Institution

Featuring sites along Pennsylvania's Lincoln Highway in Fulton County, PA

Home of the Conococheague Institute for the Study of Cultural Heritage, a regional center for developing and fostering awareness, understanding and stewardship of the cultural and natural history of the Appalachian frontier of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Our mission is achieved through education, research and preservation. Rock Hill Farm was established in the early 18th century and settled by three distinctive ethnic groups -- Welsh, English/Scots-Irish and Pennsylvania Germans. The historic and re-built structures on the site provide architectural references for each of these groups. A 7,000 volume library is stocked with loads of local history and primary source genealogy documents as well as an eclectic collection of volumes on local fauna and flora, and early homeopathic medicine from the collection of the Institute's founder. A striking feature on the grounds are the hundreds of rose bushes representing over 100 species of old garden roses. They represent varieties that the Welsh, Scots-Irish and English settlers on the Conococheague frontier would have recognized, plus some American varieties. The majority of the roses may be found in bloom in May each year. The site is open year 'round with special events held in April, May, September and December.

Conococheague (pronounced Konica-Jig) Settlement is a well-preserved historic farmstead that was established in the early 18th century in southern Franklin County, Pennsylvania, near the village of Welsh Run. Our 30-acre site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes two historic house museums with outbuildings, a research library, two relocated historic log structures, walking trails with access to a pioneer cemetery, and several historic gardens. 
Conococheague is a Native American word often defined as, "long indeed, very long indeed" making reference to the winding Conococheague Creek that makes its way through the area.

Welsh Barrens Visitor Center at the Conococheague Settlement.
A corner post log home that relocated to the Institute from Roxbury, PA (about 90 miles away). Features welcoming porches, meeting rooms, exhibits and a gift shop.

Conococheague Settlement

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Mercersburg, Pennsylvania has a special place in history dating back to the days before the Civil War, to a time when slavery still existed in the southern states. Just north of the Mason-Dixon Line, the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland, Mercersburg became a settlement for many freedmen and women escaping the world of slavery. The town served as a stopping point along the Underground Railroad and as a new home to many who braved the journey.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;When Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, a door of opportunity was swung open allowing African-Americans the ability to enlist in the Army. The citizens of Mercersburg showed their patriotism and bravery in large fashion. Eighty-eight men volunteered to fight for the Union cause, a staggering amount considering the size of the town and population of no more than a few hundred. Their determination to fight against the evils&nbsp;of their former captivity was strong, and now, they finally had the opportunity to act. The soldiers of Mercersburg would go on to fight in many USCT regiments, notably the 54th Massachusetts, who famously led the attack on Fort Wagner despite being outnumbered, leading to the eventual fall of the fort and a clear path to Charleston, South Carolina. Nearly half the force of six hundred men lost their lives during the charge for a cause they felt was more important than themselves.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;After the end of the Civil War, there became a need to secure more space for those who had passed on. In 1876, after securing the funds necessary to do so, the African-American community purchased the three acres that is now Zion Union Cemetery. Since then, the cemetery has served as a memorial and resting place for many loved ones of the community. The history of the cemetery itself is huge. At least thirty-eight of those buried there served as proud soldiers of these United States of America during the Civil War, having fought for a cause so dear and so just. Of those thirty-eight, thirteen fought in the famous 54th Massachusetts, one of the largest concentrations of soldiers from the regiment in a private cemetery. One would be hard pressed to find another location in the country that represents as much patriotism, pride, cause, and sacrifice from both civilians and soldiers.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The cemetery, of recent, has experienced much care and funds to maintain the grounds and proper respect of the history of those who lie there. The land is now dotted with plaques and markers honoring loved ones and soldiers. Because the cemetery represents a rich Civil War history, it was chosen to be a&nbsp;part of Pennsylvania's efforts to recognize areas of significance during the Civil War, and thus is included in the&nbsp;Civil War Trail. In 2009, the soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts were recognized with a marker honoring their sacrifice and bravery. The sign, dedicated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission,&nbsp;overlooks the cemetery and the beautiful land around it.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The cemetery is still used to this day by the local community. It remains to be a rich source of the past, of heritage, and an example of bravery and heroism. Those that lie in its grounds represent a vast amount of history and include former slaves and soldiers that fought to rid the world of the evils of slavery.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Zion Union Cemetery of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania was created in 1876. Mercersburg itself contained a significant African-American population and was home to many freedmen. In their need to preserve the land for those who had passed, the local community purchased the three acres that would become what the cemetery is today. The cemetery serves as the final resting place for thirty-eight African-Americans that served their country in the Civil War. The soldiers in the cemetery represent many of the first African-American regiments in the state of Pennsylvania, and the cemetery also contains thirteen men from the famous 54th Massachusetts. The cemetery is still in use to this day by the local African-American community. 

The state historical marker overlooking the resting places of those passed, both soldiers and civilians

Zion Union Cemetery

The original Fulton House structure was built in 1793 of native limestone, with an addition added in 1820. Almost all of the interior woodwork is original to the house. Several porches have covered the façade over the years. The current frame landing with two flights of steps is a restoration of the original arrangement. McConnellsburg was an important stop on the main east-west road—first on the Chambersburg-Bedford Turnpike, and later on the Lincoln Highway. The town itself town was established in 1786 by Daniel McConnell. By 1800 the town had approximately 50 houses and 4 taverns. The Fulton House, one of the oldest surviving inns in the area, is an excellent example of the inns which lined the early wagon roads and turnpikes. The interior of the 1793 section are mostly original. Some of its guests include John and Abigail Adams, William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, James Buchannan, and Eleanor Roosevelt.The building has been restored starting in the 1970s by the Borough of McConnellsburg and the Fulton County Historical Society. Currently the Fulton County Historical Society uses the rooms on the east side of the Fulton House as museum and display rooms to show furnishings, tools, utensils, and decorative items relating to the history and heritage of Fulton County from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Rooms are open during special events and by appointment. A museum exhibit is planned for the Fulton Fall Folk Festival, the third weekend each October.

The Fulton House is a stone tavern built c. 1793 and located on Lincoln Way East in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania. Originally known as the Union Hotel, the inn has boarded four governers and four presidents, and has been an important stop for travelers along the road it sits (first the Pennsylvania Road, and then the Lincoln Highway)A fire in 1944 destroyed much of the 18th centiry interior, but has been restored to much of its original condition. It also currently houses the offices of the Fulton County Historical Society.

Fulton House on the NRHP since July 20, 1977

Fulton House

Cowans Gap was part of Burd’s Road, and important supply road during Braddock’s Expedition during the French and Indian War in 1755. Col. James Burd began a supply road that was supposed to reach Braddock’s forces at Turkey Foot. Braddock’s forces were working on Braddock’s Road from Fort Cumberland, Maryland, to the Forks of the Ohio River, in order to drive the French out of Fort Duquesne in present-day Pittsburgh. Burd’s Road climbed Tuscarora Mountain by passing through a gap eventually named Cowans Gap.Braddock’s army was defeated and, as a result, Burd’s Road was never completed past Berlin in present-day Somerset County.In 1758, the British again sent a campaign toward the Forks of the Ohio. General John Forbes, along with his aide, Colonel George Washington and second in command, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Bouquet, carved a new road (Forbes Road), which followed Burd’s Road through Bedford County then headed due west to the Forks of the Ohio.General Forbes drove the French out of Pennsylvania. In 1763, Colonel Henry Bouquet again used Forbes Road to break the siege of Fort Pitt during Pontiac’s War, a Native American uprising that resulted from the end of the French and Indian War. The name Cowan’s Gap reportedly comes from a Revolutionary War couple, John Samuel Cowan (a British Loyalist) and Mary Mueller, who married, eloped, and later settled in the area. In the 19th century the area was used to mine iron ore, which industry led to the clear-cutting of portions of the forests in the gap and the valley every 20 to 25 years.In 1893, Harrison Kalbach of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, began purchasing land and timbering rights amounting to 4,800 acres around Cowans Gap. Kalbach and Company built a railroad of wooden rails from Richmond Furnace up the mountain and into the gap to move the lumber to market. Today’s Richmond Furnace Road follows the old railroad right-of-way. Kalbach and his partner, Charles Spangler of McConnellsburg, operated a portable sawmill in the valley, cutting mainly pine and oak. The final cut was completed in 1907, leaving a landscape of over-cut forests and erosion.In the 1930s, the recovery of Cowan’s Gasp fell on the nearly-created Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), a New Deal program to relieve unemployment in men. The CCC built roads, trails, and recreational facilities; fought fires; planted trees; and participated in many other conservation activities.Richmond Furnace Camp S-54 was built next to the new forestry station at Cowans Gap. From 1933 to 1941, the CCC built 30 miles of road, four bridges, 32 miles of fire trails, and 11 miles of telephone lines.In Cowans Gap State Park, the CCC built the cabins, picnic shelters, and spent three years building the dam. The Cowans Gap Rustic Cabins are on the National Register of Historic Places.Improvements continue at Cowans Gap, with additions like the campground and modern restrooms. Visitors today enjoy the scenic beauty of this historic park.

The site of a historic 18th century road, Cowan's Gap State Park has experienced the American history of war, industry, and recreational history spanning from the 18th-21st centuries.

Cowans Gap State Park

Burnt Cabins Grist Mill has been located at this site since 1840. One of the oldest buildings in the village of Burnt Cabins, it is a water-driven mill that uses the power of water to turn the waterwheels that move the machinery to grind the grain. In the past, the mill ground grain for products for humans or for animal feed. Nowadays, the mill grinds food entirely for human consumption. The historic grist mill promotes the history heritage timber transportation structures” and that the two projects “integrate local timber use, historic timber detailing and craftsmanship, and modern timber treatment.”Over the years the mill has been threatened by construction plans for both the South Penn Railroad (a proposed 19th century railroad that never was) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the 20th century. Both times the grist mill was saved.The Blattenberger family purchased the mill in 1969. After many grants for restoration, much of the exterior and the inner workings of the mill have been restored.The National Park Service has recognized the importance of the town of Burnt Cabins (which received its name after a previous settlement of colonial settlers in the same area was destroyed by the provincial government of Pennsylvania in the 1750s to keep the peace between the European colonists and Native American tribes in the area) and its grist mill by placing each of them on the National Register of Historic Places: the grist mill in 1980, and the town itself in 1998.

Burnt Cabins Gristmill, located in Burnt Cabins, Pennsylvania, includes a gristmill and house built in 1840. It is part of the Burnt Cabins Historic District. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, this site still produces quality flour at the historic gristmill

Burnt Cabins Grist Mill

In the winter of 1756, during the French and Indian War, Fort Loudoun was erected by Col. John Armstrong at the order of the province of Pennsylvania. The fort was built for the protection of the frontiers against the French and Indians, and took the place of the fort at McDowell's Mill, which was situated at Bridgeport a short distance northward.  The French and Indian raiding party that abducted Mary Jemison's group mandated they stop in the swamps a relatively short distance north of here to spend their first night in the wilderness. In Mary's account the fort is referred to as Fort Canagojigge by her father. Tragically, all but two of the abductees (Mary and a young boy) were murdered, scalped, and their bodies hidden in the swamps before they left this area. Although they were not a great distance from the fort, escape was impossible due to the heavy forest, muddy swamp, and the skill of the Indians at quickly tracking and dispatching any escapees. However, Fort Loudoun did play an important role in protecting other frontier settlers during the French and Indian War. It was also a staging area for logistics being marshaled in preparation for military offenses in the west toward Fort Ligonier and Fort Duquesne. During the expedition of Gen. John Forbes, in 1758, and that of Col. Henry Bouquet, in 1763-4, this fort was used as a rendezvous for troops and as a base of supplies. Fort Loudoun was built as one part of a network of protective enclaves throughout the frontier to provide safe havens for settlers in danger. The broad dispersion of these forts, combined with the thickness of the woods and rough terrain, significantly hampered their effectiveness in offering substantial protection for the settlers. As with Mary's group, the swiftness of the raids and the settlers' inability to quickly take flight, exposed serious flaws in the defensive system at the time.

This is a reconstruction of historic Fort Loudoun.  The original fort was built in 1756 during the French and Indian War to protect settlers and to stage troops and supplies for the western campaign.  A tragic event occurred a short distance from here, as referenced in the book, "A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison." 

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Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Driving Tour - Fulton County

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