Since 1941 when the Commonwealth acquired the property a very complete and meticulous restoration has been in progress. The attempt to duplicate in our day the workmanship of the eighteenth century and to capture the other-worldly spirit of the original builders has been a difficult task, but any visitor to the Cloister will be convinced that the result has justified the efforts.
Two additional properties in Lancaster County are being developed and will be administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission:
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania at Strasburg is now under construction on property adjacent to and joining the Strasburg Rail Road.
Robert Fulton birthplace near Wakefield, in Little Britain Township. This is an authentic restoration of the original farmhouse where Robert Fulton was born November 14, 1765.
The Susquehannock State Park, administered by the Dept. of Forests and Waters, is located on a high observation site on the mighty Susquehanna River. Opened in 1965 primarily for picnickers, sightseers and nature lovers, it affords a magnificent view both up and down the river. The Park is near the huge Muddy Run Hydro Storage Electric Generating Plant. In addition, several atomic power plants have been built or are being built on the banks of the Susquehanna River in this area.
Foods—And How We Like Them
By EDNA EBY HELLER
Pennsylvania Dutch food columnist and lecturer.
Lancaster County cookery definitely reflects the way of life of the Pennsylvania Dutch. They are a people who are hard working, creative and thrifty. A great many dishes common in today’s Dutch Cookery were created when a housewife felt compelled to utilize rather than discard. She wastes nothing in the garden, neither in the kitchen. That favorite little Milk Pie, she makes from left over pastry!
Generally speaking, Pennsylvania Dutch cooking is simple. There are few salads, but quantities of cookies, cakes and pies. With only a few exceptions, salads are limited to greens, served with a sweet sour sauce. Although not many daughters bake bread today, the grandmothers still set their dough to rise twice weekly. With her bread she will probably bake Cinnamon Sticky Buns or Moravian Sugar Cake. The latter is one of the yeast bread delicacies that is slightly fancy and extremely rich. Butter is the extravagance of Lancaster County cooks, and they themselves recognize this. One woman told her daughter-in-law: “You better close your eyes while I add the butter to the vegetables.”
You may have heard of the Sweets and Sours of the Pennsylvania Dutch. These include the spiced fruits, pickled vegetables, jellies and preserves. Because the Dutchman craves sours with every meal, the women-folk not only can many pickles, but pickle eggs, red beets, bologna and other meats. Dutch farmers make great quantities of cider vinegar for their own use and would not want to have to do without it.