East Berlin Historical Preservation Society Home

SAVE THE DATES: Upcoming Speakers for East Berlin Historical Preservation Society General Meetings at 7:30 p.m. Red Men’s Hall. All are welcome!
Address: 332 W. King Street, East Berlin, PA 17316

Please join us--Public Invited! Interesting speakers and topics as well as
fine company and light refreshments…the perfect evening.
See 2023 General Meeting Speakers Here

MARK YOUR CALENDARS 2023 General Meetings:

See 2023 General Meeting Speakers Here

Our next general meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 7:30 pm at Red Mens Hall, 332 W. King Street, East Berlin, PA:
David Peters will present "The Real Story of the Mason Dixon Line"--more info to follow.

See 2023 General Meeting Speakers Here

Past Meetings:

Thanks so much to Sue Ann Keim for a very enlightening presentation about "The History of Nursing During the 1800's" on May 17, 2023 See Flyer Here. See Photos Here.

Thanks very much to Bart Stump for a very interesting and enthusiastic presentation about the Justice Bell on March 15, 2023. See Flyer Here. See Photos Here.

Thanks to Jeff Greenawalt for a very entertaining evening with his presentation on January 18, 2023 entitled "A Burns Night Celebration". It was a fun evening of songs, poetry, and stories with Jeff Greenawalt portraying the Scottish Bard Robert Burns. Flyer Here. See Photos Here.

Thanks very much to Tom Davidson for taking us on an interesting road trip through 14 Pennsylvania counties traveling down the Lincoln Highway on November 16, 2022. See Flyer Here. See Photos Here.

Thank you to Bart Stump who discussed carvings of animals, human figures and symbols on rocks rising out of the Susquehanna River (known as petroglyphs) which are thought to be as old as a thousand years, during our general meeting on Sept. 21, 2022. See Flyer Here. See Photos Here.

Thanks to Licensed Battlefield Guide John Krepps for a fascinating talk about the action that happened down the streets and alleyways of Hanover between the Union Calvary commanded by George Armstrong Custer and Confederate Calvary led by J.E.B. Stuart during the Battle of Hanover on June 30, 1863. See photos here.

Thanks to Jim McClure for an enlightening presentation about “Historical Women of York County” on May 18, 2022. See photos here. See flyer here.

Thanks to David Peters for a very interesting presentation on March 16, 2022 about The Enigma Machine--See Flyer Here! See Photos Here!

Local resident, David Peters, addressed the audience with an illustrated talk on the subject of the Enigma machine, a famous encryption machine used extensively by Nazi Germany to transmit coded messages. It was extremely difficult to crack the codes, giving the Germans a superior advantage over the Allies. Eventually, however, a British mathematician, designed a machine which was able to successfully decode the encrypted messages.

See some photos here of some of the finds that were displayed at The Great Antique Road Show on Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Join your fellow members, guests, and anyone who loves antiques and the stories that come with them! Wednesday, January 19 Red Men’s Hall, 7:30 P.M. This program has become a great favorite because we are quite talented at entertaining ourselves by sharing items we have found in our old houses, back yards, anywhere history loves to hide. Start digging now and remember, if you love it we will too! The public is always welcome to enjoy our general meetings so bring a neighbor, a friend, your family, anyone who enjoys the thrill of the “great find” and appreciates good company, good conversation and a relaxing start to the New Year. Light refreshments will be served

Thanks to Rosanne Pelligrino for her wonderful potrayal of Martha Washington on November 17, 2021! This was our final general meeting of the year. See photos here. We learned how the troops celebrated the Christmas season at Valley Forge.

On Wednesday, September 15, 2021 we enjoyed hearing the presentation of the Victorian Historian (AKA Adam Shefts). Thanks to Mr. Shefts, who shared unique and fascinating stories and facts that happened during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. See photos here.

Sorry to say but we had to cancel the meeting about the Enigma Machine that was scheduled for March 17, 2021 due to Covid-19. We still hope to reschedule at a later date.

Cancelled: The Enigma Machine

Red Men’s Hall, TBD at 7:30 p.m. (we do hope to reschedule)

Local resident, David Peters, will address the audience with an illustrated talk on the subject of the Enigma machine, a famous encryption machine used extensively by Nazi Germany to transmit coded messages. It was extremely difficult to crack the codes, giving the Germans a superior advantage over the Allies. Eventually, however, a British mathematician, designed a machine which was able to successfully decode the encrypted messages. See Flyer Here.
Please Note: We plan and hope to have this meeting--of course this depends on the status of the Covid-19 virus at that time. Masks and social distancing will probably be required, depending on the status.

CANCELLED due to Covid-19:

Next Planned General Meeting is on

CANCELLED--September 16, 2020: “ The Victorian Historian" by Adam Shefts. See more information on General Meetings Page; Red Men’s Hall, Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. We will update you as to the status of this meeting.

And the November General Meeting also has been CANCELLED.

We hope to reschedule some of these speakers for 2021!

Also CANCELLED due to Covid-19: September 16, 2020: “ The Victorian Historian"
by Adam Shefts
Red Men’s Hall, Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Adam Shefts (a.k.a. the Victorian Historian) will do a presentation on life during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Adam's interest spans the time period from the Civil War in the 1860's to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. You will learn little known facts about advertising, animals, crime, disasters, beauty and fashion, and even death! Mark your calendars and come prepared to be amazed at what life was like during this time period!
***Please note: All programs are subject to possible cancellation due to Covid-19.

March 18, 2020 General Meeting on The Enigma Machine has been CANCELLED due to coronavirus restrictions

March 18, 2020: The Enigma Machine

Sorry, but this meeting has been CANCELLED:

Local resident, David Peters, will address the audience with an illustrated talk on the subject of the Enigma machine, a famous encryption machine used extensively by Nazi Germany to transmit coded messages. It was extremely difficult to crack the codes, giving the Germans a superior advantage over the Allies. Eventually, however, a British mathematician designed a machine which was able to successfully decode the encrypted messages.
This lecture will be at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 18th at Red Men's Hall, 332 W. King Street, East Berlin. Refreshments will be served following the lecture.

Next General Meeting will be held on:

Also CANCELLED: May 20, 2020: SPRING FUND RAISER!

Sorry, but this meeting has been CANCELLED: Author and professor Mike McGough will present a PowerPoint program:
“The Johnstown Flood of 1889”

This program will require preregistration and an attendance fee for members and non-members alike. More information will be forth coming in the next Informer and will also be placed on the EBHPS website and Facebook page in the near future.

Also CANCELLED: July 15, 2020: George F. Kennan: Diplomat, Historian, Neighbor and Friend: Red Men’s Hall, July 15, 7:30 p.m.

Sorry, but this meeting has been CANCELLED: The EBHPS July 15 general meeting presentation, George Kennan: Diplomat, Historian, Neighbor, Friend, is cancelled. We have reached this decision in the interests of the health safety of panel members and attendees during this time of Covid 19.

Learn how East Berlin, PA, and East Berlin, Germany, share a common Cold War link, how East Berlin, PA, once sheltered the daughter of Joseph Stalin, and most importantly, learn about an unlikely friendship that spanned decades. Few men shaped the latter part of the 20th century, and the way the United States responded to the “Soviet threat”, as much as George F. Kennan. The EBHPS will conduct an interview with one of the people who, as a young man, came to know Kennan when he purchased an area farm. While you may have heard of Kennan, and his connection to East Berlin, and perhaps read some of his books or the books written about him, you can now listen to someone who knew him well and can share
some of the back-story.

Past Meetings:

Thanks to all of the presenters at The Antiques Road Show Returns that was held on January 15, 2020! Great presentations of antique and vintage finds! See photos here.

Thanks so much to Sharon O'Connell for a fascinating and fun presentation about the history of Saint Nicholas on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 entitled "Becoming Santa Claus" at our general meeting! See Photos Here

Thanks to John Maietta who gave a very interesting presentation separating fact from fiction in the 20th Cenury Fox's movie "The Monuments Men" on September 18, 2019. See photos here.

See Flyer Here; More info on General Meetings page

Thanks to the Lost Boys team of Andy Snell and Nate Keister who gave a fascinating presentation about some of their experiences, tools and finds from their metal detecting hobby on July 17, 2019 at our General Meeting. See some photos here. More information on our General Meetings page; See Flyer Here

Thanks to Bonnie Portzline for her great presentation entitled "A NEW VIEW: BIRDS WITH A GETTYSBURG ADDRESS – 2019" at our May 15, 2019 General Meeting. See Flyer Here; See Photos Here

Thanks to Mike McGough for a very interesting presentation about leadership characteristics and attributes of several notable figures in American history at our March 20, 2019 general meeting.
See Flyer Here; See Photos Here

Thanks to Jeri Jones for a great and entertaining presentation about the geology in this area at our Jan. 16, 2019 general meeting! He is a local geologist with a specialty in geoarchaeology and the owner of Jones Geological Services in Spring Grove, PA.

See Flyer Here; See a Couple of Photos Here

“WERE THERE ANY VOLCANOES IN THIS AREA?”

Thanks to Ross Hetrick for his great portrayal of Thaddeus Stevens at our general meetingon Nov. 14, 2018. It was an interesting and entertaining presentation! Topic: Thaddeus Stevens in Pennsylvania, “Thaddeus Stevens” portrayed by Ross Hetrick. See Flyer Here; See Photos Here.

Ross talked about how Thaddeus Stevens helped destroy slavery and created a more equal society. He will detail his various achievements in Gettysburg and Lancaster and will include an incident where his life was threatened when he took possession of a house in East Berlin. The talk will be sprinkled with various Thaddeus Stevens jokes. Ross is the founder and president of the Thaddeus Stevens Society, a non-profit educational group founded in 1999 and dedicated to promoting the legacy of Stevens. He has been a journalist, coffeehouse owner and factory worker over the years. He is now retired and spreading the gospel of Thaddeus Stevens full time.

Thaddeus Stevens Photo

Please Note: NYCHAPS (Northern York County Historical and Preservation Society) and EBHPS are now working together to promote the speaker series for both organizations. See website at: https://northernyorkhistorical.org/events-calendar/

All of NYCHAPS speaker programs, shown below, are held at the Maple Shade Barn, 35 Greenbrier Lane, Dillsburg, PA. They are free and open to the public.

Joe Sapienza on Thursday September 20, 2018 at 7PM, will discuss his documentary “Centralia: Pennsylvania’s Lost Town" The Centralia mine fire started over half a century ago in the summer of 1962.

Previous Meeting Topics:

Wednesday, September 19 at 7:30 pm
EBHPS Red Men’s Hall, 332 W. King Street, East Berlin, PA
Speaker: Scott Mingus
Topic: The Underground Railroad
Thanks to Scott Mingus for a great presentation!

Scott Mingus discusses Undeground Railroad on Sept. 19, 2018

Scott Mingus Underground Railroad Talk

Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Please Note Different Location: East Berlin VFW Post 8896 107 Locust St. East Berlin, PA
Speaker: David Taylor Topic: Captured but not Forgotten

How US Intelligence secretly contacted Allied prisoners held in German camps during WWII and American POWs detained in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.

This program will feature clips from two of his productions, “The Great Escape” and “The Spy in the Hanoi Hilton,” with an ongoing narrative by the producer/director himself. See photos here. See Dillsburg Banner Article here.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 7:30 pm
EBHPS Red Men’s Hall East Berlin, PA
Speaker: John Maietta
Topic: PA Trivia (See photos here)

Test your knowledge of Pennsylvania trivia, as we explore a wealth of fascinating facts from state history, popular culture, and current events. You’ll learn about George Washington’s only battlefield surrender – and the development of the world’s first electronic computer. You’ll hear the stories behind the druggist who helped Mozart write his greatest comic operas; the hapless tinkerer who almost invented the telephone; and the exiled Turkish imam who runs a worldwide spiritual movement from a hideout in the Poconos. And you’ll find out why Pennsylvania can proudly lay claim to America’s first gas station, its oldest human settlement, its longest stone arch bridge, and its biggest shoe. You’ll leave with a new appreciation for the wacky, wild, and wonderful side of the great Keystone State we call home.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018: Thank you, Stacey Fox for your great and inspiring discussion. Stacey Fox, the vice president of Destination Gettysburg, gave a talk entitled "A Look at Adams County Tourism". She discussed the organization, tourism as a product, the evolution of tourism, and the economic impact of tourism.

Wednesday, November 15th, 2017: Thank you to Linda Clark for her excellent talk about what the people of Gettysburg witnessed when President Abraham Lincoln arrived to dedicate the National Cemetery in November 1863. See photos on our Society Snapshots page.

"Walk A Mile With Lincoln" General Meeting Talk by Linda Clark 11/15/17 @ Red Men's

Linda Clark

Wednesday, September 20th, 2017: Emma Kate Diehl shared the history of Herbs and Oils- Past and Present

Wednesday, July 19th, 2017: Dave Eisenhart spoke about the origins of the East Berlin Railroad. Very interesting talk to a full house! See photos here.

Note pertaining to the East Berlin Railroad from Stephen Jacobs, added 2/23/2018:

East Berlin Railroad Information needed........

For those of you who attended the East Berlin Railroad presentation on July 19, 2017, I’m the guy who is trying to put together a book on the railroad. I was unprepared for so many people who wanted to talk to me and the little time we had. To some I entirely missed you and I am sorry. Several had offered to show me a photo of different RR items in which I am very much interested. Any individuals wanting to share their material with me, I would gladly accept it and try to use it in my book. All material can be submitted to me at; Stephen Jacobs, 33 Pennwick Drive, Lititz, PA 17543. I would high Res scan the material and return it. Any material used will be given full acknowledgement in the book. For those wanting to submit electronic material send to ebtjake@gmail.com. A short description of the photos like when taken and by who if known would be appreciated.

I am currently trying to locate the four trestles; we know that three were located on Pine Run, Marbles Run, and Hokes Run. We know that Pine Run is at the Bridges Golf Course where currently there is a covered bridge. However the other two runs I cannot find on any maps. We also know that there was one trestle just north of Abbottstown but can’t identify which run that was. There was also mention of the “long bridge” which we have no information on. Another mystery is that in 1927 the East Berlin Coach was sold to Daniel Mummert who cut it into three sections and moved it to “Mummert’s Grove” to be converted into fisherman’s quarters. I would love to find old pictures of those shacks. Also any pictures of the Abbottstown station would be of great help. Any help you folks can be, would greatly be appreciated. Thank You. Stephen Jacobs

Rescheduled for May 17, 2017: Birds with a Gettysburg Address by Bonnie Portzline, member of South Mountain Audubon Society
May 17 2017 at 7:30 pm at Red Men's Hall, 332 West King St., East Berlin, PA 17316

This talk has been rescheduled for the general meeting on Wednesday, May 17 at 7:30p.m. in Red Men’s Hall, 332 West King St., East Berlin, PA. The presenter, a member of the South Mountain Audubon Society, will share her program entitled “Birds With A Gettysburg Address”. Bonnie Portzline is an avid birder and photographer. She will feature not only birds but also Gettysburg Battlefield monuments with bird ornamentation.

Bonnie has presented summer evening campfire programs at the Gettysburg Battlefield amphitheater. She is currently working on a photo collection of birds that Ike and Mamie Eisenhower may have seen when they resided at their Gettysburg farm. She delights in sharing her photography and knowledge of birds with audiences with wide-ranging backgrounds and interests.

Attendance at this program is a perfect way to welcome Spring while combining history with nature. You are encouraged to come out for an evening of spectacular visual images coupled with a historical narrative. Society members and the general public are welcome. As always there will be refreshments following the program.

Photo by Bonnie Portzline,
Northern Mockingbird, a resident species, eats berries near the Gettysburg Museum and
Visitor Center