R.D. 2, Hanover, Penna.
The 8th Annual Steam Show of the Maryland Steam Historical
Society, Inc. held September 19, 20, 21, 1963 is now history. Our
permanent show place is the Arcadia Exposition Grounds, Upper co
(Arcadia) Maryland.
We are more than pleased with this excellent location on which
our 1963 show was held.
Raising the flag, playing the National Anthem, invocation and
address of welcome was the order of each day. Fine weather
prevailed until Saturday afternoon around 4 P.M. when it began to
rain and this, of course, scattered the attendance for the
remainder of the evening. From our register we note that folks from
six states of the Union attended. Many favorable comments were
expressed from the crowds that gathered each d a y to witness the
old implements of yesteryear being put through their paces again as
we engaged in sawmilling, shingle sawing, Baker fan exercise,
threshing; also, using steam engines to draw wagons hauling folks
around the grounds.
Another special feature was a steam calliope made and owned by
Mr. Joah Getz of East Petersburg, Pennsylvania and played during
Friday and Saturday by Mrs. Lorena Miller of Lewisberry,
Pennsylvania to the enjoyment of all who attended.
Twenty one antique autos were on display and paraded during
Saturday. Also steam engines, oil pull tractors were paraded at
least once each day of the show.
Members of the Baltimore ‘Sky Divers’ Club arrived over
the show area at exactly 7 P.M. on Friday evening and 2 of the
‘Sky Divers’ parachuted down into the show area from a
height of approximately 7000 feet altitude, to the delight of the
spectators.
The 2nd. Maryland Artillery, Balt. Light C.S.A. was again
featured with a display of Civil War weapons and fired at intervals
an anthentic 12 lbs. cannon, also muskets.
There were 72 gas engines displayed and in operation at various
times, and steam models in abundance were in constant
operation.
The highlight of the show this year was a pageant entitled
‘The History of Harvest.’ This pageant was rendered on
Friday night at 8:15 and portrayed America’s progress from the
grain cradle era when the harvest was cut by cradle and the grain
sheaves were bound by hand, on through the various stages of
harvesting and threshing of grain to the present day combines of
1963. Threshing by flail, by the early shaker separator, by the
drag carrier separator a n d by the self-feeder blower type of
threshing machines were enacted during the pageant. Romance from
the horse and buggy era down to the most modern auto was woven into
the pageant in a very delightful manner.
The pageant concluded with the passing in review of a farm
family starting on a trip to Florida after the harvest, portraying
the fact that present day farmers do have time for enjoyment too
with the help of all our modern machinery which has brought us so
much progress since the grain cradle age.
The script for the pageant was very well adapted and narrated by
Mrs. Jess Krajovic of Upper co, Maryland. Mrs. Krajovic was
assisted by Mr. W. J. Eshleman of Lancaster, Pennsylvania during
the rendition of the pageant.
Musical entertainment Thursday night was provided by the
Maryland ‘Night Hawks’ and on Friday and Saturday nights by
the famous ‘Alesia’ Band with Mr. Norman Myers of
Westminster, Maryland as director.
We want to thank all who attended our 1963 Show and who have
helped to make it a splendid success. We also want to invite you
back for next years show. The date is September 17, 18, 19,
1964.
