Conococheague Institute gets $6,000 state grant

Representative Todd Rock recently announced that the Conococheague Institute in Welsh Run will receive a $6,060 grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to assist with the production and installation of four wayside road markers to further promote the Conococheague Valley's rich history during the French and Indian War. Representative Rock presented the check to the Institute at its headquarters at Rock Hill Farm in Welsh Run Monday, Aug. 20.

According to Conococheague Institute's Executive Director, Dr. Walter Powell, one of the markers will be at the site of the Studebaker Massacre near Welsh Run, and will tell the story of the Heinrich Studebaker family and the tragic events of March 3, 1756, when several members of the family were killed in an Indian attack on their farm. The other sites under consideration for the waysides include McDowell's Mill, Rev. Steele's Fort and Fort Philip Davis.

"We are very grateful to Representative Rock and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for their support of our efforts," Dr. Powell said. "This helps Conococheague Institute continue to improve our ability to tell the story of the French and Indian War in the Conococheague Valley," he added.

The Conococheague Institute was founded in 1994 to help promote the history of Conococheague Valley and to preserve and interpret the historic buildings on the farm known as Rock Hill.