An archaeology dig at Fort Halifax, photo courtesy of Friends of Fort Halifax.
Over the mountain and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go.
This nursery rhyme was spot-on for my childhood, when my mom used to pack my sister and me in her minivan and drive the winding road over Peter’s Mountain, through the forests of upper Dauphin, to visit our grandparents in the sleepy town of Millersburg. I am beyond lucky to still take that same ride, this time with my own child in tow, over the mountain and through the woods, to visit 95-year-old great-grandpa.
Digging In
During our most recent trip to Millersburg, we stopped to explore Fort Halifax, located along PA Route 147. Fort Halifax was built in 1756 as a shelter for supply trains running along the Susquehanna River, traveling from Fort Hunter in Harrisburg to Fort Augusta in Sunbury. The original fort was dismantled just a year later. Ask your kiddo what they think life was like 250 years ago. Where did early settlers store their iPads?
Because of its history, the park is a hot spot for archaeology digs, where scientists unearth facts about the fort’s original footprint. Archaeologists work in the dirt, digging to uncover objects that help them study history and learn more about past human culture and society. Archaeologists at Fort Halifax have discovered some exciting stuff, like spearheads, 18th-century buttons and musket balls. Observers and volunteers are welcome at Fort Halifax’s archaeology digs. Just check in with coordinators if you plan to volunteer. Keep an eye on the website for upcoming events.
Similar to Harrisburg’s Fort Hunter, there are two sides to Fort Halifax Park, divided by the road. We embarked on an adventure on the wooded side of the park, along Sycamore Allee. These 361 behemoth trees are part of the National Register of Historic Places, being the largest strand planted to commemorate veterans of World War I, per request of President Warren Harding, that still stand on the East Coast today. Walking beneath the century-old canopy was humbling, and we enjoyed imagining the changes that the trees may have witnessed during their lives. A fun question to ponder is, “What did a tree think of the first automobile that raced by it?”
Ferry Fun
Finished with our mid-trip adventure, we continued toward Millersburg, an adorable and picturesque river town. In the town square, there’s a white gazebo around which the community hosts festivals and gatherings. The upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will have art and food vendors with live performances.
Across from the square is an ice-cream shop (yay!) and restaurants ranging from the historic Wooden Nickel to fresh eats by Peace of Mind Café. Mark your calendars to check out the colorful, vintage lights hung around Millersburg in December.
Millersburg is home to the last remaining ferry boat on the Susquehanna River, which has been in operation for over 200 years. For an extensive history, check out TheBurg’s article on the Millersburg Ferry in the August 2017 issue through our online archives. Open from May through October, the ferry churns slow, peaceful trips from Millersburg to the opposite bank of the Susquehanna in Perry County.
Fun fact: These old boats can transport vehicles, which means you can drive your car onto it, an act that has the potential to blow a kid’s mind (I saw it happen). The ferry hosts events too, with a “Learn to Paint a Ferry Boat” class in May and a kid’s pirate event in June. Their Facebook page has information on schedules, events and tickets.
Learn, Create
With so much history, peace and quiet, we needed a kid-centered break, so we popped into the Lykens Valley Children’s Museum located in nearby Elizabethville. The museum is a nonprofit, interactive play and hands-on learning space where children can become creative, curious, inventive and ready for the ever-changing world. The museum has rotating exhibits, currently displaying “3-2-1 Blast-Off to Learning Space Exploration” through the end of June. A “Let’s Explore Dinosaurs” exhibit will be at the museum from July through September.
On Sunday, May 18, the museum hosts an event called “Imaginariums: Plant, Play & Create” for youth ages 6 or older. Blending STEAM learning, nature exploration and creativity, kids can design their own unique mini garden using flowerpots, painted rocks, figurines and real plants. The “imaginariums” will be living masterpieces for children to care for and be amazed by all summer long. Ticket information is available on the museum’s Facebook page.
Our favorite way to end a day in “The Valley” (as the locals call it) is to pick up a pizza from Angelo’s to enjoy at a picnic table on the river walk. There’s almost nothing better than watching the sunset over the Susquehanna with your family in small town Pennsylvania.
Fort Halifax is located at 570 N. River Rd., SR 147, Halifax. For more information, visit www.forthalifaxpark.org.
The Millersburg Ferry is located on River Street in Millersburg. For more information, visit www.millersburgferry.org.
Lykens Valley Children’s Museum is located at 33 S. Market St., Elizabethville. For more information, visit www.lykensvalleychildrensmuseum.org.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
