Much to our surprise and delight, the exhibition boards have garnered attention from organizations throughout the county, some of whom have already asked to exhibit them. In addition, PHS plans to lend them to several public libraries, schools, and Old Bedford Village throughout the year.

Months of planning and design went into each board to ensure the information would be relevant, accurate and informative, and give viewers a clear understanding of the Springs. “This was important for people from outside the county who might not be familiar with the Springs, as well as for persons from Bedford County who are unaware of the extent of Springs’ role in American history,” says Gillian K. Leach, Co-chair of the Bedford Springs Bicentennial Celebration Committee.

The first Bedford Springs board presents a genealogy of the Anderson Family and includes information and artifacts relating to John Anderson’s ownership of Bedford’s first bank, and of the Chambersburg-Bedford Turnpike. Architecture features photos and information of existing and demolished buildings and a 1861 daguerreotype of the Springs. Mineral Springs shows photos of each of the springs and text stating the ailments each spring treated. Transportation brings visitors to the Springs with photos and texts of Indian trails, stagecoaches, railroads and automobiles. The Bottling Plant shows 1860’s newspaper ads and indoor pictures of Nagel’s Mill during the years Bedford Springs’ water was shipped throughout the world. The Presidents features head shots (from the National Archives) and a brief statement about presidents Wm. Harrison, Polk, Tyler, Taylor, Eisenhower and Reagan. A larger photo of Buchanan is surrounded by highlights of his presidency. Also included is a photo of his desk, and of his niece and hostess Harriet Lane and a drawing of his suite at the Springs. Bedford Springs Relationship to Bedford County shows a 1929 photo of employees, other pictures and text about the chambermaids and the hack drivers, an article about Davy Lewis and photos of social events. World War II has pictures and text about the radio training school, and newspaper headlines relating to the internment of Japanese diplomats. The Closing to 2003 depicts newspaper headlines. The Time Line takes people through the history of the Springs as it related to then-current events.

The boards were designed by Gillian K. Leach, and Dorothy Wyles. Gillian also did the research. Loretta Radeschi wrote the text. Bill Defibaugh provided numerous artifacts, including for the Anderson Family a Chambersburg-Bedford Turnpike stock certificate, the daguerreotype for the Architecture board ,and drawing of Buchanan’s suite, which were scanned and incorporated into the boards. Photographs were from Bill and PHS’s archives. Students at Bedford County Technical Center made the wooden frames.

Because of the public’s enthusiastic interest in the boards and because they’ve become a key component in the Bedford Springs Bicentennial Celebration, PHS is considering the use of similar displays in future historical projects.