THE HISTORIAN PUBLISHED BY STAFF Lancaster County Historical Society Thomas R. Ryan, Ph.D., President and CEO 230 North President Avenue Robin Sarratt-Cohen, Vice President of Development Lancaster, PA 17603-3125 Anne Lohr, Executive Assistant to the President Join us at our (717) 392-4633 Katherine Buck, Finance Administrator Fax: (717) 293-2739 Barry R. Rauhauser Annual Dinner! E-mail: [email protected] Stauffer Curator and Director of History on the Web Web site: www.lancasterhistory.org Heather S. Tennies, Director of Archival Services Robert Weber, Director of Library Services Wednesday, April 29, 6 pm Marianne Heckles, Editor Felice P. Ethun, Director of Education and Public Programs Marjorie R. Bardeen, Librarian at the Lancaster Country Club BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kevin E. Shue, Genealogist Kathleen A. Gray, Esq., Chair Marianne S. Heckles, Research Assistant Molly Wakefield Milner, Vice Chair and Coordinator of Photograph Collections for an evening of cocktails, fine Robert F. Groff, Jr., Vice Chair Martha Tyzenhouse, Library-Archives Assistant dining, and good company Kenneth I. Huber, Treasurer Ariel Kornhauser, Curatorial Assistant Richard J. Blakinger, Esq., Secretary Cindy Madara, Executive Assistant to the Vice Presidents Joan Mimnall, Administrative Staff Michael L. Abel, FLCHS Geraldine Hurst, Receptionist/Bookstore Coordinator For more information, George K. Biemsderfer John McClun, Information Technology Specialist contact Erin Taylor Richard J. Blakinger, Esq. Katie Fichtner, Archives Assistant Patrick Castagna Erin Taylor, Aministrative Assistant at 717-392-4633. J. Thomas Dunlevy Rufus A. Fulton, III VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP: Wendell L. Funk, M.D. John W. W. Loose, FLCHS, “The Journal” Editor Annual Membership Eugene H. Gardner, Jr. The Lancaster County Historical Society is open each Tuesday Marian R. Gerhart, FLCHS and Thursday from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM and Wednesday, Friday and Meeting to Elect Directors Leroy T. Hopkins, Jr., Ph.D. Saturday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Barbara B. Hunsberger Members may use the Library without charge. A one-day Wednesday, May 7, 2009 at 6 pm George B. Mann membership of $5 is available for non-members. at the Deborah Murray Martin Your membership in the Lancaster County Historical Society Constance D. Santarelli supports the collection and preservation of Lancaster County’s rich Lancaster County Historical Society John E. Stefan tapestry of history, and brings it alive through research and exhibits. You 230 North President Avenue Kathy Wee also receive The Historian, The Journal, discounts on books and programs, Nikitas J. Zervanos, M.D. as well as invitations to and announcements of upcoming events. Lancaster, PA 17603 ISSN 1060-0213 NON-PROFIT THE HISTORIAN ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE Lancaster County Historical Society PAID PERMIT 1301 230 North President Avenue LANCASTER, PA Lancaster, PA 17603-3125 NAME ADDRESS CITY, ST, ZIP Annual Dinner– April 29, 2009 HE ISTORIAN T HE L ANCASTERTC OUNTY H ISTORICAL HS OCIETY N EWSLETTER S PRING 2009 • VOL. 25, NO . 1 Lancaster County Historical Society and James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland Announce Merger The Lancaster County Historical and the Historical Society in a Society and the James Buchanan bold new direction aimed at making Foundation for the Preservation of history relevant to contemporary Wheatland announced their intention Americans. The merger is expected to merge the two historic institutions, to be complete in May. forming one 10-acre campus of Dr. Thomas R. Ryan, President history at the corner of Marietta and & CEO of the Lancaster County North President Avenues. The merger Historical Society will lead the results from an extensive and organization as President and CEO. thoughtful planning process that Patrick Clarke, Executive Director began in 2006 with the formation of a Gathering for the announcement of the merger are of the James Buchanan Foundation Joint Development Board made up of (left to right): Judy Ware, Chair of the Joint Development for the Preservation of Wheatland, Board; Paul Ware; Tom Ryan, President and CEO of trustees of both organizations, the two LancasterHistory.org; Tim Mackey, Chair of the Board will join the leadership team of the executive directors, and five of Wheatland; and Pat Clarke, Director of Wheatland. newly developed entity as Director of community members led by Judy Photo by Marty Heisey, courtesy of Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. Wheatland. Ware. They were charged with exploring collaborative The new name: LancasterHistory.org—Lancaster opportunities to bring added value to the community County’s Historical Society & President James while enhancing the future prospects of both organizations. Buchanan’s Wheatland points to our efforts to speak clearly On February 24, the Boards of Directors of each to new generations of Americans engaging them in the organization voted enthusiastically to history of their nation and their approve the merger, forming a new community. At the same time the tag line: historical organization, “…the college looks forward to Lancaster County’s Historical Society & LancasterHistory.org. Joining as one entity continuing its close collaboration with President James Buchanan’s Wheatland, will enable the two organizations to better both parties to the merger, and is honors the deep traditions and name live their missions of educating our pleased to have been able to play a recognition of our organizational community and visitors about the histories. heritage and history of the people, places role in bringing this unprecedented Moving in this direction creates and events that shaped our region, the partnership to fruition.” a remarkable opportunity to explore Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the —John Fry America’s past by demonstrating United States of America. President of Franklin & Marshall College the relationship between local, regional, LancasterHistory.org will take Wheatland Continued on page 2. The mission of the Lancaster County Historical Society is to actively acquire, preserve, interpret and make accessible materials representing the history of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. THE HISTORIAN Continued from page 1 “This is precisely the kind of $500,000 We the People challenge grant from the National Endowment and national history, and to be of better institutional capacity-building for the Humanities, to be matched on service to our community. that the Community Foundation a three-to-one basis, will help to support LancasterHistory.org will change the a new roster of research fellowships and way local history is explored, debated, wishes to encourage among the expanded humanities-based and interpreted and will simultaneously myriad high-quality non-profits programming. reinvigorate the role of the historic house Many of our friends in the museum as it contributes to an that serve our community. community have already voiced their understanding of a community’s history. Wheatland and the Lancaster enthusiastic support for the creation of The Historical Society has a long-standing County Historical Society are LancasterHistory.org. Chris Barrett, collaborative partnership with Wheatland, President and CEO of the PA Dutch and have been working together for years providing a bold model that Convention and Visitors Bureau said: on everything from crafting educational maximizes the charitable “The combined expertise and experience of programs for school groups and living Lancaster County’s Historical Society and history encampments to lectures and a contributions of a very generous President James Buchanan’s Wheatland national scholarly symposium this past community.” will infuse our local history and heritage September. community with a fresh source of energy —Sam Bressi The James Buchanan Foundation and ideas. We look forward to working with President & CEO of for the Preservation of Wheatland has, LancasterHistory.org and all our heritage the Lancaster County since 1936, been dedicated to the cultural partners in continuing to build a sustainable Community Foundation enrichment of the community by sharing historic tourism sector and in sharing those the home, life and legacy of James Buchanan, the 15th stories with local residents and visitors.” President of the United States. In doing so the Foundation Mark Platts, President Lancaster-York Heritage Region has sought to raise awareness of the principles, commented: “Time and time again the historical society has accomplishments and challenges of James Buchanan during shown sound leadership by forging successful collaborations with his tenure as President, Statesman, International Diplomat, diverse partners. Once again they have done it, and we at the attorney, and family patriarch. To accomplish this mission Lancaster-York Heritage Region look forward to supporting their the Foundation has preserved James Buchanan’s Wheatland efforts to promote the historic resources we all so highly value.” estate and presents engaging programs and experiences to And Gerald C. Eckert, Vice President for Advancement at interpret Mr. Buchanan’s private and business life, his Millersville University stated “Millersville University has challenges and successes as President and his role as been a proud partner of many collaborative programs with both international diplomat and leader of the national Wheatland and the Lancaster County Historical Society. We are Democratic Party. pleased to support the merger of these two historic treasures and Through planned collaborations with multiple proven