristol, England . At products . The Conestoga wagon had a longer and its height, the Stiegel glassworks in Manheim em- deeper bed than wagons made before that time, ployed over 100 trained glass blowers, enamelers, and the beds were “bellied” or curved to prevent and cutters from Italy, Germany, and England . load from slipping from front to back . Like to- Stiegel advertised extensively throughout the day’s automobiles, these wagons required a variety American colonies . of artisans to manufacture, including blacksmiths, wheelwrights, joiners, and turners .

Gunmaking was one of Lancaster County’s earliest industries . Mennonite settler Martin Meylin was manufacturing these guns by 1745 . Lancaster’s reputation as a gunmaking center was well-known by 1776, when Revolutionary war leaders in Philadelphia requested 300 rifles from Lancaster gunsmiths . One of the reasons for the development of a local gunmaking industry was that guns imported from Europe were poorly adapted to the

Photo courtesy of PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitors & Convention Dutch PA of courtesy Photo Existing Conditions Existing

“Baron” Stiegel’s extravagant living, however, brought an end to his business in 1774 . To cover his debts, Stiegel was forced to sell nearly all his possessions at a heavy loss . In Manheim, he sold a piece of his land to Zion Lutheran Church in ex- Photo couresy of the Lancaster County Lancaster the of couresy Photo Society Historical Conestoga wagon change for five shillings and the yearly payment of a rose . Since 1892, the church has observed American environment . They were heavy, hard to “Payment of the Rose Day ”. aim, and made inefficient use of powder and shot . On the frontier, it was important to have accurate weapons that could be carried long distances . Eu- ropean settlers in America also needed guns that Revolutionary War and Early Republic were easier and quieter to load . Many of Lancaster County’s most prominent The Pennsylvania rifle’s claim to fame was its long citizens were directly involved in the cause of the barrel, which allowed for a reduced bore – in American Revolution . These included George other words, a narrower channel for the bullet Ross, who was a signer of the Declaration of to pass through . This resulted in more accurate Independence; Jasper Yeates, and Edward Ship- shooting . Another innovation was the use of a pen . Edward Hand, a physician, served as George

28 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Washington’s Adjutant General . His home, still located in the middle of Penn Square, where Rock Ford, survives today and is open to the the Civil War monument now stands . The state public as a museum . Lancaster County farmers legislature continued to meet in Lancaster until also assisted in the war effort by helping to feed 1812, when Harris’s Ferry (later Harrisburg) was Washington’s army at Valley Forge during the chosen as the state’s permanent capital . winter of 1777-78 . The Borough of Lancaster was also briefly in the spotlight when it served as At the same time the Pennsylvania legislature the United States capitol for one day, September was debating a new location for the state capital, 27, 1777 . The Continental Army maintained the U .S . Congress was also considering possible stables and a barracks on North Duke Street, sites for a new national capital . During delibera- between Walnut and Lemon Streets . tions in Congress, the Lancaster County town of Columbia was proposed as a possible site . In 1777, during a service at Donegal Church, an Columbia’s scenic setting along the Susque- express rider brought news that British General hanna and its central location along the Eastern Howe was preparing to invade Pennsylvania . Seaboard made it an attractive candidate for this The messenger asked Colonel Lowery, who was honor . In the end, however, political pressure attending services, to organize his men to defend from southern states, especially the powerful Existing Conditions the colony . Just outside the church, the congrega- Virginia delegation, resulted in the construction tion gathered around a tree to pledge themselves of a new city along the Potomac River . This new to the cause of independence . From that point capital city became known as Washington, DC . forward, the tree was known as the Witness Tree . Although the tree no longer stands, a memorial marks the spot . Lititz was also the scene of activity during the war . The Brothers’ House near the Development of Free African Moravian Church was used as a hospital, and Communities soldiers were buried on East Main Street . The U .S . census of 1790 indicates that of the After the war, European settlement began to county’s nearly 900 residents of African descent, push further westward in Pennsylvania . In approximately 60 percent were free, and 40 per- 1783, state legislators began reconsidering cent were enslaved – proving that slavery contin- Philadelphia’s role as the state capital . Soon ued to exist in Pennsylvania long after the start of afterward, John Harris offered to donate land for emancipation . At that time, the largest number the construction of a capital building along the of slaves (157) in Lancaster County were held in Earl Township, followed by Salisbury Township with 106, and the Borough of Lancaster with 96 .

Among the free African population, some achieved social and economic status despite widespread racial prejudice and legal discrimination . James Clendenin, who played an instrumental role in establishing Bethel AME Church in Lancaster, may have been the first person of color to own property in the city . Tax records show that he owned a house there by 1797 . Despite

Photo courtesy of PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitors & Convention Dutch PA of courtesy Photo achievements like this one, African Americans faced injustices such as an 1820 Lancaster City Susquehanna River near the old Indian village of ordinance requiring every “free person of color” Paxtang . For the remainder of the 18th century, to register with the Mayor’s office . this offer and many others were considered . In 1799, the legislature agreed to meet in the Lan- caster County Courthouse until the final site was determined . At that time, the courthouse was

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 29 During the early 19th century, the population In the early 19th century, a Lancaster County of Lancaster County continued to grow . The native invented a technology that made a sig- Borough of Lancaster was chartered as a city in nificant impact on transportation throughout 1818 . Columbia also increased in size as a variety the world – but actually had little impact on of industries developed along the riverfront . Soon Lancaster County itself, due to its lack of navi- after Columbia’s founding, free African men and gable rivers . That invention, the steamboat, was women created a strong community there . In developed by Robert Fulton (1765-1815), who 1819, 56 former slaves from Henrico County, was born in a southern Lancaster County com- Virginia (the Richmond area) settled in Colum- munity that was later named Fulton Township in bia on land granted to them by the Wright fam- his honor . In the 1960s, his birthplace become a ily . Two years later, approximately 100 additional National Historic Landmark, now one of five in Africans joined them from Hanover County, Lancaster County . Fulton built his first successful also in Virginia . These new arrivals found ready steamboat in Paris in 1803 . employment along the river, especially with the borough’s growing number of lumber merchants . One engineering feat that had a great impact By 1850, approximately 25 percent of Lancaster on Lancaster County was the construction of County’s nearly 4,000 African-American resi- the first bridge over the Susquehanna River, dents lived in Columbia . completed in 1812 . During the Civil War, Union troops burned the bridge to prevent Confederate troops from crossing into Lancaster County and eventually marching on Philadelphia . The bridge Growing Transportation Network was rebuilt after the war, and then destroyed again during an 1896 storm . The last wooden In the late 18th and early 19th century, private bridge was replaced by a concrete bridge in the roads called turnpikes were created in Lancaster 1930s . Today, that bridge serves as a symbol of County . These were early “bypasses” that allowed the Lancaster-York Heritage Region . travelers to take more direct routes between commercial centers . Turnpikes were often privately The next step forward in the region’s commer- funded . Travelers paid a toll based on distance cial development was the period of canal and traveled, goods carried, and type of vehicle . early railroad construction between the 1820s and the 1840s . Canals were built on both sides

Existing Conditions Existing The first turnpike in Lancaster County, and one of the Susquehanna River, allowing goods to be of the earliest in North America, was established transported to and from the Chesapeake Bay . between Philadelphia and Lancaster in 1792, The Borough of Lancaster was also linked into but was not fully completed until 1812 . This the system by the Conestoga Navigation Canal, turnpike, now known as U .S . Route 30, has a slackwater canal built along the banks of the been called one of the first hard-surface roads in Conestoga River . This canal was built in 1825 the western hemisphere . Later turnpikes were and continued to charge tolls until 1872 . built as a series of “spokes” connecting Lancaster City with other communities located around it . Turnpikes were built to Marietta, Manheim, Lititz, New Holland, Strasburg, and Willow Street . Some turnpikes led to small villages such as Fruitville and Oregon .

30 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 19th-Century Turnpikes 2006 Lancaster County, PA

Existing Conditions

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 31 When the Erie Canal was fully opened in 1825, velopment during this period were former slaves New York City became a growing economic who had purchased their own freedom . Stephen threat to other cities along the Eastern seaboard . Smith (1795-1873) was born in Dauphin Coun- In response, the Commonwealth of Pennsyl- ty, where he was apprenticed to a lumberyard vania investigated the possibility of building owner . Smith’s owner brought him to Columbia a transportation system linking eastern and as a young man . At the age of 19, Smith was western Pennsylvania . Difficult terrain and a lack entrusted to manage the business there . of navigable rivers made this route a challenge for engineers . The solution was to plan a series of After buying his freedom, Smith started his own canals connected by short railroad lines . At the lumber business . By the 1830s, Smith was one of time, water transportation was seen as more reli- the wealthiest African Americans in the United able than the new technology of railroads . This States . The success of Smith and other African project was chartered in 1828 as the Main Line Americans in Columbia angered many white of Public Works . Today, the term “Main Line” residents, and in 1834, the borough experienced is associated with a string of suburbs that grew many serious incidents of racial violence . During along the railroad line between Philadelphia and that same period, a new Pennsylvania Constitu- Paoli, Pennsylvania . tion deprived free blacks of the right to vote .

Towns up and down the Susquehanna River Smith’s cousin and business partner was William benefited from increased commercial traffic -cre Whipper (1804-76), a Lancaster County native ated by the Main Line project . The Borough of who was born a slave in Drumore Township . He Columbia became an important transfer point was raised in Columbia, where his mother was for goods shipped by canal and rail . Two busi- a maid in the home of a lumber merchant . The nessmen who played a key role in Columbia’s de- fact that both Smith and Whipper were exposed

Covered Bridges 2006

Lancaster County, PA Existing Conditions Existing

32 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element to the lumber business from an early age gave in early Philadelphia than there are movie and them an important advantage as entrepreneurs . stage theaters today . On stage, dancers performed Many smaller businesses run by both whites and routines called hornpipes and harlequins, rough African Americans depended on the economic versions of classical ballets, and circus clowning) . activity generated by these men . Smith and Durang performed at a time when America was Whipper did their banking at the First National struggling to define itself . Promoting things that Bank of Columbia, which is now open to the were uniquely American became increasingly public as a museum . The two men were also important, and Durang fit the bill . active abolitionists who regularly assisted fugitives escaping to freedom on the Underground Christopher Hager, a Lancaster merchant and Railroad . civic leader, wanted to create a building that would serve as a community center for meetings, Although canals provided booming business for lectures, concerts, and theatrical performances . much of the early 19th century, investors quickly He commissioned Philadelphia architect Samuel saw the potential for building a railroad that Sloan (who later designed the Lancaster County completely bypassed the canal system . While Courthouse) to create this building, which was canals often froze in winter, railroads offered built in 1852 . Named Fulton Hall, after Lancast- Existing Conditions the promise of year-round service . As a result, er County’s inventor Robert Fulton, it was built despite the state’s investment in canals, this mode on the foundation of Lancaster’s jail, famous as of transportation was soon eclipsed by railroads . the place the last of the Conestoga Indians were Throughout the 19th century, railroads rapidly massacred . That event was later parodied in a expanded in Lancaster County and through- play called, “A Dialogue Between Andrew True- out the Commonwealth . The Philadelphia and man and Thomas Zealot About the Killing the Columbia Railroad was one of the first in the Indians at Cannestogoe and Lancaster and The nation, chartered in 1834 . This line was later Paxton Boys, a Farce ”. incorporated into the Pennsylvania Rail Road, or PRR . By the end of the 19th century, the county In the late 19th century, Fulton Hall became had a series of rail lines branching off the PRR . known the Fulton Opera House . Every major Short lines such as the Strasburg Rail Road were stage artist of the time performed at the Fulton . also built to provide rail access to agricultural These included Maude Adams, John Drew, communities . Lily Langtry, Modejeska, Sarah Bernhardt, and George M . Cohan . In 1903, the Fulton’s owner Charles Yecker commissioned local architect C . Emlen Urban to redesign the interior in a Arts and Education in the 18th and 19th neoclassical style . After 1910, movies began to Centuries pull audiences away from live theaters, and the theater turned to burlesque . For a city of its size in early America, Lancaster was a surprisingly rich environment for the visual The Fulton also became the performing home and performing arts . One of the best-known of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra . In 1969, figures to come out of Lancaster during this time the building was designated a National Historic was John Durang (1768-1822), one of the most Landmark – one of only eight theaters in the prominent figures in the early history of the United States to hold that honor . Community American stage . Durang was the first American- theater groups began performing there . In 1989, born stage performer who incorporated dance, the Fulton launched its campaign to raise funds acting, singing, and puppetry into his perfor- to restore the theater . After shutting down in mances . Durang spent most of his life in Phila- January 1995 for the reconstruction, the Fulton delphia establishing theater as a well-respected art reopened in October of that year . During the form . There were far more performance spaces renovation, the theater also added a new lobby and dressing rooms .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 33 funds to establish a school for homeless, indigent orphans . His original bequest stated that students “shall be carefully educated in the various branches of English education and all industrial trades and pursuits . No preference shall be shown on account of race or color in their admission or treatment . Neither poor Germans, Irish, or Mahometan [Muslims], nor any others on account their race or religion of their parents, shall be excluded . They shall be fed at the same table ”. Fulton Theater, Lancaster

Lancaster County is home to many educational institutions founded in the 18th and 19th cen- Slavery, the Civil War, and the turies . Linden Hall, founded in Lititz in 1746, Underground Railroad is one of the oldest girls’ schools in the nation . Franklin College was founded in 1787 as a In 1780, Pennsylvania became the first state in preparatory school for young German men . In the nation to pass a law to “phase out” slavery . 1853, it merged with Marshall College to be- New Jersey was the last northern state to do so, come a college of the German Reformed Church . in 1804 . Despite the fact that slavery was no lon- At that time, it moved to its present campus ger a legal practice in northern states, it remained on the west side of Lancaster City . The college a central issue in American life for decades later dropped its religious affiliation and became afterward, and a very real threat to free people of a private, independent liberal arts college . The color . The Compromise of 1850 sought to settle Lancaster Reformed Theological Seminary later disagreements between northern and southern took up residence across from the college . states over slavery . For African Americans in the north, it was a new reason to fear the loss of their Millersville University of Pennsylvania started in freedom, because the Compromise included a 1855 as a teacher training institute, then became newly strengthened Fugitive Slave Law . While the first state normal school . It now offers a the law’s stated purpose was to allow slaveholders liberal arts curriculum with additional focuses to reclaim runaway slaves, it provided increased

Existing Conditions Existing on nursing, technology, business, and computer opportunity for slave hunters to kidnap free Afri- science . Another well-known Lancaster County can Americans and put them in bondage . institution is Elizabethtown College, which was founded by the Church of the Brethren at the Pennsylvania’s white residents had mixed feelings end of the 19th century . about slavery in the South . Some felt it was mor- ally wrong, while others felt it gave the South an Located in Lancaster City, Stevens College of unfair economic advantage . Although most white Technology offers training in industry, trades, Pennsylvanians opposed slavery as an institution, and business . Thaddeus Stevens (1792-1868) was only a small minority favored granting African born in Vermont and came to Pennsylvania as Americans equal rights under the law . Some of a young man . Among the many causes he sup- the white residents who held this view became ported, he was a champion of free public educa- involved in the Underground Railroad, a move- tion . Until just prior to the Civil War, there were ment that brought many slaves to freedom in the few free public schools in America . Those that North . Historian Fergus Bordewich states that existed were found in New England and in large the Underground Railroad represents: cities, and only affluent families could afford to send their children to school . • The first racially integrated, religiously inspired civil rights movement . As a result of Stevens’ efforts, Pennsylvania created • The first mass movement of civil disobe- a statewide free public school system a generation dience in America since the Revolution . before many other states . In his will, Stevens left

34 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element • The first opportunity for African Ameri- attack on the World Trade Center in New York cans to engage in politics and organiza- City, another explosive event riveted the nation’s tional management . attention . • The seedbed of American feminism . A Maryland slave owner named Edward Gorsuch Southeastern Pennsylvania is where the Under- had learned that several of his former slaves were ground Railroad grew into a highly organized, living on a farm in Sadsbury Township, Lancaster coordinated effort, perhaps as early as the 1820s . County . To recapture these men, Gorsuch trav- In fact, the term may have been coined in eled from Baltimore County accompanied by a Lancaster County . The Borough of Columbia, United States Marshal, several deputies, and his located on the Susquehanna River, gained a son . When Gorsuch arrived in Lancaster County, reputation as a difficult place for slave catchers he found the runaways at the home of a former to find the individuals they were pursuing . In an slave named William Parker . Parker lived in a 1883 book entitled History of the Underground stone tenant house on the farm of Levi Pownall, Railroad in Chester and Neighboring Counties of a Quaker abolitionist . Pennsylvania, author Robert Smedley described the reaction of slave catchers operating near The Christiana Resistance, originally called the Existing Conditions Columbia: “Christiana Riot” in contemporary news reports, resulted when a pitched battle broke out between . . . in their bewilderment . . . they declared Gorsuch’s men and those inside the house . Dur- there must be an underground railroad ing the confrontation, Edward Gorsuch was somewhere. This gave origin to the term by killed and two others, including Gorsuch’s son, which this secret passage from bondage to were wounded . Afterward, Edward Gorsuch’s freedom was designated ever after. body was taken to Zercher’s Hotel in Christiana Borough . In this building, which also served African Americans played a leading role in the as the town’s railroad station, the body was Underground Railroad . Oral tradition indi- examined before being removed by train . This cates that Bethel African Methodist Episcopal examination was the first step in the official Church (AME), founded in 1817, was a station investigation of the incident . on the Underground Railroad . One of the church’s early leaders, the Rev . Robert Boston, is In the aftermath of the event, 38 men were ar- known to have assisted in efforts to thwart slave rested and charged with treason under the provi- catchers operating in Lancaster County . Today, sions of the Fugitive Slave Law . Many of the residents and visitors to Lancaster County can accused were held in the attic of Zercher’s Hotel hear the story of this movement as told through before being transported to federal prison to a program called “Living the Experience ”. This await trial . At the hotel, a sitting U .S . Congress- program, created and sponsored by Bethel man from Lancaster County, Thaddeus Stevens African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in (1792-1868), interviewed the accused as one of Lancaster City, features costumed first-person three counsels for the defense . In the end, only interpreters . Participants also have the oppor- one person stood trial for his role in the Chris- tunity to share a traditional meal before or after tiana Resistance, and he was acquitted . the presentation . The first documented Under- ground Railroad activity in Lancaster County Although the house where the battle occurred no involved William Wright, who transported longer survives, Zercher’s Hotel still exists . The enslaved Africans across the Susquehanna River former hotel and railroad station has been of- and through Lancaster County . ficially recognized by the National Park Service’s “Network to Freedom” program, which includes The key role that Lancaster County played in sites and other facilities associated with the events leading up to the Civil War is highlighted Underground Railroad . The Underground Rail- by a violent incident that took place near the road Center at Historic Zercher’s Hotel features county’s eastern border on September 11, 1851 . exhibits focusing on the Christiana Resistance On that day, exactly 150 years before the terrorist and on local people and places that played a role

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 35 in the Underground Railroad . The center was sponsored by the Charles Bond Company, which owns the building, and the Christiana Historical Society . The National Park Service and the Penn- sylvania Department of Economic Development (DCED) provided funds for the project .

Despite the fact that the anti-slavery movement was outside the mainstream of white public opinion in Lancaster County, a combination of factors made the county a center of Underground Railroad activity . The county’s location adjacent to a Southern state made it an attractive destination for African Americans escaping slavery, and many of the region’s Quaker residents opposed

slavery on moral grounds . Society Historical County Lancaster of courtesy Photo Thaddeus Stevens Lancaster County’s most prominent white abolitionist was Thaddeus Stevens, who had served public affairs of Pennsylvania and the nation as counsel to those accused in the Christiana throughout the mid-19th century . As a state Resistance . In addition to representing Lancaster representative in the 1830s, he became known County in the Pennsylvania Legislature and the as the “Great Commoner” for his support of free U S. . Congress, Stevens was a lawyer, industrial- public education . He later served in Congress as ist, newspaper publisher, and activist . He and his a member of the Whig Party (1849-53) and the companion, Lydia Hamilton Smith (1813-1884), Republican Party (1859-1868) . As a leader in may have served as “stationmasters” on the Under- the House of Representatives, Stevens played a ground Railroad . Stationmasters sheltered African key role in major civil rights legislation including Americans who feared capture by slaveowners or the 13th Amendment to the U .S . Constitu- slave catchers . Individuals who helped to guide tion, which abolished slavery, and the 14th, fugitives between safe places (known as “stations”) which affirms equal protection under the law were called “conductors ”. for all people born or naturalized in the United

Existing Conditions Existing States . He also laid the groundwork for the 15th Recent archeological investigations at the Amendment, which gave African American men Stevens-Smith House in Lancaster City offer the right to vote . evidence of a possible hiding place in a dry cistern adjacent to the basement of the house . Stevens was one of the prime movers of Recon- Stevens lived in Lancaster between 1842 and his struction, and was a leading advocate for the death in 1868 . The Historic Preservation Trust impeachment of U .S . President Andrew Johnson of Lancaster County is now working with other (1808-75) . Stevens and his Senate colleague partners to open the Stevens-Smith Historic Site Charles Sumner (1811-74) believed that Johnson as an education and interpretive center exploring was too lenient toward Southern states after the Lancaster County’s role in the Underground Civil War . Stevens and Sumner believed in full Railroad . This center will also highlight the ef- political equality for freed slaves . They called for forts that Thaddeus Stevens, Lydia Smith, and African-American men to be given equal rights other Lancastrians made to safeguard the civil to vote, hold office, own land, and enter into rights of all Americans, regardless of race or reli- contracts . Stevens and Sumner favored requiring gious affiliation . Southern states to pass laws to this effect before being readmitted to the Union . Beyond his role in the Underground Railroad, Thaddeus Stevens was a pivotal figure in the Prior to his death in 1868, Stevens indicated his desire to be buried in Lancaster’s Shreiner-

36 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Concord Cemetery, because it was then the city’s only cemetery open to all races . For many years, African Americans in Lancaster led an annual procession to Stevens’ grave, where a ceremony was held to mark his birthday and his commitment to racial equality . This tradition has recently been revived . Like Zercher’s Hotel in Christiana Borough, Stevens’ grave is an officially designated National Park Service “Network to Freedom” site .

In the years prior to the start of the Civil War, another Lancaster Countian played an important role in setting national policy . From 1857 to 1861, Lancaster’s own James Buchanan

(1791-1868) served as 15th President of the Society Historical County Lancaster of courtesy Photo United States . A Democrat known as a strict James Buchanan Existing Conditions “Constitutionalist,” Buchanan favored states’ rights rather than a strong central government 1863, the Columbia Spy reported that these men in Washington . This point of view, the majority were recruited by an agent for the 54th Regiment opinion in America at the time, supported the of Massachusetts Colored Volunteers, perhaps right of Southern states to set their own policies the most well-known African-American fighting on slavery . force of the Civil War . Members of this company were later buried at Zion Hill Cemetery and in During the Buchanan administration, support the potter’s field at Mount Bethel Cemetery, both for the opposition Republican Party gained mo- of which are located in Columbia . mentum . When Abraham Lincoln (1809-65) was elected President in 1860, Southern states were Two well-known Lancaster Countians also played convinced that Lincoln would seek to abolish key roles in the Civil War . General John F . Reyn- slavery throughout the nation . As a result, several olds (1820-63) was born in Lancaster, and died Southern states seceded from the Union, and the on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, in opening shots of the Civil War were heard soon July 1863 . U .S . Senator Simon Cameron (1799- afterward . 1889) was born in the Lancaster County village of Maytown, near Marietta . He was originally Although no Civil War battles were fought on elected to the Senate to fill the seat vacated when Lancaster County soil, it was never far from the James Buchanan became U .S . President . Cam- conflict . In 1863, Confederate troops took con- eron also served as Ambassador to Russia, and trol of the City of York, Pennsylvania, only 30 was Lincoln’s Secretary of War at the start of the miles west of the City of Lancaster . That same Civil War . year, the Confederate Army massed near the western shore of the Susquehanna River in the After the war, former President James Buchanan vicinity of Wrightsville, directly across the river returned to Wheatland, the Lancaster County from Columbia Borough in Lancaster County . home he had owned since 1848 . Wheatland, To halt the advance of Confederate troops, Co- located on Columbia Avenue a short distance lumbia residents burned the Wrightsville-Colum- west of the City of Lancaster, is now open to the bia Bridge, a privately owned structure that was public as a museum . When Buchanan died in one of the longest covered bridges ever built . 1868, he was buried in Lancaster’s Woodward Hill Cemetery . Among other notable events that occurred in Lancaster County during to the Civil War, a Buchanan’s contemporary, Thaddeus Stevens, group of 23 local African-American men volun- spent the post-war years fighting for full legal teered for service in the Union Army . In June rights for all Americans, regardless of race .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 37 He worked hard to pass the 13th, 14th, and until 1986 . The shop is now owned by the De- 15th Amendments to the U .S . Constitution, muth Foundation, which also operates a museum which later served as the basis for 20th-century in the Lancaster home of artist Charles Demuth . civil rights legislation . He chose to be buried in Shreiner-Concord Cemetery at Chestnut and Successful tobacco crops also supported related Mulberry Streets in Lancaster, because it was industries such as warehousing, brokering, and the city’s only cemetery open to all races . For cigar making . Nearly 100 tobacco warehouses many years, African Americans in Lancaster led were built in Lancaster City, each with a capacity an annual procession to Stevens’ grave, where a of 500 to 5,000 cases . More than 50 firms were ceremony was held to mark his birthday and his involved in tobacco packing . Buyers from major commitment to racial equality . This tradition has cities came to Lancaster to purchase tobacco . At recently been revived . the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, more commonly known as the St . Louis World’s Fair, Lancaster’s exhibit focused on tobacco .

Agriculture in the 19th and 20th Dairy production played a secondary role in Centuries Lancaster County until the 1870s, when the introduction of refrigerated boxcars enabled farm- Throughout the Civil War and the remainder of ers to ship fresh milk to urban markets . Other the 19th century, Lancaster County continued perishable goods such as fruit became a profitable to produce a wide array of agricultural products . industry in Lancaster County . Livestock also Farmers in the county gradually shifted from became an important business . Animals shipped wheat, then to livestock and tobacco, then to to Lancaster County by rail from western states dairy . Farm complexes grew to include a variety were fattened up for markets in Philadelphia of supporting structures such as detached kitch- and Baltimore . The Lancaster Stockyards, ens, spring houses, wash houses, smoke houses, located along the city’s northern boundary with woodsheds, pig pens, sheep folds, corn cribs, hay Manheim Township, became one of the largest barracks, wagon sheds, distilleries, and butcher stockyard operations east of the Mississippi River . houses . Many farmsteads still contain an assort- ment of outbuildings that add richness to the During this period, agriculture in Lancaster agricultural landscape . County became more mechanized . Improve-

Existing Conditions Existing ments in farming methods and technology In the late 19th century, Lancaster County farm- allowed farmers to raise more than they needed ers turned to specialized cash crops including for their own consumption, so the focus shifted tobacco . Although tobacco had long been grown from subsistence to commercial agriculture . in Maryland and Virginia, Pennsylvania’s climate Excess crops were sold at local markets and was too cold for standard varieties . Pennsylvania shipped to larger cities . New technologies like seedleaf tobacco was introduced in 1840s, and cast-iron plows, seed drills, threshing machines, Lancaster became a leading tobacco producer reapers, balers, harvesters, and mowers contrib- between 1850 and 1920 . Tobacco was a labor- uted to higher yields . Annual expositions such intensive activity, but it was a good crop for as the Lancaster County Fair showcased new large farm families . The need to air-cure tobacco equipment . There was an increased interest in before sending it to market resulted in the devel- agricultural experimentation, especially in new opment of a new type of barn with louvered side seed varieties . Contour farming was instituted to panels . Many of these barns survive today, and control soil erosion . have become an icon of Lancaster County . At the turn of the 20th century, the Plain Sect The Demuth family became one of Lancaster began to distinguish themselves from “English” County’s best-known tobacco merchants . They farmers . They rejected automobiles and contin- arrived in the county in 1770, and five successive ued the horse culture . Rather than going into generations of the family operated a tobacco debt to purchase mechanized equipment, they shop in Lancaster . Family ownership continued cultivated their existing lands following tradition-

38 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element responsible for much of this business was the Fol- mer-Clogg Umbrella Works located at King and Charlotte Streets in Lancaster . By the mid-20th century, the building functioned as the J .B . Van Sciver Company furniture store and warehouse . In the 1990s, this former factory was reborn as an apartment building . Its Victorian-style tower, which had been removed decades earlier, was rebuilt using historic photographs . Today, the al practices and used the profits to buy additional building stands as a reminder of the positive ef- property . During the Depression, this strategy fect that the rehabilitation of an historic building worked to their advantage . As other farms went can have on a neighborhood, and on the city as bankrupt, they were solvent enough to expand a whole . their holdings, taking on a more powerful economic role within the region . Silk was another industry that played an important role in late 19th- and early 20th-century Lancaster County . Like many Pennsylvania cities, Existing Conditions Lancaster had a variety of textile mills . One of Manufacturing in the Late 19th and Early largest mills in the area was the Stehli Silk Mill, 20th Centuries which straddles the Lancaster City-Manheim Township border near the Lancaster Stockyards . The late 19th and early 20th centuries ushered This massive building survives today, awaiting an in a period of tremendous growth and change in appropriate reuse . Lancaster County . Industry began to assume a larger part of Lancaster County’s economy after the Civil War, as it did throughout the nation . In 1894, the United States became the world’s industrial leader . Machine processes began to shift people away from small scale, home-based shops of individual craftspeople . Industrial jobs were attractive for a growing segment of the population that did not have the resources to buy a farm . Railroads and the development of steam Stallings Suzanne of courtesy d power meant that industry no longer needed to Postcar be near a water source . Follmer, Clogg & Co. Umbrella Factory

Lancaster County supported a wide variety of The owners of these and other enterprises built industries during this period . These included large houses and mansions as outward signs of cotton mills, locomotive works, watch and clock their success . North Duke Street, once known companies, iron furnaces and foundries, metal as Lancaster City’s “Fifth Avenue,” is a prime ex- tools, cork manufacturing, carriage making, ample of this type of development . Today, many brick, furniture, pottery, paper, leather, clocks, of these buildings are adaptively reused as office textiles, saddles, liquor, umbrellas, watches, space, apartments, and condominiums . Lancast- safes, flooring, engines, and explosives . Many er’s first purpose-built apartment building, now industries were linked to agricultural production, called Hamilton Suites, was built in 1907 . such as machine shops, distilleries, and cigar manufacturers . During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Lancaster City and the county’s boroughs ex- In 1900, Lancaster City was the world’s biggest perienced significant growth . A century earlier, producer of umbrellas . At one time, the umbrella these towns had been characterized by small, industry employed 1,300 workers – 15 percent mostly 1 1/2-story frame buildings made of logs of the city’s industrial workforce . The factory and heavy timbers . These buildings were quickly

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 39 replaced with larger brick and stone buildings typical of the Victorian era . Many of these buildings remain today and define the character of Lancaster County’s urban places . In 1927, Lancaster’s first and only skyscraper was built on Penn Square in the heart of the city . The Griest Building served as a symbol of Lancaster’s success as a manufacturing and retailing center .

At this time, the transportation system in and around urban areas also began to change . A radial system of horse-drawn streetcars was introduced in Lancaster City after the Civil War . Many of these lines were electrified by 1890 . In 1900, there were 35 miles of track in Lancaster City, but only two suburban lines – to Columbia and Lititz . Ten years later, there were 150 miles of

of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Museum and Historical Pennsylvania the of track connecting Lancaster to nearly every town and village surrounding the city . The trolley car system led to changes in work and commuting Photo courtesy Photo J.B. Van Sciver Co. Furniture patterns . Growing numbers of people chose to reside in outlying boroughs and suburbs .

By 1909, Lancaster was fourth in manufacturing output in the state, after Philadelphia, Pitts- burgh, and Reading . Ten years later, Lancaster County’s industrial production first topped that of agriculture . Although Lancaster County’s iron furnaces began to be razed as larger Midwestern cities began to dominate the business, the county continued to prosper as a place where steel was

Existing Conditions Existing fabricated into objects such as tools and safes . One of the county’s most important early 20th- century businesses was the Armstrong Company’s linoleum plant at the northern end of Lancaster City, between Liberty Street and the Pennsylva- nia Rail Road line .

In the early to mid 20th century, retailing thrived in downtown Lancaster and in larger boroughs such as Ephrata and Columbia . Frank W . Woolworth (1852-1919) established his first successful store in Lancaster, opening on North Queen Street in 1879 . He pioneered the practices of buying merchandise direct from manufacturers, displaying products within reach

o courtesy of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Museum and Historical Pennsylvania the of courtesy o of customers, and clearly marking the price of Phot Today - Umbrella Works Apartments each item . He later built a dramatic new store on the site of today’s Fulton Building near Penn Square . At the same time, Milton Hershey started his chocolate business in Lancaster before establishing the town of Hershey and expanding

40 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element his operation to become the best-known choco- Charles Demuth (1883-1935) spent most of late company in America . his life on Lancaster City’s East King Street . He attended Franklin & Marshall Academy, which later became Franklin & Marshall College . After studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in the 20th Century Arts, he spent time in Europe . A leader of the American Modernist movement, he produced Lloyd Mifflin (1846-1921), one of Lancaster internationally known works of art including County’s best-known artists of the late 19th and “My Egypt” and “I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold,” early 20th centuries, was born in Columbia . now at the Museum of Modern Art in New As a young man, he studied landscape paint- York City . In 1911, he returned to Lancaster . ing and engraving under celebrated landscape The city provided Demuth with much of his artist Thomas Moran (1837-1926) . Mifflin is subject matter . Many of his works grew out of best known for his sketches and paintings of Lancaster’s outdoor stairways, rooftops, steeples, the Susquehanna River . In addition to being an smokestacks, and grain elevators . Several of the artist, Mifflin was a poet who produced over sites he portrayed in Lancaster survive to this 500 sonnets . When he died in 1921, the public day . Demuth died at his home in Lancaster, and Existing Conditions showed little interest in his paintings, but this is buried in Lancaster Cemetery . The Demuth changed after the State Museum of Pennsylva- Foundation was established 1981 to operate his nia had a retrospective exhibition of his works home and studio as the Demuth Museum . in 1965 . Today, many of the works displayed at that exhibition are in the museum’s permanent collection . 20th Century to Today

The widespread adoption of the automobile transformed Lancaster County’s landscape to a greater degree than any other development in the county’s history . In 1913, the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike became a part of the nation’s first cross-country highway, the Lincoln Highway, which stretched from New York City to San Francisco . Lancaster County’s portion of the road later became known as U .S . Route 30 . Lancastrians once again took interest in the region’s historic roads, most of which were laid out between 1750 and 1850 . Books such as the Lancaster Automobile Club’s Seeing Lancaster County and City by Automobile (1924) popular- ized the notion of leisure travel .

In the early 20th century, Lancaster County began to develop into a tourism destination . One of the first attractions began as collection of historic farm implements in the Manheim Township community of Landis Valley, a short distance north of Lancaster City . George and Henry Landis collected a wide range of objects including farm tools . In 1925, the two brothers Illustration courtesy of Suzanne Stallings Suzanne of courtesy Illustration Now-demolished Woolworth Building at North Queen and East Grant Streets, Lancaster

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 41 opened a museum to display their collections in agriculture and industry . By comparison with “technology, trades, decorative arts, and anything urban centers such as New York City, Lancaster relating to the early days of the Pennsylva- County offered attractive employment opportu- nia Dutch section of the state ”. In 1953, the nities and an affordable cost of living . The influx museum was deeded to the Commonwealth of of new residents has not only filled an economic Pennsylvania and became known as the Landis need, but added to the county’s diversity . For a Valley Museum . place that began as a refuge for a wide range of cultural and religious groups, the new mix of The county’s economic diversity helped it to residents has challenged Lancaster County to weather the worst effects of the Depression and remain a tolerant and accepting community . World War II . Seven of the eleven major manufacturing industries in the United States were One significant positive development for Lan- well represented in Lancaster County, including caster County was the rapid development of the food products, metals, paper and printing, tourism industry, especially along the U .S . Route tobacco, lumber and woodworking, and textiles . 30 corridor east of Lancaster City . National news Local businesses made important products to stories about Lancaster County’s Amish popula- help the war effort, including watches, propellers, tion were a boon for the county . Attractions such boilers, radio tubes, tires, and parachutes . After as Dutch Wonderland were joined by new motels the war, textiles, metal fabrication, and furniture and restaurants to create a “critical mass” that emerged as major industries in Lancaster County . drew even more visitors . In the 1980s, developers The Hamilton Watch Company, whose plant was capitalized on this market by constructing two located on the west side of Lancaster City, be- large outlet malls in the same area . In 1985, the came one of the city’s best-known manufacturers . Hollywood movie Witness, which was filmed on Large plants operated by RCA, Armstrong Cork location in Lancaster County, once again raised Company, Raybestos-Manhattan, Sperry-Rand, the county’s profile as a tourism destination . ITT Grinnell, and the Kerr Glass Company became prominent employers in Lancaster County . Solid growth in the local tourism industry continued until the late 1980s, when the industry The postwar economic boom created a new began to notice a drop in receipts . Since that phenomenon, large-scale suburban develop- time, public and private partners have begun to ment . Lancaster City’s 1945 plan predicted that work cooperatively to ensure the future success

Existing Conditions Existing Lancaster County would build 100 new houses of the tourism industry in Lancaster County . a year by 1950 – but by 1954, 100 new homes As a pilot project of the Pennsylvania Heritage were built every month . An unintended result Tourism Initiative, the county began to recognize of suburbanization was a loss of residents and its potential as a heritage tourism destination . A businesses from urban areas . Lancaster Countians cooperative effort between the Lancaster County eventually began to realize that growth in one Planning Commission (LCPC), the Pennsyl- area often led to hard times elsewhere . Attempts vania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau, to “modernize” the housing stock in Lancaster and the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster City and other communities had unintended County resulted in the creation of Lancaster social consequences . Public agencies called for County Heritage, a county-wide heritage tourism “slum clearance” programs, leaving the poor with program . Today, the program continues under few housing options . The county’s first public LCPC’s leadership, working in cooperation with housing project, Hickory Tree Heights, was built the Lancaster-York Heritage Region . in 1950 . In the 21st century, Lancaster County continues The economic success of Lancaster County drew to have a strong and diverse economy, with a new residents to the county, some from as far wide range of small- and medium-sized com- away as Puerto Rico, Colombia, Mexico, and panies creating jobs and expanding into new Vietnam . In the years after World War II, the fields . Women and minorities are playing a larger county needed additional workers, especially in role in the management and operation of local businesses . African Americans are transforming

42 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element neighborhoods and training local residents to be Lancaster County Historic Transportation Cul- competitive in today’s economy without losing tural Resource Study . Lancaster County their historical and cultural identity . The growing Planning Commission, 1995 . Hispanic population has become an increasingly Lancaster’s Heritage: An Historical [sic] important and recognized part of communities Preservation Study for Lancaster County . across Lancaster County . Organizations such Lancaster County Planning Commission, as Bright Side Baptist Church and the Span- 1972 . ish-American Civic Association celebrate the contribution that people of color are making to Lancaster County – and they also provide services that benefit county residents as a whole . Preservation Planning In Lancaster County The county’s attractiveness as a place to live and work has been a double-edged sword . Although Past Efforts the preservation of agricultural land has outpaced development in recent years, and local and county In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as governments are working together to ensure the Americans became more interested in their own Existing Conditions success of Urban and Rural Growth Areas, sub- history, several organizations began to collect urban sprawl still threatens the county’s historic artifacts and publish information related to Lan- and cultural landscapes . In recent years, Lancaster caster County’s built environment and cultural County has been named to the World Monu- traditions . The Lancaster County Historical ments Watch and to the “11 Most Endangered Society (LCHS) was formally organized in 1901, List” sponsored by the National Trust for Historic but a group of historically-minded citizens had Preservation . With an increased focus on heritage begun its collections a few years earlier . At its preservation, however, the county has an opportu- founding, its stated mission was “to promote the nity to retain the community character that makes collection, preservation, and publication of his- it a special place . torical records, data, and material which establish and illustrate local history ”.

Sources Consulted: In the early years of the 20th century, LCHS be- Historic Pennsylvania Leaflet No . 31 . Text by gan a pioneering program to identify the county’s Catherine McCann; ed . by Barry C . Kent, most significant historic buildings as local Stephen G . Warfel, and Kurt W . Carr . Penn- landmarks . This program predated the establish- sylvania Historical and Museum Commis- ment of the National Register of Historic Places . sion, 1983 . Another leader in early historic preservation ef- Kent, Barry C . Susquehanna’s Indians . Anthro- forts in Lancaster County was the Junior League pological Series No . 6 . Commonwealth of of Lancaster, which was involved in promotion, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Historical and fundraising, and rehabilitation of several notable Museum Commission, 1984 . buildings include Rock Ford . This building is Klein, Frederic S . Lancaster County since 1841, located in the southern part of Lancaster City, revised ed . Sponsored by the Lancaster near the Conestoga River in Lancaster County County National Bank . Lancaster, PA: The Central Park . Intelligencer Printing Co ., 1955 . Loose, John W .W . The Heritage of Lancaster. Concurrent with these efforts, several other his- Sponsored by Lancaster County Historical torical organizations and initiatives were begun Society and Lancaster Association of Com- in Lancaster County . The Lancaster Mennonite merce and Industry . Woodland Hills, CA: Historical Society was founded to focus attention Windsor Publications, Inc ., 1978 . on the settlement of Lancaster County by Ger- Lower Susquehanna Heritage Area Feasibility man-speaking people from Central and Western Study . Prepared by JMA/Watson (West Europe . Across the county, an impressive number Chester, PA and Bladensburg, MD) for the of local historical societies were organized in Counties of Lancaster and York, 1998 . townships and boroughs . In the 1930s, the first

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 43 systematic investigations of Lancaster County’s The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster prehistoric past were recorded in a series of state County was formed in 1966 by a group of citizens archeological surveys conducted to identify pos- “to rescue and restore historic landmarks and pre- sible sites of Native American settlement . serve historic areas throughout the county ”. The Sehner-Ellicott House, now the Trust’s headquar- Despite the fact that Lancaster Countians have ters, was one of the group’s first projects . In 1803, long recognized the significance of their own this building was the site of an important meeting history, they have also accepted the idea that hosted by its owner Andrew Ellicott, who was progress is inevitable, and that old buildings and Secretary of the Pennsylvania Land Office, and a landscapes are meant to pass away after they surveyor by training . have served their original purpose . Old attitudes die hard, and it took some dramatic changes Before the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Ellicott in the landscape to awaken county residents to met with Meriwether Lewis to coach him on the dangers of progress . In the years following survey techniques for his journey westward . This World War II, large rural areas near Lancaster meeting was held at the request of President City were developed into a suburban landscape Thomas Jefferson, who commissioned the expedi- of tract homes and strip malls . The construction tion . Ellicott was no ordinary surveyor, because of the Lancaster Shopping Center between Lititz he had assisted Pierre L’Enfant in laying out the and Oregon Pikes north of Lancaster City was streets of Washington, DC . In the 1960s, however, heralded as a bold step into the future . the Sehner-Ellicott House stood in the way of plans to build the Prince Street Garage . Luckily, Slowly, however, the price of new development the fledging Historic Preservation Trust was able became obvious as residents began to move to save the house by convincing the city to cut out of established communities and into newly a notch in the northwest corner of the planned developed homes in suburban areas . Lancaster garage – the corner where the house stood . City began to lose some of its retail stores, and there was a fear that the city would become the The Sehner-Ellicott House was restored in 1981 “hole in the donut” of suburban expansion . As a through the generosity of the von Hess Founda- result, city leaders planned to make big changes that would transform the city into a shopping mecca designed on the suburban model . The

Existing Conditions Existing 1959 Rodgers plan envisioned what Lancaster might be like in 1980, showing a parking lot on the site of the Old Courthouse, and a pedestrian mall surrounding the Civil War monument in Penn Square .

The real warning shot in the upcoming battle over the historical legacy of Lancaster County was sounded in the 1960s, when plans were Sehner-Ellicott House, Lancaster drawn up to demolish the entire 100 block of Lancaster City’s North Queen Street to create tion, a private philanthropic organization based a new open-air plaza called Lancaster Square . in Lancaster County . The foundation also funded World-famous mall architect Victor Gruen the restoration of the Wright’s Ferry Mansion in designed a concrete superstructure that would Columbia Borough, and more recently, the resto- keep shoppers one story above the street below . ration of a Reading & Columbia Railroad freight Despite significant public opposition to the plan, house located near the mansion . This building demolition of the existing streetscape began in now functions as an architectural warehouse 1965 . The demolition of this block, however, managed by the Columbia Downtown Develop- inspired the creation of Lancaster County’s first ment Corporation (CDDC) . organization dedicated to the preservation of the built environment .

44 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element The von Hess Foundation has also been instrumental in supporting historic preservation planning in Columbia Borough . With the foundation’s help, the borough established a regulated local historic district administered by an Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) . The foundation currently provides 50 percent of the funding to employ an historic preservation planner who coordinates HARB activities .

In addition to this support, the foundation established a fund to assist low- and moderate-income residents in meeting recommendations prescribed by the HARB . When the cost of meeting these recommendations exceeds Map from 1972 County study to identify areas of the amount a resident intended to spend on a significance building improvement, the foundation provides Existing Conditions funds to cover the difference . was created to review proposed exterior changes made to buildings within the districts . Another catalyst for historic preservation was the effort to prepare for the American Revolution During the early 1980s, the Trust received Bicentennial in 1976 . In the years prior to the bi- PHMC grants to conduct a countywide historic centennial, many municipalities and organizations resource survey . Using the 1972 Lancaster’s produced commemorative books . In 1972, the Heritage study as a starting point, Trust staff and Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) volunteers canvassed the county and completed conducted a historic resource study entitled Pennsylvania Historic Resource Survey Forms for Lancaster’s Heritage . This survey identified rep- the resources they encountered . Unfortunately, resentative examples of particular building types when funding was no longer available, the survey and styles . It also identified geographic areas of ended . As a result, studies of most townships particular significance throughout the county, ear- were only partially completed and those for marking them for further study . At the time, this the boroughs were never started . Even so, the study was the most comprehensive architectural information on the completed survey forms survey ever undertaken in Lancaster County . contains more data than had previously been available . The Trust compiled this survey data In 1978, the Trust received a grant from the into a book called Our Present Past, which was Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commis- printed in 1985 . This project was funded by the sion (PHMC) to conduct an architectural survey Lancaster City and Lancaster County Redevelop- in the City of Lancaster . In addition to complet- ment Authorities, the Lancaster County Board of ing survey forms documenting architectural and Commissioners, and PHMC . historical details of individual buildings, the Trust completed a report entitled “Preliminary Preservation efforts in the 1980s began to extend Research Report for the Architectural Survey of beyond the built environment, because county the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania ”. This study, residents were becoming increasingly aware of which was compiled and edited by historian John development pressures on natural areas and J . Snyder, Jr ., provides a brief history of the city, prime farmland . In 1980, the County of Lan- describes the prominent architectural styles with caster established the Agricultural Preserve Board representative examples, and recommends the to develop and administer a voluntary deed preservation of the city’s most significant build- restriction program to preserve selected areas of ings . During this time, the City of Lancaster the county’s best agricultural land . The Board was established several local historic districts under reestablished in 1989 to administer a program Pennsylvania Act 167, the Historic District Act . to purchase agricultural conservation easements An Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB)

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 45 and advise the Lancaster County Board of Com- public recreation and educational use . It also missioners on other matters involving farmland helps concerned citizens to protect these commu- preservation . nity assets through a variety of conservation tools including volunteer stewardship projects . Today, The purpose of the easement program is to the Conservancy owns 23 properties throughout protect viable agricultural land by acquiring Lancaster County . agricultural conservation easements from landowners who voluntarily apply for the program . As conservation groups of all types were increas- Agricultural conservation easements prevent the ing their efforts to preserve Lancaster County’s development or improvement of the land for heritage resources, the Historic Preservation Trust any purpose other than agricultural produc- of Lancaster County began to take a more active tion, although they do allow related agricultural role in the community . In the 1980s, the Trust activities . The Board’s mission is “To forever completed a National Register nomination for a preserve the beautiful farmland and productive group of tobacco warehouses in Lancaster City soils of Lancaster County and its rich agricultural and County . This nomination was groundbreak- heritage; and to create a healthy environment for ing because it increased public understanding the long-term sustainability of the agricultural about the historic significance of commercial economy and farming as a way of life ”. and industrial buildings . Prior to that time, most preservation activities in the county focused on The efforts of the Lancaster County Agricultural buildings significant for their architectural style Preserve Board are complemented by those of or for their association with notable people . In a private, non-profit, local organization called addition, the nomination made these buildings the Lancaster Farmland Trust, founded in 1988 . eligible for federal tax credits, and several of them Like the Board, the Farmland Trust works in were rehabilitated as a result . partnership with landowners to preserve their farms . Landowners can donate the conservation In the early 1990s, the Trust completed a sample easement on their property or receive a cash pay- inventory of more than 1,200 of the City of ment for preserving the farm . In addition, farms Lancaster’s historic buildings, using the best preserved through the Farmland Trust may be available standards for classification and analysis . eligible for a federal income tax deduction . This survey was the first in the county to make extensive use of computer technology . This

Existing Conditions Existing An important reason for the existence of the inventory later helped convince the Pennsylvania Lancaster Farmland Trust is to offer landowners a Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) private, non-government option for the acquisi- that the city’s original four-square-mile area was tion of development rights on farmland . This eligible for listing in the National Register of option is crucial to Plain Sect farmers, whose reli- Historic Places . gious beliefs discourage the acceptance of public funding . Over half the farms preserved by the Working with a consultant, the Trust’s Execu- Farmland Trust are owned by Plain Sect farmers . tive Director David B . Schneider also produced a preservation guide for the City of Lancaster Other key aspects of Lancaster County’s heritage, called Preserving Community Character . This natural lands and open space, are protected by a document described some of the city’s most group known as the Lancaster County Conser- significant buildings and neighborhoods, sum- vancy . The Conservancy was established in 1969 marized the status of preservation activities in the as a private non-profit organization dedicated city, and provided recommendations for future to preserving the county’s rapidly diminishing action . This book was later followed up with a supply of open land . The Conservancy’s purpose more in-depth publication, The Historic City of is to maintain carefully selected portions of the Lancaster, which described the history and re- county’s open areas in their natural state . The sources of individual neighborhoods throughout group focuses its energy and financial resources the city . on preserving these open spaces for continuing

46 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners providing economic opportunities and benefits and the Lancaster County Planning Commis- and 2) to provide a diversity of authentic heritage sion joined in efforts calling for the preservation experiences for both residents and visitors . and protection of Lancaster County’s heritage resources . In 1991, the Commissioners adopted a During this time, the Historic Preservation Trust policy plan which acknowledged that an increas- of Lancaster County also focused attention on ingly rapid pace of growth was resulting in the Lancaster County’s agricultural heritage . The loss of community character . Consequently, one Trust initiated a “Rural Preservation Project” to of the plan’s goals was to “preserve and enhance identify strategies for preserving historic farming- the community character that makes Lancaster related resources . This project was remarkable for County a unique, distinctive, and identifiable two reasons: first, for the scope of land involved; place ”. The plan defined “community character” and second, for its funding, which was provided as a concept that includes: largely by private sources including the Arm- strong Foundation and the Building Industry • Traditions, beliefs, practices, arts, crafts, Association of Lancaster County . Public sector and food; grants were also provided by the Redevelopment • Historic and architecturally significant Authority of Lancaster County and the Penn- Existing Conditions resources such as places, landscapes, and sylvania Historical and Museum Commission structures; (PHMC) . • Aesthetic resources including scenic views, landscapes, waterways, transporta- In the early 1990s, several preservation issues tion corridors, and streetscapes . involving historic farming-related resources made it clear that state agencies and local govern- As a result of the new policy plan, the Lancaster ments needed a more efficient mechanism for County Planning Commission hired its first evaluating the historic significance of Lancaster cultural resource planner in 1992 . Subsequently, County farmsteads . To accomplish this goal, the LCPC staff conducted a “Historic Transportation Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County Cultural Resource Study” funded by a grant from began a multi-year project to document historic the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), farmsteads and develop a “context” for evaluating using funds available under the Intermodal these resources against the eligibility require- Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) . ments of the National Register of Historic Places . This study, completed in 1995, identified transportation routes and associated resources from The first phase of this effort was a survey that- re the European-Native American contact period corded more than 10,000 resources county-wide through the present . and served as a basis for developing a farming resources context . In the second phase, the Trust At this time, the Lancaster County Planning assessed the survey data and compiled the results Commission (LCPC) became actively engaged in into a 1993 report called “Historic Farming a process to study the county’s heritage tourism Resources of Lancaster County ”. This report, potential . Heritage tourism, which focuses on technically known as a National Register Mul- historic sites and attractions, shows that “pres- tiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF), ervation pays” by broadening an area’s tourism serves as the formal context statement for these “mix” and encouraging adaptive reuse of historic resources . Before this context was developed, buildings . As one of four pilot projects of the nominating a Lancaster County farmstead to Pennsylvania Heritage Tourism Initiative, Lan- the National Register had required a significant caster County took a leadership role in heritage amount of background documentation . The tourism in 1994 . With technical assistance from farming resources context simplified this process the National Trust for Historic Preservation, by providing a baseline for assessing the historic LCPC and a group of local partners later created significance of individual farmsteads . a program called Lancaster County Heritage . The goals of the program are 1) to enhance com- The Trust immediately put this context to use munity pride in local heritage resources while by undertaking an intensive survey of 25 farm

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 47 properties located throughout the county . These As a result of this work, the National Park Service farmsteads were chosen to represent the different determined that a large area of eastern Lancaster types of farmsteads addressed in the context . County was a nationally significant agricultural National Register nominations were prepared for landscape . This project was remarkable for two six of these properties, and each of them was in- reasons: first, for the scope of land involved; dividually listed in the National Register in 1994 . and second, for its funding, which was provided largely by private sources including the Arm- Concurrent with the development of the farming strong Foundation and Building Industry Asso- resources context, the Trust completed a com- ciation of Lancaster County . As with all of these prehensive survey of historic properties in one of efforts, volunteers played a key role in gathering Lancaster County’s most significant agricultural the data necessary to obtain the nomination, and regions, the Eastern Mill Creek Valley between several other organizations supported the process Pennsylvania Routes 23 and 340 . This survey in a variety of ways . identified more than 100 historic properties and outlined the boundaries of a potential National Today, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Register Historic District . Although PHMC Commission (PHMC) is partnering with Lan- determined that the district was eligible for the caster County and four other counties to under- National Register, it was never formally listed . take the Pennsylvania Rural History Project, an effort to survey historic agricultural resources . In 1994, Trust director David B . Schneider au- The project is being funded through the Preserve thored a book called Foundations in a Fertile Soil America grant program . The associated context as a more publicly accessible companion piece to and survey will supplement the county’s current the technical documents developed during the data on these resources . survey process . The Eastern Mill Creek Valley was included in the book to illustrate the wide In November 1995, a conference of national range of Lancaster County’s historic farming scope called “Challenging Sprawl” was held in related resources and landscapes . Lancaster County . This conference led to the establishment of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, More recently, in conjunction with the Penn- the state’s first private non-profit organization sylvania Route 23 corridor study, PHMC and dedicated to addressing environmental issues on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation a comprehensive basis . Various Lancaster County

Existing Conditions Existing (PennDOT) have been studying a large area of conservation and preservation organizations eastern Lancaster County to assess the potential joined with Preservation Pennsylvania, the Penn- impact of a new or improved road corridor on sylvania Historical and Museum Commission, historic resources in that part of the county . As and the National Trust for Historic Preservation a result, two large rural historic districts were to launch this initiative . Local partners included identified: the Conestoga Rural Historic District Lancaster County Board of Commissioners, the (north of Route 23) and the Mill Creek Rural Lancaster County Planning Commission, the Historic District (south of Route 23) . The latter Lancaster Farmland Trust, the Historic Preserva- encompasses the smaller Eastern Mill Creek His- tion Trust of Lancaster County, and Citizens for toric District identified in 1993 . Responsible Growth .

48 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element As a result of increasing local, national, and inter- arts district . Since that time, many of the actions national awareness about the impact of suburban suggested in the plan have been implemented, and sprawl on Lancaster County’s unique heritage, the results have been impressive . the county appeared on several lists of threatened and endangered resources . The first was in 1995, In 1998, the proposed demolition of a highly sig- when a state-wide preservation advocacy group nificant tobacco warehouse ignited a controversy called Preservation Pennsylvania placed Lancaster that resulted in new preservation initiatives and County on its list of “11 Most Endangered” policies in the city . The Baumgardner Warehouse, resources in the Commonwealth . Two years later, a brick warehouse constructed in 1869, had been the World Monuments Watch listed the county listed in the National Register of Historic Places on its “100 Most Endangered” list . This program as a part of a multiple-property listing completed is sponsored by the New York-based World in 1990 by the Historic Preservation Trust of Monuments Fund, which is supported by Ameri- Lancaster County . Although the Trust, the City can Express . Lancaster County had come to the of Lancaster, and scores of local individuals and attention of the World Monuments Fund as a organizations sought to preserve the building, it result of a case statement written by the Historic was demolished in 1998 to make way for a one- Preservation Trust of Lancaster County . story commercial building . Existing Conditions

In the late 1990s, an important initiative was be- As a result of this loss and concerns about similar gun to help revitalize downtown Lancaster . The buildings throughout the city, the City of Lan- Lancaster Campaign wanted to create a docu- caster created a Heritage Conservation District ment to guide future city revitalization efforts . in 1999 . This district includes most of the city’s Together with LDR International Inc ., a con- original four-square-mile area, but excludes areas sulting firm based in Maryland, the Campaign of major contemporary intrusions, such as Lan- held public forums, met with local officials, did caster Square . The area also excludes local historic market research, and performed traffic studies to districts already regulated by the city’s Historic gather input on what areas the city should target Architectural Review Board (HARB) . Regula- for revitalization . tions in the Heritage Conservation District are less stringent than those in the city’s local historic The culmination of this effort, theLancaster Eco- districts . nomic Development Action Agenda, was completed in February 1998 . This document, often called the The purpose of the Heritage Conservation “LDR plan,” identified four areas that are vital to District is to conserve the character of neighbor- the overall redevelopment of the city: South Duke hood streetscapes, rather than the architectural Street, South Prince Street, North Prince Street, details of individual buildings . The Heritage and downtown Lancaster . Other projects the Conservation District is administered by the plan identified included revitalization of Lancaster city’s Historical Commission, not by the HARB, Square, redevelopment of the Watt & Shand and the two groups operate independently . While building on Penn Square, and the creation of an the HARB focuses on building appearance, the

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 49 Historical Commission focuses on neighborhood in defining county’s identity and contributing to appearance . The Historical Commission reviews its economic future . proposals that affect the streetscape, such as the demolition of an entire building or a prominent In 2003, the Lancaster County Board of Com- feature such as a porch or balcony . The Commis- missioners approved the creation of a Heritage sion also evaluates proposals for new construc- Planning Division within the Lancaster County tion, including additions to existing buildings . Planning Commission . The purpose of this division was to help municipalities, organizations, After establishing the Heritage Conservation agencies, and individuals discover, conserve, District at the local level, the City of Lancaster preserve, and celebrate the county’s heritage completed a National Register nomination for resources . The Heritage Planning Division merged the same four-square-mile area . When the district with the Long-Range Planning Division in 2006 was listed in the National Register in 2001, it to form the Long-Range and Heritage Planning was the nation’s largest historic district in terms Division . of the number of contributing resources .

Historic preservation issues also prompted the Present Efforts Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to formally acknowledge the crucial role that municipalities With the help of the Lancaster County Planning play in protecting historic resources . The Com- Commission and the Lancaster County GIS monwealth amended the Municipalities Planning Department, municipalities throughout the Code (MPC) in 2000 to include a mandate county are making significant progress in survey- for county and municipal comprehensive plans ing historic resources . LCPC staff members work to contain a plan for the protection of natural with municipalities on a variety of preservation and historic features and resources . The MPC planning issues and initiatives including historic amendment also requires municipalities to adopt resource inventories, preservation planning, and zoning regulations to protect natural and historic regulations to protect historic resources . Staff resources . members also assist agencies, organizations, and individuals seeking help with historic preserva- In 2000, the Lancaster County Planning Com- tion issues . mission created the position of Historic Preserva-

Existing Conditions Existing tion Specialist to assist municipalities in meeting To date, the City of Lancaster and the Boroughs these requirements . While a few of Lancaster of Manheim and Adamstown have completed County’s 60 municipalities have begun to imple- comprehensive historic resource surveys . The ment the required changes to their comprehensive Boroughs of Strasburg, Columbia, and Mount plans and zoning regulations, historic preservation Joy have completed surveys of historic resources planning has not yet become standard practice at located within their respective National Register the local level . Historic Districts . Christiana Borough and East Cocalico Township are in the midst of the survey As the 21st century approached, the Lancaster process . Historic resource surveys are also planned County Planning Commission also remained for Caernarvon, West Cocalico, and Salisbury committed to policies and programs designed to Townships . Lititz Borough, Warwick Township, conserve Lancaster County’s heritage resources . and Elizabeth Township have proposed a regional A new Lancaster County Policy Plan called ReVi- survey of historic resources, and Millersville Bor- sions was adopted in 1999 . Based on input from ough may be updating its existing survey . These the community, the plan identified “Six Key surveys will need to be continually updated as Focus Areas for the Future ”. The first focus area resources are lost, altered, or rehabilitated . called for “protecting and preserving our natural and cultural heritage ”. Each of the five remaining At times, historic resource surveys are also un- focus areas also contained a preservation focus, dertaken as a part of an environmental review of confirming the importance of heritage resources a government funded or licensed project . This

50 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Historic Districts in the City of Lancaster 2006 Lancaster County, PA

Existing Conditions

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 51 procedure generally (but not exclusively) involves The City of Lancaster has two types of districts, projects being undertaken by the Pennsylvania both created under Act 167 . Within the city, Department of Transportation (PennDOT) . Cur- there are five districts regulated by the city’s rently, Pennsylvania Route 23 and U .S . Route 30 Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB), are undergoing a detailed environmental review and one Heritage Conservation District regulated involving a regional survey of historic resources . by an Historical Commission . The Boroughs of Strasburg and Columbia have enacted regulations When any undertaking is funded in whole or in under Act 167 . The Louise Steinman von Hess part with federal money, or is federally licensed, Foundation provided private support for the the government agency managing the project municipal administration and implementation of must determine if that undertaking will have an the Columbia Borough HARB . adverse effect on historic resources in the project area . Within the project area, the agency must The Boroughs of Manheim and Millersville have conduct a historic resource survey to determine adopted historic preservation regulations under if resources are eligible for listing in the National the provisions of the year 2000 MPC amend- Register of Historic Places . ment . Lititz Borough, Marietta Borough, and the Townships of Manheim, West Hempfield, and The National Register is a federal program man- Caernarvon have also adopted historic preserva- aged by the National Park Service . By law, every tion regulations, but they were put in place be- state is required to maintain a State Historic fore the MPC was amended . Due to their narrow Preservation Office (SHPO) that administers scope or lack of enforcement, these regulations this program at the state level, with the oversight have varying degrees of effectiveness . of a national group called the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation . Pennsylvania’s SHPO In addition to assisting municipal governments functions are assigned to the Pennsylvania with preservation issues, the Lancaster County Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) . Planning Commission supports other initiatives As of May 2006, Lancaster County had five that raise the profile of the county’s historic and National Historic Landmarks, 203 individually cultural resources, and support their develop- listed National Register properties and districts, ment as sustainable economic assets . and 271 properties and districts determined eligible for the National Register . In 2005, the Lancaster County Strategic Tourism

Existing Conditions Existing Development Plan was adopted as an element of As noted elsewhere in this plan, properties and the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan – one districts listed in the National Register do not of the first in the Commonwealth to include a have any protection from actions undertaken tourism element . The tourism plan focuses on without federal funding or licensing . In fact, the the preservation of the county’s heritage resources National Register does not mandate any review of as a foundation for future tourism development . private actions that affect properties listed in the Lancaster County is a major destination due in National Register . State and local government ac- large part to public fascination with the Amish, tions that affect these properties are only reviewed but visitors are often unaware of the county’s when these governments serve as “pass-throughs” extensive and varied history beyond the story of for projects using federal money, or when these the Plain Sect . The vision of theLancaster County projects require federal permits . To protect historic Strategic Tourism Development Plan is: resources at the local level, Pennsylvania municipalities have two options for enacting preservation To protect, preserve, and enhance Lancaster regulations . They can be enacted under the Penn- County’s authentic, natural, cultural, historic, sylvania Historic District Act (Act 167) or the and architectural heritage assets and distinctive Municipalities Planning Code (MPC, Act 247) . “sense of place” as the foundation for future sus- Act 247 was amended in 2000 to require munici- tainable tourism development and promotion. palities to zone to protect their historic resources . Both acts offer municipalities a degree of latitude The Lancaster County Planning Commission in implementing their provisions . (LCPC) also supports specific initiatives to

52 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element National Historic Landmarks 2006 Lancaster County, PA

Existing Conditions

develop the county’s heritage tourism potential . marketing through the Lancaster County Heritage Lancaster County Heritage, a program managed program, and those that should be preserved and by LCPC, was re-launched in the fall of 2006 protected, but not shared with visitors . with new guidelines and additional resource categories . With a grant from the Commonwealth In some cases, byways designated under this of Pennsylvania, LCPC helped York County program may pursue designation under the to develop a sister program to mirror Lancaster Pennsylvania Byways program . Like the Lan- County Heritage . Both county-level programs caster County Heritage Byways Program, the work cooperatively with the Lancaster-York state program requires a management plan . At Heritage Region (LYHR), one of Pennsylvania’s the state level, this plan is called a “Byway Preser- 12 state heritage areas . The goal of the LYHR is vation Assessment Plan ”. to identify, preserve, interpret, and promote heritage tourism through the application of region’s five interpretive themes .

LCPC has also launched a Lancaster County Preservation Trends Heritage Byways Program to implement similar goals . Through a nomination process, Introduction roads that meet one or more “Intrinsic Quali- ties” may be officially recognized as Lancaster Lancaster County has seen mixed results when it County Heritage Byways . The required Corridor comes to preserving its heritage . On one hand, Management Plan for each nominated byway residents have consistently stated the importance identifies the strategies necessary to retain those of historic and cultural resources in defining qualities over time . The program includes two the county’s identity . Most notably, they have types of byways – those that are appropriate for made the preservation of agricultural land a high

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 53 National Register Listed Sites 2006

Lancaster County, PA Existing Conditions Existing

54 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element National Register Historic Districts 2006 Lancaster County, PA

Existing Conditions

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 55 priority . On the other hand, they have sometimes plan ahead to address the challenges posed by resisted the call to address the unique challenges historic buildings, the lack of prior planning can inherent in preserving historic buildings and cul- create results that are permanent and devastating . tural traditions . Conservation of these resources Proposals to preserve historic buildings and landis often an afterthought in the planning process, scapes are often criticized before the potential rather than a priority . benefits have been considered . Preservation goals are seen as an imposition on property owners, The term “preservation” usually brings to mind rather than an opportunity to leverage the past the built environment, but Lancaster County’s to create a better future . To implement the goals heritage includes more than the physical legacies in this plan, all sectors of the community need to of the past . The other crucial and often forgotten work together to overcome these obstacles . aspects of our heritage are the intangible resources – the cultural traditions that define who we Fortunately, Lancaster County has a strong are . The unique combination of buildings, land- contingent of preservation-minded residents who scapes, people, and traditions is what makes this understand the value of historic and cultural area different from “Anyplace USA ”. Although preservation . They have shown that a little Lancaster County residents sometimes dismiss patience and creativity is all it takes to transform the unique qualities of the local landscape, few an underutilized building into a showpiece, or regions the size of Lancaster County offer the to introduce a forgotten cultural tradition to a same diversity of land and culture . wider audience .

While residents usually support preserving the earliest and most beautiful buildings in their community, they often approve the demolition Positive Trends of utilitarian buildings and structures such as bridges, workers’ housing, farm buildings, and Growing Interest in Heritage Tourism industrial buildings . These buildings, often called Lancaster County residents have shown a grow- “vernacular” buildings, are key elements of the ing appreciation for the benefits of heritage county’s historic and cultural identity . Instead tourism – the practice of traveling to experi- of seeing these buildings as integral parts of our ence historic and cultural attractions to learn heritage, we criticize them for being “old and more about a community’s heritage . Since 1994,

Existing Conditions Existing in the way ”. While the loss of one or two such the Lancaster County Planning Commission buildings may seem inconsequential, the sum has managed a county-wide heritage tourism total of the loss makes a significant impact on the program called Lancaster County Heritage . Begun county’s historic and cultural landscape . with the assistance of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the program features sites, Recent trends in the preservation of the county’s services, and events that meet a set of rigorous heritage reflect increasing public awareness of authenticity guidelines . This program has helped historic and cultural resources, but also show that Lancaster County residents to better understand residents can be complacent with the status quo . the goals of heritage tourism and the contribu- While preservation issues are regularly put on the tions that historic and cultural resources make to table for public discussion, residents and munici- the county’s economy . pal officials frequently lack the time, interest, or will to pursue a full range of preservation options As the Lancaster County Planning Commission for historic buildings . At times, this situation is became more involved in heritage tourism during understandable, because non-profit organizations the 1990s, it began to explore the idea of creat- and municipal governments are often staffed by ing a “Heritage Area” to promote the goals of volunteers who must spend most of their time Lancaster County Heritage on a regional level . The reacting to events, rather than planning ahead . result was the Lancaster-York Heritage Region (LYHR), a two-county region that includes Lan- Although there are many reasons to explain why caster and York Counties . organizations, agencies, and governments do not

56 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Although the two counties share a common of family-owned restaurants and retail stores now border along the Susquehanna River, the river offers products typical of Puerto Rico and Mexico, has traditionally been a barrier to cooperation be- two areas that many local Latinos once called tween them . Since its founding in 2001, LYHR home . An increasing number of Latino festivals has worked to bridge that gap and identify com- and celebrations are becoming a regular part of the mon themes for interpreting the region’s Heritage area’s cultural calendar . Asian-Americans have also Resources . Its purpose is to raise awareness about begun to share more of their cultural traditions the region’s past and its unique resources, and to with their fellow Lancastrians . Chinese, Korean, encourage consistency and collaboration among Vietnamese, and Hmong communities are playing heritage initiatives in both counties . an increasingly visible role in shaping the way Lancaster County defines itself . Increasing Emphasis on Cultural Diversity Lancaster County is seeing more programs and In Lancaster City, a program sponsored by Bethel organizations that emphasize the contributions of African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church has groups whose voices have not always been heard introduced hundreds of residents and visitors outside their own communities . For example, to the story of the Underground Railroad, a local churches have spearheaded several initiatives movement before and during the Civil War that Existing Conditions to revitalize neighborhoods and raise awareness brought enslaved African Americans northward about places that have played an important role to freedom . In this program, called “Living the in African-American history . Experience,” costumed first-person interpreters tell the story in their own words . Before or after In recent decades, Latinos and Asian Ameri- the performance, the audience is typically invited cans have also made significant contributions to to share a meal that is characteristic of local Afri- Lancaster County’s cultural landscape . A variety can-American culture .

Lancaster County Heritage Program Officially Designated Resources 2006 Lancaster County, PA

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 57 In 2003, a group of seven volunteer community historians secured National Park Service (NPS) “Network to Freedom” designations for two Lancaster County sites . This program recognizes sites that played a direct role in the Underground Railroad, and facilities that maintain records related to that story . In Lancaster County, Zercher’s Hotel in Christiana Borough was listed as a site, and the Columbia National Bank Museum in Columbia Borough was listed as a facility . Zercher’s Hotel was listed as a “site” in the program, because it played a direct role in the Underground Railroad .

The Charles Bond Company, a private manufacturing firm, is the owner of Zercher’s Hotel . As the owner of the building, the Bond Company was eligible to apply for NPS funding to rehabilitate and interpret the building . The company was successful in receiving an NPS grant that was matched by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) through a grant to the Christiana His- torical Society .

This funding was used to create the Christiana Underground Railroad Center at Zercher’s Hotel . This facility is Lancaster County’s first free, publicly accessible visitor center telling the story of the Underground Railroad in the local area . Zercher’s Hotel played a key role in the af-

Existing Conditions Existing termath of the Christiana Resistance, originally called the Christiana Riot . This 1851 event, in which a Maryland slaveowner came to reclaim his runaway slaves, was a key event in setting the stage for the Civil War .

In January 2006, another site in Lancaster County received “Network to Freedom” designation . The grave of Thaddeus Stevens, Lancaster County’s leading abolitionist, was formally listed as a site in the program . Stevens was an Underground Railroad stationmaster, one of the founders of the Republican Party, a constitutional scholar, and an advocate of civil rights . His grave is located in Shreiner-Concord Cemetery, located at Chestnut and Mulberry Streets in Lancaster City .

An effort led by the Trust and other partners is currently focused on preserving the Lancaster City home of Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith, two individuals who played a

58 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element downtown projects was the adaptive reuse of the former Steinman Hardware Store, which was transformed into the Pressroom Restaurant . In the 1990s, Fulton Bank faced a similar choice, and also decided to reinvest in the city . The bank constructed a new building behind its existing facility on Penn Square, keeping its existing employees downtown, and bringing additional jobs to the city .

Downtown Lancaster has become a magnet

Photo courtesy of Randolph Harris Randolph of courtesy Photo for historic preservation and redevelopment Christiana Underground Railroad Center at projects over the past decade . The Prince Street Zercher’s Hotel Arts Corridor has seen some of the most notable key role in the abolitionist movement before and improvements, beginning with the renovation of during the Civil War . Although interest in pre- the Fulton Opera House in the 1990s . Improve- serving the Stevens-Smith House had existed for ments are planned for the Lancaster Amtrak Sta- Existing Conditions many years, plans to preserve it began in earnest tion, historic warehouses, and other commercial when a proposal was made to develop a conven- buildings along the corridor . The new Clipper tion center on the site . Magazine Stadium at the northern end of the street has been a boon for investment in the Working with the developer and other com- surrounding neighborhood . East of the stadium, munity groups, the Historic Preservation Trust a proposal has been made for the adaptive reuse of Lancaster County was successful in arranging and expansion of two early 20th-century build- for the preservation of the house, an adjacent ings, the former Gunzenhauser Bakery and a commercial building, and two other houses on nearby building that once housed a manufactur- the proposed site of the center . Despite public ing facility . disagreement over the merits of the potential convention center, the effort to blend historic Further south along Prince Street, the Pennsylva- preservation, heritage tourism, and economic de- nia College of Art and Design (PCAD) recently velopment is a positive step for the community . renovated its facade, a project that brightened the street with neon . Row homes and commercial Neighborhood Revitalization in Lancaster City buildings a short distance away are being reha- As some of Lancaster’s long-standing businesses bilitated as Lancaster’s “Gallery Row ”. Adjacent began to leave the city in the 1960s and 1970s, to the Fulton Opera House, the Pennsylvania others made a strong commitment to remain Academy of Music has publicized plans for a in the city . In 1980, Lancaster Newspapers, significantly larger building which will complete Inc . considered moving its operations out of a nearly continuous streetscape of cultural insti- the city, but decided to remain in the city and tutions . On nearby Queen Street, the Lancaster invest in new facilities there . In the process, the Museum of Art is poised to rehabilitate and ex- company demolished several significant build- pand an early 20th-century commercial building ings on Queen Street – but at the same time, as its new home . the city benefited from the company’s decision to retain a large number of employees in the The northwestern part of the city has also seen downtown area . The following year, the company significant reinvestment, due in part to the created Steinman Park, an urban “pocket park” involvement of the James Street Improvement that later received an award from the American District, a non-profit community development Society of Landscape Architects . The company organization sponsored by Franklin & Marshall continued to enhance West King Street in 1988, College and Lancaster General Hospital . Within when it expanded its offices by rehabilitating the past few years, numerous historic warehouses the upper floors of several adjacent historic and industrial buildings have been converted into buildings . Among the company’s more recent new uses including college dorms, senior citizen

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 59 Photo courtesy of Randolph Harris Randolph of courtesy Photo

apartments, restaurants, and offices . A vacant decades in which such projects were rare . The last warehouse at Charlotte Street and Harrisburg period when Lancaster County saw a significant Avenue was also converted into a boutique hotel number of such projects was during the late called the Lancaster Arts Hotel . 1970s and early 1980s, when the federal tax code was more generous to those investing in historic Across Lancaster City, religious institutions are buildings . Back then, available economic incen- making significant investments in historic houses tives were enough to make many lukewarm pres- of worship . Within the last ten years, several ervationists into active proponents of adaptive downtown congregations have made improve- reuse . After federal tax incentives were reduced in ments ranging from steeple restorations to addi- 1986, interest in large-scale adaptive reuse slowed tions for classrooms, meeting space, and offices . until the late 1990s, when several urban-oriented These include First Presbyterian, First United developers began to see the untapped potential Methodist, Trinity Lutheran, Grace Lutheran, in many large, vacant buildings, especially in First Reformed, Community Mennonite, and Lancaster City . many others . This new era of reinvesting in existing religious buildings stands in contrast to the Several community development groups have period from World War II through the 1970s, led the way in improving Lancaster City’s built when several major congregations left the city for environment . One such example is the Spanish suburban locations . American Civic Association (SACA), which was created to foster the cultural, social, and eco-

Existing Conditions Existing Two congregations that have made great strides nomic well-being of Hispanic people in the City to enhance Lancaster City neighborhoods are and County of Lancaster . By doing so, SACA Bright Side Baptist Church and Bethel African contributes to the well-being of the community Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, both of at large . One of the group’s many initiatives, the which are located in the city’s southeast area, SACA Development Corporation, has been pro- historically known as the 7th Ward . Bright Side viding affordable housing for low and moderate Baptist built a dramatic new building at Hershey income families since 1984 . Avenue and Wabank Road, together with an “Opportunities Center” that provides a range SACA Development works to replace blighted of services to the community . In addition, the residential buildings with new or rehabilitated church created a development corporation and buildings . One of its goals is to allow first-time land trust that has built four duplex homes in the buyers to own a home . As a certified Com- neighborhood . Bethel AME is working to revital- munity Housing Development Organization, ize an entire neighborhood through its Church- SACA Development has made this dream pos- Towne project, which will promote tourism and sible for many local residents . Its efforts have redevelopment focusing on African-American made a dramatic impact on some of Lancaster’s history and culture . most historic neighborhoods, especially in the southeast section of the city . After rehabilitating Adaptive Reuse and Rehabilitation several homes in an individual neighborhood, Lancaster County is now witnessing renewed in- SACA helps to organize neighborhood associa- terest in major adaptive reuse projects, after two

60 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element tions which address ongoing issues such as crime, name of progress, highways cut across farmland graffiti, and trash . with little regard for the importance of cultural traditions, and highly significant public buildings One of SACA’s recent projects was the renovation were replaced with functional but characterless of the deteriorating and vacant former General facades . Thankfully, Lancaster County residents Cigar Building . This four-story building was now understand that historic buildings and time- converted into a mixed-use facility with 30 apart- honored traditions have more than sentimental ments, professional office space, and retail stores . value – they make the county a more livable and This project offers its tenants a living space with prosperous place . character, convenience, and affordability, all within minutes of center city and public trans- Today, however, there is a new challenge . portation . Although residents, developers, and municipalities often give a nod to preservation by saving Another group that has made great strides an occasional historic building or by applying in Lancaster City is the Inner City Group, a historically-inspired architectural details to new neighborhood-based economic development buildings, these efforts often fall short of retain- organization . In the late 1990s, this group began ing authentic community character . More effort Existing Conditions with a mission to develop a comprehensive plan must be applied toward developing a conserva- to restore the historic vitality of southeast Lan- tion ethic for historic buildings and traditions caster City . The group’s efforts have included a – the idea that these characteristics should be one facade improvement program, redevelopment of of the primary concerns in any planning process . Roberto Clemente Park, and planned streetscape improvements . It is also important to recognize that buildings cannot be grouped into two categories, “historic” A host of other organizations have also been and “not historic ”. A common misperception in involved in the revitalization of Lancaster City Lancaster County is that the only truly “historic” and many other boroughs and villages across buildings are those that date from the colonial Lancaster County . One of these groups is Com- and early American periods, and even then, only munity Basics, Inc ., which has developed large- when they have exceptional architectural merit . scale apartment projects in historic buildings in The history of Lancaster County’s built environ- Maytown, the City of Lancaster, East Hempfield ment is primarily a story of vernacular architec- Township, New Holland Borough, and the vil- ture – everyday, utilitarian buildings constructed lage of Maytown, in East Donegal Township . not as works of art, but as functional spaces for The Housing Development Corporation has working people . also developed significant projects including the rehabilitation of the Folmer-Clogg umbrella fac- When assessing the value of an older building, tory in Lancaster City as an apartment complex structure, or site, the first question should not known as the Umbrella Works . be, “Is it historic?”, because if it is more than 50 years old, the answer is “yes ”. Instead, the question should be, “What is its significance?” In other words, what does it say about the people who Mixed Results constructed it, or the history of the community where it is located? Is it the last one of its kind? An encouraging development in Lancaster Is it a key element in a landscape that includes County’s recent past is that local residents have other historic resources? The goal should not be turned away from the philosophy that something stamp a label on a building, but to identify the new is always better than something old . For a role it plays in the community’s history and cul- few decades following World War II, numer- ture, and decide whether that role is significant ous historic buildings and traditional ways of enough to warrant the building’s preservation . life were radically altered or erased from the county’s landscape . Two of Lancaster City’s most significant city blocks were demolished in the

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 61 Urban Infill and Suburban Development It is encouraging, however, to see plans for a vari- While architects, builders, and developers have ety of new mixed-use and neo-traditional develop- generally been more sympathetic to Lancaster ments taking shape throughout Lancaster County . County’s historic buildings in recent years, existing In many ways, these developments are designed to zoning often discourages the kind of construction resemble historic urban neighborhoods . Examples that enhances the streetscape . Many municipal include Brighton, located in Manheim Township; plans, policies, and ordinances apply suburban- Mill Creek, in West Lampeter Township; and Flo- style zoning to urban areas, leading to incompat- rin Hill, in Mount Joy Borough . Another much ible infill that interrupts the continuity of the larger project of this type is Independence, which streetscape . Sensitively designed infill construction is planned for the intersection of Pennsylvania often comes about only because a builder, devel- Route 283 and State Road in East Hempfield oper, or property owner makes a personal commit- Township . Interconnected streets, shallow set- ment to improving the neighborhood . backs, and pedestrian amenities give these communities the look and feel of Lancaster County’s Positive results like these do not need to be the existing towns and villages . exception, however . Municipalities have a wide range of tools and techniques available to them The county is also seeing increased interest in to encourage the type of infill construction mixed-use developments with retail shops on the they want to see . Ordinances can be crafted to first floor and residences above . Some of these encourage the construction of new buildings developments are new construction, and others that complement the style, height, massing, and involve the adaptive reuse of historic buildings . materials of existing buildings . In fact, Lancaster For instance, the Drogaris Companies rehabili- City’s Heritage Conservation District is designed tated two adjacent warehouses on Prince Street in for exactly that purpose . Historic preservation Lancaster City to create the Brickyard Restaurant ordinances can be as lenient or as strict as a mu- and 24 residential apartments . Striking new nicipality wants them to be . buildings have been proposed for many highly visible sites including the parcel adjacent to the Two recent examples of well-designed infill city’s new police station on Chestnut Street . construction are right across the street from each other on North Queen Street in Lancaster City . Stewardship of Publicly-Owned Historic The Red Rose Transit Authority’s Queen Street Properties

Existing Conditions Existing Station and a new facility built by the Susque- Stewardship of publicly-owned historic proper- hanna Association for the Blind and Vision ties in Lancaster County has been inconsistent in Impaired (SABVI) show what a positive impact recent years . While a few municipalities have ren- such projects can have on a streetscape . ovated and expanded historic buildings in their care, others have altered or demolished them . Municipalities face similar challenges with sub- In some cases, existing libraries and municipal urban development . In the absence of ordinances buildings have been replaced by new buildings that promote the creation of livable communities, located further from the center of historic towns development generally follows the automobile- and villages . Moving public uses out of town oriented pattern that has been typical for the past makes these historic communities less relevant to fifty years . Homes are set back at a distance from the daily life of local residents, and deprives his- the street, and they are arranged on cul-de-sacs toric buildings of repairs and updates that would and twisting streets that isolate them from nearby help them retain their usefulness . communities . Front porches that welcome visitors in historic communities are replaced with garages The construction of public libraries exemplifies that hide residents from their neighbors . Although the different choices that municipalities have a few builders and developers draw inspiration made with regard to investment in new or updat- from the past, the majority of new developments ed facilities . In Elizabethtown Borough, a dated still take little notice of existing architectural and library in a residential neighborhood was no lon- neighborhood context . ger meeting the needs of the community . With residents, library staff, municipal officials, and

62 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element architects in agreement that a new library should be constructed downtown, they studied possible sites and chose to locate the library in a vacant bank building . Although the structural needs of the new library required gutting of the building’s interior, the project created a facility that added life to downtown Elizabethtown . When faced with similar choices, Mount Joy Borough and Strasburg Borough built new libraries outside the center of town . While decisions like these

are usually made for very legitimate reasons, the Harris Randolph of courtesy Photo resulting facilities often lack the appeal and func- Baumgardner Warehouse Building undergoing tionality of a community space in the heart of an demolition in 1998 historic community .

Preservation Planning at the Municipal Level Many of Lancaster County’s municipal govern- Existing Conditions ments have implemented preservation planning initiatives, and others are exploring them . This effort sometimes comes as a response to the loss of an important historic resource in the community, as when Lancaster City created a Heritage Conservation District after the circa 1869 Baum- gardner Warehouse was demolished and replaced with a one-story commercial building . Although Harris Randolph of courtesy Photo municipal comprehensive plans often state the Today importance of historic resources, zoning ordinances frequently contradict historic preservation bilitation as the main reason for their unwilling- goals . This disparity between policy and imple- ness to adaptively reuse historic buildings . mentation contributes to the loss of community character . Fortunately, municipalities have begun Planning for the future needs of schools, in to recognize this problem and address it through particular, presents many challenges to both changes in zoning and through the adoption of school districts and communities . Sometimes, regulatory tools for the protection of historic and it is not a school that is threatened, but its sur- cultural resources . rounding neighborhood . As schools expand, it becomes more attractive for school districts Impact of Large Institutions to seek the demolition of historic houses and Large institutions such as schools and hospi- other ancillary buildings in the vicinity of school tals have had a significant effect on Lancaster campuses . In some cases, existing buildings are County’s heritage resources . At times, they have seen as hindrance to possible future development supported the adaptive reuse of historic build- of the campus, or as a roadblock in the way of ings, but they have also seen these buildings as automobile access . For instance, several houses handicaps that prevent them from expanding and are threatened with demolition as a result of the updating their services . Part of the problem is expansion of Manheim Township High School . that many institutions are seeking large areas of floor space with minimal physical intrusions, and In other situations, buildings are taken down historic buildings present challenges to this way not because they are physically in the way, but of thinking . In many cases, a small historic build- because school districts do not want to consider ing or group of buildings is demolished to make alternate uses for the buildings . This was nearly way for a new building with a larger footprint . the case on the campus of Lampeter-Strasburg Institutions often cite the added expense of reha- High School, where the school district initially called for demolition of the Franciscus-Carpen-

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 63 ter House, a 1750s farmhouse that sat in the of an existing school . This solution is reasonable proposed path of a new access road . With help if the community has thoroughly examined all from the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster options for retaining an existing building, and County, however, local residents developed has determined that rehabilitation is infeasible . an alternate plan that would not result in any Depending on the effort made to design a new additional cost to taxpayers . The school board building that complements the community, the subsequently approved a plan to save the house result can be positive, as in the construction of and place an easement on the house’s significant the new Lititz Elementary School . This school is architectural features . The land surrounding the a modern building that meets all the needs of a house will be subdivided from the school campus 21st-century school, but fits into the context of and sold below market cost to an owner willing the surrounding neighborhood . Perhaps the most to rehabilitate the building . State funding may striking feature of the building is its limited provi- also be made available to pay for necessary infra- sion for parking and vehicle access . Rather than structure improvements . being a drawback, the school’s urban location encourages parents to leave their cars at home and While local school districts have made a sig- let their children walk or take the bus to school . nificant effort to upgrade existing schools, they have also participated in a nationwide trend of Other large institutions face similar challenges in disinvesting in existing neighborhoods . Fewer finding appropriate solutions for older facilities, children are walking to school, and older com- particularly in existing neighborhoods . Hospitals, munities are losing key services . Pressure to for instance, are under pressure to improve their consolidate schools on a single campus may save facilities to accommodate new technology and money in terms of property management, but it types of care . Municipal governments and hospi- costs communities in other ways, reinforcing the tals must work together to develop solutions that commuter culture that plans for cars rather than allow hospitals to change and expand without pedestrians . In addition, traditions tied to older sacrificing community character . While hospitals buildings are lost – memories that are a very real in Lancaster County should be commended for part of community identity . continuing to invest in urban locations such as Lancaster City and Ephrata Borough, they have Mount Joy Borough is one of many communities occasionally demolished historic buildings that that has wrestled with the challenge of balancing might have been rehabilitated . In the process, sig-

Existing Conditions Existing the needs of the community with the needs of nificant buildings such as the early 20th-century the local school district . The Donegal School Columbia Hospital building have been lost . District has begun to move its elementary and junior high schools out of the borough and onto Communities in Lancaster County must work the high school campus in East Donegal Town- together with large institutions to plan for future ship . As noted earlier, the decision to relocate a needs, so that the best possible solutions can be public facility rather than reinvest in an existing developed for these businesses and the communi- one is often made for convincing reasons . When ties they serve . Every effort should be made to adding up potential costs, however, school keep large employers in downtown locations, be- districts and municipal governments must con- cause these locations can serve the largest number sider long-term effects that may not be easy to of people with the least impact on transportation calculate . Neighborhoods with a defunct school infrastructure, agricultural land, and other com- can create the impression that their time has munity assets . The relocation of a large employer passed, and that the life of the community has from city to suburb often requires governments moved elsewhere . On the other hand, reinvest- to spend additional money on road construction, ing in a neighborhood school is like giving the traffic monitoring, police protection, and other community a vote of confidence in its long-term services . Such a move can also create a domino viability . effect that encourages other businesses to follow suit . While new construction on vacant land may A compromise that works for some communities be the least expensive option in the short term, it is the construction of a new school on the site gradually alters the function of existing commu-

64 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element nities, and makes them less attractive for future reused to include offices and a dramatic meeting investment . space under the rafters . Leaders such as these should be commended for their investment in Vacant and Underutilized Buildings preserving community character . Historic commercial, industrial, and agricultural buildings in Lancaster County are often occupied Open Space, Agricultural Preservation, and but underutilized, and activity is frequently lim- Historic Landscapes ited to the ground floor . For instance, storefronts Increased emphasis on open space in recent years in Lancaster City do not stay vacant for long, has led to the creation of new parks and the but the space above them is often less produc- restoration of older parks, but has also threat- tive . One of the case studies developed for this ened historic buildings . County and municipal plan addresses this issue . In many cases, the high governments sometimes seek to “cleanse” parks cost of meeting codes and acquiring permits for of their former uses, leaving only open space and elevators and other amenities prevents owners recreational facilities . Instead of seeking alternate from using the space . As a result, businesses are uses for historic buildings on municipal property, more likely to rent the ground-floor space they local governments often move or demolish them, need, rather than buying an entire building . New citing liability concerns and maintenance costs . Existing Conditions investment is limited to a few interior improvements, and significant structural and architectur- For example, a highly significant colonial-era al issues are ignored until they become critical . log house was slated for demolition in Manheim Township’s Overlook Park until a group of A combination of private sector commitment concerned citizens got involved . Although the and public policy is needed to make adaptive house was saved from complete demolition, it reuse a standard practice in Lancaster County’s was moved from its original site and later sold . business community . The longer it takes to The new owner plans to dismantle the house and implement these changes, the more buildings are rebuild it in another part of Lancaster County . lost . In 1998, the demolition of one of Lancaster While the rescue of this house was better than its City’s oldest tobacco warehouses galvanized local demolition, the loss of its original site diminishes residents and led to the creation of a Heritage its historic significance by altering the house’s Conservation District that includes most of city’s context . By comparison, historic buildings in historic four-square-mile core . For the most part, Pequea Township’s Silver Mine Park were re- however, Lancaster County communities still put tained in their original locations, giving visitors a the burden on public institutions to show why sense of continuity with the past . historic buildings should be preserved, rather than calling on property owners and developers Efforts to create linear parks along historic to show why they cannot make use of existing transportation routes have met with only limited buildings . success in Lancaster County, despite public ac- claim for their recreational benefits and potential Although many businesses are willing to consider to preserve significant historic resources . Two of investing in older buildings, only a handful are Lancaster County’s historic railroad lines have proactive in seeking these opportunities . These been converted into rail-trails: the Conewago companies include Drogaris Properties, Meed- Recreation Trail, which extends across northwest- Cor, Gallagher Construction, and Caldwell, ern Lancaster County near Elizabethtown; and Heckles, and Eagan . Many of these companies the Lancaster Junction Recreation Trail, which have turned historic warehouses and industrial links East Hempfield and Penn Townships near buildings into showpieces that generate positive Landisville . Proposals have also been made to public relations and create an inspiring work create shorter trails through communities such as environment for employees . In East Lampeter Columbia Borough . Initial concerns about pos- Township, the H .L . Wiker Company renovated sible vandalism and other problems along these an entire farmstead for use as its corporate lines have been shown to be unfounded, and the headquarters . The farmhouse was converted into trails have been a hit with residents and visitors . executive offices, and a stone barn was adaptively

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 65 Unfortunately, attempts to create longer trails Negative Trends have proven more difficult, as in the case of the Pennsylvania Rail Road’s Atglen and Susque- In Lancaster County, significant trends that dam- hanna Branch, better known as the Low Grade . age heritage resources include: Built between 1903 and 1906, it was an engineering marvel, traversing southern Lancaster • Suburban sprawl and related transporta- County’s hilly terrain at less than 1/2 percent tion issues; grade – hence its name . The line operated as • Limited incentives to preserve cultural part of a freight route between Philadelphia and traditions and the built environment; Harrisburg until service was discontinued in the • A lack of educational opportunities in late 1980s . Even before that time, local residents the traditional building trades; saw the potential of this line to become a rail- • Damage to historic buildings through trail . Despite years of negotiation between the neglect, abandonment, and alteration; railroad’s owner, the County of Lancaster, and • Misunderstanding about the role of the municipalities along the line, the vision of public programs and agencies; rail-trail has not yet become a reality . • Insufficient use of existing laws to protect heritage resources; and Rail-trails show that a whole range of uses can be • Lack of commitment to context-sensi- accommodated on public lands without damag- tive design . ing the safety or integrity of the resources associated with the property . In fact, having a mix of At times, governments and non-profit groups uses often helps to protect resources that might have contributed to these problems by respond- otherwise be prone to vandalism and theft . His- ing to preservation concerns individually, rather toric preservation advocates in all three sectors of than developing a more systematic approach . the community – public, private, and non-profit To encourage better cooperation to preserve – should continue to educate Lancaster County Lancaster County’s heritage resources, this plan residents about innovative programs around the includes an Action Plan that assigns roles and world that conserve heritage resources without responsibilities to the public, private, and non- setting aside large areas for a single use . profit sectors . Before considering how to respond to preservation issues in the future, however, it Lancaster County residents are starting to un- is important to understand the trends that chal-

Existing Conditions Existing derstand that the county’s heritage resources are lenge preservation efforts today . all interconnected, and require careful planning to preserve . Issues that were once considered Suburban Sprawl in isolation are now addressed as an organic Sprawl continues to threaten Lancaster County’s whole . Urban and Village Growth Areas and heritage resources . As building sites for retail and a strong farmland preservation program show commercial development have become scarcer that municipal governments realize the need along major roads, developers have begun to tap to discourage sprawl, provide appropriate areas into available land on roads feeding into existing for growth, and protect prime agricultural land . retail and commercial strips . Increased pressure These efforts play an important role in preserving to widen roads near retail areas interrupts the heritage resources, because they address potential continuity of nearby farms and communities, threats before they take shape . When farmland and makes existing uses less viable . In rural areas, is preserved, agricultural buildings are less likely villages that were once well-defined in contrast to to be demolished . When growth is directed to surrounding farmland have been swallowed up appropriate areas, less money is spent on new by residential development that ignores historic infrastructure, and that frees up public funds street patterns . for programs that benefit existing communities . Reinvesting in existing communities also benefits Pressure to develop agricultural land has a signifi- historic buildings by making them more attrac- cant impact on historic farm buildings, as well . tive for rehabilitation . The good news is that Lancaster County is still near the top of the list of U S. . counties in number

66 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element of acres preserved, and farmland preservation is outpacing development . The flip side is that challenging economic conditions for farmers have led to the conversion or demolition of farm buildings, especially barns and other outbuildings .

The scale and placement of commercial development affects historic buildings in other ways . Big- box stores alter the traditional scale of the built environment and contribute to the loss of small businesses in historic communities . Proposals for parking garages and other large structures have shown that urban neighborhoods can be affected by this trend as well . A related problem is the difficulty in finding appropriate uses for multi- story historic buildings in an era when retail and commercial businesses are designed around Existing Conditions single-story buildings . One of the case studies developed for this plan addresses this issue .

Transportation Infrastructure and Automobile Traffic Automobile traffic, especially in Lancaster County’s urban neighborhoods, detracts from residents’ quality of life and discourages investment in historic buildings located on major streets . Unfortunately, some of the most visible properties in the county are the ones that receive the least amount of care, because they are often rental units, and their owners have little incentive to make improvements .

Solutions to transportation problems are not always easy to find in Lancaster County . Truck traffic on urban streets and highways has a negative impact on neighborhood livability, but bypasses around urban areas threaten farmland and the cultural traditions of those who till the soil . Lancaster County residents are now more aware than ever that increased capacity to handle traffic also means increased impact on irreplaceable resources – but that awareness has not always translated into action .

The goals of achieving better automobile safety and increased traffic capacity have sometimes counteracted local efforts to preserve heritage resources . When an historic bridge falls into disrepair, the proposed solution is generally a new bridge, rather than the rehabilitation of the existing bridge . Although safety and capacity concerns can usually be addressed in more

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 67 creative ways, solutions other than complete explored as a part of this plan addresses that chal- replacement are not always seriously considered . lenge . This study, entitled “Living Laboratories,” As older bridges are replaced, the county loses explores a wide variety of educational programs the diversity of bridge types that once character- that exist in other communities to teach the ized the area . At times, there is little recognition traditional building trades . With the support of a that road improvements can have the effect of local college or university, a program of this type increasing traffic and bringing larger vehicles into could take root in Lancaster County . Although closer contact with sensitive historic and cultural other communities around the country have resources . a head start in offering this kind of program, Lancaster County could still take the lead, if ap- Limited Financial Incentives for Property propriate investments were made . Owners While individual property owners may not be The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster able to control the forces of sprawl and auto- County has participated in several projects that mobile dependence, they have a strong impact could become models for future efforts in this on the buildings they own . Like anyone who area . Working with students from the Lancaster owns an historic building, Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, the Trust restored homeowners struggle to find information about the front facade of a row house on East Chestnut properly maintaining and rehabilitating their Street in Lancaster, and rehabilitated several homes properties . At the Lancaster County Plan- on South Duke Street . In the same neighborhood, ning Commission, Heritage Division staff are the Trust joined with Inner City Group and the frequently asked if grants or loans are available School District of Lancaster to involve students in to assist the owners of historic buildings . Un- the rehabilitation of Hector’s Grocery Store . fortunately, the answer is generally “no” or “yes, but…”, because there are few incentives for this Unsympathetic Alterations to Historic Buildings purpose, and those that do exist often have little A major problem facing historic buildings in benefit to the average homeowner . Lancaster County is the steady replacement of character-defining architectural features with less Financial institutions – and where appropriate, appropriate modern substitutes . Often, it is not governments – should work toward the goal of the material that is at fault, but its design and providing grants and low-interest loans for facade installation . Synthetic materials are generally ap-

Existing Conditions Existing improvements and other types of rehabilitation . propriate when they match the shape and profile Without the guidance and financial assistance of existing features . Unfortunately, many prop- they need, homeowners often resort to quick erty owners do not take the time to find alterna- solutions that can damage both the historic and tives that preserve the architectural character of structural integrity of their properties . Profes- the historic buildings they own . Over time, small sional contractors are often the only ones with changes to features including porches, cornices, the knowledge and experience to undertake this windows, and doors can have a devastating effect kind of work, but this option is unrealistic for many residents who own historic buildings .

Lack of Educational Opportunities in the of Traditional Building Trades Another factor that leads to unsympathetic alterations of historic buildings is the lack of educational opportunities in the traditional building trades such as carpentry and masonry . Despite Lancaster County’s remarkable variety of historic buildings and structures, local residents

have few opportunities to learn the skills neces- Trust Preservation Historic the of courtesy Photo County Lancaster sary to maintain them . One of the case studies Before After

68 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element on a building’s appearance, and on its historical are generally built more solidly than contem- significance . Whenever possible, property own- porary buildings, and that difference is most ers should seek the help of contractors who are pronounced when today’s residential properties experienced with the rehabilitation of historic are compared to their historic counterparts . buildings and familiar with the characteristics of historic building materials . To facilitate One of the main reasons for the neglect of his- this effort, this plan proposes the creation of a toric properties is the low percentage of owner- Lancaster County-based training program in the occupied buildings in urban neighborhoods . traditional building trades . Absentee owners often neglect their properties and delay needed repairs until they are forced to The proliferation of vinyl products has become a address them . As a result, a building’s true needs major concern in historic communities through- are sometimes hidden for years until a com- out the United States . Vinyl siding and vinyl munity-minded investor is willing to take a more replacement windows are two popular products comprehensive look . that can cause irreparable harm to a building and completely change its appearance . Many prop- Neglect often goes beyond individual buildings erty owners are not aware that historic windows to affect larger areas such as abandoned or un- can be repaired at reasonable cost, and that most derutilized industrial sites . While the concept of energy conservation issues can be addressed in land recycling has begun to receive more atten- more sensitive ways . Despite the wide availability tion in Lancaster County, brownfields are still an of custom-fit replacement windows, many prop- untapped resource . Rebuilding these areas creates erty owners continue to install new windows that opportunities to reinfuse historic neighborhoods do not fit existing window openings . Replacing with retail and commercial uses that left for the

historic doors with standard “off-the-shelf” wood suburbs decades ago . Unfortunately, environ- or metal doors available at home improvement mental and jurisdictional issues sometimes centers often requires changing the size of the discourage investors from pursuing these oppor- door opening . In addition, the door styles avail- tunities, and those who do invest in brownfields able rarely reflect the correct style or period of are often tempted to demolish historic buildings the building . to create a clean slate for new construction .

Neglect and Abandonment Misunderstanding about the Government’s Historic buildings and structures are still suf- Role fering from neglect and abandonment, both in In the United States, one of the ironies about urban and rural areas . Due in part to differing heritage preservation is that most Americans sup- economic conditions, this problem is a greater port the idea that important historic buildings challenge for some communities than for oth- should be protected from harm, but they oppose ers . Municipalities also differ in their approach regulations that might affect their own property . to vacant and abandoned properties . Where When policies to review the alteration and demo- regulations addressing this issue have already lition of historic buildings are proposed, public been adopted, they should be strongly enforced, reaction is often negative – but when a local and where new regulations are needed to combat landmark faces the wrecking ball, residents are the problem, they should be adopted . Blighted surprised to find that nothing stands in the way . properties can also be referred to the Lancaster County Vacant Property Reinvestment Board, One of the challenges in implementing preserva- which is managed by the Lancaster County tion policies is that the public is often confused Housing and Redevelopment Authority . about who does what . For example, residents are not sure who has the power to intervene when a All levels of government should work to educate building is proposed for demolition . In Pennsyl- the public about the proper maintenance of vania, most residents are aware that zoning and historic buildings . Even when historic buildings code enforcement is in the hands of municipal are allowed to decay, their problems are often governments, but they often assume that another more cosmetic than structural . Historic buildings agency or organization is responsible for issues af-

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 69 fecting historic buildings . Oftentimes, they think comes with this designation is the requirement that some type of “historical society” will inter- that the impact of federal action be considered vene to protect these properties . Some residents when federal money or permits are used . In other believe that this power rests with the Lancaster words, National Register-listed properties are not County Historical Society or with the Historic protected from harm, even at the hands of the Preservation Trust of Lancaster County . Others federal government . They are only afforded the say that the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum opportunity to show that federal action will have Commission, the Commonwealth’s official his- an adverse effect on their significance . tory agency, can pick and choose which properties are protected . Still others feel that the federal Insufficient Use of Existing Laws to Protect government makes these decisions through the Historic Resources National Register of Historic Places . In Pennsylvania, all regulation happens at the local level . As a result, the only way to adequately The truth is, most historical recognition pro- protect historic resources in Lancaster County grams are just that – programs that recognize is for municipalities to implement appropriate the value of historic buildings, structures, sites, regulations . A variety of legal mechanisms are and landscapes . The National Register is simply available to municipal governments to accom- a list of properties that meet the test of being plish this goal, and they are detailed in a “pres- “historic ”. These properties have been thoroughly ervation toolbox” included as an appendix to researched, and they have demonstrated their this plan . The appendix also provides a suggested role in the development of the local municipal- municipal implementation process for historic

ity, state, or nation . The only protection that preservation policies and programs .

70 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Planning Process

The planning process for this plan began with an effort to identify a few guiding principles . Other tasks included gathering data to assess existing conditions, identifying stakeholders and seeking their input, and studying the results to develop goals, objectives, and strategies, and formulating an action plan .

Guiding Principles

The development of this plan was guided by four principles: stakeholder involvement, sustainability, integration of supporting studies, and achievable recommendations . Every element

of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan, Planning Process including the Tourism, Housing, and Growth Management Elements, shares these principles . The purpose of these principles is to ensure that plans adopted by the Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) have complementary goals that are sustainable, achievable, and have broad public support . Each of the four principles is described below .

The development of this plan was guided by four principles: stakeholder involvement, sustainability, integration of supporting studies, and achievable recommendations. Sustainability

Stakeholder Involvement The long-term sustainability of Lancaster County’s cultural heritage is vital to conserv- A stakeholder is anyone who has a “stake” in the ing community character – the county’s sense planning process – citizens, government officials, of place . This plan recognizes that the county’s local businesses, and non-profit organizations . future quality of life depends on economic de- Crafting this plan brought a variety of people velopment that complements local historic and together to identify issues and find feasible solu- cultural resources . tions to the challenges facing Lancaster County . Stakeholders were involved in this effort through surveys, meetings with municipal officials and with the Lancaster County Cultural Heritage Integration of Supporting Studies Plan Task Force, and a cultural heritage summit that was open to the public . Together, these ef- In developing the Cultural Heritage Element, forts produced a cohesive vision for the plan . LCPC staff consulted a variety of local planning studies and resource inventories undertaken in the past . One of the documents reviewed in this effort was a 1972 Lancaster County Planning Commission report entitled Lancaster’s Heritage: An Historical [sic] Preservation Study for Lancaster

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 73 County . This study identifies significant resourc- Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau and the es, discusses preservation activities at all levels of Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County government, lists a variety of preservation tools, in developing a county-wide heritage tourism and calls for increased commitment to preserve program called Lancaster County Heritage . the county’s heritage resources . In addition to LCPC later worked with York County and other providing baseline data for future preservation partners to create the Lancaster-York Heritage planning, this study was remarkably perceptive Region (LYHR) . Lancaster County Heritage works about the trends that would affect the county’s cooperatively with LYHR to encourage economic historic buildings in the following decades . development with a focus on authenticity and sustainability – principles that are emphasized The historic preservation concerns identified in throughout this plan . Lancaster’s Heritage are still valid today . These include neglect, demolition, insensitive alterations, incompatible development adjacent to historic areas, suburban sprawl, population growth, and Achievable Recommendations changing land uses . The study identifies a range of tools to preserve resources, such as historical Showing steady progress is important to the suc- and architectural research and documentation; cess of any plan . To focus attention on the tasks property acquisition; local historic district desig- critical to that success, this plan provides a detailed nation and zoning; education; and promotion . set of goals, objectives, and strategies . The plan’s goals and objectives are listed at the end of this Just as many of the threats identified inLancast - chapter, and they are explored in more depth later er’s Heritage are still relevant, the recommenda- in the plan . While the goals are broad, the objec- tions also sound familiar over thirty years later . tives are more specific . They are the “action steps” There is still a need for a complete county-wide that must be implemented to achieve a particular inventory of historic buildings that is updated on goal . The objectives could also be called “catalytic a regular basis . More properties should be listed recommendations,” because they are designed to in National Register of Historic Places . Financial be catalysts or “triggers” that set the plan’s wheels incentives are needed to encourage property in motion . Each of the objectives has a set of asso- owners to maintain and repair historic buildings . ciated strategies . Responsibility for implementing

Other recommendations in Lancaster’s Heritage these strategies is assigned to one or more agencies Planning Process Planning include establishing a revolving loan fund for or organizations based on their mission and insti- historic preservation, enacting local historic tutional capacity . districts, tax restructuring, and a scenic byways program . This plan repeats many of these recommendations .

The planning process for the Cultural Heritage Research and Assessment Element was also guided by the experience the Lancaster County Planning Commission has Before establishing priorities for future action, it gained in over a decade of involvement in heri- was important to identify the county’s heritage tage development and tourism . In 1994, Lan- resources and study the merits of past and cur- caster County was one of four pilot projects cho- rent preservation planning initiatives . LCPC sen to participate in the Pennsylvania Heritage staff studied a variety of existing heritage-related Tourism Initiative . LCPC played a leadership plans and studies, and assessed the status of role in this three-year effort to study the feasibil- historic resource data in the Lancaster County ity of developing Lancaster County as a heritage Geographic Information System (GIS) . This tourism destination . Soon after the completion exercise highlighted the need for more current of this initiative, LCPC joined the Pennsylvania and comprehensive heritage resource information at both the local and county levels .

74 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) staff reviewed municipal comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances throughout Lancaster County to discover what, if any, historic preservation provisions they contained . This information helped staff to chart the status of preservation planning in every municipality . Staff also identified federal, state, county, and local agencies and organizations that have an impact on heritage resources, and studied their current role in preserving or promoting these resources . This information identified what types of preservation services these organizations are Cultural Heritage Plan Task Force providing, and conversely, where there are gaps in these services . Interviews

LCPC staff also considered preservation activities LCPC staff discussed cultural heritage planning Planning Process undertaken in other states, counties, and munici- with representatives of each division within the palities . This research was used to generate new Lancaster County Planning Commission, and ideas and refine existing ideas for the proposed identified the ways in which their work programs goals and strategies in the plan . intersected with heritage issues . Staff also arranged a meeting with National Park Service (NPS) staff to discuss the potential opportunities for NPS involvement in heritage-related initiatives in Lancaster County . In addition, local real Public Involvement Strategy estate developers attended a roundtable meeting to help staff gain a better understanding of the Lancaster County Cultural Heritage Plan challenges of rehabilitating, reusing, and devel- Task Force oping historic properties in Lancaster County . Several of the strategies contained in this plan To guide the process of creating this plan, the directly relate to the issues identified in this part Lancaster County Planning Commission ap- of the planning process . pointed a Lancaster County Cultural Heritage Plan Task Force that included representatives from all three sectors of the community – public, private, and non-profit . The group typically met Surveys every other month to discuss ideas and review the plan’s progress . During these meetings, the task Three surveys were conducted to inform the force discussed the county’s heritage resources content of this plan . Separate but related surveys and possible strategies to protect them . One of were made available to: 1) municipal officials; the exercises was a SWOT analysis, a planning 2) non-profits and businesses; and 3) private tool that identifies strengths, weaknesses, op- citizens . The survey for private citizens appeared portunities, and threats related to a particular in the Lancaster Sunday News . The other surveys issue – in this case, cultural heritage . Task force were distributed through the mail and at meet- members suggested possible case studies, identi- ings, and were also made available on the Lan- fied contacts in the community, and made other caster County Planning Commission (LCPC) important contributions to the planning process . website . The task force also participated in a public workshop called “There Is No Place Like Home: Pre- The results of these surveys indicated that resi- serving the Spirit of Place in Lancaster County, dents, representatives of local agencies and orga- Pennsylvania,” which was held in July 2005 . nizations, and municipal officials agreed on many of the heritage resource issues facing Lancaster

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 75 County: suburban sprawl, unmanaged growth, tunity to learn about the process of developing demolition of resources, and lack of awareness this plan . Participants heard from Brenda Barrett, about the importance of heritage resources . All of the National Park Service’s Coordinator for these factors are working to diminish Lancaster National Heritage Areas, who discussed national County’s unique sense of place . Most respon- and international approaches to cultural heritage dents acknowledged that sound heritage preser- conservation and their potential applicability to vation planning involves more than preserving Lancaster County . Most importantly, the work- individual historic buildings . The context of an shop provided an opportunity for participants to historic building plays an important role in de- identify the best tools and concepts for discover- termining its historical significance, so Lancaster ing, conserving, preserving, and celebrating the County must move in the direction of conserving county’s rich and diverse heritage resources . broader landscapes . Findings from these surveys are discussed in a section of this chapter called Echoing the results of the other public involve- “Public Involvement Findings” which appears ment processes, workshop participants identified after this summary . priorities that should be implemented in the near future . These strategies included:

• Expanding the county’s inventories Regional Meetings of tangible and intangible heritage resources; At six regional meetings held throughout Lan- • Integrating resource conservation and caster County, LCPC staff presented the plan preservation into economic develop- to municipal officials to solicit their ideas and ment activities, landscape design, and feedback . Following a PowerPoint presentation, architecture; the staff presented the initial results of the public • Developing appropriate leadership; survey . They also conducted an exercise where • Increasing collaboration, awareness, and attendees identified important heritage resources responsibility for heritage resources; on several different county base maps . A ques- • Finding more ways to celebrate and tion-and-answer session followed the presenta- promote our cultural heritage; and tion . Participation was excellent and the feedback • Seeking additional financial resources for

was productive . cultural heritage conservation . Planning Process Planning

Public Workshop: There’s No Place Like Home Public Involvement Findings

A cultural heritage workshop entitled “There’s In accordance with the public involvement No Place Like Home: Preserving the Spirit of component of the Lancaster County Cultural Place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania” was Heritage Plan, three surveys were conducted held in July 2005 to give the public an oppor- to gather public feedback . Separate but related surveys were sent to three different groups of stakeholders in Lancaster County:

• Residents • Agencies, organizations, and businesses • Municipal governments

The Lancaster Sunday News published the Resi- dent Survey on October 24, 2004 . The survey

76 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element was organized through the efforts of the Lancaster County’s heritage . The majority of respondents County Planning Commission and the Lancaster were from non-profits, followed by government County Cultural Heritage Plan Task Force . agencies and the private sector .

When asked to identify characteristics of Lan- caster County’s heritage that need to be protected Resident Survey for future generations, responding agencies and organizations agreed on the following: The Resident Survey asked 10 questions about the protection and enhancement of Lancaster • Agricultural landscapes; County’s heritage resources . Residents shared • Historic architecture throughout the their personal views, knowledge, and experience county; and about what makes Lancaster County’s unique • Lancaster City’s historic downtown and and worth preserving . The first question asked neighborhoods . what “community-defining characteristics” should be protected for future generations . The Agencies and organizations said that the greatest

top three answers were: threats to Lancaster County’s heritage were: Planning Process

• Lancaster City’s historic downtown and • Suburban sprawl and unmanaged neighborhoods; growth; • Rural and agricultural landscapes and • Demolition, neglect, or abandonment associated buildings; and [of historic and cultural resources]; and • Agricultural landscapes . • Lack of appreciation or understanding by general public . Residents felt that the top three greatest threats to Lancaster County’s community character and Tools that agencies and organizations felt should heritage resources were: be better utilized to protect and enhance Lancast- er County’s heritage were: • Suburban sprawl and unmanaged growth; • County and local tax incentives; • Lack of appreciation or understanding • Local zoning and other regulatory by the general public; and tools; and • Highway construction, roadway widen- • Increased public education and infor- ing, or other public projects . mation .

Local communities that were perceived to be doing the best job of retaining community character were: Municipal Government Survey

• Lititz Borough; The purpose of this survey was to gather input • Strasburg Borough; from city, borough, and township officials about • Lancaster City; and how best to preserve Lancaster County’s heritage • Marietta Borough . resources . Municipal officials who returned the survey characterized their communities as rural, largely agricultural landscapes with small towns and crossroads villages . When asked what commu- Agencies and Organizations Survey nity-defining characteristics were worth preserving for future generations, they were consistent in The Agencies and Organizations Survey asked their responses . The top three answers were: non-profits, private businesses and consultants, and government or quasi-government agencies to answer 14 questions dealing with Lancaster

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 77 • Agricultural landscapes; Combined Results from All Surveys • Small towns and crossroads villages; and • Historic architecture throughout the There were many similarities in the responses county . to all three surveys . When asked what types of heritage resources should be preserved for Officials identified the greatest threats to -com future generations, respondents said: munity character as: • Agricultural landscapes; • Suburban sprawl/unmanaged growth; • Lancaster City’s historic downtown • Lack of economic incentives for and neighborhoods; property owners to rehabilitate historic • Historic architecture throughout the buildings; and county; and • Demolition, neglect or abandonment [of • Small towns and crossroads villages . historic and cultural resources] . Respondents also agreed that the greatest Municipal officials were in strong agreement threats to Lancaster County’s community about the importance of quality of life, maintain- character are: ing a sense of place, and encouraging strong community pride . They noted that these ideals • Suburban sprawl and unmanaged are represented in county and regional efforts growth; to promote heritage tourism . Specific tools or • Demolition, neglect or abandonment approaches that local officials agreed would help [of historic and cultural resources]; and to protect and enhance the character of their • Lack of appreciation or understanding municipalities include: by general public .

• Local zoning and other regulatory tools; • Heritage events and county and local tax incentives; and Survey Conclusions • Low-interest loans and other financial incentives for commercial property The results of these surveys indicate that resi-

owners . dents, representatives of local agencies and orga- Planning Process Planning nizations, and municipal officials agree on many of the heritage resource issues facing Lancaster County: suburban sprawl, unmanaged growth, demolition of resources, and lack of awareness about the importance of heritage resources . All of these factors are working to diminish Lancaster County’s unique sense of place . Most respondents acknowledged that sound heritage preservation planning involves more than preserving individual historic buildings . The context of an historic building plays an important role in determining its historical significance, so Lancaster County must move in the direction of conserving broader landscapes .

78 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Historical Societies 2006 Lancaster County, PA

Planning Process

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 79

Strategic Vision

Purpose of a Vision Statement The purpose of the following vision statement is not to describe the end result of every action A clear vision statement is a critical element of called for in this plan . Instead, it aims to con- any successful plan . It is a useful tool for paint- cisely communicate a small glimpse of the future ing a picture of the future as a community or with an optimistic, but realistic, perspective organization would like to see it unfold . A vision about what can be achieved in a given period of is essentially a goal that provides direction, aligns time . In this case, it describes Lancaster County key stakeholders, and energizes people to achieve as it might be in 2015 – about ten years after the a common purpose . Rather than describing the start of the process that led to this plan . way things are now, it states an ideal outcome, stretching the imagination and motivating people to rethink what is possible .

Cultural Heritage Vision for 2015

Lancaster County is a place where local history and culture are valued and celebrated by residents and Strategic Vision visitors alike . Historic buildings and structures, small family farms, working landscapes, quaint towns, and close-knit city neighborhoods define the character of the county and the people who live there .

From Main Streets and crossroads villages to dense urban neighborhoods, adapting historic buildings for new uses has become standard practice in development projects . Irreplaceable community assets such as farm markets and wooden covered bridges are carefully safeguarded and maintained, and those that are damaged or destroyed are fully restored or sensitively replaced . Residents take pride in their homes and neighborhoods and work hard to maintain the distinct character of their communities .

A plentiful supply of educated workers skilled in the traditional building trades is readily available to rehabilitate historic buildings, structures, and bridges . In fact, Lancaster County has become renowned as a center for this kind of education and training .

Visitors from around the world travel to Lancaster County to experience its unique and distinctive heritage, and residents take pride in sharing their stories . A highly-developed program of interpretive venues teaches both residents and visitors about the county’s role as one of America’s “cultural hearths” – a place where many of the nation’s cultural traditions were born . Here, they learn how settlers from Switzerland and Germany’s Rhine Valley forged a new identity as the Pennsylvania Dutch, and how their way of life influenced everything from American foodways to furniture .

In Lancaster County, residents and visitors have the opportunity to experience customs that have been a part of local folklife for hundreds of years . Local artisans practice time-honored crafts to create heritage products such as redware pottery and quilts . Driving or biking through the county, residents and visitors follow routes that have been designated to showcase the county’s neighborhoods, agricultural landscapes, and natural areas .

Communities throughout the county discover, interpret, preserve, and celebrate the cultural legacies of all who live here, whether they have been here for generations, or for just a short time .

Continued on next page

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 83 While residents remain proud of the county’s German and British heritage, they also recognize the important contributions of American Indians, African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and other groups . Festivals such as the West Lampeter Fair and interpretive events like Bethel AME Church’s Underground Railroad production “Living the Experience” bring history and culture alive for residents and visitors .

Local officials take the lead in efforts to preserve the county’s most cherished historic and cultural resources . They plan for the protection of working landscapes such as the Mill Creek Valley, natural landscapes including the Susquehanna River Gorge, historic districts, community character, and heritage byways . Municipalities adopt regulations that encourage and assist developers in building new communities that complement traditional patterns of development .

Historic and cultural resources are a regular part of community dialogue, and the public, private, and non-profit sectors work together to save resources threatened by neglect, desecration, or demolition . An effective preservation system is in place to avoid duplication of efforts and to ensure the best possible outcome for heritage resources . Funding and incentives for preservation allow residents, businesses, governments, and non-profits to maintain, rehabilitate, and restore buildings and landscapes that define community character . Lancaster County residents know that their future

quality of life depends on how well they protect and sustain what they have inherited from the past . Strategic Vision Strategic

84 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Goals, Objectives, and Strategies

The Lancaster County Cultural Heritage Element is designed to help Lancaster County become a community that:

• Recognizes tangible and intangible heritage resources as irreplaceable assets; • Makes these resources the centerpiece of economic development efforts; • Creates new buildings and neighborhoods that enhance community character; Bureau Visitors & Convention Dutch PA of courtesy Photo

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies • Works together to plan ahead for the Goal 1 preservation of heritage resources; • Celebrates and sensitively promotes Identify, conserve, and preserve the county’s these resources for residents and visitors; diverse tangible and intangible cultural and heritage resources as a basis for retaining and • Provides the funding and incentives enhancing strong community character. necessary to do this work effectively . Community character is created by people and By implementing these six goals, Lancaster places and the way they interact . We shape our County can protect the sense of place that makes environment, and in turn, it shapes us . Lancaster it different from everywhere else – a more attrac- County residents have inherited a diverse and tive and functional place to live and work . This complicated tapestry of historic buildings, sites, chapter describes the purpose of each goal and agricultural landscapes, small towns, and densely some of the strategies that can be employed to constructed urban environments . While many reach them . Throughout the text, a few sidebars of the cultural traditions that characterize today’s illustrate “best practices” that other communi- Lancaster County were brought here from Eu- ties have used to protect and promote heritage rope and elsewhere, these traditions have grown, resources . changed, and influenced one another for more than 250 years . The legacy of these changes is Additional sidebars discuss five case studies that evident in the cultural heritage resources found were that were identified for this plan . These case in every town, village, and country road through- studies were designed to address typical situations out the county . that are encountered in Lancaster County’s built environment – challenges that require careful Identifying these resources is the first step in and creative planning to overcome . Historic mill protecting them . This effort must be undertaken buildings, for example, are revered as important continuously, because there are always more legacies of the county’s past, but they are nearly resources to be discovered . New technology, always located in flood plains . If a successful so- however, is making the job easier, and changing lution can be developed for one mill, the lessons the way cultural resource information is stored learned in this project can be applied to another and used . The Lancaster County Geographic In- mill in the future . formation System (GIS), a powerful and complex digital mapping system, has become one of the most important tools in tracking historic buildings, structures, and landscapes . It allows planners, developers, and residents to gain a broader perspective on the spatial relationships between these resources and other features in the natural and built environment . The Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) maintains a cultural resource database of information compiled from various survey efforts, and is constantly

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 87 working to update and enhance this information In addition to identifying resources, it is im- with the help of residents and municipal govern- portant to assess their significance . Historical ments . The county’s database is also compatible contexts for different property types and periods with a similar database maintained by the Penn- of Lancaster County’s history would help county sylvania Historical and Museum Commission and municipal governments to better understand (PHMC) . the interrelationships between different types of resources, and how individual resources fit into a The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster larger picture . For example, a historical context County and the Lancaster County Historical So- called “Agriculture in Lancaster County, 1710- ciety maintain additional records that highlight 1945” established a framework for evaluating the the county’s cultural resources . At the state level, county’s historic farming resources, a number of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Com- which are included in a National Register Mul- mission (PHMC) maintains cultural resource tiple Property Listing called “Historic Farming survey data and files about properties listed in the Resources of Lancaster County ”. Other contexts National Register of Historic Places . With the might address mills, industrial history, 20th-cen- help of other state agencies, PHMC is currently tury roadside architecture, linear villages, and a working to digitize records and increase their long list of other resource types . accessibility on the internet . The federal government also maintains websites posting survey data, Although more elusive in terms of identification photographs, and measured drawings produced and preservation, Lancaster County’s intangible by the Historic American Buildings Survey and resources – its traditional skills, arts, and customs Historic American Engineering Record (HABS/ – are no less important than the built environ- HAER) . Case Study: Mill Buildings Mills are an important resource related to Lancaster County’s agricultural history . Hundreds of mills were once located along streams throughout the county . Many of the mills that have survived to the present day are underutilized, vacant and deteriorating, or in ruins . Because mills are so closely tied to the county’s heritage, it is important to maintain them and find ways to sympathetically adapt them for new uses . Maple Grove Mill before fire

This study focuses on the well-known and Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and Objectives, Goals, highly visible Maple Grove Mill on Columbia Avenue in Manor Township . This mill, built in 1762, served a variety of uses during the 20th century . Before being left vacant, it served as a bathhouse for a swimming pool . In late 2005, a fire gutted the interior, leaving only the exterior walls . This case study examines the mill in its current condition and context, looks at possible new uses, and provides information on potential funding strategies and technical resources . The process defined in this study is useful not only for the mill in question, but for other types of “white elephant” buildings located throughout the county . Maple Grove Mill after fire

88 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element ment . Any effort to preserve the county’s cultural Best Practices: Geographic Information resources is not complete without recognizing Systems (GIS) the contribution that different cultural groups have made to the county’s identity . Greater effort GIS is a digital mapping system – a computer should be put into documenting cultural tradi- application that stores data linked to geo- tions, especially those that are in danger of fading graphic points and areas, such as buildings, away . Some regions of the country, particular roads, parcels, and waterways . The Lancaster in the South, value these traditions enough to County GIS Department maintains a sophis- provide financial incentives to keep them alive ticated county-wide GIS with digital “layers” and share them with visitors . Historical and cul- that include information about cultural tural organizations in Lancaster County should resources . Using that data, planners can plot

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies consider undertaking a survey of these traditions the distribution of these resources and how and their practitioners . Information like this they relate to planning initiatives such as could become the basis for interpretive materials Urban Growth Areas and preserved farms . For and events that are promoted through Lancaster additional information, see www.co.lancaster. County Heritage, the county’s heritage tourism pa.us/gis or www.cr.nps.gov/hpss/gis/index.htm . program . At the state level, the Bureau for Historic Preservation (BHP), a division of the Penn- sylvania Historical and Museum Commission Create a GIS Inventory of Tangible (PHMC), maintains a resource called the Resources Cultural Resources GIS, or CRGIS . This application is a state-wide, web-based inventory Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have be- of historic and archeological sites and surveys . come an important planning tool in recent years . In the past, these records were only available Although a limited amount of cultural resource on paper, and could only be seen by appoint- data has been included in the Lancaster County ment at the BHP office in Harrisburg . GIS, a more complete inventory should be developed . This kind of inventory would help county CRGIS is a partnership between the PHMC and local governments keep track of resources and the Pennsylvania Department of Transpor- such as archeological sites, historic and cultural tation (PennDOT), with financial support landscapes, and cemeteries . Having cultural from the Federal Highway Administration resource data available in a GIS format also helps (FHWA), the Baltimore District of the Army to integrate historic resources into county and Corps of Engineers, and the Pennsylvania De- municipal land development review processes . In partment of Environmental Protection (DEP) . addition, it allows the Lancaster County Plan- CRGIS is an ongoing initiative, and is being ning Commission to share information with the updated and improved on a regular basis . This Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commis- system is available on the web at https://crgis. sion (PHMC), which maintains digitized records state.pa.us . on historic buildings throughout the Common- wealth . Municipal governments and local vol- information, all sectors of the community unteers are crucial in the effort to identify these – public, private, and non-profit – will be better resources . Without the help of local residents, able to coordinate efforts to protect and promote important resources might be missed . historic and archeological resources . Historic resource data that was collected in the past, but Since 2000, the Lancaster County Planning has not yet been included in the county’s GIS, Commission has coordinated historic resource should be digitized and made available through surveys in several municipalities, and will con- that system . One example is the data collected tinue to assist in these efforts . The end goal is to for the 1995 Lancaster County Historic Transpor- have an up-to-date survey for every municipal- tation Cultural Resources Study, which identifies ity, and to make this data more readily available through the Lancaster County GIS . With this

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 89 historic roads, turnpikes, canals, and railroads LCPC should work with local governments to throughout the county . ensure that cultural resource data from all available sources is included in all appropriate county, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains a municipal, and regional plans . Planning review wide variety of data related to historic and cultural processes should address cultural resource issues resources, and this information should be coordi- in the same way that they address environmental nated with Lancaster County GIS data whenever concerns and other planning issues . The county possible . Historic resource data is available to the should work to link and integrate historic republic through the state’s Cultural Resources GIS source data into other county, regional, and local (CRGIS), a cooperative venture sponsored by plans, planning review processes, and programs . PHMC, the Pennsylvania Department of Trans- portation, and other state and federal agencies . Build a Database of Intangible Resources PHMC also provides archeological data to qualified individuals on a “need to know” basis . To date, little effort has been made to keep track of the county’s intangible cultural resources such It is important for the county’s GIS inventory as folklore, music, dance, and foodways . Greater to include resources that might have been over- effort needs to be made to retain and enhance looked or ignored in past surveys . Some types of these traditions before they are lost . resources, such as 20th-century buildings, have not been studied as thoroughly as farmhouses or Historians have frequently identified Lancaster large commercial buildings . Industrial buildings County as a “cultural hearth” that has influenced are also underrepresented in existing data . To the development of a large part of the United better understand these types of resources, ad- States . In other words, Lancaster County was ditional historical “contexts” must be developed . the original “home” of many cultural traditions Historians and preservation professionals use this that have later come to define the United States term to refer to resources that share particular as a whole, especially in the Industrial Midwest characteristics, such as their geographical setting and in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia . The or cultural influences . Mill buildings and their German-speaking settlers who made Lancaster associated villages are a good example of an County their home eventually spread to other historical context that has yet to be developed for parts of the country, taking with them the tradi- the county as a whole . The challenges involved tions they practiced here . in rehabilitating mill buildings and finding new Diffusion of Folk Cultures uses for them served as one of the case studies for this plan .

Lancaster County Heritage Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and Objectives, Goals,

Lancaster County Heritage is a county-wide heritage tourism program coordinated by the Lancaster County Planning Commission . The goals of the program are 1) to enhance community pride and awareness of the county’s heritage resources while providing economic opportunities and benefits, and 2) to provide a diversity of authentic heritage experiences for both residents and visitors . Authenticity guidelines are the program’s hallmark, ensuring that participating resources meet high standards of Source: Henry J. Glassie, Pattern in the Material historic significance, integrity, and interpreta- Folk Culture of the Eastern United States, tion . (Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1968), pp. 37-38.

90 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Since the 18th century, numerous cultural that situation, the Lancaster County Planning groups have moved here, from African-Ameri- Commission has created the Lancaster County cans to Scots-Irish to Puerto Ricans . Each of Heritage Byways Program, which recognizes these groups has made an important contribu- roads of special significance and identifies tools tion to the county we know today . Cultural for protecting and enhancing them . Some roads practices that have become an integral part of the may also qualify for designation at the state or county’s identity should be identified and shared national level . with residents and visitors . An oral history project is one method of recording stories about the Covered bridges are a resource that Lancaster county’s people and culture . However the data County must protect, because they are strongly is collected, it should be shared with residents identified with the county’s heritage . At the

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and visitors, because it is the interaction between turn of the 20th century, the county had at least people and culture that keeps traditions alive . 100 covered bridges; of these, just over 30 have survived . Many of them succumbed to Hurricane Lancaster County Heritage, the county’s heritage Agnes in 1972 . A few of them, such as the Hun- tourism program, can play an important role in secker Mill Road bridge, have been rebuilt since this process . Managers of the program’s officially then . While efficient transportation is important designated Heritage Resources can assist in to the county’s future, so is its tourism industry . identifying these intangible resources . Lancaster Covered bridges are simply too important to lose . County Heritage can help to raise awareness of Strategies for their maintenance, rehabilitation, endemic arts, crafts, and trades by officially and reconstruction should be instituted as soon designating them as Heritage Products . Artisans as possible . Fire safety is an important part of who use traditional methods to produce these this equation, because covered bridges have often products should be recognized as Living Trea- been the victim of arson . sures . Others who are important in maintaining intangible cultural resources are living history As a whole, infrastructure improvements should interpreters, storytellers, and musicians . be undertaken with care, so that significant resources are not lost in the process . Adverse impacts to cultural heritage resources should be avoided unless other solutions are shown to be infeasible . Develop and Enhance Preservation Tools Cost alone should not be the only factor in decid- ing whether important resources are retained . Across the country, a wide range of tools are be- Rather than addressing preservation concerns on a ing used to achieve preservation goals . Although case by case basis, only when a building or struc- a number of these tools have been implemented ture is threatened with demolition, municipalities in Lancaster County, others have yet to be should adopt historic preservation ordinances and implemented, or should be more fully utilized . zoning regulations that protect resources . The The preservation “toolbox” included as an ap- existing template for design guidelines can be used pendix to this plan should be transformed into a to achieve these goals . web-based resource for citizens, municipalities, organizations, and businesses . Programs such as Property owners can help preserve the county’s the National Register of Historic Places should resources by working to retain the character-de- also be utilized more fully to raise awareness of fining features of their homes and businesses . A historic properties and districts . proposed on-line toolbox or “preservation yellow pages” would introduce homeowners to contrac- Lancaster County’s transportation routes have tors who have knowledge and experience with been crucial to the development of the county appropriate methods of repair, maintenance, and since the early 18th century, but their impor- rehabilitation of historic buildings . Since well- tance has often been overlooked . Transporta- trained contractors are only part of what it takes tion improvements have often been made with to repair historic buildings, it is also important to little regard for the historical significance of make it easier for property owners to find appro- roads and their associated resources . To remedy priate materials to make necessary repairs .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 91 A variety of other programs could be developed The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for in Lancaster County to help homeowners main- Rehabilitation tain their historic properties . The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) These standards (U .S . Department of the and other preservation organizations are explor- Interior regulations, 36 CFR 67) pertain to ing the concept of “home maintenance coopera- historic buildings of all materials, construction tives ”. This type of program allows homeowners types, sizes, and occupancy and encompass to pool their resources to improve their proper- the exterior and the interior, related landscape ties and maintain them in better condition . features and the building’s site and environ- Another option is to promote the development ment as well as attached, adjacent, or related of a “Rebuilding Together” chapter in Lancaster new construction . The standards are to be County . This program connects volunteers with applied to specific rehabilitation projects in a home rehabilitation projects that benefit elderly, reasonable manner, taking into consideration disabled, and low-income homeowners . Chapters economic and technical feasibility . of this program are already active in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh . 1 . A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires Across America, communities have established minimal change to the defining characteristics “architectural salvage warehouses” or “artifact of the building and its site and environment . banks” where property owners can find a wide range of historic architectural items . These pieces 2 . The historic character of a property shall be are generally acquired from historic buildings retained and preserved . The removal of historic slated for demolition . Although it is far more materials or alteration of features and spaces preferable to rehabilitate or restore an historic that characterize a property shall be avoided . building in place, salvaging architectural items from such a building is generally considered 3 . Each property shall be recognized as a acceptable as a last resort . Several organizations physical record of its time, place, and use . have worked to create such a salvage warehouse Changes that create a false sense of histori- in Lancaster County, but they have been volun- cal development, such as adding conjectural teer efforts with limited funding and institutional features or architectural elements from other support . With a more significant long-term buildings, shall not be undertaken . investment, Lancaster County could create an establishment similar to the successful Architec- 4 . Most properties change over time; those tural Warehouse managed by Historic York, Inc ., changes that have acquired historic signifi- a non-profit preservation organization in York, cance in their own right shall be retained and Pennsylvania . Begun in 1985, the warehouse is preserved .

a nearly 10,000-square-foot facility that features Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and Objectives, Goals, both new and salvaged architectural materials . 5 . Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved .

6 . Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced . Where the sever- ity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials . Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence . Photo courtesy of the Historic Preservation Historic the of courtesy Photo County Lancaster of Trust

92 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Continued from previous column

7 . Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used . The surface clean- ing of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible .

8 . Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved .

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken .

9 . New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property . The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment .

10 . New additions and adjacent or related the National Trust for Historic Preservation and new construction shall be undertaken in such the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation . a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic Lancaster County residents, businesses, and property and its environment would be unim- governments should participate more fully in paired . state and national programs that link cultural heritage conservation to broader community goals, because these programs have been proven Goal 2 to facilitate economic growth . One of the best- known programs for historic buildings is the Integrate the conservation and preservation of federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit historic and cultural resources in the economic (RITC) program . In Pennsylvania, the program development and revitalization of the county’s is managed by the Pennsylvania Historical and towns, villages, and rural working landscapes. Museum Commission (PHMC) in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Preserving community character can be a boon Internal Revenue Service (IRS) . This program for economic development . Adaptive reuse supports the rehabilitation of income-producing and rehabilitation of existing buildings creates historic properties such as office buildings, rental construction jobs, improves streetscapes, and housing, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and retail minimizes the need for public expenditures on stores . additional infrastructure . The economic value of historic preservation and community conserva- The tax credit program has two different levels of tion is well documented . Many of these benefits support, depending on the historical significance are enumerated in the “Existing Conditions” of the building being rehabilitated . Buildings chapter of this plan . Studies have been conducted individually listed in the National Register of on a statewide basis in New Jersey and Virginia, Historic Places or included in certain types of and in many cities including Philadelphia . A historic districts are eligible for a 20 percent number of related publications are available from credit toward the cost of rehabilitation . Certain other buildings constructed before 1936 are

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 93 Main Street and Elm Street Programs Case Study: Upper-Floor Vacancies TheMain Street program was designed to Many buildings in the commercial section of promote revitalization efforts in the commer- Lancaster City have retail stores or offices on cial core of historic downtowns . The program the first floor, but upper stories are vacant . utilizes a patented “four-point approach” for There are many factors that contribute to this urban revitalization: organization, economic situation, including fire and safety codes . Prop- restructuring, promotion, and design . For erty owners are reluctant to maintain buildings more information, visit www.mainstreet.org . that do not give them a reasonable return on their investment . The result is deteriorating TheElm Street program was designed to buildings and wasted space – at the same time provide the same revitalization efforts as the that the City and County of Lancaster are Main Street program, but instead of focusing struggling with the need to provide affordable on central business districts, it provides incen- housing . tives and assistance for residential rehabilitation within 1/2 mile of a commercial core . The purpose of this study was to assess reuse Reinvestment in these prime residential areas options for the upper floors of Place Marie, a can affect the entire community . For more complex of historic buildings on Orange Street information, visit: in Lancaster City . The study delves into the www.padowntown.org/programs/elmstreet . many issues that make upper-story use cost- prohibitive, and suggests how these challenges eligible for a 10 percent credit . Detailed rules for might be overcome . A list of funding strategies these programs are available from the Lancaster and technical resources are an important part County Planning Commission . of the study . Many of the same strategies can be applied to revitalization efforts in boroughs Another program with the potential to benefit and villages throughout Lancaster County . Lancaster County is Main Street, a successful program initiated by the National Trust over twenty years ago . This program has a four-point approach for economic development in historic central business districts . Three of these programs have been established in Lancaster County so far, but a number of other communities are perfect laboratories for the Main Street process .

A variety of approaches is also available to encourage economic development in rural areas

without destroying their historic and cultural Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and Objectives, Goals, character . By sustaining the vitality of working landscapes, rural areas can offset development pressures . It is important for Lancaster County Investment in historic buildings, structures, to maintain a “critical mass” of farms, because and landscapes can be facilitated by creating it keeps agriculture viable as a local industry . In streamlined permitting and land development addition, agriculture has always been a defining processes . Project reviews by several agencies or element in Lancaster County’s identity and sense departments can often be combined if key proj- of place . Plain Sect communities, in particular, ect types (such as large adaptive reuse projects) are a vital part of the county’s economic and are identified beforehand . Strategies to facilitate cultural health . The challenge is to find a way to efficient reviews include online applications and benefit from Lancaster County’s rural landscape, “one-stop shopping” for projects that meet cer- and at the same time, respect the fact that it is a tain requirements . Montgomery County, Mary- fragile resource . land, for instance, has instituted a program called “Green Tape for Affordable Housing ”. Under this program, projects that help the county meet its

94 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element affordable housing requirements are allowed to A “City Living Resource Center” is a concept use an expedited permit review process . that Lancaster County should consider as a way of attracting potential buyers to historic build- Streamlining promotes consistency and predict- ings . These centers have been implemented in ability in project reviews, which in turn helps to cities such as Baltimore, Maryland and Roches- facilitate a positive business climate . Clear and ter, New York, and they can be used to inform consistent review standards are the key . Design and engage local realtors, lending institutions, review processes, for instance, benefit from us- and potential homebuyers about the benefits of ing the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for urban living . The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Rehabilitation, a nationally recognized standard Agency (PHFA) is currently developing a pilot for assessing the “appropriateness” of proposed advertising campaign to cooperatively market

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies changes to historic buildings . Cultivating a labor the City of York as a place to live, in the same pool that understands and practices traditional way that developers market new subdivisions . building trades is another way of ensuring that More information about such efforts is included alterations and repairs to historic buildings are in a sidebar under Goal 6 below . Another means more sympathetic to their architectural character . of attracting residents and businesses to utilize historic buildings is to develop additional Main Street and Elm Street programs, two programs which have a proven track record of achieving this goal . Promote Conservation as an Economic Tool At the municipal level, zoning and other ordinances can be updated to make it easier to rehabilitate Historic preservation is not just a hobby for historic buildings, especially challenging cases the historically-minded citizen . It is an effective like agricultural buildings and the upper stories economic tool that can be used to revitalize of commercial buildings . At the least, every effort urban and rural communities throughout the should be made to remove economic disincentives county . Lancaster County should approach new to the adaptive reuse of historic buildings . Ideally, development with this perspective – that before clear incentives should be provided to encour- a new building is constructed, and before any age property owners to retain these buildings . If new farmland is developed, all possibilities for preserving an existing building is a deal that is too adaptively reusing existing buildings should be good to pass up, it will not be long before property thoroughly examined . This same philosophy has owners and developers see the merits of historic allowed European countries, in particular, to pre- preservation . Ordinances should discourage serve more of their heritage . Since there is little demolition except when adaptive reuse is shown undeveloped land in these countries, they have a to be infeasible . One method of promoting this strong preservation ethic, because it just makes philosophy is to underscore the historic resource good business sense . Lancaster County needs to provisions in the International Existing Building work harder to make preservation a standard part Code, which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of doing business here . adopted in 2004 as a part of its Uniform Con- struction Code (UCC) . Several tools are available to highlight the economic value of historic buildings . For instance, if inventories of historic buildings were maintained at the local level, it would help real estate agents Sustain the County’s Working Landscapes and developers connect historic buildings with new owners or tenants . Rather than trying to sell Lancaster County’s working landscapes, es- a building strictly on the basis of location and pecially small farming operations, are one of square footage, agents could help to sell the philos- the features most closely associated with local ophy that older buildings are an untapped asset . culture . They contribute to the county’s economy both in terms of agricultural output and tourism . The importance of these landscapes demands

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 95 carefully managed solutions that are unique to Case Study: Education in the Traditional Lancaster County . The best examples of these Building Trades programs are often found abroad, particularly The traditional building skills necessary to in Britain . New approaches to cultural resource maintain historic buildings and to repli- conservation usually emphasize public/private cate historic architectural features are slowly partnerships that begin at the grassroots level, disappearing in Lancaster County . Without and residents and business owners are an impor- contractors who are trained in these skills, the tant part of the process . historic buildings that define community character are being demolished or altered beyond Starting in 2004, the Lancaster County Board of recognition . Commissioners sponsored a planning initiative called the Blue Ribbon Commission for Agri- This study, called “Living Laboratories,” is culture in Lancaster County . The purpose of this an analysis of training programs that teach effort is to “keep Lancaster County farming” by traditional building skills . By identifying the ensuring that the county maintains a strong and goals, structure, administration, and funding viable agricultural industry in the future . Themes sources employed by different programs across identified in the first part of this process included the country, the study suggests a course of public awareness, zoning, farmland preservation, action for creating a successful program in economic development, and tax relief . The sec- Lancaster County . The study’s findings reveal ond part of the process focuses on implementing that Lancaster County has more than enough the recommendations in the shortest period of interest and available resources to create such time for the lowest possible cost . a program, and that this type of program has tremendous potential to benefit the county as Although the Blue Ribbon Commission focused a whole . on the need to raise awareness about the economic impact of agriculture, its recommendations also underscore the importance of farming as way of life . The same tools that protect farmland also help to protect community character and cultural traditions . For instance, municipalities could adopt “traditional use” or “cultural protection” overlay districts in areas where they wish to sustain working landscapes . The county could develop a model zoning ordinance to help municipalities create these districts . Incentives could be created to encourage farmers in these ar-

eas to continue producing traditional agricultural More ‘N Restore of courtesy Photo Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and Objectives, Goals, products . Increased effort should also be put toward implementing tools such as the transfer ucts with a distinctive and recognizable brand . of development rights (TDRs), easements, and The county also has many opportunities to create the purchase (fee simple acquisition) of critical new products with a local flair, such as organic landscapes, corridors, and viewsheds . or gourmet flour . This would be a wonderful use for several historic mills across the county . Local farmers and food processing companies In a couple of locations, the production of these should be encouraged to create a “Made in agricultural goods could be coupled with tours Lancaster County” brand for products that are that teach residents and visitors about the mill- raised or produced here . In other words, consum- ing process . Any effort to create such a branding ers around the country should know when the opportunity should be consistent with the guide- product they are buying originated in Lancaster lines and criteria established by county’s heritage County . Since the American public already tourism program, Lancaster County Heritage . This associates Lancaster County with agricultural effort should also be coordinated with the assis- products, it makes sense to highlight these prod-

96 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element tance of program staff, to ensure that it comple- Best Practices: Context-Sensitive Design ments the goals and organizational structure of the heritage program . An important principle in protecting community character is that new construction and changes to the landscape should be consistent with their surroundings – the cultural, historical, and Expand Heritage Tourism Opportunities natural “context ”. The practice of allowing existing features (both natural and man-made) to Heritage tourism is the practice of traveling to guide and influence new development is called experience historic and cultural attractions to context-sensitive design . This kind of design learn more about a community’s heritage . It is can be promoted in urban areas by creating and

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies a sustainable form of economic development, adopting guidelines for infill development and because it highlights existing historic and cultural streetscapes, and in rural areas by retaining key resources and encourages new investment in features associated with traditional patterns of buildings and landscapes that are underutilized . agriculture and open space . The Lancaster County Planning Commission first became involved in heritage tourism in 1994, when it participated in a pilot project with local, state, and national partners . LCPC later worked with many of the same partners to create Lancaster County Heritage, a program that includes over 100 Heritage Resources – sites, services, and events that meet a set of authenticity guidelines specifically developed for the program .

In 1999, LCPC took a leadership role in working with York County to create a two-county heritage area under the Pennsylvania Heritage Parks program . These parks are designed to help This 5-story building in West Chester, PA is citizens and governments develop a coopera- actually a parking garage with retail on the ground floor tive strategy to protect, develop, and promote heritage . The planning process led to the creation on other goals . The existing Lancaster County of the Lancaster-York Heritage Region (LYHR) Heritage website, which is currently directed at in 2001 . LYHR works to preserve significant visitors, should be transformed to provide techni- resources, revitalize town centers, diversify the cal assistance to Heritage Resource owners and tourism industry, and promote the region’s his- operators . tory and culture . While the Susquehanna River has traditionally been seen as a barrier between Effective coordination between Lancaster the two counties, it has now become a catalyst County Heritage and LYHR is crucial to the for bringing them together . success of heritage tourism in Lancaster County . Both programs must work together to interpret Lancaster County Heritage has proven popular resources using the five themes adopted as part with both residents and visitors, and it has of the regional interpretive strategy . Coopera- tremendous potential for raising awareness about tion between these programs is also essential to historic and cultural resources . The Lancaster the implementation of the region’s Management County Planning Commission, which manages Action Plan . Special attention should be given to the program, should continue to expand and en- opportunities identified in that plan, including hance the program to include a wider variety of agri-tourism and eco-tourism . Historic towns Heritage Resources . The Lancaster-York Heritage and villages deserve more attention as tourism Region is assuming much of the responsibility for destinations, and traditional arts and crafts marketing Heritage Resources, which will allow should be highlighted as key elements of local the Lancaster County Heritage program to focus culture . “Craft trails” could help visitors to find

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 97 the places where these products are made and pand the program to provide similar opportuni- sold . Each of these strategies can help to ensure ties for more students and more schools . It is also the economic viability of historic landscapes and possible that the program will eventually place the cultures associated with them . apprentices with preservation groups, historical groups, local governments, and private companies throughout Pennsylvania .

Support Traditional Building Trades

Lancaster County is the perfect laboratory for Goal 3 craftspeople to apply their skills in traditional building trades . The county’s historic buildings Ensure that new development respects and represent every period from the early 18th cen- complements the patterns, character, and scale tury forward, and they represent an unusual di- of the county’s traditional communities and versity of uses not often found in a single county . rural landscapes. Although visitors are familiar with the county’s agricultural history, they are often not aware that Suburban sprawl is among the greatest threats Lancaster County supported several industries to Lancaster County’s community character, that were important to the nation’s early develop- but the continued prosperity of Lancaster ment . Forges, furnaces, and other industrial uses County’s economy depends on accommodating were found throughout the county, and these ac- new residents and businesses . Finding a way to tivities left an important legacy on the landscape . accommodate this growth without destroying Craftspeople of all trades have called Lancaster the county’s cultural heritage is a challenge that County home for centuries . Lancaster County will continue to face in the future . According to the Lancaster County housing Lancaster County should capitalize on its plan, 57,000 new residential units will be needed unusually varied stock of historic buildings and to accommodate the county’s population growth structures by developing new educational oppor- over the next 25 years . A portion of these units tunities for teaching traditional building trades . will be accommodated in existing building stock, Rather than focusing exclusively on a single pro- but new development is inevitable . gram, the county should work toward the goal of offering this kind of training at all educational A wide range of strategies is available to promote levels from secondary schools to adult education . development that complements Lancaster One way to jump-start the process would be to County’s historic and cultural landscape, instead hold a conference for local educational institu- of detracting from it . The county’s growth tions and other stakeholders interested in creat- management plan, entitled “Balance,” outlines a

ing these programs . process that guides development into appropriate Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and Objectives, Goals, Urban and Rural Growth Areas . In the summer of 2006, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) sponsored an apprenticeship program that could become a model for future programs focusing on Promote Context-Sensitive Design the traditional building trades . Two apprentices from the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technol- The principle behind context-sensitive design ogy in Lancaster spent several 12 weeks working is that new construction should reflect the at the Daniel Boone Homestead in Birdsboro, characteristics of the surrounding community . Berks County, Pennsylvania . Stevens College was These characteristics are concerned not only with selected for this opportunity through a request aesthetics, but with function . “Colonial” facades for proposals process among several invited do not reflect the community if they are found schools . The students worked under the direction on homes that are arranged in a typical suburban of a Preservation Construction Specialist on the pattern . Context-sensitive design considers scale PHMC staff . In the future, PHMC hopes to ex- (height and massing), materials, density, devel-

98 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element opment pattern, landscape features, and other Urbanism, as defined by town planners Andres elements, and blends them to enhance the entire Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, include community . several ideas that are commonly found in older communities: a town center; a variety of dwelling Even when development is undertaken in areas types with a mix of shops and offices; schools and where historical features are not evident, the playgrounds within walking distance; and build- design of new construction should reflect the ings placed close to the street, with parking and characteristics found in historic communities . garages behind . Where they are authorized under the Pennsyl- vania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Transportation infrastructure has a strong ef- “official maps” adopted by municipalities can be fect on perceptions of community character, so

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies used to facilitate new designs that follow historic it is especially important that governments at patterns of development . Incentives can also be all levels promote context-sensitive design in provided to promote increased lot coverage . Con- transportation planning . These solutions might text-sensitive solutions are especially important include the use of materials that complement in Urban and Village Growth Areas, because the the local landscape, traffic calming measures special qualities of existing boroughs and villages that limit the negative effects of speed and noise, can be lost if adjacent development conflicts with and street furniture that makes pedestrians feel established patterns . welcome . In most cases, both transportation goals and community character can be accom- Design guidelines help developers, property modated if they are addressed side-by-side from owners, and municipalities make design choices the beginning of the design process . If road and that are appropriate for a particular street or streetscape improvements are designed carefully, community . They provide a common point of they can help to reinforce the unique qualities of reference that helps architects, builders, and resi- local communities . Poorly planned improve- dents develop solutions that enhance community ments can have a disastrous effect on the appear- character . Working with a set of design guidelines ance and functionality of historic buildings and often results in a “conversation” between builders landscapes . and reviewers that helps to achieve better project outcomes . Historic bridges, in particular, are crucial elements in defining the visual character of many LCPC has developed a template for design guide- communities, both urban and rural . Until the lines that can be tailored to meet specific local mid-20th century, even the most functional needs . The City of Lancaster used this template bridges were designed with aesthetics in mind . to create a design guide which has been success- In Lancaster County, several factors made these ful in guiding property owners, members of the bridges more than a link in the transportation Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) network – they were centers of commerce . The and Historic Conservation District Commission, highly varied topography of Lancaster County, and planning staff through the design review pro- as well as its historic patterns of settlement, cess . Design guidelines can also be developed for demanded reliable stream crossings . To facilitate rural communities, helping them to preserve sce- trade, bridges were often built adjacent to mills, nic views and other features that are integral to and many of these communities later grew into Lancaster County’s historic and cultural identity . villages and towns . Perhaps more than any other transportation feature, historic bridges should In recent years, the building industry has begun be repaired and retained whenever possible . This to take a leadership role in designing new com- includes not only covered bridges, but bridges munities that adopt the best characteristics of built of iron, steel, stone, and even concrete . If historic neighborhoods . “New Urbanist” or neo- a new bridge proves to be necessary, it should traditional developments have already been built be designed to complement its surroundings, in West Lampeter and Manheim Townships, and or reflect the character of nearby buildings and others are proposed for Mount Joy Borough and communities . East Hempfield Township . The principles of New

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 99 Goal 4 tage development . The purpose of the course is to educate participants about professional plan- Promote strong leadership, collaboration, ning principles and practices . If a preservation- awareness, and responsibility in the conserva- specific course was developed along these lines, tion of the county’s cultural heritage resources topics could include traditional building trades, among the county, local residents, and institu- historic property appraisals, and the use of design tions. guidelines . These efforts could be coordinated with other organizations and with Lancaster People are the most important element in any County Heritage, the county’s heritage tourism preservation effort . Increasing public awareness program . about Lancaster County’s cultural heritage is the only way to ensure that the county’s most sig- Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster nificant resources are preserved . Protecting com- County munity character requires the involvement and The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster collaboration of a wide variety of stakeholders, County has already implemented an award-win- so it is important to find new ways to promote ning school curriculum through its Architectural communication . Internet message boards and History Tour program . For example, over 200 listserves are growing in popularity, but so far, fourth- and fifth-graders were introduced to local they have not been used extensively to discuss historic architecture through a program prepared preservation issues in Lancaster County . and administered cooperatively by the Trust and the Donegal School District in 2003 . Students combined classroom instruction with on-site visit and produced their own photo journals of Support Cultural Heritage Education individual buildings . Classroom teaching later helped to solidify their appreciation for historic Educational programs can also help to build the architecture and the efforts needed to preserve capacity of local communities to recognize cul- local heritage . In 2006, a similar but expanded tural heritage issues and address them sensitively . program was offered in the Columbia and East- Several major public and non-profit institutions ern York County School Districts as a part of in Lancaster County already provide residents the “One Bridge – Two Counties” architectural and visitors with a wide variety of opportunities history tour jointly sponsored by the Trust and to learn more about the county’s historic and Historic York, Inc . cultural heritage . These efforts should be continued, expanded, and broadened to reach new Lancaster County Historical Society audiences . Enhanced cooperation between the The Lancaster County Historical Society (LCHS) organizations that offer these programs will help offers an impressive array of programs and cours-

them have a greater impact on public perceptions es that give residents a chance to learn some of Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and Objectives, Goals, of historic and cultural resources . The more that the techniques that history professionals employ people learn about the historic buildings, land- in their research . The Society’s “house history” scapes, and cultural traditions they experience course is designed for anyone who is curious every day, the more likely they are to appreciate about a house or building . Participants in the their value and support efforts to protect and course learn to use deeds to establish a chain of preserve them . title and examine other historic records including maps, tax lists, estate papers, mechanics’ liens, Lancaster County Planning Commission photographs, and architectural drawings . Case The Lancaster County Planning Commission’s studies, outside speakers, and hands-on help “Master Planner” course could serve as a model by staff round out the course . The Society also for the development of a course focused specifi- maintains a house history website that touches cally on historic preservation . The present course, on many of the same topics . which is a self-supporting program funded by registration fees, covers a wide range of planning In addition to courses and other sources of issues including historic preservation and heri- information that focus on architectural his-

100 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element tory, LCHS sponsors programs on genealogy, take home, and analyze 18th-century documents African American history, historic photographs, and artifacts . and other subjects . Many of these courses train participants how to understand and use specific Local Historical Societies types of historical records . Lancaster County is fortunate to have an extraor- dinary number of dedicated organizations that Another important aspect of the Society’s edu- collect and preserve historical documents and cational mission is the Journal of the Lancaster artifacts that focus on specific local communi- County Historical Society, which LCHS has ties . Nearly every township and borough in the published continuously since 1896 . The subject county has at least one organization that focuses matter of the journal is the history and biography on local heritage . A few them have a small paid

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies of Lancaster County . Today, the Journal is issued staff, but many of them are operated entirely by quarterly and consists of articles written both by volunteers . These organizations often sponsor scholars and laypersons . LCHS also publishes programs or events that highlight their work and full-length books on its own and in cooperation get residents directly involved in preservation with other scholars . activities . Examples of such organizations include the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley, Heritage Center of Lancaster County Marietta Restoration Associates, Caernarvon The Heritage Center of Lancaster County oper- Township Historical Society, Conestoga Histori- ates two museums – the Lancaster Cultural cal Society, and Salisbury Township Historical History Museum and the Lancaster Quilt and Society . Other groups such as the Tri-County Textile Museum . Both of these institutions are Historical Society focus on larger regions that committed to educating residents and visitors include portions of Lancaster County – in this about the material culture of Lancaster County . case, the eastern part of the county . In addition to publishing books on the artistic and craft traditions of Lancaster County, the These groups and others like them serve as the Heritage Center places a special emphasis on “keepers of the stories,” ensuring that local educational programs for children of all ages . communities remember the people, events, and traditions have contributed to their identity . Students can benefit from a museum experience Each group was founded for a different reason, in the classroom with two types of in-school and each of them has its own mission . Some programs: school presentations and outreach kits . historical societies are primarily archival institu- The museum’s in-school programs are designed tions, while others focus on public programs, or to bring local history to life through the use of on the built environment . While one is collecting primary source documents and artifacts . Topics historic objects made in the local community, of this program include early settlers of Lancaster another is responding to an historic preservation County, the development and evolution of the issue . In many ways, these groups are the “first City of Lancaster, colonial box tape loom weav- responders” in the effort to preserve and protect ing, and famous Lancastrians . our heritage .

Scheduled school group visits to the Lancaster Cultural History Museum are designed primarily for students in grades 2-8 and include a tour Encourage Governments to Be Role followed by a special activity . The Heritage Models Center also offers two “history camps” – one for children in grades four through six, and another Governments at all levels should send a consis- for those in grades seven through nine . These tent message that proper stewardship of historic activity-filled day camps provide an opportunity and cultural resources is part of doing business for students to explore the American Revolution in Lancaster County . They can do this most and 18th-century life in Lancaster . Campers visit effectively by maintaining and enhancing the his- historic sites and museums, create projects to toric buildings and properties that they own and maintain . By setting an example, governments

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 101 can encourage private industry and individuals Improve Coordination between Groups to do the same . At the least, public policies at all levels of government should be studied to iden- Unlike some counties that may only have one or tify and eliminate any disincentives to preserva- two groups that preserve and promote heritage tion . Ideally, conservation of heritage resources resources, Lancaster County has dozens of should be promoted as a form of community public, private, and non-profit groups that play stewardship . an integral role in that effort . Raising awareness about heritage resources is not the biggest challenge facing Lancaster County’s historical groups Best Practices: Permit Streamlining and preservation advocates . Instead, the problem The Lancaster County Planning Commis- lies with coordination and communication . Lo- sion has instituted a voluntary permitting cal historical societies, for example, were often initiative for certain economic development founded to protect or promote a single resource, projects . Under this program, various review often a historic house of particular significance agencies, municipalities and applicants agree to the community . Although these groups are to a concurrent review of qualified projects often highly committed to their mission, and for approval . While regulatory standards are they frequently achieve impressive results with maintained during this process, the length of volunteers, many of them have little contact with the review time is minimized . A similar con- other groups . current review process could be instituted for certain types of rehabilitation projects involv- Local cultural and historical organizations should ing historic buildings . increase their collaboration whenever possible . In the short term, a countywide network of cultural heritage organizations, agencies, and lo- Although many county departments and agen- cal governments should be created to implement cies embrace the notion that Lancaster County’s this plan . Many smaller museums and historic cultural heritage resources are an important part sites lack the means to reach additional visitors of local identity, they do not follow consistent or to expand their facilities . Over the long term, policies about the treatment of these resources . it may be more effective for some of these groups Formalized procedures must be developed to to join forces . Some groups could join together ensure that county departments and agencies on the basis of their location – for instance, cooperate and communicate about preservation museums and historic sites in Lancaster City . issues . The county must develop maintenance, Other institutions share a common theme, or rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse plans for all promote the same type of resource . For instance, county-owned buildings, and municipalities house museums across Lancaster County could should be encouraged to do the same with the be linked to create a network of sites with a dis-

buildings they own . Across the board, public tinctive “brand” identity . If these organizations Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and Objectives, Goals, agencies should establish policies that promote shared resources, they would have a better chance adaptive use and rehabilitation of historic build- of attracting grant money, and might be able to ings . Public awareness of these properties can achieve more of their goals . be increased by including them in the Lancaster County Heritage program whenever appropri- Lancaster City has unique challenges and op- ate . Public agencies of all types should promote portunities when it comes to coordinating preser- historic preservation as standard policy . vation activities . The feasibility of creating a city-focused historic preservation organization or network should be studied, because it would help to improve local response to preservation issues . While many Lancaster County boroughs have a local historical organization that counts historic preservation as a part of its mission, Lancaster City has not had a group specifically devoted to this purpose .

102 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Best Practices: Teaching with Historic part of the planning process . Cultural heritage Places goals should be included in all local and regional This National Park Service (NPS) program de- comprehensive plans, economic revitalization velops school curricula highlighting National plans, and other planning documents . Register-listed properties that share a common historical theme . Although no specific cur- The Lancaster County Planning Commission can riculum has been developed for resources in facilitate that goal by working with cultural heri- Lancaster County, the county’s many National tage groups to develop educational programs and Register-listed properties offer a wide range workshops for municipal officials . One of the of opportunities to teach students about the most important issues facing municipal officials county’s industrial, agricultural, commercial, is the functioning of the Uniform Construc-

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and domestic history . The NPS welcomes new tion Code (UCC) that the Commonwealth of lesson plans . For additional information, visit: Pennsylvania adopted in 2004 . Most Lancaster www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/index.htm . County municipalities opted in to this code . The UCC adopts the International Residential Code While the Historic Preservation Trust of Lan- as the base code for residential construction, and caster County has often taken the lead on preser- the International Building Code as the base code vation issues in the city, the Trust’s county-wide for commercial construction . mission requires it to balance its time between the needs of different communities . For this The International Building Code includes a sec- reason, heritage-related organizations and other tion called the International Existing Building stakeholders in the City of Lancaster should Code, which applies to buildings that are legally work together to study the feasibility of creating occupied and designated by government entities an entity dedicated to preservation issues in the as historic . These buildings are provided a partial city . exemption from UCC requirements . Property owners can seek relief from any UCC require- In addition, a cultural museum consortium ments that may result in changes to historic could be created to coordinate interpretive features or that are “technically infeasible ”. LCPC programs and heritage events within the city and should provide assistance in training municipal adjacent townships . Planning for this effort could officials, managers, and code enforcement officers be initiated with the help of the Heritage Center about the use of that code . of Lancaster County, the Lancaster County Planning Commission, and the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau . The City of Lancaster, the Lancaster County Histori- Encourage Residents to Volunteer cal Society, and the managers of local Heritage Resources should also play a key role in this pro- Most historical and cultural groups in Lancaster cess . Through this initiative, a set of interpretive County could not function without a group “storylines” could be developed to help visitors of dedicated volunteers . This arrangement is understand the links between the stories being mutually beneficial to volunteers and to the told at different sites . institutions they serve, because the institutions get the help they need and the volunteers gain an appreciation for the county’s heritage resources . More effort should be devoted to spreading the Strengthen Municipal Involvement message about the crucial role that volunteers play in protecting and promoting these resources . One of the most effective ways to protect heri- The creation of a web-based clearinghouse for tage resources is to strengthen the involvement of volunteers would help to connect institutions local governments in heritage planning . Rather with the volunteers they need . The Lancaster- than addressing cultural heritage issues as an York Heritage Region’s website might be one pos- afterthought, municipal governments should sible venue for hosting that service . Additional make historical and cultural issues an integral training programs should be developed to famil-

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 103 iarize volunteers with Lancaster County Heritage, New educational programs should be developed the Lancaster-York Heritage Region, and their to increase public understanding of resource goals for interpretation . In addition, countywide conservation issues . The creation of a “Lancaster or regional recognition programs for volunteers County Heritage Institute” would allow local would assist in raising the profile of volunteers residents to earn a certificate demonstrating and their contribution to the community . their familiarity with the county’s historic, cultural, natural, and architectural resources and the means of preserving them . The National Park Service’s “Teaching with Historic Places” Build Public Awareness program teaches students the value of historic resources . Greater effort should be spent on building public awareness about cultural heritage resources and Teacher training programs, historic house work- the critical role they play in the county’s identity shops, and other programs offered by institutions and economy . Historic preservation should be such as the Lancaster County Historical Society promoted as just one part of an overall strategy and the Heritage Center of Lancaster County to conserve the county’s unique and irreplace- provide these services at the local level . Other able resources, both natural and manufactured . academic institutions, museums, and archival As noted elsewhere in this plan, the county’s heri- centers in Lancaster County should work to de- tage tourism program (Lancaster County Heri- velop additional heritage-related curricula . This tage) can be an important tool in promoting the plan’s case study focusing on education in the tra- value of heritage resources . Heritage events and ditional building trades may create opportunities celebrations, in particular, serve an important to educate students in other ways – by involving purpose by informing the public about intangible them directly in building rehabilitation projects . resources such as dance, foodways, and folklore . Another important step is to create training programs that better inform real estate appraisers about placing a fair value on historic properties .

Case Study: Agricultural Buildings Public agencies and non-profit organizations in Historic agricultural buildings are essential to Lancaster County should also work to foster bet- Lancaster County’s sense of place, but as farm- ter skills at the community level for the research ing practices change, many of these buildings and documentation of heritage resources . The have become obsolete and face demolition . Heritage Division of the Lancaster County Historic farmhouses, for instance, are often Planning Commission (LCPC) offers technical “remodeled” inside and out or replaced en- training to municipal and historical groups in- tirely with new construction . terested in conducting historic resource surveys,

but LCPC should not be the only source of this Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and Objectives, Goals, To find sustainable uses for historic agricul- training in the future . Similar training should be tural buildings, this study focuses on the offered by other organizations and provided to a Nelson Rohrer farm complex located on broader range of individuals and groups . Trainees Oregon Pike (Pennsylvania Route 272) in might include history-minded residents, mem- Manheim Township . A farmhouse, stone bank bers and staff of local historical societies,Main barn, and other outbuildings are now vacant Street and Elm Street managers, and anyone else and surrounded by residential development . who is interested in historic resources or respon- This study identifies alternate uses for these sible for decisions that affect these resources . Or- buildings and provides a list of funding sources ganizations including the Historic Preservation and technical assistance that might be available Trust of Lancaster County should take a strong to implement them . As with all case studies role in implementing this kind of training . undertaken for this plan, this study is a “how to” guide that could be utilized for buildings Participants would learn how to complete state that face similar challenges . survey forms, create resource inventories for Na- tional Register nominations, and lobby all levels

104 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Case Study: White Elephants Lancaster-York Heritage Region

Pool Forge is an 18th-century iron forge com- Across the United States and the world, gov- plex located in Caernarvon Township in the ernments and citizens are creating Heritage northeastern corner of Lancaster County . Be- Areas (sometimes called Heritage Regions or tween 1790 and 1840, the forge’s most active Parks) to develop cooperative strategies to pro- period of ironmaking, this complex covered tect, develop, and promote historic, cultural, approximately 3,200 acres . It included a forge, and natural resources . These programs often tenant houses, barns, charcoal houses, lime focus on the economic benefits of heritage kilns, a paymaster’s building, and ironmaster’s tourism . The Pennsylvania Heritage Parks mansion . Today, many of these historic build- program now includes 12 regions throughout

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies ings and structures survive on a 24-acre parcel . the Commonwealth . The tenant houses and ironmaster’s mansion have been rental units for many years . Beginning in 1999, LCPC took a leadership role in working with York County to create a Caernarvon Township purchased the Pool two-county heritage area under this program . Forge complex in 2005, citing the historical The purpose of the Lancaster-York Heritage significance of the property and its value to Region is to raise awareness about the region’s local residents . The township would like to past and its unique resources, and to encour- transform the property into a self-sustaining age consistency and collaboration among heri- resource that serves the public and interprets tage initiatives in both counties . Additional local history . The grounds will be used as a information is available at www.lyhr.org . park for passive recreation, but it is unclear how the buildings will be used . This study explores a variety of use options, possible Goal 5 funding, and technical assistance to help the township in its effort to preserve the property . Celebrate and promote the county’s diverse historic, cultural, and archeological heritage assets. of government for more effective preservation Lancaster County has a lot to celebrate . Despite regulations and policies . If more residents were significant growth and change over the past 250 trained to assist in these efforts, better informa- years since European settlement, some of the tion could be made available to local and county county’s most important resources have remained governments when they are reviewing land intact . The county’s varied and layered history is development plans . Filling out additional Penn- evident in the grandeur of the Susquehanna Riv- sylvania Historic Resource Survey Forms would er valley; in its agricultural land; in the unique provide the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum character of its city, boroughs, and villages; and Commission (PHMC) with the kind of standard in its intangible elements – its cultural traditions . information it needs to determine the possible In recent years, local agencies, organizations, effect that a state or federal project will have on and businesses have begun to find new and bet- historic resources . Without a ready source of acter ways to promote important aspects of the curate information about historic resources, local county’s unique history and culture . governments are often forced to rely on outdated information or new data provided by a small group of citizens who have dedicated themselves to understanding local history .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 105 Create New Recognition Programs and Additional opportunities should also be created Enhance Marketing Efforts to allow the public to experience historic and cultural resources . In Chester County, Pennsylva- A variety of formal recognition programs are al- nia, rotating tours of communities called “Town ready in place to highlight preservation efforts in Tours and Village Walks” have been successful in Lancaster County, but these efforts must be ex- highlighting and promoting the heritage of small panded and enhanced . Existing recognition pro- communities and the historic resources associated grams include a series of annual awards presented with them . Lancaster County could implement a by the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster similar program in which municipalities or other County, and the “Envision Lancaster County” groups sponsor guided walking tours of historic awards presented by the Lancaster County and cultural resources within their community . Planning Commission . Awards for preservation, These tours could be conducted annually or on restoration and adaptive reuse are also presented a seasonal basis . Another possibility is a “Doors at the state and national level . Lancaster County Open” program, where museums and cultural should become further involved in these awards institutions feature free admission on a certain programs and other promotional efforts includ- day . The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum ing National Historic Preservation Month (May), Commission (PHMC) sponsors a similar pro- Pennsylvania Rivers Month (June), and Pennsyl- gram called Charter Day, in which state-owned vania Archeology Month (October) . museums and historic sites are opened free of charge . Lancaster County could follow these It is especially important to recognize property examples and start its own program . owners and developers who implement best practices for new development and rehabilita- The county’s heritage tourism program,Lancaster tion, because their work shows residents that a County Heritage, should play a key role in these ef- little creativity can yield positive publicity and forts . The program should seek new marketing op- increased economic benefits . Local preservation portunities for designated Heritage Resources and success stories could become an ongoing series create additional Heritage Events that meet the of articles in the Lancaster Newspapers and in program’s authenticity criteria . Existing products regional weekly papers such as the Merchandiser . including the program’s automobile tours, “Towns Another program that could help to publicize & Villages” guidebook, Freedom of Religion historic and cultural resources is a speakers’ brochures, and the Underground Railroad map bureau geared to heritage-related topics . A list of and guide should be promoted more extensively, speakers available for public presentations and and updated on a regular basis . New marketing school programs would make it easier for organi- products should be developed using the most zations to highlight significant resources . up-to-date consumer research, and new technologies should be used to deliver the message . These efforts should be coordinated with the Lancaster- Goals, Objectives, and Strategies and Objectives, Goals, Best Practices: City Living Resource Centers York Heritage Region and the Pennsylvania Dutch “City living resource centers” provide a model Convention and Visitors Bureau . that may help Lancaster County make its urban centers more attractive places to live . These Whether they are historic or prehistoric, archeo- centers are non-profit organizations that serve logical resources are a vital part of Lancaster as a comprehensive source of information about County’s past . Archeological sites pose a chal- local neighborhoods, real estate, home buying lenge, however, because archeologists and histori- incentives, and other helpful information for ans want to raise awareness about these resources moving within or relocating to the city . In Bal- without resulting in their desecration or looting . timore, Maryland, an organization called Live The Lancaster County Planning Commis- Baltimore is working to make the city “a pre- sion must work together with the Pennsylvania ferred living destination” by providing resources Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) to potential homebuyers and renters . To learn to develop a “predictive model” that identifies more, see www.livebaltimore.com . areas that are most likely to contain significant archeological resources . At a less detailed level,

106 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element some of this information could be shared with Create New Financial Incentives at the residents, developers, and municipal officials . Local Level The goal is to make archeology a regular part of the dialogue when excavation or earth moving is County and municipal governments should work proposed, especially in areas that are identified as to familiarize residents and developers with exist- potentially significant . ing financial incentives for heritage preservation . Applicable programs include the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement (LERTA) program, Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Goal 6 Authority programs for housing rehabilitation and community infrastructure, Pennsylvania

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies Ensure that adequate financial resources Department of Community and Economic and incentives are available to carry out the Development (DCED) grants, and the Federal implementation of the county’s stated cultural Housing Administration’s 203(k) Mortgage heritage preservation goals. Rehabilitation Insurance Program . A few municipalities also have facade improvement and The goals in this plan cannot be accomplished conservation easement programs . without adequate financial resources . Few of the county’s residents are aware of available funding In addition to promoting existing programs more for heritage preservation, and even fewer pursue it . fully, county and municipal governments should Unfortunately, funding often falls short of the need, create new incentives that are specifically de- and opportunities for homeowners are limited . To signed to encourage the rehabilitation of historic remedy this situation, existing sources of funding buildings and structures . A countywide revolving should be promoted more fully, and new sources fund with financial support from public and should be developed to help property owners and private sources would help to find new uses for developers pursue preservation options . historic buildings that are threatened or unlikely to be preserved solely with private funding . The County of Lancaster should also study the feasibility of a bond issue to fund the preservation Support New State and Federal of heritage resources and open space . Tax abate- Legislation ments should be considered for property owners who rehabilitate historic buildings following the Despite its impressive number of historic re- Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilita- sources, Pennsylvania lags behind other states in tion . Funds should also be made available for providing incentives for the reuse and rehabilita- streetscape improvements, especially along highly tion of these resources . Since the importance of visible streets in Lancaster City, boroughs, and Lancaster County’s history and culture is widely villages . recognized across the Commonwealth, county agencies and organizations should be strong Local financial institutions should also play a advocates for state legislation supporting heritage greater role in supporting historic preservation conservation goals . State agencies should be by offering low-interest loans for rehabilitation encouraged to provide greater financial incentives and maintenance and special mortgage rates for for adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of historic the purchase of historic homes . Banks and other buildings . Working with the Pennsylvania His- institutions should be encouraged to offer these torical and Museum Commission (PHMC), the incentives only when plans comply with Secre- County of Lancaster should also urge local elect- tary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation . ed officials to support the creation of additional financial incentives at the federal level . One of the biggest needs is legislation providing incentives for owner-occupied primary residences .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 107

Action Plan

Successful implementation of the Cultural Today, Lancaster County does not have a well- Heritage Element will require a collaborative ef- organized, smoothly functioning preservation fort between all three sectors of the community: system . Local agencies and organizations fre- public, private, and non-profit . To ensure that the quently duplicate efforts in historic preservation county’s future preservation system is effective, and heritage development, while other equally each of these groups must clearly understand its important tasks are addressed inadequately, if at role . Establishing clear roles and responsibilities all . Many groups work independently without for each group will help Lancaster County to reconsidering or building upon what other groups tain and enhance more of its historic and cultural may be doing . Partnerships between organiza- resources . The conservation and preservation of tions are often oriented to a particular project, Lancaster County’s heritage resources demands and when the project is completed, they go their that stakeholders communicate with one another separate ways . and work together to develop consistent goals, vision, and leadership for the future . In addition, the activities of many groups do not align with their adopted mission statements, Before explaining how the system will work in creating further confusion in the community . the future, it is important to understand how the This kind of “mission creep” can occur because existing system functions . an organization is strongly dedicated to its cause, and finds reason to be involved in a broad range

Action Plan of activities that touch on its area of interest . Other organizations have the opposite problem, Existing Preservation System adopting bold mission statements without having the capacity to fulfill them . In reality, they may Public perception of historical and cultural provide only a few specific services on a limited issues is strongly affected by the way in which basis . Without careful planning for the future, governments and non-profits respond to them . they may become entrenched in providing that Organizations and agencies in Lancaster County one service, and never grow to fulfill other as- often take an ad hoc approach to preservation, pects of their mission . rather than developing a systematic approach to preservation concerns as a whole . While threats The conservation and preservation of Lancaster to individual buildings can appear without warn- County’s cultural and historical resources de- ing, it is important to step back from the front mands that stakeholders communicate with one lines to develop a broader strategy . Even if all of another and work together to develop consistent Lancaster County’s most dedicated preservation- leadership, vision, and goals . This plan seeks to ists spent all of their time responding to potential initiate this process by presenting a disciplined demolitions, there still would not be enough approach to future preservation planning and time to develop unique solutions for every crisis . heritage development in Lancaster County .

Case-by-case reactions that merely aim to “put out a fire” contribute to the community’s perception that preservation is a subjective pursuit Future Preservation System with no basis in careful analysis . Forty years ago, the American public felt the same way about Many roles and responsibilities for conserving many environmental issues . Despite continued Lancaster County’s heritage resources are com- criticism of government involvement in that mon to all of us, whether we count ourselves area, Americans are starting to understand that among the public, private, or non-profit sectors environmental issues are interconnected, and of the community . We all have a responsibility that challenges must be examined (and often ad- to take better care of Lancaster County’s historic dressed) comprehensively . Historic preservation, buildings and landscapes, because they are iron the other hand, is still regarded as an issue replaceable gifts from the past . At the same time, that is fundamentally different from other types we must find new ways to celebrate and nurture of public planning . our cultural traditions, because our diversity

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 111 makes the county a stronger and more interesting Public Sector place to live, work, and visit . This sector includes all levels of government Conserving our resources, however, is about (federal, state, county, and local) and related more than just respecting the past . It is about agencies such as the Lancaster County Planning taking action to enhance our quality of life today Commission (LCPC), the Pennsylvania Histori- – teaching others the value of heritage resources, cal and Museum Commission (PHMC), and the so that they can be better stewards of what National Park Service . Educational institutions they own, and we can all enjoy a more vibrant are also included in this category, even though and sustainable community . Effective advocacy some are privately run . in support of our heritage can be as simple as shopping at Central Market, taking a class in The primary role of the public sector is to de- traditional quilting, or repairing an old window velop and implement policies that help all sectors rather than replacing it . of the community to discover, interpret, preserve, and celebrate our heritage . Cities, boroughs, and As we consider the most effective means of townships have another important responsibility conserving our historic and cultural resources, – to develop and implement regulations that pro- we must also recognize that no citizen, group, or tect heritage resources . Through the use of sub- government can accomplish these goals alone . division and zoning ordinances, historic resource Achieving our cultural heritage vision will require surveys, local historic districts, and other tools, an organized and disciplined effort to implement local governments can maintain and enhance the the strategies outlined in the Cultural Heritage heritage resources that contribute to community Element . If all three sectors the community focus character . The preservation toolbox included as on the same issues, some tasks are duplicated, an appendix to this plan provides a recommend- while others are ignored . ed implementation process for municipalities interested in pursuing these options . Beyond the basic conservation principles that all of us should practice, there are responsibilities The public sector accomplishes these goals by

that are best suited to specific sectors of the com- coordinating the planning process and by facili- Action Plan Action munity . To achieve the best possible outcome for tating communication among stakeholders . Gov- Lancaster County’s heritage resources, it is im- ernments offer technical assistance and provide portant for each sector to focus on its strengths, data management tools that support informed and allow the others to concentrate on what decisionmaking . To raise awareness of significant they do best . The discussion below provides an resources, the public sector manages recognition overview of the most appropriate roles that each programs such as the National Register of His- sector can play in protecting, preserving, and toric Places . Governments also provide financial conserving Lancaster County’s heritage resources . incentives that encourage heritage preservation .

Educational institutions play an important role in heritage preservation, both in terms of what they teach and how they allocate their resources . Concepts we learn in school have a lasting effect on our perceptions of historic and cultural heritage, and how we treat the resources in our care . Likewise, when institutions make choices about rehabilitating historic buildings, retaining existing neighborhood schools, or building new ones, they influence the way that communities function now and in the future .

112 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Primary Roles • With the assistance of preservation professionals, identify and assess historic Planning and Facilitation resources • Coordinate the planning process for the • Develop policies to protect historic protection and promotion of heritage resources resources • Establish historic districts and imple- • Promote communication and col- ment review processes through the cre- laboration between different groups of ation of a Historic Architectural Review stakeholders Board (HARB) under Pennsylvania Act 167, or an Historical Commission under Policy Development provisions of the Pennsylvania Munici- • Develop and implement policies to palities Planning Code (MPC) protect resources • Implement zoning and land-use regulations that preserve historic resources Technical Assistance • Develop design guidelines for use in • Educate citizens about the use of avail- historic districts able heritage preservation tools, and • Adopt the Main Street program (City, teach them to make choices that help to boroughs) protect heritage resources • Seek funding under the Elm Street pro-

Action Plan gram (City, boroughs) Data Management • Implement the International Existing • Use GIS and other tools to collect, track, Building Code contained in Pennsyl- and manage data to support informed vania’s Uniform Construction Code decisionmaking (UCC) • Encourage adaptive reuse through policy Regulation and incentives • At the local level – Use subdivision • Partner with LCPC, other munici- regulations, zoning, and other tools to palities, and organizations to identify protect heritage resources sources of funding and develop new sources Funding • Provide incentives to encourage all Lancaster County Board of Commissioners sectors of the community to invest in • Take the lead in sending a consistent heritage preservation message that proper stewardship of historic and cultural resources is part of Education doing business in Lancaster County • Formally recognize the value of heritage • Develop maintenance, rehabilitation, resources through awards programs and adaptive reuse plans for all county- and through the National Register of owned buildings Historic Places • Support heritage preservation by continuing to provide funding for initiatives Additional Roles such as the Lancaster County Heritage program and farmland preservation Municipalities • With private sector partners, create a revolving fund for heritage preservation Note: The preservation toolbox included as an • Consider a feasibility study to recom- appendix to this plan provides a recommended mend more effective approaches for implementation process for municipalities in- archiving, conserving, and increasing terested in pursuing the options listed below. the accessibility of historic county documents such as deeds and wills

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 113 Lancaster County Planning Commission • Promote adaptive reuse of historic build- • Develop and implement heritage pres- ings, context-sensitive design for new ervation policies that benefit county construction, and the use of building ma- residents as a whole terials that are sympathetic with the sur- • Focus attention on countywide issues rounding neighborhood or community (such as growth management) that have an effect on heritage resources Lancaster County Agricultural • Build capacity for planning at the local Preserve Board level, especially through the develop- • Better coordinate agricultural preserva- ment of appropriate heritage preservation efforts to reinforce the work being tion tools done in heritage preservation and heri- • Facilitate cooperation between local tage tourism governments • Assist in efforts to identify and conserve • Function as a liaison to state agencies significant cultural landscapes through- including PHMC, DCED, and DCNR out Lancaster County • Coordinate historic resource surveys • With the support of the Lancaster School Districts and Public Libraries County Board of Commissioners, • Teach students of all ages about the provide funding for specific preservation value of heritage resources, so that initiatives they grow up to become effective and • Continue to provide leadership in informed advocates for heritage preser- heritage tourism through the Lancaster vation County Heritage program and coordina- • Invest more time and financial resources tion with the Lancaster-York Heritage to educate students about the history Region (LYHR) of Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, and • Implement the Lancaster County Heri- their own communities tage Byways Program • Expand the fourth-grade Pennsylvania • Assist in the development of a “Lan- history curriculum to include more of a

caster County Heritage Institute” local focus Action Plan Action • Continue to support federal enhance- • Support the continued use of assembly ment funding for transportation projects presentations, field trips, and media that preserve historic and cultural about local history resources • Collect books, maps, and other materials • Conduct compliance reviews of federally that shed light on Lancaster County funded, permitted, or licensed projects history (especially materials that relate in Lancaster County, particularly as to the immediate local area), and make they relate to the work of the Lancaster them easily accessible to students and County Redevelopment Authority library users

Lancaster County GIS Division Trade Schools • Collect and manage data related to his- • Work with other organizations and toric resources and heritage tourism agencies to develop educational opportunities in the traditional building trades Lancaster County Housing and Redevel- opment Authority (LCHRA) Colleges and Universities • Allocate CDBG funds for housing reha- • Keep students educated and informed bilitation projects about local history, especially students • In keeping with LCHRA’s programmatic who are studying the humanities agreement with PHMC, continue to • Teach students how to identify and assess allow Lancaster County Planning Com- the historic resources they see every day mission staff to review LCHRA projects for their effect on historic resources

114 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element • Develop campus master plans in coop- Pennsylvania Department of Transporta- eration with municipalities and neigh- tion (PennDOT) borhood groups • Work with the Federal Highway Admin- istration (FHWA) to provide funding Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) for transportation enhancement projects • Work with Lancaster County’s public, that benefit historic communities private, and non-profit sectors to ad- • Support a robust Pennsylvania Byways vance the sense of place, quality of life, program, and work with LCPC to im- and economic vitality of downtowns, plement a successful Lancaster County traditional neighborhood business dis- Byways program tricts, and nearby residential areas • Support context-sensitive design in • Provide tools to outline a vision for transportation projects downtown areas and assist them in • Seek ways to rehabilitate historic bridges achieving that vision through education, in place, rather than demolishing or training, strategic partnerships, and moving them advocacy efforts National Park Service Pennsylvania Historical and Museum • Work with PHMC to implement the Commission (PHMC) Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit

Action Plan • Provide funding for historic resource (RITC) program surveys and grant programs • Participate in regulatory compliance for • Coordinate the National Register process projects when mandated by the National • Work with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Act and other laws Historic Preservation (ACHP) to carry • Provide technical assistance in the identi- out preservation tasks mandated by fication, evaluation, and management of the federal government, including nationally significant historic properties compliance reviews of federally funded, • Organize programs such as a Country- permitted, or licensed projects (generally side Exchange, which could bring preser- known as “Section 106” reviews) vation professionals to Lancaster County • Together with the National Park Service, to assess local preservation efforts administer the federal Rehabilitation • Give final approval to National Register Investment Tax Credit (RITC) for reha- listings bilitating historic buildings • Continue to support and provide local • Work with local and county govern- funding for the Chesapeake Gateways ments and with the non-profit sector to Program . formulate strong statewide preservation policies Advisory Council on Historic Preservation • Offer training programs for municipali- (ACHP) ties, organizations, and volunteers • Promote the preservation, enhancement, and productive use of historic resources Pennsylvania Department of Community across America, and advise the President and Economic Development (DCED) and Congress on national historic pres- • Manage Main Street and Elm Street ervation policy programs in Pennsylvania and provide • Work with PHMC to carry out pres- adequate funding for implementation ervation tasks mandated by the federal government, including compliance Pennsylvania Department of Conservation reviews of federally funded, permitted, and Natural Resources (DCNR) or licensed projects (generally known as • Continue to provide adequate funding “Section 106” reviews) for the Lancaster-York Heritage Region

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 115 Private Sector • Get involved in planning processes at all levels of government, especially in initia- The private sector includes two major groups tives that promote smart growth – individuals and businesses . Over the long term, • Visit the county’s Heritage Resources and their everyday decisions have a profound impact other historic sites, and participate in on our built environment and cultural traditions . Heritage Events and cultural celebrations As property owners and consumers, these groups • Buy locally made Heritage Products often determine where investments are made and who will benefit from them . Homeowners Realtors and Brokers can make a difference by learning to recognize • Work with financial institutions to reha- historically significant features of their homes, bilitate and restore historic buildings use appropriate tools and techniques to maintain • Emphasize the economic and communi- them, and replace lost or damaged features with ty benefits of owning historic buildings compatible materials . Builders Architects, builders, planning consultants, real- • Continue to encourage local builders tors, and financial institutions play an especially to design and construct new buildings important role in shaping our built environ- and neighborhoods that reflect tradition ment . By adaptively reusing historic buildings, patterns, incorporating the principles of revitalizing vacant properties, and creating new New Urbanism neighborhoods that reflect traditional patterns, • Seek opportunities to rehabilitate the the private sector can help to curb suburban upper stories of historic buildings for new sprawl . Banks and other lenders can contribute and more productive uses to a stronger Lancaster County by supporting projects that follow the principles of sustainable Financial Institutions development and smart growth . • Jump-start preservation efforts by finding creative ways to finance projects that Primary Roles may not fit the standard mold

• Create incentives that favor the rehabili- Action Plan Action Conservation tation of historic buildings, neighbor- • Work to preserve the county’s built envi- hoods, and downtowns ronment and cultural traditions • Sponsor Heritage Events, festivals, and other activities that promote the county’s cultural heritage Funding • Provide low-interest loans and afford- • Provide financial resources to rehabilitate able mortgage programs for purchasing historic buildings historic buildings Promotion • Encourage home ownership and em- • Interpret and promote heritage resources phasize the benefits of owning historic buildings Additional Roles • Work with the public and non-profit sectors to create a revolving fund for Citizens and the Business Community heritage preservation • Stay informed about historic resources, cultural traditions, and the issues that Consultants in Preservation, Architecture, involve them Landscape Architecture, and Archeology • Properly maintain the historic buildings • Promote heritage preservation by they own or manage completing historic resource surveys, • Volunteer at local cultural and historical archeological surveys, National Register institutions nominations • Engage fellow citizens, elected officials, and others about heritage issues

116 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element • Facilitate the work of local preservation Non-Profit Sector advocacy groups and historical societies • Create adaptive reuse plans for historic This sector includes 501(c)3 organizations such buildings and landscapes as the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster • Assist Heritage Resources with inter- County, the Heritage Center of Lancaster pretation and promotion, including County, the Lancaster-York Heritage Region, the exhibits, signage, photography, and Lancaster County Historical Society, and local other media historical societies throughout the county . • Employ context-sensitive design principles in the rehabilitation of historic The primary responsibilities of the non-profit buildings and landscapes, and in new sector are advocacy and education . Organizations construction in this sector advocate for the preservation of historic buildings, landscapes, and cultural tradi- Lancaster County Heritage (Private Sector tions; maintain the records and material culture Participants) of the past and present; and educate the public • Promote authenticity and provide ac- about the importance of these resources . They curate, well-researched, and effective publicly champion the cause of historic preserva- interpretation of heritage resources tion and cultural awareness, bringing attention • Showcase the economic benefits of pres- to issues that may be undervalued or ignored .

Action Plan ervation and heritage tourism Groups in the non-profit sector lobby all sectors of the community for increased recognition and financial support for heritage preservation .

The institutions that comprise this sector are the “keepers of our stories ”. They maintain and conserve the landscapes, buildings, sites, objects, and documents that tell the story of Lancaster County . Facade easement and improvement programs help reveal the true character of historic buildings, heritage events bring the past alive, and museum exhibitions make our history more accessible . Non-profit groups educate the community about issues that affect heritage resources, and organize meetings and conferences to bring groups together to discuss issues of mutual concern . Non-profit organizations also sponsor awards programs that highlight successful heritage projects and initiatives, as well as the individuals who contribute to the success of these efforts .

Primary Roles

Advocacy • Lobby all sectors of the community for increased support of heritage preservation and promotion • Focus attention on aspects of public life and private decisionmaking that have an influence on heritage preservation policy • Assist in promoting heritage tourism

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 117 • Promote economic development that • Focus attention on the need for facade supports heritage preservation improvements and other enhancements • Get residents organized and motivated that contribute to Lancaster City’s sense to preserve both historic buildings and of place cultural traditions • Museums and Cultural Institutions • Interpret the significance of Lancaster Education County’s historic resources and cultural • Educate the community about issues traditions that affect heritage resources • Collect and conserve the county’s “mate- • Organize conferences and meetings to rial culture” – the objects of everyday life bring groups together to support preservation causes Heritage Center of Lancaster County • Serve as the primary institution respon- Conservation sible for preserving artifacts and present- • Serve as the “keepers of the stories” ing exhibitions about Lancaster County’s by preserving the records of Lancaster material culture County’s past • Operate the Lancaster County Cultural • Preserve the tangible elements of the History Museum and the Lancaster county’s heritage resources including Quilt and Textile Museum buildings, structures, sites, and landscapes • Provide countywide educational pro- gramming for elementary and secondary Additional Roles school students on the history of Lan- caster County Historic Preservation Trust of • Publish original books on the artistic Lancaster County and craft traditions of Lancaster County • Serve as the countywide advocacy group and south central Pennsylvania for heritage preservation • Play a lead role in developing a cultural • Focus on its core mission of preserving museum consortium in the Lancaster

historic buildings and raising public City area Action Plan Action awareness about them • Provide technical assistance for the reha- Lancaster County Historical Society bilitation of historic buildings • Maintain a collections-based, institution • Continue to recognize preservation encompassing library, archives, artifact, successes through its annual awards photograph, and oral history holdings program used in a wide variety of educational • Coordinate with other non-profits to venues including: lectures, adult classes, ensure that heritage preservation is a pri- interpretive exhibitions, off-site displays, ority in every program that has an effect living-history reenactments, school and on historic resources home-school tours, etc . • Promote heritage preservation through • Provide a professional, customer-friendly educational seminars and programs regional history research center with • Continue to manage and expand the special emphasis on social history, family Trust’s historic easement program for history, urban and local community his- historic buildings tory, and business history . • Increase the accessibility of documen- Lancaster Downtown Investment District tary evidence chronicling the history (DID) of Lancaster County since its founding • Cooperate with the Pennsylvania Dutch and through the late 20th century, espe- Convention and Visitors Bureau (PD- cially to governments, non-profits, and CVB) to market and package downtown Heritage Resource managers seeking to heritage attractions

118 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element promote, preserve and interpret Heritage Farmland and Natural Areas Preservation Resources . Groups • Publish popular and scholarly historical • In identified cultural landscapes, sup- materials on Lancaster County history port environmental protection through and genealogy through a quarterly jour- fee-simple purchases or conservation nal, book-length projects, and local news easements organizations . • Help to interpret the county’s agricul- • Contribute to the development of tural and natural landscapes high-quality heritage interpretation, in • Continue to enhance public and non- partnership with a wide range of heritage profit agricultural preservation programs partners, by helping to identify, research, • Be conscious of historic buildings that and tell the “stories” that make up Lan- are affected by ag-related programs caster County history . • Encourage the County of Lancaster to Economic and Community Development undertake a feasibility study to recom- Groups mend more effective approaches for • Promote heritage preservation goals by archiving, conserving, and increasing finding new uses for historic buildings access to all historic county records . and neighborhoods • Emphasize the benefits of living and

Action Plan Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society working in historic buildings • Maintain records related to one of Lan- caster County’s primary European settle- Lancaster County Workforce Investment ment groups, German-speaking people Board from Central and Western Europe • Explore the creation of expanded educational opportunities for learning Local Historical Societies traditional building trades in Lancaster • Collect and display material culture County artifacts from specific regions within Lancaster County Cultural Groups • Continue to store and conserve locally • Protect and promote the cultural diver- significant historical materials sity that keeps the county vibrant • Publish books and newsletters related to local history Religious Institutions • Develop cooperative relationships with • Cultivate a definition of stewardship that the Lancaster County Historical Society, includes historic buildings the Lancaster County Heritage program, • Develop organizational relationships LCPC, and local governments with residents and businesses in the sur- • Create a network that connects these rounding community groups to one another, especially to en- • Establish a community presence that sure that efforts are not duplicated makes a difference in the neighborhoods where they are located Neighborhood Associations • Keep residents informed about local Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and heritage issues that might escape the Industry notice of larger organizations • Encourage its membership to support • Encourage home ownership the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of • Highlight the need for action against historic buildings, both in their own busi- property crimes such as vandalism nesses and in the community at large

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 119 Lancaster County Association of Realtors® • Focus attention on the region’s five inter- • Work with financial institutions to reha- pretive themes bilitate and restore historic buildings • Emphasize the economic and communi- Preservation Pennsylvania ty benefits of owning historic buildings • Lobby for state legislation that makes preservation more attractive to the pri- Building Industry Association of Lan- vate sector caster County • Educate Pennsylvania residents about the • Continue to encourage local builders economic benefits of historic preservation to design and construct new buildings • Continue to coordinate the annual state- and neighborhoods that reflect tradition wide historic preservation conference patterns, incorporating the principles of • Present awards to preservation advocates New Urbanism and individual projects statewide • Seek opportunities to rehabilitate the • Serve as a liaison between national, state, upper stories of historic buildings for new and local preservation organizations and more productive uses • Promote heritage preservation through educational seminars and programs Lancaster County Heritage (Non-Profit Sector Participants) American Institute of Architects (AIA) • Promote authenticity and provide ac- • Through AIA Pennsylvania and its Cen- curate, well-researched, and effective tral Pennsylvania Chapter, continue to interpretation of heritage resources recognize high-quality local architectural • Showcase the economic benefits of pres- projects that preserve and adaptively ervation and heritage tourism reuse historic buildings • Educate residents about the architectural Lancaster County Tourism Development profession and the principles of context- Council / Corporation (LCTDC) sensitive design • Further integrate the work of the LCT-

DC into planning initiatives sponsored National Trust for Historic Preservation Action Plan Action by LCPC, including programs related • Lobby the federal government to protect to growth management, transportation, heritage resources and raise awareness and economic and community develop- about the role that these resources play ment in our national identity • Promote and facilitate new heritage • Function as a liaison to the federal gov- tourism products that directly relate to ernment on heritage preservation issues Lancaster County’s heritage • Serve as a resource for statewide and local preservation organizations Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visi- • Sponsor grant programs, a national pres- tors Bureau (PDCVB) ervation awards program, and an annual • Continue to support the Lancaster national preservation conference County Heritage program and the Lan- • Maintain professional staff to respond to caster-York Heritage Region local preservation concerns • Raise the profile of heritage resources and the role they play in tourism promotion

Lancaster-York Heritage Region • Coordinate heritage tourism promotion efforts in Lancaster and York Counties

120 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Roles and Responsibilities Over the 10-year time frame of the Lancaster County Cultural Resource Element, the orga- Although Lancaster County does not currently nizational links described in the appendix will have a strong, coordinated preservation system be reviewed and amended as required to reflect to implement this plan’s goals, some of the changing conditions . In addition to being an components of a system already exist . The table implementing agency, the Lancaster County following this section of the plan links specific Planning Commission will track the plan’s prog- strategies to specific agencies and organizations . ress as a whole, make course corrections based The links shown in the table are based on how on input from other organizations, and monitor well the strategies reflect the mission statements the timeline . This process will require regular of the organizations that will implement them, communication between the various groups and and on the ability of these organizations to carry periodic meetings to discuss progress, challenges, the strategies through to completion . Most of the and proposed solutions . strategies are linked to multiple organizations, so implementation will require cooperation and The implementation process should lead to the coordination among a variety of groups . Since development of a strong, coordinated preserva- municipalities have an especially important role tion system in Lancaster County . While merely in implementing the plan’s recommendations, describing the system on paper will not make it an appendix to this plan provides a preservation happen, a system that develops over time through

Action Plan toolbox with a recommended implementation implementation activities and cooperative efforts process tailored to municipal needs . is more likely to endure .

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140 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Acronyms

APB Agricultural Preserve Board BIA Building Industry Association of Lancaster County

DCED Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development DID Lancaster Downtown Investment District FHA Federal Housing Administration GIS Geographic Information System HPT Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County LCAR Lancaster County Association of Realtors® LCBC Lancaster County Board of Commissioners LCC Lancaster County Conservancy LCCI Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry LC-GIS Lancaster County Geographic Information System Department

Action Plan LCH Lancaster County Heritage LCHRA Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authority LCHS Lancaster County Historical Society LCPC Lancaster County Planning Commission LCPC-CP LCPC Community Planning Division LCPC-ED LCPC Economic Development Division LCPC-LRH LCPC Long-Range and Heritage Division LCPC-TP LCPC Transportation Planning Division LCTDC Lancaster County Tourism Development Council / Corporation LFT Lancaster Farmland Trust LYHR Lancaster-York Heritage Region MCLC Museum Council of Lancaster County NPS National Park Service PDA Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture PDCVB Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau PennDOT Pennsylvania Department of Transportation PHMC Pennsylania Historical and Museum Commission PSU Pennsylvania State University SACA Spanish-American Civic Association WIB Lancaster Couunty Workforce Investment Board

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 141

Conclusion

What’s Unique About Our Heritage Why It’s Worth Protecting

When residents and visitors picture Lancaster Although every community must grow and County, they often think of rolling hills of change over time, accepting that reality has never contoured farmland, Amish buggies on country required us to throw out the past . Some of the roads, and roadside stands offering fresh produce best things about Lancaster County have been and shoofly pies . Those who dig a little deeper here for centuries, and have stood the test of time may think of brick buildings and tree-lined because someone insisted that they be preserved . streets in Lancaster City, colorful community Whenever the county appears poised to become fairs, and church bells ringing in the distance . Anyplace, USA, concerned citizens from all sectors of the community come to its rescue . This Of course, Lancaster County is more than that . spirit of stewardship has helped to ensure that It is a dynamic, living place full of stories wait- Lancaster County remains a distinctive, recognizing to be told . It is a place where the Amish able place . still produce traditional quilts by hand, African Americans rekindle awareness of a local history We have all inherited a legacy from the past, but that dates to colonial days, and Puerto Ricans with that gift comes a responsibility to protect celebrate musical and culinary traditions that and sustain our sense of place and quality of life are distinctly their own . Every story adds to our for ourselves and future generations . Communi-

cultural landscape . Whether people have been ties that have lost their soul have trouble attract- Conclusion here only a year or two, or claim local ties lasting ing new residents and businesses, and have little for generations, they contribute to the county’s to offer visitors . Conservation is critical to our sense of place . future, because we have a precious resource that cannot be reproduced . Not surprisingly, the Cultural Heritage Element focuses attention on historic buildings and struc- Protecting Lancaster County’s heritage has ben- tures – but it also emphasizes less visible aspects efits that go beyond making it a more beautiful of the cultural landscape . For instance, it is easy and livable place . Preservation is not just a “feel to forget that we are surrounded by archeological good” activity – it creates a more sustainable resources that are still hidden from view . Other environment . When we find a new use for an aspects of our culture are preserved at heritage old building, we are not only showing respect for sites that celebrate the simple objects and events the past, but saving energy by recycling . When of everyday life, now and in the past . At home we teach people to value their own cultural roots and in dining establishments across the county, and those of their neighbors, we give them the residents serve up traditional foods like chicken knowledge and confidence necessary to become pot pie, red-beet eggs, and pepper cabbage . All better citizens . The more we know about each of these things enrich our lives as Lancaster other, the more likely we are to build bridges Countians . instead of fences .

Without its historic buildings, working agricul- At times, Lancaster County residents suggest that tural landscapes, traditional craftsmanship, and things should just be left the way they are . At one cultural diversity, Lancaster County would not time, leaving things alone might have been an be the same kind of community . It is this rare effective way to preserve them . Today, we have and unique combination of historic and cultural to do more than allow things to happen – we elements that make Lancaster County a special have to actively pursue solutions that protect and place . Across the nation, few counties can boast enhance the characteristics we enjoy most about the abundance of heritage resources that we have where we live . The risk is not that a few more here . While every community has a story to tell, buildings will be torn down, but that we will only a handful can claim a heritage that has in- become just another stop in a drive-through cul- fluenced the development of America as a whole ture . The easy path is to allow Lancaster County – and Lancaster County is one of these places . to become more like other communities . Retain-

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 145 ing what makes us special is a challenge, but we tion – instead, they give heritage resources a fair need to prove that we are up to the task . chance to survive . While preservation may appear to interfere with short-term gain, it has rarely been shown to impede long-term growth . Rather than lamenting the fact that we do not have an What We Need to Do endless supply of buildable land, we must make better use of our existing built environment . Our Just as the natural environment depends on historic buildings are an asset, not a liability . interrelationships between a variety of plants and Lancaster County is the perfect laboratory for animals, our cultural environment forms a whole teaching the traditional building trades, and we that is greater than the sum of its parts . If we lose have an opportunity to become a national leader one part of what makes us unique, it diminishes in this area . our overall identity . We need to work harder to maintain Lancaster County’s patchwork quilt of Local interest in heritage preservation is growing, rural landscapes, small towns, and urban fabric . but we continue to allow significant, irreplace- At the same time, we need to ensure that our able resources to be lost . We sometimes get cultural traditions remain strong . The Cultural caught up in the details of implementation, Heritage Element provides the vision, goals, and rather than focusing on the end goal . Well-inten- strategies needed to protect and enhance this tioned groups throughout the community have resource called Lancaster County . often sponsored a host of unrelated initiatives, rather than working with each other toward a First, we need to become better educated about common objective . While some efforts duplicate our heritage resources . We must continue to what is already being done, important aspects of gather consistent and reliable data that helps us heritage preservation are being ignored . to make informed decisions, and this data should be made available to a wider audience . The Finally, we need to do a better job of sharing our more people know about the resources in their heritage with each other, with our children, and care, the more likely they are to appreciate their with visitors . It is important to find new ways Conclusion historic and cultural value . Sometimes, a little to promote our historic and cultural resources understanding is all it takes to convince someone without exploiting them or harming their to invest in preservation, rather than demolition . long-term sustainability . If we want to make a real difference, we must provide financial and Heritage initiatives must become an integral educational resources to ensure that our goals are part of economic development and revitalization implemented . As we move ahead, we must check across Lancaster County . Although regulations our progress frequently and be flexible enough to are one way to encourage conservation, they change course when necessary . Lancaster Coun- are only one tool in the toolbox . Preservation ty’s heritage is a unique resource that deserves a policies rarely mandate a particular course of ac- place in our future .

146 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Glossary

The terms listed in this glossary are commonly General Preservation Terms used by the historic preservation community . A

Preservation, Restoration, and Adaptive Use Rehabilitation The process of converting a building to a use other than that for which it was designed . These three terms have been pulled out of sequence and listed as a group because they are B often used interchangeably . In fact, however, they describe very different activities . Built Environment That portion of the environment that has been Preservation created by human efforts The act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and C materials of an historic property . Work, including preliminary measures to protect and stabilize the Certified Local Government property, generally focuses upon the ongoing A local government whose local historic preserva- maintenance and repair of historic materials and tion program has been certified by the National features rather than extensive replacement and Park Service in order to expand and strengthen

new construction . New exterior additions are not local historic preservation activities . Glossary within the scope of this treatment: however the limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, Characteristic electrical, and plumbing systems and other code- Qualities that constitute a character, including required work to make properties functional is those that characterize a landscape; a distinguish- appropriate within a preservation project . ing trait, feature or quality; uniqueness, attribute .

Restoration Conservation The act or process of accurately depicting the Planned management of a natural, historic, sce- form, features, and character of a property as it nic or cultural resource to prevent exploitation, appeared at a particular period of time by means destruction or neglect . of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features Cultural Landscape from the restoration period . The limited and A geographic area, including both cultural and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, electrical, and natural resources and the wildlife or domestic plumbing systems and other code-required work animals therein, associated with a historic event, to make properties functional is appropriate activity or person . within a restoration project . Cultural Properties Rehabilitation Association with cultural practices or beliefs of a The act or process of making possible a compat- living community that are 1) rooted in that com- ible use for a property through repair, alterations, munity’s history and 2) important in maintaining and additions while preserving those portions or the continuing identity of the community . features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values . Cultural Resource A building, structure, district, site, or object that is significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, or culture .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 149 D or related architectural characteristics, 3) cultural cohesiveness, or 4) any Design Guidelines combination of these . The degree of Criteria, locally developed, which identify archi- regulation of a designated conservation tectural characteristics of a given area to serve as district depends on the municipality . a guide to help ensure that infill development, Historic Conservation Districts are often additions, and major alterations are consistent used to enact less stringent review provi- those characteristics . sions than districts regulated by Historic Architectural Review Boards (HARBs) . F Conservation districts typically focus on issues such as building size, massing, and Fabric materials rather than specific architec- The physical material or component parts of a tural features . building, neighborhood, borough, city, etc . that are interwoven with each other to create a whole . Lancaster City has implemented both elements of this two-tiered approach, H a HARB to review changes in some districts, and an Historical Commis- High-Style Architecture sion to review changes in the Heritage Architect-designed buildings typically meant to Conservation District . While the city’s embody the characteristics of a particular aca- HARB-regulated districts are relatively demic style, such as “Federal” or “Queen Anne ”. small in area, the Historic Conservation District covers most of the area outside Historic District those districts, with the exception of A geographically definable area – urban or rural, territory outside the historic four-square- large or small – possessing a significant concen- mile core of the city . tration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, Glossary structures and/or objects united by past events or Historic Overlay District aesthetically by plan or physical development . A geographic area, usually a municipality or portion of a municipality, in which Historic District (National Register) an overlay district has been established A historic district, as described above, under the Pennsylvania Municipali- that meets the criteria for inclusion in ties Planning Code for the purpose of the National Register of Historic Places . imposing regulations on those buildings This designation is obtained through classified as historic . Such regulations are a nomination process . There are no contained in the zoning ordinance and regulations associated with listing on the administered by the zoning officer . National Register . Historic Landscape Historic District (Locally Regulated) An area which has had associated with it an event A historic district, as described above, or series of events of historical note . A historic that has a Historic Architectural Review landscape may also be the visual perception of a Board (HARB) regulate changes to particular period of civilization , a way of life, or buildings within the district . Such regu- pattern of living . lations are enabled under the Pennsylva- nia Historic District Act and are enacted Historic Property or Historic Resource in a stand-alone ordinance administered Any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, by the HARB . structure, or object included in, or eligible for inclusion on the national Register, including Historic Conservation District artifacts, records, and material remains to such a An area which contains 1) historic property or resource . properties, 2) buildings having similar

150 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element I L

Integrity Landscape Authenticity of a property’s historic identity, A view or vista of land in which natural and built evidenced by the survival of physical character- environments are sometimes combined . istics that existed during the property’s historic or prehistoric period . Historic integrity is a com- Landscape Character posite of seven qualities: location, design, setting, The arrangement of a particular landscape materials, workmanship, feeling, and association . as formed by the variety and intensity of the All seven qualities do not need to be present . landscape features and the four basic elements of Historic integrity enables a property to illustrate form, line, color and texture . These factors give significant aspects of its past . the area a distinctive quality that distinguishes it from its immediate surroundings . Further Explanation of “Integrity” All properties change over time . The Local Government retention of integrity depends upon A city, county, township, or borough . the nature and degree of alteration of change . It is not necessary for a property M to retain all the physical features or characteristics that it had during its period of Material Culture

significance . However, the property must Everyday objects of the past which are modified Glossary retain the essential physical features that over time . enable it to convey its past identity or character and therefore its significance . N The principal test to establish whether a property retains integrity is to ask National Register of Historic Places whether or not the property still retains A list of historic places composed of districts, the identity or character for which it is site, buildings, structures, and objects significant important . in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture . The National Register [The definitions above are taken from “Na- is maintained by the National Park Service (NPS) tional Register Bulletin 16A” published by with assistance from State Historic Preservation the National Park Service and the booklet Offices (SHPOs) including the Pennsylvania His- entitled “How to Complete the Pennsyl- torical and Museum Commission (PHMC) . vania Historic Resource Survey Form,” published by the Pennsylvania Historical P and Museum Commission.] Preservation or Historic Preservation Interpretation Includes identification, evaluation, recordation, The educational methods by which the history documentation, curation, acquisition, protection, and meaning of historic sites, buildings, objects, management, rehabilitation, restoration, stabi- districts, and structures are explained by use of lization, maintenance, research, interpretation, docents, leaflets, tape recordings, signs, film and conservation, and education and training regard- other means . ing the foregoing activities, or any combination of the foregoing activities . Intrusion A feature (land and water form, vegetation, or structure) that is generally considered out of context with the characteristic landscape .

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 151 Q T

Quality of Life Townscape A measure of the enrichment of life, as deter- View or vista of land comprised of a distinctive mined through the experience of art, music, relationship of buildings, spaces, materials, and natural beauty, history, design, recreation, etc . It textures which create an atmosphere, scale, and may also be the measure of our sense of security image . (See also Urban landscape) . as determined by crime rates, level of educational quality, or the economy . U

R Urban Landscape View or vista of land comprised of elements of Regulation the built environment, usually of a high density, A rule or order having the force of law issued by sometimes referred to as a cityscape . (See also an executive authority of a government . Townscape) .

S V

Sense of Place Vernacular Architecture The sum total of those parts which give a par- Commonplace, everyday buildings that comprise ticular site, area, or neighborhood a distinctive the bulk of the built environment . These build- character unique to its locality . The feeling associ- ings are often planned and/or built by those who ated with a location, based on a unique identity use them . and other memorable qualities . Visual Pollution Streetscape Term applied to intrusions in the man-made or A view or vista of a specific street, the distin- natural environment which are generally consid- Glossary guishing characteristics of which are created ered offensive to the sight . by the width of the street and sidewalks, their paving materials and color, the design of street Viewshed or Viewscape furniture, the potential use of plant materials Geographic area composed of land, water, biotic, such as trees and shrubs, and the setback, mass, and cultural elements which may be viewed and proportion and scale of those buildings which mapped from one or more viewpoints and which enclose the street . has inherent scenic qualities and/or aesthetic values as determined by those who view it .

152 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element Heritage Preservation Toolbox

Legal Basis for Historic otherwise be lost or destroyed as the result of Preservation federal (that is, federally funded or licensed) projects . The historical and cultural foundations of the nation should be preserved as a National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 living part of our community life and (NHPA) development in order to give a sense of Passed largely in response to the destructive ef- orientation to the American people. fects of urban renewal, highway construction, and other federal projects during the postwar era . – National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 This comprehensive historic preservation legislation built upon existing federal programs and created new historic preservation tools that went

beyond federally owned parks, museums, and Heritage Preservation Toolbox Federal Role monuments .

The earliest efforts of the federal government to 36 CFR 800 of this Act authorizes the process protect historically significant sites can be traced commonly called “Section 106 ”. This process is to the establishment of Yellowstone National engaged when a finding is made that a federal Park in 1872 . Since that time, the U .S . Con- undertaking will have a negative effect on an gress has passed a variety of preservation-related historic resource . This federal statute may come laws and created several new agencies . into play when municipal actions are funded or licensed by federal and state programs . Stream Antiquities Act of 1906 crossing permits are one example . The National Authorized the President to set aside and desig- Historic Preservation Act also has provisions that nate as National Monuments historic and pre- apply to state governments, as detailed below . historic structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated on lands owned or controlled by the federal government . State Role National Park Service (NPS) Created in 1916 as a bureau within the U .S . The people have the right to clean air, pure Department of the Interior . The NPS was made water, and to the preservation of the natu- responsible for the national parks and monu- ral, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of ments in existence at that time as well as those the environment. that may be created in the future . Today, it is also responsible for maintaining the National Register – Constitution of the Commonwealth of of Historic Places . Pennsylvania

Historic Sites Act of 1935 National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 Passed by Congress to create a national policy to (State Provisions) preserve for public use historic sites, buildings, This act created uniform regulations for state and objects of national significance . To further preservation programs across the United States . It the policy set forth in this act, Congress created a required each state to: charitable, educational, and non-profit corporation known as the National Trust for Historic • Establish a State Historic Preservation Preservation . Office (SHPO) administered by a State Historic Preservation Officer; Archeological and Historic Preservation Act • Create a preservation plan; Enacted in 1960 to provide for the preservation • Conduct a survey of historic proper- of historical and archeological data that might ties and maintain inventories of these properties;

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 155 • Administer the National Register "The Attorney General, the commis- program within their state with the over- sion, any political subdivision, person, sight of a State Review Board; and or other legal entity may maintain an • Cooperate with federal and state agen- action in an administrative tribunal or cies to ensure that historic properties are court for the protection or preservation taken into consideration at all levels of of any historic resources in this Com- planning . monwealth ."

Constitution of the Commonwealth of Penn- This paragraph has been interpreted to give sylvania standing to any person to petition government The Environmental Rights Amendment of 1971 for better protection of historic resources and was passed by Pennsylvania voters by a 4-to-1 to take legal action if their petition is rebuffed, margin, and it is now included in the state con- delayed, or ignored . stitution as Article I, Section 27: Pennsylvania Historic District Act (Act 167) “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, This act, which was passed by the Pennsylvania and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, Legislature in 1961: historic and aesthetic values of the environment . Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the • Authorizes creation of historic districts; common property of all the people, includ- • Provides for the appointment of Histori- ing generations yet to come . As trustee of these cal Architectural Review Boards; and resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and • Empowers governing bodies "to protect maintain them for the benefit of all the people ”. the distinctive historical character of these districts and to regulate the erec- Pennsylvania History Code of 1988 (Title tion, reconstruction, alteration, restora- 37 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, tion, demolition, or razing of buildings Chapter 5) within historic districts ." This code is the basis for the practicable legal implementation of the Environmental Rights Amendment of the Pennsylvania Constitution of Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code Pennsylvania, discussed above . (PMPC or MPC) This code was enacted by the state legislature in • Delineates the powers and duties of the 1968 to empower municipalities “to plan their Pennsylvania Historical and Museum development and to govern the same by zoning, Commission (PHMC); subdivision and land development ordinances, Heritage Preservation Toolbox Preservation Heritage • Establishes membership, terms, and du- planned residential development, and other ordi- ties of the Historic Preservation Board; nances . . ”. An August 2000 amendment to the • Establishes guidelines for state assisted, MPC included significant changes to strengthen permitted, or contracted projects that the protection of Pennsylvania’s natural and his- may affect archeological or historic toric resources . The MPC now includes the fol- resources; and lowing language related to historic preservation: • Establishes procedures for state in- teragency cooperation relating to the • § 603(b)(5): “Zoning ordinances…may preservation of historic resources under permit, prohibit, regulate, restrict and their ownership or control . determine protection and preservation of natural and historic resources and prime One of the code’s key provisions is the following agricultural land and activities ”. section: • § 603(g)(2): "Zoning ordinances shall provide for protection of natural and • § 512 . Enforcement of historic preserva- historic features and resources ." tion laws and policies .

156 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element • § 604: "The provisions of zoning ordi- relative historic significance . The process nances shall be designed: (1) to promote, of evaluating resources should follow protect and facilitate . . . preservation of the example set by municipal ordinances the natural, scenic, and historic values in that have been recognized as establishing the environment…” a legal basis for preservation planning; • § 605(2)(vi) authorizes the classification • Regulate demolition of historic buildings of zoning provisions "for the regulation, and structures, including demolition by restriction, or prohibition of uses and neglect; structures at, along, or near . . . places • Educate property owners in the appro- having unique historical, architectural, priate repair, rehabilitation, and restora- or patriotic interest or value . . ." tion of historic properties; • § 605 also allows the creation of overlay • Guide the construction of new buildings

zones that facilitate application of in or near neighborhoods or areas that Heritage Preservation Toolbox specific regulations to specific classes of have been determined to possess a con- buildings that may be dispersed . centration of historic buildings, such as a local historic district or an historic district listed in or eligible for the National Regis- ter of Historic Places . Local Role

Federal and state governments can create legal authorization for local programs, and provide Municipal Implementation Process technical assistance and incentives, but they cannot initiate preservation activities at the local level . There are 2,566 municipalities in Assessment Pennsylvania, and 60 municipalities in Lancaster County . Each of these municipalities has its The assessment of the historic resources is essen- own zoning ordinance . To date, 13 munici- tial to the development of a plan for protecting palities have implemented some sort of historic these resources at the municipal level . To begin preservation regulations under the MPC . These this process, a municipality should consider regulations vary widely in their application and retaining a preservation consultant or other effectiveness . Three municipalities have enacted preservation professional to prepare Pennsylvania Historic Districts under Pennsylvania Act 167 . Historic Resource Survey Forms or to oversee the completion of these forms by local volunteers . It As a result of a Pennsylvania Municipalities Plan- is important that the consultant work with local ning Code (MPC) amendment enacted in 2000, volunteers who are interested in and knowl- all Pennsylvania counties are required to “iden- edgeable about local people, places, and events . tify a plan for historic preservation” [Section While architectural significance can be often be 301(7)(b)(2)] . To this end, the Lancaster County determined visually, historic significance is more Planning Commission prepared this Cultural illusive, and local input can be invaluable . Heritage Plan to serve as a blueprint for the public, private, and non-profit sectors to protect the county’s heritage resources . In an effort to keep costs manageable, the Lan- caster County Planning Commission (LCPC) Based on year 2000 amendments to the MPC, provides the following technical assistance: municipal zoning ordinances should include provisions to: • Large-scale maps showing roads, parcels, and building footprints; • Define historic and cultural resources; • An electronic database format from • Conduct an inventory of all buildings, LCPC or the Pennsylvania Historical structures, and sites; catalogue their and Museum Commission (PHMC); physical features; and determine their

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 157 • Parcel account numbers and ownership The classification of historic resources is a helpful information; and tool in identifying the character-defining features • A list of possible funding sources avail- of a community – the elements that make it a able to municipal governments to fund distinct and recognizable place . If the municipal- historic resource surveys . ity is largely rural, then agricultural buildings may be a key element – or perhaps a linear village The historic resource database format, which is that developed around an early hotel . If the mu- designed in the Microsoft Access computer pro- nicipality is mostly urban, its character-defining gram, contains all the same fields of information features may be a downtown commercial district, that appear on the paper version of the Pennsyl- industrial buildings, or neighborhoods . vania Historic Resource Survey Form . This database format is compatible with PHMC’s database After historic resources have been identified and of historic resources throughout Pennsylvania, as classified, the next step is to identify current well as with LCPC’s database of historic resources and future threats, if any exist . Is commercial or in Lancaster County . LCPC can import the data residential development encroaching on signifi- into the Lancaster County GIS (digital mapping cant historic resources? Are road improvements system) to create a historic resource “layer” for or bridge replacements being considered? Are his- planning purposes . The information is also made toric resources being demolished or abandoned available to the public . by their owners? Identifying these threats allows a municipality to make informed decisions about Section 605 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities the planning process for historic resources . Planning Code (MPC) states: Next, evaluate the municipal comprehensive The provisions of all zoning ordinances plan . Does it address historic resources? If so, may be classified so that different provi- is the discussion adequate? Is the preservation sions may be applied to different classes of of historic resources stated as a municipal goal? situations, uses and structures and to such If not, the comprehensive plan may need to be various districts of the municipality as shall updated to comply with the requirements of be described by a map made part of the the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) as zoning ordinance. amended in 2000 .

Historic resources, when identified in a comprehensive survey, form a “class” of resources . This class may be further divided into smaller groups, Protection for example, Class I, Class II, and Class III . Heritage Preservation Toolbox Preservation Heritage Municipal comprehensive plans establish a vision • Class I buildings retain a high degree of for the future . They contain policy statements, historic or architectural integrity, and/or goals and objectives, as well as implementation they are historically significant on a lo- strategies . The MPC requires municipal compre- cal, state, or national level . hensive plans “to identify a plan for the protection of natural and historic resources . . ”. [MPC, • Class II buildings are the “fabric” of the Article III, Section 302(6)] . community, the commonplace buildings where people live and work . These Ideally, the comprehensive plan is prepared first, buildings comprise the bulk of the built and the classification of historic resources is environment . As such, they play an identified as one of the implementation strate- important role in defining community gies . Oftentimes, however, interest in conducting character . an historic resources survey results from a threat to a specific resource, instead of a specific com- • Class III buildings have lost much of mitment to implement preservation policies . If a their historical significance due to exten- survey is conducted after the comprehensive plan sive alterations or other factors . is adopted, the municipality should adopt an

158 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element update to the comprehensive plan . This update (2) size, height, bulk, location, erection, would acknowledge the survey, the threats that construction, repair, maintenance, alteration, inspired it, the reasons why such threats must be razing, removal, and use of structures; and curtailed, and the reasons why historic resources must be protected . (5) the protection and preservation of natural and historic resources . After resources have been inventoried, evaluated, and classified, the number and types of resources The actual regulations are developed at the local and the role they play in defining community level and adopted by local officials after a public character will be more evident . There are two ways process in exactly the same manner as other to protect historic resources in Pennsylvania: zoning regulations . Regulations could create a demolition review procedure; allow certain

• An overlay zone enabled by the MPC . uses by right or conditional use, specifically to Heritage Preservation Toolbox These zones are appropriate when re- encourage adaptive reuse of historic buildings; sources are dispersed . review certain types of alterations; and review infill construction . • An historic district enabled by the Pennsylvania Historic District Act (Act Regulations may be as stringent or as lenient 167) . Generally, Act 167 is best applied as desired . It is even possible to have different where there is a dense concentration of regulations for the different classes of buildings resources . identified in the survey . These are local decisions . Regulations should protect the character of It is also possible to use both types – for example, the municipality and implement the goals and a rural township with a village of 18th- and early strategies in the comprehensive plan . Regulations 19th-century buildings might use Act 167 for the should be cross-referenced in the subdivision village and the MPC overlay for the balance of and land development ordinance, so that historic the municipality . Again, those decisions are made buildings are taken into consideration whenever locally . development occurs .

MPC Historic Overlay Zone Regulations adopted under zoning are adminis- Zoning, subdivision, and land development tered by the zoning officer unless otherwise speci- ordinances, which are enabled by the MPC, are fied through conditional use or special exception . the documents that implement the policies estab- Many municipalities designate another body to lished in the comprehensive plan . As a result, the serve as a resource to the zoning officer, because regulations contained in these documents should the zoning officer may not live in the com- reflect the municipality’s goals and objectives . If munity and may not be knowledgeable about the municipality’s ordinances do not complement the history or architecture of the community . the comprehensive plan, then the plan and/or the This body could be the local historical society, ordinances may need to be updated . the planning commission, or a new group created by ordinance or resolution . It would review The existing zoning ordinance should be care- proposed activities and provide information and fully examined to identify disincentives or recommendations in a written report to the zon- conflicts with the preservation goals stated in ing officer, the governing body, or the Zoning the comprehensive plan . For example, if parking Hearing Board . requirements result in the demolition of historic buildings, the municipality may want to consider Call it what you will: Historical Commission, alternatives . Heritage Task Force, or Historical Society . The name is not as important as its advisory function . The next step is to protect historic resources The MPC is silent on the formation of advisory through regulation . Section 603(b) of the MPC groups like this, but the general powers conferred says that zoning ordinances may permit, pro- upon municipalities by the Commonwealth’s hibit, regulate, restrict and determine: borough and township codes authorizes govern-

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 159 ing bodies to “make and adopt all ordinances, Lancaster City and boroughs throughout the bylaws, rules and regulations deemed necessary county, especially those with downtown retail for the proper management and control of the areas, may want to consider adopting the Main township in order to maintain good government Street Program to stimulate downtown com- and protect the safety and welfare of its citizens ”. mercial retail activity . Since most of Lancaster County’s downtowns date from the mid to late Act 167: The Pennsylvania Historic District Act 19th century (1800s), they have a special archi- The Pennsylvania Historic District Act focuses on tectural and historical character that can be used creating historic districts rather than identify- to attract residents and visitors . The Elm Street ing individual resources . An historic district Program is another opportunity for reinvest- is a specific area, such as a neighborhood or a ment in neighborhoods adjacent to downtown commercial district, which PHMC has certi- areas . There are a number of incentive programs fied as being historic . Municipalities may adopt associated with the rehabilitation of historic regulations concerning the erection, reconstruc- commercial properties . LCPC staff can provide tion, alteration, restoration, demolition, or razing information and technical assistance relative to of any building, in whole or in part, within the these programs . historic district . These regulations are applied to all buildings within the district, rather than Municipalities also have the opportunity to to a class of buildings across the municipality, partner with LCPC and other agencies and as might be the case under the MPC . A local organizations to promote heritage tourism . Not Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) every community in Lancaster County is looking is established to make recommendations to the to increase tourism, but those that are can work governing body . The governing body still makes with local and regional partners to develop sensi- the final determination whether to approve any tive and sustainable approaches . Interpretive and proposed activity, approve it with conditions, or commemorative signage is another option for deny it altogether . A HARB is an appointed body municipalities that want to recognize the value of that must include a building official, an architect, local heritage resources . and a real estate broker among its members . Becoming familiar with the International Existing The Lancaster County Planning Commission Building Code is critical, because it provides relief provides technical assistance to municipalities to from provisions that may damage the integrity of help them determine which enabling legislation historic buildings . This code was adopted in 2004 is most appropriate – in other words, which of as part of Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Pennsylvania’s two ways to preserve historic re- Code (UCC), and is still being refined by amend- sources will work best to meet their needs . LCPC ments . Code enforcement officers throughout the Heritage Preservation Toolbox Preservation Heritage staff can help municipal officials to develop county should all be on the same page regarding appropriate regulations based upon the goals the regulations for historic buildings – and that is they have set for their municipality . Whether currently not the case . A unified process should regulations already exist or are being adopted, be developed to streamline the permitting process it is important to enforce them consistently, in and encourage adaptive reuse . the same manner as other zoning regulations are enforced . Funding tools currently exist for certain types of preservation activities, but they are generally Municipalities may also want to consider adop- inadequate to the task, and do not cover many tion and enforcement of property maintenance situations . LCPC staff can provide information codes . These codes help to prevent demolition to municipalities about possible funding sources . by neglect . Design guidelines are another tool that municipalities can use to ensure compatible Recognition and Celebration infill in urban areas and sensitive development in rural areas . These guidelines can also be helpful Municipalities should encourage property own- to property owners who are considering major ers to pursue the listing of their properties in additions or alterations . the National Register of Historic Places . The

160 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element National Register is this nation’s list of buildings, among these three criteria, as does the rehabili- structures, objects, and districts important in our tation of historic buildings. nation’s history . It is a prestigious designation and there are no regulations of any type associ- - Donovan D . Rypkema, from The Eco- ated with it . This designation reflects positively nomics of Historic Preservation: A Com- not only on the property or district, but also on munity Leader’s Guide, 2nd ed . National the municipality as a whole . Trust for Historic Preservation, 2005 .

Municipalities should also encourage and work Heritage preservation has long been understood with local historical groups and organizations to as an effective approach for maintaining a com- promote heritage resources . These groups collect munity’s sense of place . In recent years, however, information on local people, places, and events planners have begun to study the economic ben- that help to define community character . Since efits of historic preservation . These studies prove Heritage Preservation Toolbox many of these organizations are non-profits that “preservation pays” by stimulating commu- run by volunteers, they need local government nity revitalization . Donovan Rypkema is one of support to prepare and publish commemorative the nation’s foremost authorities in documenting books, display local historical artifacts, maintain the economic benefits of historic preservation . records on historically and/or architecturally His work has shown that preservation is not just significant properties, cemeteries, churches, and a backup strategy for communities pursuing other resources . economic growth . In fact, historic preservation is economic development . Another way to recognize and celebrate heritage resources is to plan activities and events that Preservation-related policies and planning celebrate local history and culture . These could initiatives promote the material welfare of com- range from periodic public meetings where munities by increasing property values, creating presentations on local history are made, to additional jobs, providing additional financing parades, to working with local scout and school tools, and attracting tourism . Rehabilitation and groups, to fairs and festivals and so on . Another reinvestment in historic buildings also minimizes way to promote historic preservation is through infrastructure costs associated with new develop- dissemination of information about the history ment . As Rypkema notes in The Economics of of the municipality, the region, particular proper- Historic Preservation, it often takes only one or ties, people or events . These could appear in the two rehabilitated properties to spur the rebirth of municipal newsletter, the local shopper’s news, a neighborhood, because “investment by others and/or in a historical society publication . Often . . . reduces the risk of reinvesting in one’s own residents are unaware of local history . property ”. Just as vacant and neglected buildings can reduce property values, rehabilitated build- There are many more things that individuals and ings can raise them . Investors are more likely to municipalities can do to recognize and celebrate finance preservation projects when the value of the heritage of their community . The key lies in adjacent properties is increasing . understanding that historic resources are often hidden assets that can benefit municipalities in a variety of ways . Main Street Program

Economic Benefits of Heritage Concerned about continuing threats to tradi- Preservation tional commercial architecture in economical- ly declining downtowns across America, the Economic impact is generally measured in three National Trust for Historic Preservation launched ways: jobs created, increase in household in- the Main Street Project in 1977 . This three-year come, and demand created on other industries. initiative was designed to study the reasons why Very few of the 500 or so categories of economic downtowns were dying, identify the factors that activity have as potent a local impact, balanced affect their health, and develop a comprehensive

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 161 revitalization strategy to save historic commercial In Pennsylvania, the Main Street program is buildings . This strategy later became known as administered by the Pennsylvania Department the Main Street “Four-Point Approach” to down- of Community and Economic Development town revitalization, a methodology that com- (DCED) and the Pennsylvania Downtown bines historic preservation with economic Center (PDC), a private non-profit community development to restore prosperity and vitality development organization . Three Main Street to central business districts . Four principles are programs are currently active in Lancaster Coun- emphasized in the Main Street approach: ty: Elizabethtown Main Street, in Elizabethtown Borough; Downtown Ephrata, Inc ., in Ephrata The Main Street Four-Point Approach Borough; and Main Street Mount Joy, in Mount 1 . Design; Joy Borough . Through a group called “Venture 2 . Economic restructuring; Lititz,” Lititz Borough is also working toward 3 . Promotion; and Main Street designation . 4 . Organization .

The Main Street approach empowers local communities to promote economic develop- Elm Street Program ment within the context of historic preservation . Revitalization efforts focus on the unique assets Across the country, many Main Street areas of traditional commercial districts: distinctive are surrounded by distressed neighborhoods architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, that continue to struggle despite hard work on personal service, local ownership, and a sense of the part of downtown advocates . In 2004, the community . Since the program has an historic Commonwealth of Pennsylvania launched a new preservation focus, building rehabilitation proj- program designed to build upon the successes of ects funded through Main Street grants typically Main Street programs across the state . This new require grant recipients to follow the Secretary of program, “Elm Street,” focuses on revitalizing the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation . These residential corridors near downtown commercial standards are discussed in more detail in the districts . The premise is that downtown com- “Goals” chapter of this plan . mercial areas are more appealing to residents and visitors if the adjacent neighborhoods are also Every Main Street program is unique, because it vibrant . is a grassroots effort designed to meet local needs and capitalize on local opportunities . Main Street Elm Street follows a five-point approach, similar programs can be housed by a variety of different to the Main Street four-point approach . organizations, depending on what works best in Heritage Preservation Toolbox Preservation Heritage the local community . In some cases, these pro- The Elm Street Five-Point Approach grams are managed by a free-standing non-profit 1 . Clean, safe, and green; organization . They can also be housed within a 2 . Neighbors and economy; local government, chamber of commerce, com- 3 . Design; munity development corporation, merchants as- 4 . Image and identity; and sociation, special taxation district, or downtown 5 . Sustainable organization . development authority . As with the Pennsylvania Main Street program, The National Trust Main Street Center was cre- the Elm Street program is administered by the ated in 1980 . At that time, the Center launched Pennsylvania Department of Community and a second demonstration program focusing on Economic Development (DCED) and the Penn- six states including Pennsylvania . Today, there sylvania Downtown Center (PDC) . PDC is re- are more than 40 state-, county-, and city-wide sponsible for providing assessment, training, and Main Street programs among more than 1,200 technical assistance to Elm Street communities . Main Street programs across the country . Over time, PDC will monitor the program and advise DCED and state leaders on the program’s progress . PDC’s role includes:

162 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element • Connecting Elm Street communities Two Elm Street grants have been awarded to with resources beyond the state’s pro- initiatives in Lancaster City: gram, such as foundations, implementation partners, or non-profits with • The Historic Southeast Neighborhood; complementary missions and programs; and • Acquiring and redistributing grant funds • The North Neighborhood within the for targeted issues; and James Street Improvement District • Linking communities with real estate (JSID) . development assistance . Elm Street Historic Southeast Neighborhood Through the Elm Street Program, grants are This program focuses on the southeast part of available for planning, technical assistance, and Lancaster City, and especially on Howard Av- physical improvements . Applicant communities enue, which runs northeast to southwest between Heritage Preservation Toolbox generally pursue Elm Street grants and designa- King and Queen Streets . Some of Lancaster’s tion in this order: oldest houses are located on this street, because it was one of the first parts of the city to be settled . 1 . Planning Grants – To be eligible for eventual designation, communities must have a plan With an Elm Street grant, a non-profit com- that addresses all five points of the Elm munity development organization called the Street approach . Communities with recent Inner City Group started a facade improvement plans that do not quite meet Elm Street re- program . This project began with repainting quirements can apply for grants to augment and porch repairs, but may later include brick existing plans to meet those requirements . sidewalks and underground utilities . The focus Communities with DCED-approved eligible of the effort is two blocks of Howard Avenue plans may forgo the planning grant and ap- between Shippen and Lime Streets, but this may ply directly for designation . later expand to include the 200 and 300 blocks of East King Street . A landscaping project is also 2 . Elm Street Designation – To apply for desig- planned for Mifflin Street . nation, applicant communities must submit an application form and an Elm Street plan . Other partners in this project include Bethel Most applicants will complete an Elm Street African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, East Plan with an Elm Street planning grant, King Street Improvement District, and Center but other communities may submit plans City Neighborhood Enhancement Corporation, a created without Elm Street funding . One of stand-alone community development corporation the primary benefits of formal designation created with the help of Trinity Lutheran Church . as an Elm Street community is funding for administrative and staffing needs, including Elm Street North Neighborhood support for an Elm Street Manager position . This program focuses on the central and northern parts of Lancaster City between Clipper 3 . Residential Reinvestment Grants – These Magazine Stadium and Lancaster General Hos- grants provide funds for such activities as pital . The area included in this program extends facade and streetscape improvements, and roughly from Prince to Christian Streets (west rehabilitation and reuse of existing buildings . to east) and from Ross to Lemon Streets (north Although Elm Street designation is not cur- to south) in the northern and central portions of rently required for grant eligibility, the grants Lancaster City . are generally targeted to Elm Street communities . As more Elm Street communities The Elm Street North Neighborhood is just one are designated, however, it will become more part of a larger area that is the focus of the James difficult for non-designated neighborhoods Street Improvement District (JSID), a non- to acquire these funds . profit community development organization . This district includes most of the city north and northwest of the downtown area, including the

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 163 campus of Franklin & Marshall College . JSID Department of Community and Economic De- was created in 2003 by a consortium including velopment (DCED), and the Pennsylvania De- local businesses, Franklin & Marshall College, partment of Conservation and Natural Resources and Lancaster General Hospital . JSID’s mission (DCNR) . It has also become a focus for regional is to build effective partnerships to maintain a organizations such as the Lancaster-York Heri- clean and safe environment and to promote, tage Region and Tourism Promotion Agencies plan, and advocate for a growing, diverse, urban such as the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and community in Northwest Lancaster . Visitors Bureau, which promotes attractions in the Lancaster County area . The Commonwealth’s JSID serves as coordinator for the North-Cen- Historic Preservation Plan states that economic tral Elm Street Program . To date, Elm Street development and preservation initiatives that funds have helped JSID to operate a facade encourage heritage tourism make good economic improvement program . As of July 2006, nearly and practical sense . 60 properties had participated in the matching grant program, representing nearly $400,000 in Lancaster County first became involved in improvements . heritage tourism as a pilot of the Pennsylvania Heritage Tourism Initiative in 1994 . This program was also sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation . At the conclusion of Heritage Tourism the pilot, the County of Lancaster joined with local partners including the Pennsylvania Dutch Tourism is one of Lancaster County’s largest Convention and Visitors Bureau and Historic industries, second only to agriculture, and Preservation Trust of Lancaster County to con- heritage tourism is the fastest growing segment tinue this effort through a program calledLan - of the tourism industry . To focus and direct the caster County Heritage . Since that time, over 100 development of this important economic tool, Heritage Sites, Services, and Events that meet the the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners program’s rigorous authenticity guidelines have adopted the Lancaster County Strategic Tourism joined the program . Several maps and guides Development Plan in June 2005 . This document highlight these resources by encouraging visitors was the county’s first tourism plan, and the first to follow designated tour routes . in the state to be adopted as an official element of a county comprehensive plan . As consultant to the Lancaster-York Heritage Region, the Lancaster County Planning Com- Heritage tourism is recognized as a key economic mission also expanded the types of resources development tool in Pennsylvania . As the fourth- included in the program, and helped to create a Heritage Preservation Toolbox Preservation Heritage most visited state in the nation, Pennsylvania sister program in York County . Public response draws approximately 126 million visitors annu- to Lancaster County Heritage has been over- ally . The total impact of travelers on the state’s whelmingly responsive, leading to several state economy is approximately $34 billion a year and and national accolades . provides more than 563,000 jobs . According to Historic & Cultural Traveler magazine, visitors to historic communities: Federal Historic Preservation Tax • Stay longer – an average of 4 .7 nights, Incentives versus 3 .4 nights for other travelers; and • Spend more – approximately $623 per Two federal tax incentive programs currently stay, versus $457 for other travelers . apply to preservation activities: the Rehabilita- tion Investment Tax Credit (RITC) and the Based on this evidence and other factors, heritage Charitable Contribution Deduction . The RITC tourism has become a priority for state agencies effectively reduces the costs of rehabilitation including the Pennsylvania Historical and Mu- to an owner of an income-producing historic seum Commission (PHMC), the Pennsylvania property . The charitable contribution deduction

164 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element is a donation of the historic value of a structure nities to preserve the historical, architectural, and and is available to owners of income-producing archaeological resources of Pennsylvania . properties as well as private residences . The owner submits the application forms to the Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit (RITC) Bureau for Historic Preservation, where they are RITCs are the most widely used federal historic reviewed and passed on to the NPS for review, preservation tax incentive program . Certain comment, and final certification decision . expenses incurred in connection with the rehabilitation of an old building are eligible for a tax The application is a three-part process: credit . RITCs are available to owners and certain long-term leases of income-producing properties . • Part 1 – Documents that the building There are two rates: 20 percent for an historic is a certified historic structure and is eli- building and 10 percent for a non-historic build- gible to receive the tax credit . Buildings Heritage Preservation Toolbox ing . Each rate has different qualifying criteria . that are individually listed in the Nation- al Register are automatically designated To be eligible for a 20 percent tax credit: as certified historic structures . • Part 2 – Explains the scope of the re- • The building must be listed in the Na- habilitation work . This documentation tional Register of Historic Places, either should be filed before work begins . individually or as a contributing build- • Part 3 – The final part, called a Request ing within a district or is a contributing for Certification of Completed Work, building to a Certified Local District (a documents the completed work and local historic district that has been certi- proves to the U .S . Internal Revenue Ser- fied by the National Park Service) . vice that the rehabilitation is “certified ”. • The building must be used for income- PHMC staff provide ongoing technical producing purposes . assistance throughout the application • Rehabilitation work must be under- process . To ensure the best results, taken according to the Secretary of the PHMC staff encourage the sponsors of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation . potential tax-credit projects to contact • The project must meet the “substantial staff as early as possible in the process . rehabilitation test” – the amount of money to be spent on the rehabilitation To be eligible for a 10 percent tax credit: must be greater than the adjusted basis of the building, or $5,000, which ever is • The building must be built before 1936 more . and be “non-historic ”. That is, not listed • Generally, projects must be finished in or determined eligible for the listing within a 24-month period . in the National Register of Historic • After rehabilitation, the building must Places, either individually or as a con- be owned by the same owner and oper- tributing building within a district . ated as an income-producing property • The building cannot be used for rental for 5 years . residential purposes . • The building must meet the wall reten- Two government agencies must review the tion requirement – retaining 50 to 75 project: 1) the State Historic Preservation Of- percent of the external walls and retain fice (SHPO) and 2) the National Park Service 75 percent of the internal structural (NPS) . In Pennsylvania, the Bureau for Historic framework . Preservation within the Pennsylvania Historical • The project must meet the “substantial re- and Museum Commission (PHMC) serves as the habilitation test” – the amount of money SHPO . Working in partnership with the United to be spent on the rehabilitation must States Department of Interior, PHMC carries out be greater than the adjusted basis of the the mandates of the federal Historic Preservation building, or $5,000, which ever is more . Act, as amended, and works with local commu-

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 165 • Generally, projects must be finished deduction, a conservation easement is something within a 24-month period . to consider . Qualified professionals should be • After rehabilitation, the building must consulted on the matter of easement valuations be owned by the same owner and oper- and the tax consequences of their decision . ated as an income-producing property for 5 years . To be eligible for the charitable contribution deduction: For the 10 percent tax credit, rehabilitation work is not subject to review by any state of federal • The property must be listed in the Na- agency . If the above criteria are met, the 10 tional Register of Historic Places, either percent rehabilitation credit can be claimed as an individually or as contributing building investment credit on an owner’s federal income within an historic district . Buildings that tax return . are individually listed are automatically designated as certified historic structures . Numerous projects throughout Lancaster County • Buildings within National Register have received Rehabilitation Investment Tax Historic Districts must have a Part 1 Credits . Many of them are located in the City of application reviewed by the Pennsylvania Lancaster, where recent projects have included: Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and certified by the National • A .K . Mann Tobacco Warehouse, North Park Service . Prince Street – now Prince Street Center, home of the Brickyard Restaurant and Additional information, tax application forms, other businesses and instructions are available from PHMC’s • Steinman Hardware Building, West Bureau for Historic Preservation . Please contact King Street – now the Press Room Res- Bonnie Wilkinson Mark, Preservation Services taurant and offices Division, 717-787-0772 . As with any tax law, • Hamilton Watch Company, Columbia there are restrictions which may affect an Avenue – now Clock Towers Condo- applicant’s eligibility for these tax benefits, so it is miniums important to seek the advice of a tax consultant . • Folmer, Clogg & Company Umbrella Factory, West King Street – now the Umbrella Works New Markets Tax Credit Program • Edward McGovern Tobacco Warehouse, The federal government created the New Markets North Plum Street – now the Lancaster Tax Credit Program in 2000 to stimulate long- Brewing Company term investment in the economic development Heritage Preservation Toolbox Preservation Heritage • Basch & Fisher Tobacco Warehouse, of low-income communities . The U .S . Treasury New Holland Avenue – now the home Department’s Community Development Finan- of Scheffey Integrated Marketing and cial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and the Internal other businesses Revenue Service (IRS) administer the NMTC program . Charitable Contribution Deduction The charitable contribution deduction is taken in Unlike other tax credits created to benefit low- the form of a conservation easement and enables income communities by addressing housing, this the owner of a “certified historic structure” to tax credit is aimed at businesses . The hope for the receive a one-time tax deduction . A conserva- NMTC is that it will generate new investment tion easement usually involves the preservation capital over a seven-year period from private of a building’s facade by restricting the right companies and individual investments for busi- to alter its appearance . If you would like to see nesses in low- and moderate-income communi- your building preserved for future generations ties . Increasing the flow of private capital into and/or you could benefit form a significant tax low-income areas is the primary objective of the NMTC program . The investment capital generated through the program will give businesses in

166 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element under-served communities the ability to weather The purpose of an easement is to ensure that the temporary economic downturns and to expand protected aspect of the property is preserved in in economic upturns . Investors in the program’s perpetuity, even if the ownership of the property Community Development Entities (CDEs) will changes hands . An easement is only as good as its receive a credit against their federal income taxes enforcement, however – when a property is sold, that may reach as high as 39 percent over the the new owners may not be made aware that an seven-year period . easement exists . The owner of the easement is responsible for ensuring that the property owner An organization wishing to receive awards under follows the terms of the easement . The best-case the NMTC Program must be certified as a CDE scenario is for an easement to be held by a non- by the Community Development Financial profit organization that is capable of regularly Institutions Fund . To qualify as a CDE, an orga- monitoring the property for compliance . nization must: Heritage Preservation Toolbox In any discussion of historic preservation ease- • Be a domestic corporation or partner- ments, it is important to note that every part of a ship at the time of the certification building – regardless of age or condition – plays application; a role in determining its historic significance . • Demonstrate a primary a mission of Changes made more than 50 years ago are histor- serving, or providing investment capital ic in their own right, and should be treated with for, low-income communities or low- the same care as “original” features . In reality, income persons; and there is no such thing as a completely “original” • Maintain accountability to residents building . Another common misperception is of low-income communities through that buildings in a deteriorated condition are no representation on a governing board of longer historic . Although a building’s condition or advisory board to the entity . can affect its significance, it is only one of many factors that must be considered in determining More information about this program is available its value as an historic artifact . from the Economic Development Division of the Lancaster County Planning Commission . By the same token, the significance of an historic building is not limited to its most ornate, well- preserved, or publicly visible facades . Since all of a building’s features help to determine its histori- Easements cal value, it is important for adaptive reuse and rehabilitation projects to retain as many of these Historic preservation easement programs are features as possible . While preserving a building’s another tool to promote the rehabilitation of his- facade is better than complete demolition, it toric buildings . An easement is a voluntary legal quite literally makes a building a “shell” of its agreement that protects the easement holder’s former self . Architects and historic preservation right to certain uses of a property without acquir- professionals refer to this practice as a “facadec- ing the property in fee simple . Although some tomy ”. This treatment is only acceptable as a last easements include nothing more than the right resort, when all other options have been fully to use a driveway or service a telephone pole, explored . they can also protect a significant feature of a property, such as an historic building, archeologi- To date, historic resource easements have not cal site, or scenic view . An easement may apply to been widely used in Lancaster County . With ad- any part of a property identified under its terms ditional commitment from funding sources, ease- – inside or out . If the easement is donated, the ment programs could become one of Lancaster property owner may qualify for a federal income County’s strongest tools in preserving heritage tax deduction equivalent to the value of the resources . Easement programs offer the opportu- rights restricted by the easement . nity to preserve significant features at the lowest possible cost, without having to buy properties outright . The Historic Preservation Trust of Lan-

Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element 167 caster County now holds 18 easements, most of • Financing to purchase the dwelling; which are on properties in downtown Lancaster • Interim financing to do the rehabilita- City . These easements include preservation and tion work; and maintenance of all exterior surfaces and grounds, • A long-term mortgage to pay off the not just the main facades . interim financing .

Across the Susquehanna River in York County, Most lenders will not approve a mortgage the City of York operates a successful facade without adequate loan security . If a house needs easement program in cooperation with Historic repairs, lenders may require improvements to York, Inc ., a non-profit historic preservation be made before approving a mortgage . To pay organization . The purpose of this program, for these improvements, homebuyers must seek which is funded in part by Community Develop- interim financing, and this kind of loan generally ment Block Grants, is to provide incentives for has high interest rates and short loan periods . property owners to restore and maintain building facades on major downtown streets . In return To address this situation, HUD developed a for granting a 20-year easement on these facades, program called Section 203(k) . Under this pro- property owners are paid 50 percent of the cost gram, borrowers can get a single mortgage loan to restore them, up to a maximum of $10,000 . to finance both the purchase and the rehabilitation of a property . Section 203(k) is HUD’s Since the program began in 1980, over $1 mil- primary program for the rehabilitation and repair lion in private funds has been matched by $l of single-family homes, and as such, it is an im- million in public funds to restore the facades of portant tool for community and neighborhood virtually every building in York’s central business revitalization . district . Today, Historic York holds 34 active easements on buildings in downtown York, in Many lenders work cooperatively with non-profit addition to easements on six other properties organizations or government housing agencies throughout York County . to offer financing under the Section 203(k) program . This program gives lenders a chance to demonstrate their commitment to lending in lower-income communities and in meeting their Assistance for Homeowners requirements under the Community Reinvest- ment Act (CRA) . HUD is committed to increas- Several state and local programs can help Lan- ing homeownership opportunities for families in caster County residents to buy, maintain, and these communities, and Section 203(k) helps to

improve homes . make that dream possible . Heritage Preservation Toolbox Preservation Heritage Section 203(k) Program To be eligible for 203(k) financing, a property The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), a must be a one- to four-family dwelling that has part of the U .S . Department of Housing and Ur- been completed for at least one year . In addi- ban Development (HUD), administers a variety tion to typical home rehabilitation projects, this of single-family mortgage insurance programs . program can be used to convert a one-family These programs operate through FHA-approved dwelling to a two-, three-, or four-family dwell- lenders . These lenders fund the mortgage loans ing . Existing multi-unit dwellings can also be that HUD insures . HUD does not make direct decreased to a one- to four-family unit . loans for the purchase of homes . This program can be used: When potential homebuyers want to buy a house that needs repair or modernization, it is often • To purchase a dwelling and rehabilitate necessary for them to obtain several different it on site; loans before moving into the house: • To purchase a dwelling on another site, move it onto a new foundation on the mortgaged property and rehabilitate it; or

168 Heritage — The Cultural Heritage Element • To refinance existing indebtedness and must carefully coordinate the strategies in this rehabilitate a dwelling . plan with those in the other elements of the Lan- caster County Comprehensive Plan . Homebuyers can use the 203(k) program to finance such items as painting, room additions, A successful program in Lancaster City illustrates decks, and other items, even if the home does how a single well-organized and disciplined effort not need any other improvements . All health, can meet many related goals . In 2003, an orga- safety and energy conservation issues must be nization called the James Street Improvement addressed prior to completing general home District (JSID) was created with the support of improvements . Franklin & Marshall College and Lancaster Gen- eral Hospital . Focusing on the northwest part of LERTA Program the city, JSID has helped to raise awareness of in-

In Lancaster City and Columbia Borough, hom- vestment opportunities in that area . Rather than Heritage Preservation Toolbox eowners can also seek tax relief through the Local seeing historic buildings as obstacles in the way Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) of new development, JSID has embraced them as program . The City of Lancaster adopted the character-defining elements of the neighborhood . program in 1977, and Columbia followed suit Numerous historic buildings in the corridor are in 2004 . This program authorizes a tax exemp- now in the process of being transformed into tion for certain improvements to deteriorated new uses that benefit the entire city through residential dwellings . The Commonwealth of increased tax revenue . Pennsylvania is currently considering legislation that would provide similar incentives to owners Faith-based organizations are also playing a key of historic homes and income-producing historic role in revitalizing neighborhoods . The contribu- properties . If passed, this legislation could be a tions of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal boon for property owners . (AME) Church and Bright Side Baptist Church are highlighted in the Existing Conditions chapter under “Preservation Trends ”. Another group that is working to enhance its neighborhood is Other Techniques the Center City Neighborhood Enhancement Corporation (CCNEC), which was started by State and local governments throughout the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church . CCNEC is now United States have used a variety of techniques a 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to assisting in to encourage investment in historic buildings, the economic, social, and cultural development including tax incentives, financial and technical of a 16-block area around the church build- assistance, regulatory relief, and zoning incen- ing . More than 30 churches, businesses, social tives . Although many of these programs are service agencies, and government agencies are already in place in Lancaster County, there is still now participants in the program . CCNEC’s first a need for a revolving fund to support commu- neighborhood project was to install new light fix- nity and neighborhood revitalization . With the tures along the 100 block of South Lime Street . cooperation of the public, private, and non-profit The group is also working cooperatively with the sectors, this dream could become a reality . Elm Street Historic Southeast Neighborhood program . One of the most pressing problems across the nation and in Lancaster County is the need for affordable housing – and historic buildings can fill that need . Backed by appropriate policies and funding, vacant and underutilized buildings throughout the county can be adaptively reused to create additional housing . To take advantage of this opportunity, the County of Lancaster

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Lancaster County Planning Commission 50 North Duke Street • P.O. Box 83480 • Lancaster, PA • (717) 299-8333 www.co.lancaster.pa.us/planning