Fisher Homestead Showcases Living History
(Continued from Page B 2)
inherit many of the pieces and
refurnish the home to much of its
original state. These furnishings
include such items as 1830’s wal
nut wardrobes, marbleized wood
ed furniture, bustle chairs, and
daybeds.
In 1983, Hilda and other vol
unteers compiled an inventory of
every historical building in the
The Fishers have an abundance of stories about the rooms, furnishings, and fam
ly history associated with the home.
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Oley Valley.
“It was a great accomplish
ment,” Hilda said with obvious
pride. She has a large notebook
filled with handwritten records,
which will be passed on to the
historical society.
“Every place is special,” Hilda
said of historical landmarks. She
said the project began in 1980
when local residents were con
cerned by a stream going dry
The Original Old Fashioned
6 Qt. Hand
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Lancaster Farming
which threatened traditional
land use patterns. The Oley Val
ley Heritage Association was
formed to study and preserve the
heritage of the historical region.
Lenni Lenape Native Ameri
cans inhabited the area before
the 1700 s. Settlers of German,
French, Swiss, English, and
Swedish heritage brought agri
cultural and architectural tradi
tions to the are. Mostly stone
PHONE:
In 1983, Hilda and other volunteers compiled an inven
tory of every historical building in the Oley Valley. The
project began in 1980 when local residents were con
cerned by a stream going dry which threatened tradition
al land use patterns. The Oley Valley Heritage Associa
tion was formed to study and preserve the heritage of
the historical region.
cabins, springhouses, and out
buildings were erected. From
1740-1780, second generation
farmers built steep-roofed houses
and barns with arched openings,
and' Germanic style buildings
with medieval overtones. From
1780-1820, prosperous farmers
and ironmasters built elaborate
Georgian manor houses as
water-powered mills, forges, and
furnaces flourished. The Fisher
homestead and 10 other man
sions have been registered as
being built in the Oley Valley
during this time.
Bushels of shellbark nuts and
of pecans gathered from a cen
tury’s old pecan tree line the
farmhouse’s side porch. Hilda
continues to make family favor
ites passed down through the
generations such as sour string
beans made with dried . string
beans.
The couple is active at the
Salem United Church of Christ
and with the Oley Fair.
One of the things they do to
gether is mow the lawn.
“She has the easy job,” Frank
jokes about a heart problem that
has slowed him down a bit. “She
mows with the push lawnmower
and I use the riding one.”
When she received the Ag
Woman of the Year Award,
Hilda was lauded for exemplify
ing generosity of spirit, continual
willingness to help advance agri
culture in every day life, and to
get the job done.
“If you practice Christian
principles, with the help of God,
you will accomplish things,”
Hilda said. “We never lived on
Easy Street but we lived on
Happy Street.”
s 1
Lancaster Fawns
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Ky\JGenien
See pages 822-26