historyalive

October 10, 2026  “Journey Through the Past” Event (Somerset County, NJ) 10am-4pm

Canal Captain John Hummel will be at the East Millstone Bridgetender’s House of the former D&R (Delaware and Raritan) Canal from 10am-4pm interpreting the canal days of the 1800s – with special 30-minute programs at 11am and 1pm. This countywide event showcases 32 historic sites open to the public at no charge. For more information on this event and for a link to a virtual map of the locations see –
https://www.somersetcountynj.gov/government/public-works/cultural-heritage/journey-through-the-past

May 15, 2026  National Road Festival (Grantsville, MD) 6pm

Conestoga Wagoner John Jacob Keplinger portrays the life of the wagoner on the National Road and turnpikes of the early 19th century in both story and music from the past. Includes wagon models and examples of the tools of the trade.

March 11, 2026  – Berks County 275th Anniversary Kick-Off Event (Reading, PA) 

Conrad Weiser, who was the leader behind the county’s formation on 3/11/1752 and who was last seen in Berks at the 250th celebration, made another appearance – 25 years later! Find a great article in the Berks Weekly online edition including CW quotes as well as a video of the entire kick-off program at – https://berksweekly.com/…/berks-county-launches-berks…/   (check around the 24:00 mark for the introduction of and remarks by Conrad at this event).

April 25, 2026 –  Camp Geiger Civil War Reenactment  –
4689 South Church St., Whitehall, PA 18052

Rich, as Principal Musician for the Union Volunteers Battalion, will be interpreting the role of the Bugler in the Civil War – Saturday only. Look for him in the UV Command Staff area or fraternizing with the 14th Brooklyn regiment (known as the “Red Legged Devils” due to their distinctive uniforms).

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 10am– Sinking 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)

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 6 – Nicholas 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 27 – Anthracite 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. 12 – LeRoy Heritage Museum (Canton, PA) – 1pm – Lumber Heritage Program

Sat. Sept. 23 – Sinking 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).

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

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 93^rd) 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.