Learn & Explore - Joseph Winters and Fire History

15 South Main Street,Chambersburg PA 17201

25 February, 2023

Description

The February Learn & Explore event, held on February 25, 9:30 AM to 3 PM at the 11/30 Visitors Center, focuses on Chambersburg citizen Joseph Winters, his contributions, and accomplishments. Winters is well-known for his patented invention of the fire escape ladder. Participants will learn about Winters and the world in which he lived. Winters is also one of the organizers of the meeting between Frederick Douglass and John Brown, held on August 19-21, 1859. It is at this meeting that Brown revealed to Douglass his plans to raid the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Learn & Explore also includes a tour of the Chambersburg Fire Museum, organized in 1977. The tour includes multiple fire vehicles from different eras, including one apparatus used to put out the blaze of 1864, when Confederates fired the town after a ransom demand was not paid. Visitors will step back in time “to send a fire call and determine the location of the fire.” The museum shows the evolution of community fire service, from the first organized group in 1780 to the present. New to the 11/30 Visitors Center’s African American history exhibit is a display to explain how the celebration commenced, evolving from a week-long recognition to the full month of February. President Gerald Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month during the American Bicentennial celebration “Freedom and the recognition of individual rights are what our Revolution was all about. They were ideals that inspired our fight for Independence: ideals that we have been striving to live up to ever since,” said President Ford. He added, “I urge my fellow citizens to join me in tribute to Black History Month and the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all of us.” The Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center invites you to celebrate on February 25. The breakdown of the day is: 9:30 – 9:50 AM • Check in, refreshments, and setting the stage for the day. 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM • Group A stays at 11/30 Visitors Center for Joseph Winters. • Group B goes to Chambersburg Fire Museum. (Group B returns to 11/30 Visitors Center after tour.) 11:30-12:45 PM • Read It-Is-Always-The-Right-Time-To-Do-The-Right-Thing Essays. • Lunch at the 11/30 Visitors Center. 1:00 PM -2:15 PM • Group B stays at 11/30 Visitors Center for Joseph Winters. • Group A goes to Chambersburg Fire Museum Group B goes to Chambersburg Fire Museum. (Group B returns to 11/30 Visitors Center after tour.) 2:30 PM – 3 PM • When all are returned to 11/30 Visitors Center, caravan to Mount Vernon/Mount Lebanon Cemetery on Lincoln Way West. Beverages, snacks, and lunch are included. Menu for lunch is: baked potato bar, pasta fagioli soup, and cookies for dessert.