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2024 Schedule

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Sat. April 27 – Muleskinner’s String Band – Rich with Ken Gehret and Mike Henry – Appearing at the Camp Geiger Civil War Reenactment in Whitehall, PA.  Civil War selections will include historical introductions making these anything but “just another concert” with no two presentations exactly the same!

Sat. May 11 at 10amSinking Spring Public Library (Sinking Spring, PA – access rear parking lot from Columbia Avenue – now open!)
“In the Steps of a Peacekeeper” (Conrad Weiser).

 To know Conrad Weiser is to know his adopted Mohawk name (tarachiawagon: the man who held up the sky). Born in Astat, Wurtenberg, November 2, 1696, this unsung Pennsylvania hero epitomizes life on the American frontier from 1710 until his death in 1760. During that time – he was a statesman, diplomat, traveler, judge, linquist, Lieutenant Colonel, farmer and official Pennsylvania peacekeeper.

Sat. June 8 Cook Forest French & Indian War Event (Cooksburg, PA) –  For total event information see –
https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/cook_forest_french_indian_war_encampment_9787

Rich will be presenting three programs on the first day of this event:
1:00pm-2:00pm    Stoffel Stump: The Man Who Walked with Conrad Weiser (Sawmill Theater)
230pm-330pm     The Opportunity to Meet the Character Within the Character (Sawmill Theater Classroom)
800pm-900pm    Stoffel & His Son Frederick Will Take You on a Journey to be Remembered  (Sawmill Theater)

 

2023 Schedule

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Announcing If you haven’t already done so – check out and subscribe to Rich’s free “Finding Tilden” video podcast series at https://www.youtube.com/@findingtilden/

2023 Program Schedule

Sat. Sept. 30 – Civil War Programs at 11am and 1pm at Jerusalem “Red” Church (Kempton, PA) as well as a 2:30pm graveside “Taps”ceremony. Discover the unique stories of two Civil War Union soldiers buried in the adjacent cemetery – Aaron Greenwald and Jonas Johnson. These two men came from two totally different backgrounds and experienced the war from different perspectives. In addition, there is something for everyone at this event – crafts, basket raffles, attic treasures and food too! For more details, see https://www.facebook.com/events/1700242270490939/.

 

 

Muleskinner’s String Band – Rich with Ken Gehret and Mike Henry – Appearing Sat. April 29 at the Camp Geiger Civil War Reenactment in Whitehall, PA and…Sat. July 29 at the Annual Bucktail Reunion at the Daniel Lady Farm in Gettysburg (programs at 10am, 11:45pm and 3:15pm)

 

Other Upcoming Appearances (Rich solo programs unless indicated) –

 Sat. May 6Nicholas Stolzfus Homestead Benefit Auction (1700 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomssing, PA)  – Look for Rich as he shares about the history of the nearby Union Canal throughout the day (beginning at 9am)

Fri. May 12 Allegheny National Forest (Old Powerhouse – south of Bradford, PA) – 5:30pm – ANF Centennial Program. For further information, see – https://www.fs.usda.gov/allegheny

Sat. May 27Anthracite Heritage Festival (Shamokin, PA)  “Diggin’ Dusty Diamonds” – music of the hard coal miners with Mike Henry (on stage 12-1pm); roving throughout the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sat. July 1 and Sun. July 2  Bark Peelers’ Festival (Galeton, PA) Rich as “Lobby Hog” Jack Hains (and Frog Master too!) For further information, see – http://lumbermuseum.org/bark-peeler-festival/

Sat. July 29 – Annual Bucktail Reunion (Daniel Lady Farm in Gettysburg, PA) Muleskinner’s String Band at 10am, 11:45am and 3:15pm (see above)

Sat. Aug. 12LeRoy Heritage Museum (Canton, PA) – 1pm – Lumber Heritage Program

Sat. Sept. 23Sinking Spring Public Library (Sinking Spring, PA) – “In the Steps of a Peacekeeper” (Conrad Weiser). Note: This program has been postponed until early 2024 (due to current road construction / accessibility to library; new date to be determined).

Spring – Summer 2022 Events

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Sat. May 28   Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts (Shamokin, PA)  11am – 3pm
Rich as Coal Miner, Frank Kehoe.

Sat. June 11   Cook Forest French & Indian War Event  (Cooksburg, PA) –
Rich as Conrad Weiser.  Sawmill Theater 1-2pm – “In the Steps of a Peacekeeper” followed by “Meet the Character Within the Character” in the Sawmill Classroom.  Also – 7-8pm Sawmill Theater – “1737: Going to Onondaga on the Path of Peace”

Sat. July 2 & Sun. July 3  Bark Peelers Festival – PA Lumber Museum (Galeton, PA)
Rich as Wood Hick – Jack Hains.  Mess Hall Living History Programs: Sat. – 11am & 3pm, Sun. – 10am & 12:30pm.  Alert – You may also find him as the Frog Master at the Frog Jumping contest at 11am (Sun.)!

Fri. July 8 – Sun. July 10  George Spangler Farm – Detachment, U.S. Engineers (Gettysburg, PA) – Rich as “Muley” Tubbs, Supply Train Wagon Master

Sat. July 16  “Porch Performance” Pennypacker Mills (Schwenksville, PA)   4-5pm
Rich as Coal Miner, Frank Kehoe

Fall 2021 Programs

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Cornwall Furnace Tours and Special October 16 Civil War Event

Rich will be conducting tours of the Furnace complex at Cornwall Iron Furnace State Historic Site in Lebanon County, PA on the following days this Fall:
Saturdays – October 16 (Special Event – see below) and October 30
Sundays – October 10, 17 and Nov. 14 (normally 12:30pm tours)

Detachment US Engineers Visits Cornwall Iron Furnace
October, 16, 2021  9am-4pm

On August 19, 1861 Ironmaster RW Coleman received an order from the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography – Federal Navy Department, Washington City, DC for the making of “five fifty pounder rifled gun iron.” Thus Cornwall Iron Works was involved in the production of rifled cannon iron for use in the Civil War.

On September 12, 1861 James M. McCarter received the approval to raise a 3 month regiment of Infantry (PA 93rd) recruited from Lebanon County and Berks County. Now is the time to join the cause of saving the Union. “To Arms, to Arms, to Arms.  All for the Union!!  Now is the time to enlist!”

Join us on October 16, 2021 when the Detachment of US Engineers will help the potential volunteers (visitors) understand the story of ordnance production and the logistics involved in delivering that iron to the Federal Navy Department in Washington City, DC.  On-site will be Civil War cultural interpreters including blacksmiths working a traveling forge, cooks preparing authentic foodways of the Civil War period, a surgeon and nurse interpreting medicinal methods, a wagon master/mule boss explaining the role of horses and mules and supply wagons, a topographical engineer describing mapping methods and the importance of maps,  an ordnance sergeant explaining the various firearms used in the Civil War, and the Detachment Colonel giving you a glimpse of headquarters’ procedures.

Civil War Supply Train Wagon Boss Mahlon “Skinner” Tubbs Joins the Detachment, U.S. Engineers on September 4 at Gettysburg NB

On this special free “Family Day” at the George Spangler Farm at Gettysburg National Battlefield – learn from “Skinner” about the importance of supply trains and their horses and mules in the Civil War.

Other members of the detachment will talk about the important role of the Engineer (construction and topographical) in the logistics of the war as well as in the aftermath of Battle of Gettysburg. Topics will even include the  building of corduroy roads and pontoon bridges.  Also on-site is a Corps Field Hospital and period ambulance staffed by a period Surgeon from the unit on this special event day.

Access to the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital for Family Day is available via shuttle from the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center. Free shuttle tickets required and can be reserved at: https://cart.gettysburgfoundation.org/16790/16791.

Face coverings are required on shuttle buses consistent with TSA guidelines.

 

Expired: April – July 2018 Appearances

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 Saturday & Sunday June 9 -10
Cook Forest French & Indian War Encampment (Cooksburg, PA)

Conrad Weiser will be returning to this amazing event  – with a special program in the Sawmill Theater on Saturday from 1-2pm as well as a Saturday evening 7-8pm program in the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

At the 1pm presentation, In the Steps of a Peacekeeper – learn about the life of this  unsung Pennsylvania hero who epitomizes life on the American frontier from 1710 until his death in 1760. During that time – he was a statesman, diplomat, traveler, judge, linquist, Lieutenant Colonel, farmer and official Pennsylvania peacekeeper.

For the 7pm program, Conrad will be joined by his compatriot, Stoeffel Stump (portrayed by retired history teacher Bob Fleck) as they reminisce about their 1737 winter “walk” from Heidelberg (present day Womelsdorf west of Reading, PA) to Onondaga (near present day Syracuse, NY) to preserve the peace between the Iroquois and Catawba nations.

You can also meet the “characters within these two characters” both days near the entrance of the Sawmill Theater.
For further information on this weekend event – http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/cook_forest_french_indian_war_encampment_5573#.WwyMt4oh3IU

Sunday June 24, 2018
Schuylkill Canal Festival (Mont Clare, PA)
Canal Captain John A. Hummel hauled goods and produce on a number of canals in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but his favorite of them all was the Schuylkill Canal which ran from Port Carbon to Philadelphia. Hear the “sneckehorn” blow, and be entertained with the songs and stories from the past as “Cappy” takes you back to the “good old days.”

For further information about this event –
http://schuylkillcanal.org/event-2948336

Saturday & Sunday July 7-8, 2018
Barkpeeler’s Festival at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum (Galeton, PA)
See separate post to the left for information about this great event!

Expired: Winter 2018 Appearances

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Saturday Jan. 6, 2018 – PA Farm Show (Harrisburg, PA)
Playing for the Farm Team (Rich as Asa “The Count” Brainard)
Ag 102 Stage (Behind the Food Court in the Weis Exhibition Building)
Two programs:  3:00-3:45pm and 5:00-5:45pm

Have you ever thought about the cultural connections (language, customs, foodways, music, etc.) of baseball and agriculture? Many of the terms used in baseball past and present have an remarkable connection to farming and the land.

So, are you ready to go back to the past to understand the present? When the milking is done, we’ll go out to that open pasture behind the barn where we play ball (ballfield). We’ll hit daisy cutters (line drives) and prove that even a rube (hayshaker) can hit an apple (ball) over the fence. As a feeder (pitcher), Asa has thrown many a hot potato through a barn door.  Now, that’s baseball!

Expired: Fall 2017 Programs

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Saturday October 7, 2017 – Sizerville State Park (Emporium, PA)
Annual Fall Festival (11am-3pm)

The Value of Wood During the 1800s in Northern PA  12:30-1:30pm 
Join the spirit of 19th century “wood hick” Jack Hains as he tells of the value of trees/wood during the 1800s in Northern PA – from the early days of pit sawing, to water-powered circular saws to band saws. Learn about log slides, tanneries, splash dams, knot bumpers, peaveys, cant hooks as well as Barnharts, Shays, Climaxes, Heislers and more!

Pennsylvania Proud: History Thru Song   2:00-3:00pm
Through music and song, Rich will take you on a musical heritage journey through the great Keystone State of Pennsylvania. At each stop in the musical journey, the history of PA and its role as the “keystone” to America will come alive in this inspiring program that combines vocals with the mandolin, guitar, banjo, harmonica and cornet in a style reminiscent of our Pennsylvania forefathers.

 

Sunday October 8, 2017 – Pennsylvania Lumber Museum (Galeton, PA)
Fall Antique and Collectible Show/Sale

Music of the 1840s-1920s  12:00-2:00pm (Visitor Center – Changing Exhibits Gallery)
Rich will present period music from the 1840s-1920s including favorites of the lumber industry such as “The Frozen Logger” and  “The Wild Woodhick.” Instruments accompanying the vocals include mandolin, guitar, banjo, harmonica and the readily-available washboard!

Saturday October 14 and 21, 2017 – Duncan’s Corn Maze (Robesonia, PA)
Trails of Conrad Weiser  2:00-5:00pm

This year’s corn maze theme (originated after Rich met the Duncans at an event and discussed the history of their area) is a peace tomahawk –  representative of the life of Conrad Weiser.

Born in Astat, Wurttemberg (Germany), November 2, 1696, this unsung Pennsylvania hero epitomizes life on the American frontier from 1710 until his death in 1760. During that time – he was a statesman, diplomat, judge, farmer, lieutenant colonel and official Pennsylvania peacekeeper.

In February 1737, with snow still on the ground, he walked  from his home in Heidelberg (now Womelsdorf) to Onondaga (near Syracuse, NY) to successfully maintain peace between the Iroquois of New York and the Catawba of Virginia. As you walk his “trails” among the maze, remember his adopted Mohawk name  – tarachiawagon – the man who held up the heavens. Learn more about this extraordinary man by meeting him (as portrayed by Rich Pawling) on Saturdays October 14 and 21 from 2-5pm. For more information see: http://www.duncanscornmaze.com/

 

Expired: Summer 2017

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Summer Filming Opportunities
Involved in filming for a trailer for a future lumber industry-related film.  Also a Civil War reenactment episode for a popular television series.

Music Programs
Private event booking in August.  Contact us for information on our heritage music programs.