John Miller, Park Director of the Monterey Pass Battlefield Park and Museum (2016.) During his PowerPoint presentation “South Mountain during the French and Indian War,” Miller shared stories about the struggles and hardships of living in and near South Mountain. South Mountain was once the gateway to Appalachia as hundreds of migrants carved out a new life. Then, the French and Indian War erupted and South Mountain was no longer a safe place to live.
Guest speaker, architectural historian and author, Doug Reed, presents a PowerPoint on “Ancestry of Franklin County Log Architecture.” He describes the four stages of log building development featuring, where possible, some of Franklin and Washington County’s log cabins, houses, barns, and churches. As each local building is shown, he talks about the local building features that have antecedents in Europe and where those features are most prevalent.
In recognition of African American History Month, a PowerPoint “The Anderson Family, the Underground Railroad, & Antrim Township” is presented by Bonnie Shockey. (February 2020)
Matthew Wedd, Executive Director of Conococheague Institute, invited Allison-Antrim Museum to participate in a video comparing CI’s 18th century musket to the specially made and handcrafted 19th century Joshua Yous target rifle, in AAMI’s collection. The Yous rifle is a full-stock percussion Kentuckey rifle. Yous was a gunsmith who practiced his craft in Greencastle, PA. Craig Ingram, who serves on AAMI’s board of directors and is an arms expert, talks about the details of the Yous rifle. “Thank you,” Matthew Wedd for the opportunity to participate in this joint venture.
Three years ago, the late Ted Alexander, AAMI’s historian and retired historian of Antietam National Battlefield, was the first monthly speaker of 2018. His topic was “The 126th Pennsylvania: Franklin County’s Own.” Several thousand men from Franklin County served in the Union Army during the Civil War. The most prominent unit was the 126th Pennsylvania - a 9-month unit primarily raised in Franklin County.
The First National Bank of Greencastle, PA commissioned Mark Twain Noe to produce paintings depicting various historical scenes in Greencastle-Antrim area. These paintings, known as ‘A Gallery of History’, lined the hallways of the bank. A 21-minute slide presentation containing photos of the paintings and a narrative of each Greencastle scene were assembled and produced on VHS tapes.
April 1, 2004 at the Antrim House Restaurant, Greencastle.
Local historian Tim Rockwell, Mercersburg, discussed Sgt. Patrick Gass’ Franklin County roots and his important role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
While Lewis and Clark and their legendary Indian guide, Sacajawea, are well known, many have never heard of Gass. As chief carpenter for the expedition, Gass built the winter quarters, wagons and dugout canoes, among many other accomplishments while on the trek.
Ed Bearss, nationally known Civil War historian, speaks on "The 126th PA at the Battle of Fredericksburg". On December 13, 1862 at the Battle of Fredericksburg, the 126th PA, comprised of volunteers from Franklin County, PA, sustained its single highest number of casualties during its nine months of service.
Ed Bearss has narrated documentary programs and offered expert commentary many times on the Civil War for PBS stations. We are very honored and privileged to have Mr. Bearss as our guest
Allison-Antrim Museum Speaker Series
Thursday, March 10 , 2005
Kurtis Meyers spoke on “The Aviation Industry in Hagerstown: The Post-war Years” with emphasis placed on Fairchild. Meyers’ first presentation, in May 1998, covered the aviation history in Hagerstown from 1916 – 1945.
Meyers is a leading authority on Fairchild and aviation in the Cumberland Valley. Among other projects, he has produced a video on the history of aviation in Washington County, Maryland.
Ted Alexander speaks on the topic:
“As They Saw the Rebels: Civilian Observations of the Antietam and
Gettysburg Campaigns.”
In 1862 and 1863, the people of the Cumberland Valley witnessed two of the most important campaigns of the Civil War – Antietam and Gettysburg. Their towns were occupied, stores and farms ransacked by both sides and in many cases, the citizens were harmed or killed. Alexander’s presentation looks at these events through civilian eyes.
Bill tells a very engaging story.
Nov 2004
May 2005
In 1973, Secretariat was the Triple Crown winner - the greatest of American racehorses. William “Bill” Nack, turf writer for Newsday newspaper from 1972 to 1975, wrote the book Secretariat: the Making of a Champion.
Bill was our speaker in 2010
Check out the flight of a fly as it visits the museum.
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