Heritage Day attracts thousands

According to Wanda Swarr, founder of Pathways school, which meets in Brubaker Park, Heritage Day serves two main purposes. "It is primarily an outreach to the community," said Swarr. "We want to spread our passion for learning and history."

But Heritage Day also gives Pathways students a chance to showcase their talents and skills, and they contribute to the evolving offerings of the event. "The kids are great at coming up with ways to improve it," shared Swarr. "It really displays who we are here by giving students hands-on ownership and opportunities to make decisions."

The fifth annual Pathways Heritage Day was held at the Brubaker Homestead at Brubaker Park, 414 Long Lane, East Earl, on Oct. 19.

Heritage Day celebrates rural Lancaster County history and culture. Originally, the event focused on European history, but a student pointed out that Native American artifacts were found on park land, which is owned by Brecknock Township, so now the timeline stretches back 300 years and includes a Lenni Lenape settlement along with a variety of demonstrators and activities. Most activities are free, but each year a nominal fee is charged for a few of them.

Swarr said the 2024 event was marked by heavy foot traffic, estimating close to 4,000 attendees, perfect weather, and positive comments. Among the many demonstrations were open fire cooking, paper making, leather making, pony rides, and Colonial games. A fur trapper, military encampments, and horse-drawn carriage rides were available, and a Model A car and tractors were on display. "We had a tinsmith, woodworkers, gunsmiths, soap makers, basket weaving, scherenschnitte (artwork made by cutting paper), and pottery (demonstrations)," pointed out Swarr. "One lady drove in from Michigan to give Pennsylvania Dutch lessons at her tent," said Swarr. Several area residents gave presentations, including "24 Years of the Terre Hill Trolley" by Carol Ann Boswell of the Terre Hill Area Historical Society, a review of music by the Ephrata Cloister Chorus presented by Suzanne Fisher, and "Real Boys of the Civil War" by author Joel Moore.

Interactive activities were a popular part of the day. For the Woods Walk Challenge, a contest for adults and teens, groups of four walked through the woods visiting stations, where each participant earned points to determine how well each could survive on the frontier. Swarr noted that the activity sold out for the entire day. "Another new event that was a hit was a running deer target," said Swarr, who explained that local builder and Pathways volunteer Brandon Steffy worked with students to build the background with a deer cutout moving across the front. "They designed this track so they can take a shot at a moving deer," said Swarr, who pointed out that those who hit the target won a ticket for a door prize from local gun and archery shops.

Swarr noted that Heritage Day educates Pathways students before and during the event. "They have developed so many public speaking skills," she noted, adding that the students also learn from the adult presenters and demonstrators.

Pathways Hybrid-Learning Community, founded in 2018, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving more than 70 students in grade three through 12. Readers may visit http://www.learningatpathways.org for more information.