Some of you may have noticed the restoration work being done on the red barn at the corner of Locust Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. That structure was once a livery stable which was probably built or rebuilt by Luther H. Potterfield in the late 19^th century – although there was already a stable on that site before Potterfield bought the property in 1878. Sometime in the 20^th century various sheds were tacked onto it – including chicken coops and an outhouse, which have been removed over recent years by the owner. The recent removal of the shed on the front of the stable restores it to its original footprint.

The structure is referred to as a “landmark” by some old-timers, and it was literally used as a land mark in the court case that was brought by the Freedom (Masonic) Lodge against store-owner Beatrice McClain in 1974. At issue in that case was a five-foot strip of land between the McClain Store (now the Catoctin Bible Church), and the Masonic Lodge (still there).

As is the case with many old deeds, the property descriptions (“metes and bounds”) are hard to pin down today, since they often refer to a tree or a stone which is long gone. In the case of the Trustees of the Freedom Lodge versus Beatrice McClain, surveys were commissioned by both property owners – and both found that the boundary lines for the entire block were too small for the four property tracts contained within it.

Nearby (virtual & in-person) events of interest:

EXHIBITS

Dec. 1 – 31. Lovettsville Library: Christmas Comics Exhibit, showcasing a variety of Christmas and winter-themed comics, past and present. 12 N. Light St., Lovettsville.

Dec. 1 - 31. Thomas Balch Library Exhibit: Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association. A new exhibit presented by the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association will be on display at Thomas Balch Library through the month of December, 2021. It may be seen during regular library hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am-4pm [closed for lunch 12-1 pm],  Wednesday 2 pm-7:30 pm. Please call 703-737-7195, email balchlib@leesburgva.gov for more information.Thomas Balch Library, 208 W Market St., Leesburg.

LECTURES, SEMINARS, TOURS & OTHER EVENTS:

Thurs., Dec. 2, at 10 a.m – “Researching Using Deeds” (Thomas Balch Library Virtual Class). Local historian Wynne Saffer, author of Loudoun County, Virginia 1860 Land Tax Map, will use a case study to demonstrate how to establish chain of title using deed indexes and other types of land ownership changes such as wills, marriages, old advertisements, and chancery cases. Pre-registration is required for this event. Please call 703-737-7195, email balchlib@leesburgva.gov, or register online.

Thursday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. – Civil War Meeting and Talk: “Targeted Tracks - The Cumberland Valley Railroad in the Civil War, 1861-1865.” The Hagerstown Civil War Round Table sponsors a talk by Scott Mingus. The Cumberland Valley Railroad played an important strategic role in the Civil War by connecting Hagerstown, Maryland to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Its location enhanced its importance during some of the Civil War’s most critical campaigns. Despite the line’s significance to the Union war effort, its remarkable story remains little known. Because of its proximity to major cities in the Eastern Theater, the Cumberland Valley Railroad was an enticing target for Confederate leaders. Northern military and railway officials, who knew the line was a prized target, coordinated—and just as often butted heads—in a series of efforts to ensure the railroad’s prized resources remained out of enemy hands. When they failed to protect the line, as they sometimes did, Southern horsemen wrought havoc on the Northern war effort by tearing up its tracks, seizing or torching Union supplies, and laying waste to warehouses, engine houses, and passenger depots. Homewood Suites, 1650 Pullman Lane Hagerstown, MD. Dinner at 6:30 pm, open to non-members as well as members, is $25 (reservations required by November 26) and the talk at 7:30 pm is $5 for non-members, both payable at the meeting. For more information visit https://sites.google.com/view/hagerstownc wrt/home, search for: Hagerstown Civil War Round Table, email hagerstowncwrt@gmail.com, or call Dennis Graham at 240 625

Sat., Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – 11th Annual Traditional Village Christmas at Catoctin Furnace. Join us for a European style Christmas Market complete with artisans, music, traditional holiday bake sale, food, children’s activities, wreath decorating, and a visit from Belsnickel. Purchase unique holiday gifts suitable for the entire family! Each year at Traditional Village Christmas, volunteers for the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society decorate wreaths to your design. This year, we will be offering both undecorated wreaths as well as decorated ones. You may choose a theme and color and allow us to make a lovely wreath for you with bows, pinecones, ornaments, icicles and many other decorative items. Or just allow us to surprise you! We will feature in-person wreath decorating at Traditional Village Christmas on December 4 between 10 am and 4 pm (socially distanced). For more information, visit www.catoctinfurnace.org

Sat., Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. – Antietam Memorial Illumination. Antietam National Battlefield will present the Annual Memorial Illumination on Saturday, December 4, 2021 to honor the 23,000 casualties from the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862. The event is a driving tour open to the public starting at 6:00 pm. Cars enter the park by traveling west on Route 34 and lining up on the shoulder of the road. Cars are allowed to enter the event until midnight. Walking is not allowed. The temporary visitor center is closed that day except for the park store which will be open from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. Visitor services during the day will be limited and only porta johns are available. The northern end of the park, north of Route 34, will close at 3:00 pm. Antietam National Battlefield, 5831 Dunker Church Rd. (Visitor Center), Sharpsburg, MD 21782. 301-432-5124.

Friday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. – “Washington County and the Crossroads of the American Revolution.” During the American Revolution, 87 Washington Countonians enlisted in the famed German Battalion at the beginning of the war. These men saw service in the disastrous New York Campaign, as well as the Ten Crucial Days Campaign that followed. Featuring Brett Peters, Curator of the Washington County Historical Society. Join us for an exploration into Washington County’s role in the campaign that changed the trajectory of American history! The featured cocktail will be: The cherry bounce! This colonial drink was a favorite of many of America’s Founding Fathers, including George Washington. For more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! Culture & Cocktails 2021 has been made possible by the generous support of the James and Mary Schurz Foundation. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Miller House Museum, 135 W. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD 21740. 301-797-8782. Register Here

Thurs., Dec. 16, at 6:30 p.m. – History on Tap: Holiday Cheers. Sponsored by the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area. Put on your ugliest Christmas sweater and join us for a festive and fun night of history. We'll be sharing tales of Christmases past and other weird and wild winter stories. This program is free and open to the public. Old Ox Brewing, 44652 Guilford Dr. #114, Ashburn, VA.