82-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 4,1956
Ancient legends
BY SALLY BAIR
Staff Correspondent
KIRKWOOD - “Although I’ve
never seen a gnome, I’ve had a lot
of fun looking for them.” These are
the words of Richard Humphreys
as he sits in the kitchen of his home
in Kirkwood, discussing the
Gnome Countryside.
Tucked deep in the countryside
on a stream which feeds into the
Octorara Creek, along a pic
turesque ravine, the Gnome
Countryside is not just a place, but
also a state of mind. It is, in fact,
also the way Humphreys happens
to niake his living.
The area on Bridle Path Road
where Humphreys lives with his
wife, Mary Lou, and their three
children couldn’t be better mat
ched for the gnome fantasy which
Humphreys espouses. He explains
that gnomes live underground and
in trees, and in this wonderful
wooded place, interspersed with
open areas, gnomes certainly
could feel at home.
This could be a gnome house, lovingly carved from
paulownia wood, and intricately designed with features which
would be appealing to gnomes. This gnome appears right at
home as he peers out the front of the small home.
gnomes to live. In the background is the wooded area which
comprises much ofthe visit to Gnome Countryside.
come alive at Gnome Countryside
Humphreys opened Gnome
Countryside five years ago, and his
“business” of conducting tours of
this rich outdoor arena has grown
to reach 6,000 people annually,
which is “as many as I can han
dle,” he says forthrightly.
It is difficult to describe exactly
what it is that Humphreys does as
he invites people to walk with him
through this treasure trove of
outdoor experiences. He talks
about the gnomes and their ways,
of course, but what he really does
is expose his visitors, young and
old alike, to the wonderfully
creative concept of enjoying the
outdoors.
As a former teacher who has
done some acting and enjoys
storytelling, Humphreys is a
natural for this role as spinner of
legends about gnomes. Indeed, he
relishes what he is doing so much
that he says his goal is to still be
walking around with visitors when
he is 100.
In fact, he envisions himself with
a white beard, helping promote the
fantasy. “I’ll shrink a little, and
the older I get the better I’ll get. I’ll
do it as long as I’ll be able to keep
going.”
What would make a man with a
“normal” job like teaching turn to
the countryside for his livelihood?
Humphreys is candid. He admits
that some friends and relatives
thought he was crazy when he
began. But he had a more serious
consideration.
“A prime motivating factor is
that I had been a diabetic for 25
years. Hardly anyone escapes
major complications (from the
disease) after that long.” Hum
phreys was fearful of losing his
sight, and he had to keep blood
sugars regulated, which made it
difficult to keep teaching.
“I wanted some other vocation. I
knew I could do something. I had
taught elementary art and
directed a camp for diabetic
children. I thought about a nature
trail,” he explains.
In his art lessons he often used
elves, and understood their
magical qualities. He added,
“Children Uke the out-of-doors. It
was a wonderful combination with
a lot of appeal for children.”
Another factor was an extended
visit he and his wife, Mary Lou, had
had to Scandinavia and an
intriguing two-week visit to a
Danish pig farm over the
Christmas holidays. “Those people
had a sincere belief in the good
luck that gnomes bring. We had
kind and enjoyable thoughts of
that.”
That experience, coupled with
the publishing of the book on
gnomes by Foortvliet/Huygen,
helped create the dream from
which Gnome Countryside was
born. Their home, deep in the
woods, offered the perfect setting.
Humphreys took half a year off
from teaching to test the idea, and
with a few articles in the local
newspapers his new career was
underway. Ironically his sight has
now been restored to 20/30,
something he attributes to the
“modem miracle of laser surgery.
Ten years ago I would have been
blind.” He still keeps close watch
on his blood sugar levels and ad
ministers insulin four times daily;
but the miracle of sight is precious
to him.
Of course his interest in gnomes
Gnomes are happy creatures, known in legends of coun
tries throughout the world and over the centuries. This
carved approximation of a gnome happily lives with the
Humphreys.
Richard Humphreys stands on the bridge across a small
stream on his property. Underneath can be seen a troll
bridge, where here he invites young people to choose which
way they will cross. Humphreys urges them to follow their
own choice, and not that of friends. His home can be seen in
the background.
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taffies
and his information has grown as
his experience expands. He has
learned, for instance, that
psychologists now believe that
parents who leave no room for
fantasy in their children’s minds
may cause those children to
develop psychological problems.
He continues to read a lot, and
for gnome enthusiasts he now
iblishes a ' \rtf new
He said he has found “an un
derground current of gnome
fanciers.”
He has acquired many carvings
and pictures of gnomes over the
years, some of which are used in
the “gnomery” where guests are
greeted upon arrival. The living
areas of their home are filled with
gnomes as well, many given to him
by people interested in his coun
tryside. One hand carved gnome is
the “gnome ranger,” who rides a
great horned owl. Another prize is
a “metrognome” which ticks out
the time for playing music.
While the Countryside started
mostly for families in the fall, the
concept quickly became popular
and Humphreys expanded it to
begin in April. About three years
ago he began offering Christmas
candlelight tours, which have been
very successful.
As Humphreys talks with his
guests, he uses every opportunity
to work in appropriate value
lessons. One example is when a
group of children reaches a toll
bridge, found just beneath an
arched bridge over the small
stream. Humphreys invites them
to cross the stream on either
bridge, but urges them to take the
way they want to take, not what
their friends might choose. He then
carries over this idea of choice,
encouraging them to think for
themselves at home, on the
playground and in school. J
At one point, he has visitors stop
and close their eyes and listen to
the sounds of the stream and
forest. At another stop on the walk
children are invited to climb ropes,
but again, only as they feel com
fortable.
His entire walk ties in with
nature, at whatever season of the
year it is. Each season offers
special interest. Since gnomes are
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