A CLOSER LOOK ...
Summer  2008
Friends of the
Heritage Rail Trail Corridor
  The Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail Corridor was formed in 2001 as a result of the newly opened Hanover Junction Train Station in North Codorus Township and the anticipated opening of the New Freedom Train Station in the borough of New Freedom in 2003. The Hanover Junction Train Station is renovated to its look in the 1863 during the Civil War. Part of the building houses a museum concentrating on the local Civil War history. The New Freedom Train Station is restored to its appearance in the 1940’s, during the heyday of the Northern Central Railroad. Within the station are a railroad museum, including an actual size K-4 engine and an original working freight scale and original safe.
 
The Mission Statement for Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail Corridor (FHRTC) is:
provides assistance to the York County Department of Parks and Recreation as an organization dedicated to the historic preservation and interpretation of the Heritage Rail Trail County Park.

Its purposes and objectives shall be:

  • To educate the public regarding the history of the corridor in York County
  •  To help interpret and understand the park’s strategic and historic importance upon local, statewide and national affairs
  • To collect and preserve, for educational purposes, any significant relics, artifacts and documents relating to the corridor
  • To foster greater awareness, interest, friendship and pride in the communities which share the corridor’s history
  • To promote and participate in fundraising activities as opportunities arise
  • To provide public assistance and interpretation at the stations
 
The FHRTC has an Executive Committee that meets throughout the year to prepare the open house schedule, monitor the attendance records, oversee the gift shop sales and address other opportunities.  Executive Committee members also serve as Greeters at the stations.

WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE GIFT SHOP?

       The Gift Shop is a wonderful place to do shopping for someone who loves the outdoors or local history.  The gift shop offers an assortment of memorabilia including: 

·        Heritage Rail Trail Corridor T-Shirt

·        Heritage Rail Trail Corridor Patch

·        Station Postcards

·        Station Notecards

·        Station Magnets

·        Station 8 x10 photographs

·        Brief Histories Book

·        New Freedom Train Station print

·        Hanover Junction Train Station print

·        Howard Tunnel print

·        Railroad Antique General Store print

·        Hanover Junction Station Front miniature

·        Northern Central Rail Sluice

 

WHAT IF I HAVE ARTIFACTS, PHOTOGRAPHS OR OTHER MEMORABILIA THAT  MIGHT BE OF INTEREST?

     The Friends group is always looking for new artifacts, photographs or other memorabilia to enhance the history of one of the museums.  There is no guarantee that an artifact will be on display immediately, depending upon the exhibit themes at the time. Should you have any such items, please call Parks Executive Director, Thomas Brant at (717) 840-7440. 

 

 

SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE STATIONS



May 3 , 2008 – Hand Car Races presented by the Pennsylvania Hand Car Racing Association at the New Freedom Train Station – all day (tentative)

June 7 & 8, 2008 – 87th Pennsylvania, Company C Re-enactors at Hanover Junction Train Station

September 20, 2008 - Hand Car Races presented by the Pennsylvania Hand Car Racing Association at the New Freedom Train Station – all day - held in conjunction with the New Freedom Family Fest. 

We Are Looking For Greeters

What is a Greeter?
     A greeter is a volunteer who simply enjoys talking to people and requires no knowledge of either station. Greeters are stationed at New Freedom and Hanover Junction train stations to welcome guests to the Museum, answer any questions they may have and supply them with some information on the history on the area. Both Museums are operated under the Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail Corridor and are open between May and October each year for public visitation.

Why Should I Become a Greeter?
     Being a greeter is fun! It is a great opportunity to learn more about things that interest you and share them with others. Most visitors to our Museums are either interested in the history of the area or are trail users that have a curiosity to see what’s inside. As long as you enjoy talking to people, you qualify as a greeter. Many friendships have been formed through being a greeter and the knowledge of giving something back to the community. Greeters are invited to special functions by the Friends groups and York County Parks (picnics, Holiday events, volunteer recognitions, etc.)

Who Can Become a Greeter?
     Everyone is welcome to volunteer. Our list of greeters ranges from scouts an school students earning community service hours to working people who enjoy spending time in the museums as a method of relaxation to seniors, you enjoy getting out and talking to people. A Greeter under the age of 18 needs to be supervised with an adult while volunteering.

How Do I Qualify?
     Not to worry, there are no tests to take to become qualified! If you wear a smile, this is a spot for you. Any information you need to know about the Museum, local history, area restaurants and motels or rail trail is all in an organized Informational Notebook at each station.

Are There Any Training Sessions?
     The Friends of the Rail Trail Corridor host orientation sessions at both stations, usually in April. These orientations present information on opening, operating and closing the station. If you do not feel comfortable being a Greeter on your own at first, you are welcome to work along side an experienced Greeter, at any time.

When Are Greeters Needed?
     Both the Hanover Junction and New Freedom train station operate identical schedules. Shifts are available on Saturdays, May through October (10:00 – 1:30 AND 1:30 – 5:00) and Saturday and Sunday (1:00 – 5:00) June through September. The museums will also be open on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Shifts are also available in June and July, Wednesdays from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

For information/scheduling call Program Coordinator, Jeri Jones, York County Parks at (717) 840-7226.

 

Schedule of Hanover Junction Train Station Open to Public

Schedule of New Freedom Train Station Open to Public

 
 
Friends of Wallace-Cross Mill
      Wallace-Cross Mill is a restored 1826 water-powered grist mill located near Cross Roads, East Hopewell Township. Wallace-Cross Mill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Harry Cross, the last operator of the mill presented the building to York County in 1979. The mill was constructed The Friends of Wallace-Cross Mill was formed in 1999 to oversee the programs at the newly restored mill. Today the group conducts open houses at the mill from June through October, conducts fundraisers, maintains the museum gift shop and plans the future for the mill.

     In 2006, the second and third floors of the mill were opened with new displays containing mill equipment and history on local milling. These displays further enhanced the operating mill located on the first floor.

WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE GIFT SHOP?

     A wonderful place to do shopping for someone who loves the outdoors or local history. The gift shop offers an assortment of memorabilia including:

• Mill Postcards
• Mill Notecards
• Mill Magnets
• Mill 8 x10 photographs
• Brief Histories Book
• Wallace-Cross Mill print
• Gristmill Book
• Walking Tour Book
• Bird Seed Bag
• Wallace-Cross Mill polo shirt
• Medallion

      The 2008 schedule includes the mill open every Sunday from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., June through August. Tours are available every Sunday. The Friends of Wallace-Cross Mill hold special events associated with their open houses. The Corn Roast and Poetry Reading is held in July; Miller Heritage Day in September; and Cider Day in October. The open houses are held concurrently with the open house hosted by Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage Village at Muddy Creek Forks, only a short distance away. Combining these two historic markers in one-day’s visit really allows you to step back into time.

     The Friends Executive Committee meets throughout the year to plan events, discuss new displays and oversee the operation of the mill. Docent training is held in May to introduce volunteers to the mill and how to present historic interpretation to the public.

     Anyone interested in becoming a docent, please contact Jeri Jones, Program Coordinator at (717) 840-7226.

     Anyone wishing to donate a milling artifact or piece of memorabilia to Wallace-Cross Mill, please call Executive Director, Thomas Brant at (717) 840-7440.

Mission Statement Statement for Friends of the Wallace Cross Mill is::

To acquire, preserve, and protect Wallace-Cross Mill through partnerships, artifact collection, structural maintenance, and educational and exhibition activities for interpretation of agricultural history and significance for individuals of all ages.
 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR DOCENTS


What is a Docent?

A docent is a volunteer who simply enjoys talking to people and requires no knowledge of milling or Wallace-Cross Mill.. Docents are stationed at the mill to welcome the guests, assist in tours, answer any questions they may have and supply them with some information on the history on the area. The mill is open for public events June through October.

Why should I become a Docent?

Being a docent is fun! It is a great opportunity to learn more about things that interest you and share them with others. Most visitors to our museum are either interested in the history of the area or just curious about what is inside. As long as you enjoy talking to people, you qualify as a docent. Many friendships have been formed through being a docent and the knowledge of giving something back to the community. Docents are invited to special functions by the Friends groups and York County Parks (picnics, Holiday events, volunteer recognitions, etc.)

Who can become a Docent?

Everyone is welcome to volunteer. Our list of docents ranges from community-active people, retired residents who love the local history to those that use the time as a method of relaxation. A Docent under the age of 18 needs to be supervised with an adult while volunteering. 

How do I Qualify?

Not to worry, there are no tests to take to become qualified! If you wear a smile, this is a spot for you. Any information you need to know about the Museum and local history is found in written literature at the Mill.

Are there any training sessions?

The Friends of Wallace-Cross Mill host an orientation session, usually in May. This orientation presents information on opening, operating and closing the Mill. Usually, new docents are placed on a team of experienced docents so they can see how tours are operated. Three to four docents are used for guided-tour open houses and one to two docents for self-guided tour open houses.

When are Docents Needed?

Three to four docents are used for guided-tour open houses and one to two docents are needed for self-guided tour open houses. Additional docents are needed for the special events.

For information/scheduling call Special Events Program Coordinator, Jeri Jones, York County Parks at (717) 840-7226.
 
Schedule of  Hanover Junction Train Station open to the Public.

Schedule of New Freedom Train Station open to Public

Schedule of Open House Dates for Wallace-Cross Mill

Hanover Junction, A Lifetime of Memories