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May 2011
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Upcoming Events
Susquehanna Heritage
Lecture Series - 6:30pm at the Zimmerman Center
June 8 - Iron Furnaces
September 14 - Author Jack Brubaker talk/book signing
See Website to register or for complete list of lectures Summer Weekend Hours 11am-3pm on the following days: June 11 & 12,
July 30 & 31, August 20 & 21 SGHA Annual Fundraiser
River Experience 2011 Saturday September 17, 5-9pm @ John Wright Store & Restaurant riverfront grounds
More details to follow |
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Board of Directors | |
Dan Meckley III
Chair
James D. Warner
Vice Chair
Carol Park
Treasurer
Alex Snyder
Secretary
Senator Mike Brubaker
Susan McCarthy Campbell
Joe R. Deerin
Roger Dick
Charles E. Douts, Jr.
Comm. Doug Hoke
David Keller
Julie McNamara
Dr. Joel M. Rodney
Anita Snader
Dan Strauss
Wendy Tippetts
Fred Uffelman
Dave Van Arsdale
Lori Yeich - DCNR Liaison
SGHA Staff
Mark Platts
President
Jonathan Pinkerton
Vice President
Marie Cartwright
Outreach Coordinator
Pam Kilgore
Administrative Coordinator
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Happy Preservation Month!
In addition to Mother's Day and Memorial Day, May is also National Preservation Month. This year's theme is "Celebrating America's Treasures". We are lucky enough to be in a region that is home to many treasures: beautiful parks, trails and overlooks, the Civil War bridge piers, historic towns of Marietta, Columbia, Wrightsville, and Washington Boro, a variety of historic museums and homes, and of course the beautiful Susquehanna River. During May, we encourage you to visit an American Treasure in our region. Not sure where to go? Check out our website for a variety of experiences. www.SusquehannaHeritage.org. You can also learn about preservation efforts across America through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
In this Issue:
1. Resources and Maps for Paddlers
2. Environmental Tip - What's riding in your boat?
3. Factory Whistle Concert Finds a new sponsor
4. Hidden Heritage - Iron Furnaces |
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News
Lower Susquehanna Water Trail Information
As you get your canoe, kayak or boats ready for the season, you may be wondering where to find information on river conditions or access points. Below are some resources which can help get you on the water:
1. Susquehanna River Water Trail Map & Guide (Lower Section) - printed on water and rip resistant paper, SGHA's 3-map set is perfect for paddlers and boaters alike. It shows all access points from Harrisburg, PA to Maryland, as well as river hazards and other important information. The map & guide can be purchased through the water trail website, at SGHA's office, or at a variety of local outfitters.
2. Susquehanna River Water Trail (Lower Section) Website - this website has additional information and resources to guide you along the Susquehanna.
3. Facebook - We now have a facebook page dedicated to the Susquehanna River Water Trail (Lower Section). This is a place for people to share river conditions, access point information, and other tips and experiences.
4. River Water Levels - the US Geological Survey maintains current water levels on their website for 3 areas of the water trail:
Water Levels at Harrisburg
Water Levels at Marietta
Water Levels at Conowingo, MD
Environmental Tip - What's in your Boat?
By Jennifer Brock, Harrisburg Canoe Club
Canoes and kayaks offer us great opportunities to go places most of the rest of the world never experiences. We throw them on the top of our vehicles and in a short time we are paddling or fishing new streams and lakes or revisiting old favorites. To many of us, this is one feature which keeps calling us outside. Yet this same feature also has a dark side. How many of us clean and dry our boats between trips? Unless we do, that little bit of water can provide free transportation contributing to the spread of invasive plants or animals.
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Loosestrife plants grow from four to ten feet high, depending upon conditions, and produce a showy display of magenta-colored flower spikes throughout much of the summer. Flowers have five to seven petals. Mature plants can have from 30 to 50 stems arising from a single rootstock. |
According to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Susquehanna is currently home to several species of invasive plants and animal. The most common plants are Purple Loosestrife, Japanese Knotweed and Mile-a-Minute, all of which crowd out native plants and destroy the habitat for ducks and other river dwellers. In the animal kingdom, the rusty catfish (which may have come in a bait bucket), zebra muscle and Asian clam are all of concern. Those of us who like campfires must also be aware that the Emerald Ash Borer is a major threat to our forests and firewood should never be transported but only local wood used.
What is the next threat and is it in your boat? More information on these and other species is available from the PA DCNR at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us
and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission at http://www.srbc.net
Factory Whistle Concert Finds a New Sponsor
SGHA is pleased to announce the transition of the York Factory Whistle Concert event and fund to the York County Community Foundation (YCCF) and the Engineering Society of York. SGHA's Executive Committee approved the transfer of SGHA's Concert Fund to YCCF two weeks ago. Many thanks to SGHA Board Chair Dan Meckley for his great leadership in negotiating the transition to YCCF and the Engineering Society.
Since 2006, SGHA has helped raise nearly $60,000 to keep the annual Christmas morning whistle concert going. YCCF is now seeking to raise at least $15,000 for the endowment fund so the event can become self-sustaining. If you'd like to donate to the fund, please contact
York County Community Foundation, 14 W. Market St., York, PA 17401. Please designate York Factory Whistle Concert Fund on the memo line of your check. You may also donate online at www.yccf.org/give_online.asp and designate your gift to the York Factory Whistle Concert Fund.
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Hidden Heritage
There are so many unique opportunities for heritage and outdoor experiences in the Susquehanna Gateway region. Visitors may not know about some of the "local secrets" and for life-long residents it's easy to forget about some of the great experiences right in our own backyard. We would like to share some of our discovered (or rediscovered) experiences.
A Walk on the Iron Side - Mark N. Platts, SGHA President
Those of us working every day to connect people to the Susquehanna River and its history sometimes need to just get outside and experience the very places we're trying to protect, enhance and celebrate.
I recently took the opportunity to do just that with our good partners at Rivertownes PA USA on their Spring Iron Furnace Walking Tour through Chickies Rock County Park. Hosted by Rivertownes President Claire Storm and led by former Millersville archaeology professor Dr. June Evans, this twice-yearly tour showcases the story of how our beautiful river valley was once a thriving center of industry.
The tour started at Breezy View Overlook for a birds-eye view of the river landscape once known as "Little Pittsburgh." There I joined about fifteen other Sunday afternoon adventurers for a three-hour trek through the remains of six of the seven iron furnace sites located along the river between Marietta and Columbia. The highlights of the tour are the preserved ruins and office building of Vesta Furnace on the eastern edge of Marietta and the remnants of Henry Clay Furnace hidden deep in Chickies Rock Park.
Along the way we experienced the rushing flow of Chickies Creek with its historic rail and canal bridge abutments (soon to support a new bike trail crossing), the hollowed-out site once occupied by the stately Samuel Haldeman Mansion, and the drama of rock climbers scaling the face of Chickies Rock - all shared with local families enjoying the equivalent of a national park right in our own backyard.
 The Iron Furnace walk is a great way to combine heritage learning with scenic beauty and healthy outdoor recreation - really everything that SGHA promotes in our efforts to preserve, protect and share our region's rich history and natural wonders.
The Fall Iron Furnace Walking Tour is scheduled for Sunday, November 6, 2011. Visit www.rivertownes.org for more information. Dr. June Evans will be featured at SGHA's next Susquehanna Heritage Lectures Series Event on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Visit http://susquehannaheritage.org/SGHA2011Events.asp for registration information.
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Contact Us
Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area
Zimmerman Center for Heritage
1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville, PA 17368
717-252-0229
info@susquehannaheritage.org
www.SusquehannaHeritage.org
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Along with generous private contributions, SGHA is funded in part by the following state, regional, and community partners:
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