The Conococheague Institute

ABOUT

The Conococheague Institute is a hidden historical gem located in the beautiful countryside of southern Franklin County, Pennsylvania near the village of Welsh Run. Headquartered within Rock Hill Farm, an early 18th century farmstead, the site includes 30 acres of historic buildings and gardens, a research library, and walking trails.

Its name, from the Lenape language meaning “water of many turns,” is phonetically pronounced “Kah-no-Kah-jig” and is derived from the Conococheague Creek, an important regional waterway.

The mission of the Conococheague Institute is to develop and foster awareness, understanding, and stewardship of the cultural and natural history of the Appalachian frontier of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The Institute strives to achieve its mission through education, research, and preservation.

HISTORY

The Conococheague Institute was founded in 1994 to preserve a 18th and 19th century homestead. Since then, it has evolved into a cultural and natural treasure, with a special focus on bringing the area and colonial period to life for young students.

The oldest buildings on the site are from the 1700s and 1800s and are some of the few in the Cumberland Valley pre-dating the French and Indian War. Importantly, they were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

One of the other buildings at Conococheague is the Piper Log Cabin, which was relocated from the nearby Amberson Valley. It is being used to interpret a frontier tavern or ordinary which were often the center of activity in early rural American communities.

The Conococheague Institute brings colonial history to life every Saturday year-round with a host of fun and informative hands-on programs presented by costumed interpreters. From learning how to work the kitchen garden to baking fresh bread to brewing (and drinking if you are of age) popular colonial refreshments, people of all ages will learn a bit about what the everyday citizen experienced in the 1700s.

GRANT PROJECT

The focus of the Conococheague Institute is to tell the story of the common men and women that lived and persevered on the American frontier to create a new life. By showing students and adults how everyone contributed to the success of this rural community, the Institute hopes to inspire a similar community spirit in them.

As such, the Institute is using the Americana Corner grant to expand the staffing for their historic interpreters, specifically with their Visitor Experience Team Members. Although the Institute has several volunteers to assist each Saturday with the critical hands-on programs, the professional staff is the key to reaching the most people and delivering the best product.

The Americana Corner grant will also allow the Institute to purchase much needed supplies that enhance the visitor experience. These materials included leather shoes, felt hats, and clothing to make the interpreters look more period-like, as well as flints and steel kits to teach guests how to make a fire.

Americana Corner is proud to be a part of the Conococheague Institute family, and help others to grow their love of country.