Join me on Friday, September 1, 2023, at the beautiful 1787 Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House in downtown Lancaster from 5 to 8 p.m. for a First Friday Open House with the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County.
I will display a collection of reproduction maps from the 1800s of Lancaster City and Lancaster County.
I will also be running my First Friday Mini-Adventure that will have you exploring downtown Lancaster. Fantastic prizes are up for grabs with your choice between a 1.25″ soft enamel pin, a 3″ embroidered patch, or a 1.18″ metal replica Spanish Doubloon. Click here to get a head start on the First Friday Mini-Adventure!
Items for Sale
I will also have four packs of laser engraved 1875 Lancaster City 4″x4″ Slate Coasters and Veterans Memorial Bridge 4″x4″ Slate Coasters for sale for only $20. Grab one while supplies last.
Pop-Up Art Show
The Trust will also be hosting artist Evanna Morris for a one-night-only pop-up art. She says:
I have always enjoyed the creative process, whether it is painting, weaving, jewelry making, gardening, or cooking. For the last ten years, my passion has been watercolor painting.
I love to experiment with new techniques and subject matter and go a little out of my comfort zone. I continue to learn new things. Recently, I was so honored to be able to participate in several mural projects with other artists, including my friend and mentor, Steve Wilson. Some of the murals are on the side of a building next to the new Career Link Center on Manheim Pike, and another is at Homefields in Millersville, while even more are in the pipeline.
In the spring of 2021, I participated in the Rivertowns Plein Air event and several other smaller paint-outs around the county with the Fair Weather Painters from the Lancaster Art Association. I have also participated in The 100 Day Project in 2016, 2020, and 2021 and an online Urban Sketching course with worldwide participation. The 100 Day Project is self-directed, where the artists each choose a creative project to do every day for 100 days and share online. This exhibit has some of the pieces from my last 100 Day Project.
For last year’s project, I worked with used Aeropress Coffee Filters to create art pieces. I like the idea of upcycling and want to see how many ways I can use the coffee filters to make art. The Urban Sketching course is taken at one’s own pace and encourages regular drawing from observation, either indoors or outdoors.
With my art, I hope to create a story or a mood. Many of my paintings reflect my surroundings either at home in Lancaster County or in my travels to Iceland, Costa Rica, Europe, and all over the US. I hope to hear from you if you want to go on this journey with me. I will be happy to do commissions. Message me if you are interested in a special commission just for you, a friend, or a family member. You can find Morris on Facebook, Instagram, and the web.
Adventure Awaits!
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Brief History of the Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House
The building was the home of Andrew Ellicott, the first U.S. Surveyor General who famously helped map the western territories and the District of Columbia. It was in this house that Ellicott, commissioned by U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, taught Meriwether Lewis surveying techniques for the Lewis & Clark Expedition of western territories. Ellicott occupied the house from 1801 until he died in 1813.
The home is a beautiful example of early American architecture, built by Gottlieb Sehner and beautifully renovated by the Louise Steinman von Hess Foundation from 1978 to 1981. The Sehner family also helped to build Lancaster’s Masonic Hall in 1795 and the Fulton Opera House in 1852. Click here for a more detailed history of the house.
Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County
The Trust was established in 1966 to help “stem the rapid destruction of historic properties in Lancaster County.” Through the years, the Trust has been active in preserving many historic properties in Lancaster County that contribute to their respective communities as unique places for people to live, work, and play.
Their equation for success has been working for over 50 years. Look around you and know that our advocacy and direct action have resulted in saving hundreds of historic structures and other sites throughout the county. The flip side is that not everything can and should be saved. The Trust continually faces this delicate balance and works closely with all parties involved to reach an equitable decision for all. Sadly, it sometimes takes an irreplaceable loss to a community before preservation moves higher on the priority list.
Follow the Trust on Facebook for more architectural information and history from all over Lancaster County. Learn more at their website, or better yet, consider becoming a member of the Trust today.
Where to Go
The Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House is located in the heart of Gallery Row in downtown Lancaster at 123 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA.
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