Projects and displays

The Conejohela Flats create a beneficial habitat for wildlife, in the shallows of the river's banks to the islands linked by their meandering sand bars. This pristine natural area is bustling with recreational activities; canoeing and kayaking, duck hunting, fishing and power boating on Lake Clarke just beyond the flats.

The historic picture reflects the interpretations of a myriad of stories; life and travel on the river, artifacts remaining as reminders of our heritage, linking our ancient past of Native American settlements to places of our current life, as the location of the Blue Rock Ferry Dock and the Village of Washington Boro. Then and now 'Our Sense of Place.'

Susquehanna River Conejohela Flats

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2009-2010 to be a busy time

Several projects were discussed at the WBSSRH June 2009 meeting, more than could be undertaken in a single year but the agenda will be aggressive. A list of projects follows. We appreciate your help and your interest. If you, your citizen group or your family group have interest in any of the proposed projects, please contact us. We will be grateful for your assistance.

Display Cases: The display cases will be refurbished. While the refurbishing is undertaken, construction of new displays will be ongoing. Are you handy with woodworking tools? The new displays will assist us present history to Completed our residents and can be effective teaching tools to area children.

Planned Pathways: At present there is not a defined pathway from the parking area to the Heritage Center entrance.

Several options were discussed, but plans are now underway for a stone pathway from the parking area to the ADA accessible ramp. Another walkway will start at the ramp exit and extended to the first-floor entrance as well as the second-floor stairway and ramp.

Ground-floor Repair: If you've visited our ground-level floor at the Heritage Center, you may have noticed a floor area that has buckled and broken. Now, with a plan for repair, an interesting aspect to this plan has developed. In many early water-powered grist mills like ours, some of the grinding mechanism was located below the floor level in a pit. So, before any repairs to the existing broken ground-level floor are undertaken, we plan to explore and ascertain whether or not grinding equipment has been thrown into pit space under our Mill’s floor. Perhaps it remains there today, and would prove a valuable part of the historical story of the Witmer Mill.

Planned Exhibits

Fishing Exhibit: The Susquehanna River was always a source of abundance. Starting with Native Americans and continuing today the Susquehanna River has been abundant in fish species of all kinds. Our Susquehanna River exhibit will include fishing methods of the Susquehannock Indians, will include antique wooden fishing lures, early metal fishing lures, and other tackle of the 1800s and early 1900s.

Duck Hunting Exhibit: Washington Boro has long been appreciated by duck hunters. The early practice of "Market Hunting", the killing of waterfowl for resale on the public market, has long been illegal. Today, duck hunters continue to enjoy the seasonal activities along the Susquehanna.

Early hunting memorabilia includes 1800s reloading equipment, ammunition from the past to the present. We hope to include reproductions of early Indian hunting implements such as the atlatl or throwing spear and the bow and arrow.

Ice Harvesting Exhibit: After the Susquehanna River froze, ice harvesting began. Blocks of harvested river ice were cut and transported to an underground icehouse and a lively business was made of selling the ice to local residents for use in their home icebox. With the gradual availability of electricity in this area, the specifics of preserving food by keeping it cold became forever changed. Thus WBSSRH has opportunity to tell the story of Ice Harvesting as it once was and to preserve ice harvesting and icebox equipment before it is all destroyed by time, neglect and rust.

Tobacco Exhibit: Another important industry to Washington Boro was that of tobacco farming and cigar making. With our relatively mild climate and high humidity our area provided the perfect conditions for growing Havana Wrapper tobacco. There were two documented cigar factories with in Washington Boro.

Washington Boro Schools Exhibit: A local resident has donated blackboards from two schools that once stood on Market Street, both of the building which stood side by side. The first housed the lower grades and the other provided classroom space for children up to eighth grade.

Heritage Garden: There is interest in establishing a heritage garden on the grounds of the Witmer Mill. The Susquehannock Indians used plants and roots as medicines as did early settlers. Is there a small group of retired farmers or farm wives interested in directing grandchildren in researching, establishing a Heritage Garden at the Witmer Mill?

New siding: Installed on the exterior gable end of the Heritage Center.

River access improvement: In partnership with Manor Township, a river dock has been put in place.

Historical marker: Placement of a historical marker identifying the important indian village to the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission.

Heritage center walkway: A defined walkway from the parking lot to the Heritage Center as well as construction of an ADA compliant ramp.

Want to participate: Anyone interested in the planning and completion of projects and displays please contact Charles Douts Jr. at 684-9542, or Glenn Henry at 475-4542.

or

send an email to WBSSRH.

We would also like to hear your ideas, comments or suggestions for projects, displays, website material or other topics, as well as availability of old area photographs.