BMjncastw Farming, Saturday, July 23, 1994 Three Eras At Somerset GAY BROWNLEE Somerset Co. Correspondent SOMERSET (Somerset Co.) Today’s computer age set can observe life of the “good old days” as three former eras of farming are developed at the Somerset Histori cal Center. The working farms teads will portray 17705, 1850 s and 1920 s farm life on 55 acres at the Center, 4 miles north of here. In conjunction, a permanent exhibit will focus on the industrial revolution’s impact on agriculture and farming methods in south western Pennsylvania. Site administrator, David Dunn, a farmer’s son with roots in east ern Pennsylvania, said the project has taken six years of planning. While you can take the son off the farm, realistically, some of the farm stays with the son, or at least some farm knowledge stays with him. Add to that Dunn’s expertise in historical preservation and you’ve probably found a well equipped captain to sail this pro ject’s ship. Dunn, who workd with the stale’s historical museum net work, once said thios project is unique. “There won’t be anything like it in Pennsylvania,” he said. “When we’re done with the farmsteads it Beth Holler, a summer intern working at the Somerset Historical Center is pictured spinning flax. The Center is ready to begin a major expansion which Includes an addi tion to the visitor’s center and the development of farmsteads from different farming areas. A permanent exhibit will trace the progress of local agriculture during thye Industrial Revolution. Jfomcslead will be like a living history with people and animals on the three farmsteads. They will do laundry, food preparation, and smoking meat.” The land will be tilled and crops raised in accordance with each era’s history, in routine daily form. Dunn added, “This will be the only one where you will see the transition and transformation of Pennsylvania agriculture.” And of course, the new perma nent exhibit will acquaint visitors with the effects of the industrial revolution upon the mechaniza tion of agriculture and the conse quent changes in rural lifestyles. Dunn said the Somerset County pioneer period was over by 1780. Explaining what is meant by “pioneer period,” he said, “A pioneer period is coming on the virgin land, clearing it and finally producing a surplus crop.” According to Dunn, once that hap pens, you are no longer pioneering. That’s where the 1770 s settler’s cabin fits. The second farm, dated 1850 to 1860, during and after the Civil War, would be the era when the McCormick reaper became common. The steel industry was also burgeoning. Jlotes Of Agriculture Historical Center The devclopmeht of tlje 1850 s farmstead will see a relocation of the 1798 Adam Miller house. Dunn says prior to the influx in dairying all animals were housed in the same bam. As sanitary reg ulations came into being other outbuildings were constructed to house the different farm animals. Then, as now, complying with government regulations ended business for some farms. From 1910 to 1920 was the era of American horse farming, according to Dunn, followed eventually by steam, internal com bustion, diesel and so forth. Oral histories, quoting older farmers will enhance the perma nent exhibit. “The exhibit will dis cuss variables farmers face like soil, weather and labor.” The 3,000 square foot exhibit will outline the history of agricul ture from some nine area counties, including feed millsm woolen mills and the steel industry. Agri culture statistics will be quoted from the 1840 census information. Science played a prominent role for the early farmer who girdled the trees and planted crops between them. By removing the bark around the trunk of the tree (girdling), it ultimately dies. In process, this allowed light and sun This covered bridge on the grounds of the Somerset His torical Center is not only historically preserved, but adds beauty and shade for the pleasure of visitors. David Dunn, site administrator is pictured. David Dunn, site administrator at the Somerset Historical Center north of Somerset, can’t resist picking some cur rants from the crop growing in the raised bed garden at the Center. There are also ground cherries, tomatoes and Egyp tian onions among the various plants In the fence protected garden, forbidden to four-legged intruders. to reach the crops and supplied his source of needed wood. Many hand tools are also in the exhibit Dunn says that very often the wives of early farmers, because they could market butter, eggs and other produce, brought a greater cash contribution to the family than did their husbands. The promise of higher income and regular paychecks often lured many farm sons to the steel mills for jobs. But Dunn says the only time that area agriculture was eclipsed was when coal was big from 1900 to 1910, after which, following the end of World War I, coal produc tion plummeted. Agriculture, today, continues as the number one industry in Somerset County. Developing the fasrmsteads is part of a three-phase, expansion project about to get underway at the Somerset Historical Center. Phase 1 will enlarge the current visitor center, install the perma nent exhibit and see construction of the 1770 s settler’s cabin by staff and volunteer persona. Phase 2 focuses on developing the 1920 farmstead, outbuildings, fields and animals. Phase 3 concerns the rwlocation of the Adam Miller house for the development of the 1850 farmstead. Matching funds from the Pen nsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the America’s Industrial Heritage Project will cover the $1.4 million cost of Phase 1. Historical and Genealogical Society of Somerset County has a goal of $750,000 for its recently initiated endowment fund accord ing to official information. This will ensure that future operating costs are covered. Projected completion of the • project is 1998. Meanwhile at the Historical Center, annual activities will con tinue, like Mountain Craft Days the second weekend in September; Fiber Day and Herb and Plant Day; school programs, junior his torians and ongoing research. Persons desiring other informa tion may call the Center at (814) 445-6077.
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