Pennsylvania historical plaque

William Penn & Harry Peck: Shared Birthdays and Silver Lake Connections

On October 24, we celebrate the shared birthday of two notable figures from our book, “The History of Silver Lake as Told Through Its Deeds”: William Penn and Harry Franklin Peck. While they lived in very different times, Penn’s legacy, in particular, has left a profound impact on the history of Pennsylvania and beyond. William…

Unveiling the True History of Silver Lake

Unveiling the True History of Silver Lake

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our presentation of “The History of Silver Lake As Told Through Its Deeds.” Special thanks to our moderator and videographer, Dominish Marie Miller, for recording and sharing the presentation, which received over 1.4K views in the “Preserving the History of Newberrytown” Facebook group. We also extend our…

Honoring the Last Voices: Rev. David Henkelmann’s Contribution

Honoring the Last Voices: Rev. David Henkelmann’s Contribution

In writing “The History of Silver Lake as Told Through Its Deeds”, we felt a deep sense of urgency, knowing that the firsthand witnesses to this history were nearing the end of their lives. Just weeks after our book was released, Robert “Bobbie” Vernon Stonesifer, Sr., age 96—born in 1927 to Guy and Mabel Stonesifer…

Silver Lake Amusement Park Newspaper feature

Silver Lake Amusement Park?

One unexpected discovery during our research for “The History of Silver Lake as Told Through Its Deeds” was that two York residents, LeGrand Dutcher and C.L. McKenzie, made a serious effort to establish an amusement park at Silver Lake in Lewisberry. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, amusement parks enjoyed a golden age,…

The Lewisberry Music Man

The Lewisberry Music Man

The movie The Music Man (Warner Bros., 1962) is a classic musical that tells the story of Harold Hill, a traveling music professor played by Robert Preston. “Professor” Hill arrives in a small town in 1912 and convinces the residents that he can teach their children to play in a marching band. However, his intentions are far…

Silver Lake c. 1913

Unveiling Silver Lake’s History: A Journey Through Time and Postcards

Kathy and I, in our book “The History of Silver Lake as Told Through Its Deeds,” trace the evolution of Silver Lake from a functional mill pond to a seasonal summer colony, and eventually to a small, permanent year-round community. This endeavor required a multifaceted approach. We relied on recollections from long-time residents, modern technology,…

Honoring Ruth Stonesifer: A Legacy of Resilience and Service

Honoring Ruth Stonesifer: A Legacy of Resilience and Service

Scott and Kathy Webb, co-authors of “The History of Silver Lake as Told Through Its Deeds,” have recently gifted copies of their book to the many contributors who played a crucial role in its creation. One of the first and most impactful contributors was Ruth Stonesifer, a woman whose remarkable life and work deserve recognition…