2019 and 2020
Presentations
In some cases we videotaped the presentation and we do have copies of their Powerpoint and any handouts if you are interested.
Presentation on Camp Meade - January 22, 2019
The Lower Swatara Township Historic Preservation Society was pleased to provide a community presentation at the Lower Swatara Firehouse on January 22, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Dustin D’Agostino provided a history of Camp Meade and shared some of his “finds”.
Over the last five years Dustin D’Agostino has been uncovering history, one piece at a time. Dustin has metal-detected in areas in and around Lower Swatara Township such as Jednota, Nauhman Farm, and Harmony Hall.
Camp Meade was established by the U.S. Volunteers during the Spanish American War as an organization and training camp. It was established August 24, 1898, and was occupied by the Second Army Corps of about 22,000 men, under the command of Major General William M. Graham. Camp Meade was located on about three square miles in what is now Lower Swatara Township, Highspire, and Middletown, Pennsylvania.
Dustin's presentation was well-received and here are a few photos from his slide presentation.
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Presentation on The Alleman Family- March 21, 2019
Our second presentation was provided by Mikaela Fleisher on the Alleman Family. Mikaela began with their immigration from Germany in 1753 with Frederick Christian Alleman. She talked about her family's farms and daily lives in Lower Swatara Township.
Ruth Shireman talks about the Allemans and Old Reliance Farm
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Presentation on On-Line Genealogy Resources - May 9, 2019
On May 9, 2019 Joanna Matincheck Cain provided a classroom style presentation on Researching On-Line Genealogy Sources. The program was well-attended, lots of tips and hand-outs were provided. For a copy of some of the handouts on Genealogy, click below.
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On Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. John Ziats provided a presentation on Middletown Underground Railroad Stop Recycled.
In 1937 Frank J. Ziats, Sr. built his family house from salvaged materials from the "Five Points," a row of gabled pointed houses that stood on the NW corner of Catherine and Main Streets.
It is a documented stop on the "Underground Railroad" which helped slaves flee north prior
to and during the Civil War.
John Ziats is the grandson of Frank and recently received a plaque from the Middletown Historic Restoration Commission to honor his grandfather's work. He explained the unique process of applying for designation from the borough even though the house sits in Lower Swatara Township.
John Ziats is on the left.
Doc George Sloan talking about the underground railroad.
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On Tuesday, September 17, 2019, Heidi Abbey Moyer, M.A., M.L.S., Archivist and Humanities Reference Library and Coordinator of Archives and Special Collections provided a look at Penn State Harrisburg's history.
What a great and interesting story! Including Mr. Olmstead's flight!
Heidi's book is available on Amazon
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On Thursday, November 21, 2019 the Lower Swatara Township Historic Preservation Society had an Open House with coffee and desserts to have time to talk to our members and attendees and ask/answer questions. We played trivia, gave out Star Barn notes, prints, mugs, and calendars, ate a lot of pie, signed up to take oral histories with older residents, and discussed local historic sites and cemeteries.
Nancy Avolese, one of the co-founders and Board Treasurer, provided a short presentation on the Samuel Nisley House, which we proudly use as our logo and she explained its significance to our preservation efforts.
Samuel Nisley House 2019 - click on dots to move through photos.
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January 16, 2020 - M&H Railroad, presented by Charles High
Charlie High provided a wonderful presentation on the early history of the M&H Railroad and other LST railroad history to a full room of train enthusiasts. Here are some slides from his presentation.
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July 16, 2020 , Fulling Mill Inn, Presented by Paula and Duane Rhodes
Paula and Duane Rhoades are the creators and owners of the Fulling Mill Inn B&B and Restaurant. They did an excellent job sharing the historic background of the Goodville Mill Farm and their restoration of the house, barn, and property into a beautiful bed & breakfast and restaurant with all food made from scratch.
