The Conestoga Area Historical Society (CAHS), 51 Kendig Road, Conestoga, will hold its annual Fall Harvest Fest on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 24, from noon to 4 p.m. The free event will include demonstrations from a variety of craftspeople, activities for children and a baked goods sale.

The goal of the historical society's yearly celebration is to offer the community an opportunity to learn about Conestoga's history in an interactive setting. Docents of CAHS will be dressed in period-accurate attire, as they offer a glimpse into the simple lives of Conestoga's early settlers. Demonstrations will take place throughout the day, featuring blacksmithing, carpentry, weaving, spinning and tin-making. Several children's activities such as pumpkin painting will be offered during Fall Harvest Fest, and a rope-maker will fashion ropes for youngsters to take home.

"People always love to see the craftsmen and people who are dressed in the clothes of that time period," said Jim Kauffman, a longstanding member of CAHS. "(Fall Harvest Fest) is an interactive way for people to engage with our area's history."

During the event, members of the Circle Legacy Center will have a table to offer information on Native American history and customs. The Circle Legacy Center often holds demonstrations for Fall Harvest Fest, which have included chanting exhibitions and fur displays in previous years. The organization's goal with each demonstration is to provide spectators with an accurate portrayal of Conestoga's first inhabitants and their culture.

Attendees of Fall Harvest Fest will be able to view the historical society's collection of artifacts and items that have been recovered throughout the local community. CAHS' collection includes multiple objects left by Native Americans and Colonial settlers, including petroglyphs that are believed to be more than 1,500 years old. When Safe Harbor Dam was being constructed on the Susquehanna River in 1932, the construction workers discovered the ancient Native American rock carvings. The State Museum of Pennsylvania recovered the petroglyphs and housed them in Harrisburg and transferred them to CAHS once it was established. In addition to the rock carvings, the CAHS collection includes the original door of the former Lancaster County jail.

This year, CAHS will showcase one of its Revolutionary War-era Conestoga wagons in a new display room. The new structure was previously used by Manor Township as a pavilion, and the township gifted it to CAHS three years ago. Shortly after, the historical society received a $15,000 grant, and it decided to refurbish the pavilion. The structure sits adjacent to the CAHS museum, and the renovation project was completed in April. Several items are also included in the new display room, such as a wagon jack and bells that were worn by Conestoga wagon horses.

For more information, visit http://www.pennmanorhistory.org.