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Tag: Shippensburg

Culbertsonia

A rural homestead that shaped the early frontier

Located in Southampton Township, just outside the borough of Shippensburg in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Culbertsonia is recognized locally for its architectural and historic value and is included on the Cumberland County Register of Historic Places. The property’s name, Culbertsonia, comes from the Culbertson family who were an early influential family in the region. Members of the Culbertson family were among the frontier settlers in Cumberland and adjoining counties in the 1700s and 1800s. John Culbertson, who settled in the Shippensburg region in the early colonial period, was among one of the first settlers to the area and was one of the twelve Scots- Irish families establishing homes in what would later become Shippensburg in the 1730s. 

 

The earliest owners of Culbertsonia were Andrew and Robert Culbertson. Robert served as a Captain in the American Revolution and also as a Colonel from 1777-1778.  Culbertsonia remained in the Culbertson family until 1801 when Robert and his wife Elizabeth sold their homestead to William Moore.  

 

It is believed the Culbertsons built the limestone home on the property in 1775.  The limestone home is of Georgian style and contains six bays built in two stages. The front of the Western side measures approximately 22 feet and the Eastern side measures approximately 24 feet. There is no obvious seam connecting the two halves. The home faces South, and the Eastern side (right side) has a date-stone of 1775 on the East facing side. The right side bays feature arched stones over the windows and basement entrance, while the left side features flat, vertical stones over the windows. When the two sides are compared to one another, the craftsmanship of the stonework on the right side exceeds that of the left side, but the left side is still very good quality. The stone blocks on the right side are square-cut and are laid with an attempt at a running bond pattern and are of uniform color. The stone work on the left side is of irregular shape and the stones are not of uniform color-they are grey and brown.  One of the current window bays on the left side was once a door as can be seen in the stone work above and below the window.  The right side of the home is believed to be the older portion, because it contains the stairs to the second story and basement, and because the remnants of a German-style fireplace are found in the basement. The dimensions of the home (44 x 34) and number of windows (15) coincide with the 1798 Direct Tax List. An ornate Victorian style porch unifies the two sides well.

 

The bank barn includes a forebay, displays limestone gable ends- ground to peak with slit ventilators, and is classified as a Sweitzer. The dimensions of the barn (96 x 34) coincide with the 1798 Direct Tax List. The barn has had additions to its exterior.

Address: Fogelsanger Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257 

 

Access notes: This is a private residence. No tours are available. Please view from the roadside only. 

 

Visiting Tips: 

Shippensburg offers several restaurant options close to this stop: 

 

  • Monterrey Tacos, 29 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3104

  • University Grille, inside Clarion Hotel, 32 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1148

  • Forrester’s Wheelhouse Cafe, 300 North Earl Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3606

  • The Lollipop Shop, 112-114 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1272

  • King Street Diner, 2 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1235

  • King & Saint Cafe, 512 West King Street, Shippensburg, 434-466-0844

  • Nonna Ilva, 85 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-477-6157

  • Rice & Pho Vietnamese Restaurant, 100 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-709-9988

Resources 

 

Credits & Permissions

Content in this section was curated by volunteers.  

Blythstead (Benjamin Blythe Homestead, Hazel Glen)

Early homestead and farm

Blythstead, also known as the Benjamin Blythe Homestead, is a historic Georgian-style limestone house located near Shippensburg in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Built by Benjamin Blythe, one of the first settlers in the area, the two-story home features a classic Georgian façade and a rear kitchen ell, reflecting the architectural traditions of early Scot-Irish frontier settlers.  The 40′ x 35′ limestone house which faces south has five bays with the door in the center. Much of the limestone and timber used to build was from the farmland. The windows are twelve over twelve, set into wooden jambs which are crowned by a stone arch over the flat lintel. The front door is paneled. The front porch is raised five steps high and has gingerbread scrolling on the top of the porch posts. Under the roof runs a broad cornice or ornamental molding on the front and back sides and quoins that are set into the front corners of the house. Many of the windowpanes are original hand blown panes. You can see the swirls in the glass and a few bubbles. The property also includes a large limestone barn, highlighting the working farmstead nature of 18th-century rural life in the Cumberland Valley. 

 

Benjamin Blythe was among the earliest European settlers in the Shippensburg area, establishing his homestead on the frontier and contributing to the growth of the community. Today, Blythstead stands as a well-preserved example of early American architecture and settlement patterns, recognized for its historical significance and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The homestead offers a tangible connection to the lives of the region’s first settlers and the rural heritage of south-central Pennsylvania. 

Address: Means Hollow Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257 

Access notes: Private Property, view from roadside only. 

Visiting Tips: 

Shippensburg offers several restaurant options close to this stop: 

 

  • Monterrey Tacos, 29 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3104

  • University Grille, inside Clarion Hotel, 32 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1148

  • Forrester’s Wheelhouse Cafe, 300 North Earl Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3606

  • The Lollipop Shop, 112-114 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1272

  • King Street Diner, 2 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1235

  • King & Saint Cafe, 512 West King Street, Shippensburg, 434-466-0844

  • Nonna Ilva, 85 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-477-6157

  • Rice & Pho Vietnamese Restaurant, 100 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-709-9988

Patriot’s Story: Benjamin Blythe 

 

Benjamin Blythe was among the first European settlers in the Shippensburg area of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, helping establish the community in the late 18th century. He built what is now known as the Benjamin Blythe Homestead (also called Blythstead or Hazel Glen), a sturdy Georgian‑style limestone house and farmstead built in 1754 that remains one of the region’s oldest surviving structures. In 1776, Bythe, Sr. protested the closing of the Boston Port and he was a judge of elections for Middle Spring in July 1776. Blythe was a Colonel in the militia and also served as a Sub-Lieutenant of Cumberland Co, PA from 1777-1781. He died at the homestead in 1807 and was buried in the Middle Spring Presbyterian church yard. 

Resources 


Credits & Permissions 

Content in this section was curated by volunteers. History of the Blythe family and home were provided by the Dillner-Ocker family.

Peebles Homestead

Frontier farm from the Revolutionary era

Located just outside Shippensburg in Southampton Township, Cumberland County, the Peebles Homestead is a well-preserved example of an 18th-century frontier farmstead that reflects both early settlement and Revolutionary-era life in south-central Pennsylvania. The property dates to the 1770s, when Alexander Peebles Sr., a Scots-Irish settler, blacksmith, and farmer, established the homestead on 217 acres granted to him in 1773 as the Cumberland Valley was rapidly developing beyond Pennsylvania’s eastern settlements. 

At the center of the property stands a two-story limestone Georgian-style house, accompanied by a detached stone summer kitchen and later agricultural outbuildings. Together, they illustrate the self-sufficient lifestyle of early farm families who balanced agriculture, craftsmanship, and community life on the colonial frontier. The limestone home faces South to maximize solar exposure in the cold winter months. This southern orientation was common in colonial era farmhouses.  The Peebles family was part of this landscape not only as settlers, but also as participants in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution — with Alexander Peebles Sr. serving in the Cumberland County Militia, obtaining the rank of Captain.  Peebles enlisted in the French and Indian War in 1758 at the age of 18.

The Cumberland County Militia served in the defense of Philadelphia in 1777 (known as the Philadelphia Campaign), and were present at the Battle of Brandywine. They engaged the British Cavalry at the Battle of Clouds (Battle of White Horse Tavern) and engaged in combat at the Battle of Germantown. Later they saw further action near Blue Bell, Sunbury, and Fort Augusta. Peebles returned home safely from the war and was a respected member of the community.

In 2007 and 2008, the state of Pennsylvania performed an archaeological dig at the Homestead. The 1,347 artifacts that were recovered are now stored at the State Museum. The Homestead is currently 156 acres and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and has been recognized by Preservation Pennsylvania for its historic significance. Alexander Peebles’ name (Alex Peoples) appears on the veterans monument at the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

 

Though privately owned and not open to the public, the Peebles Homestead remains an important heritage landmark, recognized for its architectural integrity and its connection to Revolutionary-era service and settlement. Today, it stands as a tangible reminder of the people who shaped the region through hard work, resilience, and commitment to the emerging American nation. 

Address: 107 Cramer Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257 

Access notes: This is private property. The grounds are not open to the public, and the building is viewable from the roadside only.  

Visiting Tips: 

Shippensburg offers several restaurant options close to this stop: 

 

  • Monterrey Tacos, 29 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3104

  • University Grille, 32 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1148

  • Forrester’s Wheelhouse Cafe, 300 North Earl Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3606

  • The Lollipop Shop, 112-114 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1272

  • King Street Diner, 2 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1235

  • King & Saint Cafe, 512 West King Street, Shippensburg, 434-466-0844

  • Nonna Ilva, 85 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-477-6157

  • Rice & Pho Vietnamese Restaurant, 100 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-709-9988

Patriot’s Story: Alexander Peebles Sr.  

c. 1740–1824 

 

Alexander Peebles, Senior was a Scots-Irish settler, farmer, and blacksmith who established the Peebles Homestead near Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, in the early 1770s. Born about 1740, he received a land grant in 1773 in what is now Southampton Township, Cumberland County, where he built a two-story limestone Georgian-style house and developed a working farm that reflected the self-sufficient lifestyle of frontier families. Peebles played an active role in the American Revolution, serving in the Cumberland County Militia and in the French and Indian War. His service illustrates the contribution of local farmers and settlers to the Revolutionary cause, defending their communities and supporting the fight for independence. Beyond his military role, he was a prominent figure in early Shippensburg society, combining agriculture, craftsmanship, and civic engagement. The Peebles Homestead, which remained in the family for decades, stands today as a tangible reminder of Alexander Peebles Sr.’s pioneering spirit, patriotic service, and the frontier life of 18th-century Pennsylvania. 

Resources: 

Credits & Permissions

Content in this section was curated by volunteers.

Shippensburg University Fashion Archives & Museum

Interactive learning laboratory of historical dress

 

The Fashion Archives & Museum (FA&M) at Shippensburg University is a unique cultural and educational institution dedicated to expanding knowledge and appreciation of clothing for its artistic, cultural, and historical significance and its essential role in society. As part of the university community, FA&M preserves and interprets a donation-driven collection of roughly 15,000 garments and accessories dating from the eighteenth through twentieth centuries, with an emphasis on the dress of middle-class and working-class Americans alongside several noteworthy luxury and designer pieces. The Archives serves as an interactive learning laboratory where students gain hands-on experience through research, internships, exhibit design, and collaboration with faculty, while the public enjoys rotating exhibits that highlight fashion’s evolving stories. Its mission includes stimulating dynamic learning through educational programs, publications, and exhibitions that connect historical dress to broader cultural and social contexts while preserving and enhancing the collection for future generations. 

Address: 501 North Earl Street, Shippensburg, PA 17257 

Access notes: 

  • Onsite parking

  • Open Monday through Thursday, also open on Saturdays 

  • Operating hours are 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, other times available by appointment 

 

  • Admission fees are as follows:  

    • Adults: $5 

    • Seniors: $4 

    • Children under 12: Free

Revolution of Fashion Exhibit 

 

The “The Revolution of Fashion” exhibit explores how clothing and textiles in the American colonies transformed in response to the political, economic, and social upheavals of the American Revolution. It shows how fashion was not just about style: it was deeply political. Visitors learn how British taxes on imported goods in the 1760s pushed colonists to adopt non-importation agreements and boycotts, which in turn made items like silk and lace symbols of British luxury and oppression. In contrast, homespun cloth (fabric made domestically from wool or flax) became a powerful symbol of patriotism and resistance. The exhibit explains the cultural significance of spinning bees, where women gathered to produce cloth and assert political solidarity, and how everyday garments reflected Americans’ desire for independence. The display also traces changes after independence in the 1780s and 1790s, when trade disruptions with Britain and growing ties with France influenced available materials and styles. You’ll see examples and descriptions of homespun clothing, period fashion plates, and garments in the Archives’ collection that illustrate the shift from British styles to more simplified republican dress, reflecting unity and emerging American identity. The exhibit even connects dress to iconic fashion decisions, such as George Washington’s choice of a homespun suit for his first inauguration that demonstrate how fashion choices expressed political ideals and cultural values both during and after the Revolution. 

Resources: 


Credits & Permissions: 

Content in this section was curated by volunteers from the Army Heritage Center Foundation.  

Middle Spring Presbyterian Church

A community that answered the call to service

Nestled north of Shippensburg, Middle Spring Presbyterian Church represents one of the earliest and most enduring Presbyterian congregations on the Pennsylvania frontier. Established in 1738 by Scot-Irish settlers, the church became a spiritual anchor for families carving new lives in the Cumberland Valley. It was named “Middle Spring” because of its location between the Presbyterian church in Big Spring / Newville and the Rocky Spring Presbyterian church in Chambersburg. Although the exact date of the construction of a church in Middle Spring is not known, there was a church building in use in 1738. There are three cemeteries that adjoin the church where early settlers are buried. Over time, the congregation worshiped in multiple structures, including early log buildings and a stone church completed in 1781. Structural concerns eventually led to its removal, and the present brick sanctuary was erected and dedicated in 1847, continuing a legacy of worship on or near this historic site for nearly three centuries. 

During the Revolutionary War, Middle Spring Presbyterian Church was deeply connected to the patriotic cause. Several members of its congregation answered the call to service. Many ended up joining local militia units while some even enlisted into the formal Continental Army. Like many frontier communities, the church’s families provided not only soldiers, but also supplies and labor, much of which was sent to the depots at Washingtonburg (CarlisleBarracks). 

Among those buried here are: 

  • Archibald Mahon – A commissary officer stationed at Washingtonburg during the Revolution. 

  • David Mahon – A private in the Pennsylvania Militia during the Revolutionary War. 

  • Captain Charles McClay (MaClay) – Commanding officer of the Cumberland County Militia in 1780. 

The Soldier’s Monument was originally dedicated in 1905 and again in 1910, erected to honor the men from the Middle Spring area who served in several of America’s earliest conflicts including the American Revolution. 

Here is an excerpt about the Middle Spring Church from the Cumberland Valley Chronicles published by the Shippensburg Historical Society in 1976:

 

“It was in this church (some sources say it was from the roof) that Rev. Cooper preached his final and lengthy patriotic sermon before marching off with the men of his congregation whom he had enlisted in the militia to serve in the Revolutionary War…It is said he had been instrumental along with Rev. John Craighead, Rocky Spring pastor, in recruiting 200 men for the Colonial Army. No wonder the four Presbyterian graveyards, three at Middle Spring, plus Hanna near Newburg, are considered today as patriotic shrines.”

Address: 135 Middle Spring Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257 

 

Access notes: Check the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church website for more information.   

  • Services are held regularly on Sundays 

  • Open to visitors during daytime hours 

  • Parking available on site 

  • Active church community, please be respectful of church and cemetery grounds

 

Visiting Tips: 

Shippensburg offers several restaurant options close to this stop: 

 

  • Monterrey Tacos, 29 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3104

  • University Grille, inside Clarion Hotel, 32 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1148

  • Forrester’s Wheelhouse Cafe, 300 North Earl Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3606

  • The Lollipop Shop, 112-114 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1272

  • King Street Diner, 2 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1235

  • King & Saint Cafe, 512 West King Street, Shippensburg, 434-466-0844

  • Nonna Ilva, 85 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-477-6157

  • Rice & Pho Vietnamese Restaurant, 100 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-709-9988

Patriot’s Story: Captain Charles McClay

 

Captain Charles McClay (also recorded in period documents as MaClay) was one of many local leaders who carried the American Revolution forward far from its most famous battlefields. In 1780, at one of the most difficult moments of the war, McClay served as a captain in the Cumberland County Militia, commanding men drawn from the farms, workshops, and crossroads communities of western Pennsylvania. By 1780, the Revolution had become a grinding test of endurance. Pennsylvania faced manpower shortages, runaway inflation, and persistent fears of British raids, Loyalist activity, and frontier violence. In this environment, militia officers like McClay bore immense responsibility. They were tasked not only with drilling and leading troops, but also with maintaining order, enforcing wartime regulations, responding to alarms, and ensuring that local communities remained committed to a cause that demanded constant sacrifice.

 

As a captain, McClay would have been directly responsible for organizing his company—calling men into service, overseeing musters, and ensuring readiness when danger threatened. His authority rested not on a distant commission alone, but on personal trust. Militia officers were chosen because their neighbors believed they possessed steadiness, judgment, and loyalty to the Patriot cause.

 

McClay’s life was rooted in the Shippensburg area, and his final resting place at Middle Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery reflects the close ties between faith, community leadership, and military service in Revolutionary-era Cumberland County.

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What Did a Cumberland County Militia Captain Do?

During the American Revolution, militia service formed the backbone of local defense—especially in Pennsylvania’s interior counties.

 

Militia captains such as Charles McClay:

  • Commanded local men, often neighbors and relatives.

  • Responded to short-term emergencies rather than long campaigns.

  • Protected towns, farms, supply routes, and prisoners.

  • Enforced wartime laws, including loyalty oaths and supply requisitions.

  • Balanced military duty with civilian life.

 

Militia units could be called out for days or weeks at a time, often with little notice. Officers were expected to maintain discipline among men who were not professional soldiers and who faced real hardship leaving their homes and livelihoods.

 

By 1780, militia leadership had become especially demanding. The war dragged on, enthusiasm waned, and resources were scarce. Serving as a militia captain required moral authority, organizational skill, and resilience. While these officers rarely appear in traditional battlefield histories, their service was essential to keeping Pennsylvania and the Revolution alive.

Resources 


Credits & Permissions 

Content in this section was curated by volunteers from the Army Heritage Center Foundation.  

Widow Piper’s Tavern (Old Courthouse)

Gathering place at the heart of the Revolution

Located along the historic Great Wagon Road, Widow Piper’s Tavern stood at the heart of 18th-century travel, trade, and military movement through Shippensburg. Taverns like this were far more than places to eat or drink: they were essential logistical and social hubs during the American Revolution. 

 

The tavern takes its name from Widow Piper, a woman who operated the establishment after the death of her husband. Widows frequently ran taverns in colonial Pennsylvania, managing complex businesses that served travelers, local residents, and soldiers alike. In doing so, they occupied a rare space of economic authority in the 18th century. 

 

During the Revolutionary War, Shippensburg’s position on major transportation routes made its taverns important stopping points for militia units, supply wagons, messengers, and Continental troops moving between the interior and the frontier. Taverns were part of the “civilian infrastructure” that provided food, lodging, stabling for horses, and–just as importantly–information. News of battles, troop movements, prices, and politics flowed through these rooms alongside ale and meals. 

Address: 6 South Queen Street, Shippensburg, PA 17257

 

Access Notes: Street parking is available, and parking is also available to the rear of the property. Docents give tours on the second Saturday of the month from 1 pm to 4 pm, April through July and September through November. For private tours, call 717-532-5978. 

 

Visiting Tips: 

Shippensburg offers several restaurant options close to this stop: 

  • Monterrey Tacos, 29 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3104

  • University Grille, inside Clarion Hotel, 32 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1148

  • Forrester’s Wheelhouse Cafe, 300 North Earl Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3606

  • The Lollipop Shop, 112-114 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1272

  • King Street Diner, 2 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1235

  • King & Saint Cafe, 512 West King Street, Shippensburg, 434-466-0844

  • Nonna Ilva, 85 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-477-6157

  • Rice & Pho Vietnamese Restaurant, 100 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-709-9988

 

Widow Piper’s Tavern pairs naturally with other Great Wagon Road and Shippensburg-area Patriots’ Path sites, helping visitors trace how people, supplies, and ideas moved during the Revolutionary era. 

Patriot’s Story: Colonel James Smith  

circa 1737–1813 

 

James Smith is one of Shippensburg’s most significant Revolutionary figures. A veteran of the French and Indian War and a former captive of Native American tribes, Smith brought deep frontier experience to the patriot cause. By the early 1770s, he had settled in Shippensburg, where he became a vocal opponent of British authority. In 1775, Smith helped organize local militia forces in Cumberland County and was instrumental in mobilizing resistance to British rule. He served as a colonel in the Pennsylvania militia and later became famous as a leader of the “Black Boys,” a frontier protest movement opposing British policies that favored Native trade at the expense of settlers. During the Revolution, Smith supported Continental forces through recruitment, leadership, and coordination of frontier defense, protecting supply routes critical to the war effort. After independence, Smith represented Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress and remained an outspoken advocate for veterans and frontier communities until his death. 

Resources  

 

Credits &Permissions 

Images associated with Widow Piper’s Tavern were courtesy of the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau. 

 

Content in this section was curated by volunteers from the Army Heritage Center Foundation.

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