Steppingstone Museum
Encyclopedia
The Steppingstone Museum is a non-profit educational and cultural institution that focuses on the commercial and cultural aspects of [United States]] rural life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is located near the Susquehanna River
in Harford County
, just northwest of Havre de Grace, Maryland
.
Today's museum is based on the private collection of J. Edmund Bull, who amassed 7,000 tools and artifacts. The Bull collection was originally displayed at his home, which he dubbed Steppingstone. In 1979, the museum relocated to the former Gilman Paul property, an 18th-century stone farm in Susquehanna State Park
, and was expanded to include demonstrative displays of various vocational trades that were commonplace in rural communities of an earlier era. Barns and farm buildings surrounding the museum provide exhibitions showing the work of broom makers, blacksmiths, stone cutters, masons, and other tradesmen.
The museum grounds are also home to special events relating to 19th-century history, including U.S. Civil War re-enactments and vintage base ball
games where players wear vintage uniforms and use old-time equipment. On a more contemporary note, the museum also hosts the annual Summertime Blues Festival.
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
in Harford County
Harford County, Maryland
Harford County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 244,826. Its county seat is Bel Air. Harford County forms part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area.-History:...
, just northwest of Havre de Grace, Maryland
Havre de Grace, Maryland
Havre de Grace is a city in Harford County, Maryland, United States. Located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the head of the Chesapeake Bay, Havre de Grace is named after the port city of Le Havre, France, which was first named Le Havre de Grâce, meaning in French "Harbor of Grace." As...
.
Today's museum is based on the private collection of J. Edmund Bull, who amassed 7,000 tools and artifacts. The Bull collection was originally displayed at his home, which he dubbed Steppingstone. In 1979, the museum relocated to the former Gilman Paul property, an 18th-century stone farm in Susquehanna State Park
Susquehanna State Park (Maryland)
Susquehanna State Park is a state park on the lower Susquehanna River north of Havre de Grace, Maryland. The main park area is on the west bank of the river, but it also manages land on the river islands and east bank....
, and was expanded to include demonstrative displays of various vocational trades that were commonplace in rural communities of an earlier era. Barns and farm buildings surrounding the museum provide exhibitions showing the work of broom makers, blacksmiths, stone cutters, masons, and other tradesmen.
The museum grounds are also home to special events relating to 19th-century history, including U.S. Civil War re-enactments and vintage base ball
Vintage base ball
Vintage Base Ball is baseball presented as being played by rules and customs from an earlier period in the sport's history. Games are typically played using rules and uniforms from the 1850s, 1860s and 1880s. Vintage baseball is not only a competitive game, but also a reenactment of baseball life...
games where players wear vintage uniforms and use old-time equipment. On a more contemporary note, the museum also hosts the annual Summertime Blues Festival.