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Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area - SITE
Indian Steps Museum
The Indian Steps Museum in southern York County is so named because "steps" were carved centuries ago in the nearby (now submerged) Susquehanna River rocks by Native people who used the footholds to fish for shad. It wasn’t until 1912 that York Attorney John E. Vandersloot built the unusual museum which includes a round room or kiva and masonry walls that are embedded with 10,000 artifacts to form Indian patterns, birds, animals and reptiles. The banks of the Susquehanna River, which is named after a Native American word for long, winding river, is an appropriate site for the museum. Nearby Washington Boro, on the Lancaster County side of the river, is believed to have housed the largest Native American settlement east of the Mississippi River. Petroglyphs, arrowheads and axes have been unearthed at various points along both shores of the river.
2010 Events
18th CENTURY ENCAMPMENT AT INDIAN STEPS
June 19 and 20, 2010 / 10 am to 5 pm each day
This event at Indian Steps will again center upon Doudle’s Company, part of Thompson’s Rifle Battalion, a rifle company that was raised in York County, Pennsylvania in 1775. Some of the crafts being demonstrated will be small loom weaving, brain tanning deer hides, primitive archery and spear launching, cooking over open fire and casting shot and ball. There will also be many hand made items on display including clothing, camp equipment of all kinds, knives, long guns and their accouterments.
No admission charge but cash donations will be accepted.
A catering truck will be available both days for refreshments.
RED LION / FELTON BAND AT INDIAN STEPS
July 11, 2010
2 pm
A long-standing tradition will be celebrated when the Red Lion-Felton Band provides a concert on the grounds of the Indian Steps Museum from 2 – 4 p.m., Sunday, July 11, 2010. This band features many fine musicians and music which has been enjoyed by generations of many people. Tables and benches can be used for picnicking while enjoying this fine occasion. Tours of the Museum will be available.
No admission charge but cash donations will be gladly accepted.
BLUEGRASS JAM SESSION AT INDIAN STEPS
July 25, 2010
1 pm
A jam session featuring a wide variety of groups playing country music will be held at the Indian Steps Museum from 1 – 5 p.m., Sunday, July 25, 2010. Everyone is welcome to join this unique form of entertainment on a lawn overlooking the Susquehanna River. Visitors can picnic while enjoying music unique to York County. Tours of the Museum will be available.
No admission charge but cash donations will be gladly accepted.
'KIDS OF ALL AGES' DAY
August 15, 2010
2 pm–4pm
This program is based on the award winning "MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN" authored by Jean Craighead George. Participants will have an opportunity to experience firsthand Sam's way of life. Join naturalist, Joy Howell to discover the many symbols that are included in this famous childhood book. What were some of the animal signs Sam used to detect danger? Witness the unique characteristics of a bird of prey.
Bob Leonard and "Olani," his falcon, will be our featured guests. All participants will experience the art of falconry and get to see firsthand jesses and hoods just like Sam used on Frightful.
All participants should read this exciting book...very carefully! Share this book with your family, a grandparent or a neighbor and then come on out to Indian Steps Museum on August 15th from 2-4 p.m.
28th ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN AUTUMN FESTIVAL
September 25 and 26, 2010
Saturday: 12 noon to 8 pm
Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm
The 28th Anniversary of our Native American Autumn Festival will be celebrated at Indian Steps Saturday, September 25th, 12 noon until 8 p.m. and carried over on Sunday, September 26th, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Interpretations of drumming, singing and dancing representative of early American indigenous nations will be held throughout these days. Vendors will be selling Native American crafts featuring bead work, jewelry, statuary and the like. Special stands will provide food and beverages to meet a wide variety of tastes. Tours of the Museum will be available.
There will be free parking and no admission charge, however, cash donations to the Museum will be deeply appreciated.
AN EARLY CHRISTMAS AT INDIAN STEPS
November 6 and 7, 2010
November 13 and 14, 2010
1 pm to 7 pm each day
We're celebrating Christmas a little earlier this year at Indian Steps Museum. We wanted to give our guests plenty of time this year to prepare for their Christmas holiday. So, as tradition dictates, visitors can purchase ornaments from 10 specially decorated Christmas trees, along with a wide variety of cookies, pies, hot beverages and chestnuts roasting in an open fireplace. This is the perfect place and time to initiate that warm, traditional holiday spirit.
Santa Claus and helpers, along with Rudolph the “Two-nosed” Reindeer, will be available to greet youngsters of all ages at Indian Steps from 2 – 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday of both week-ends.
As usual, there's no admission charge, but donations will be deeply appreciated.
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205 Indian Steps Airville, PA 17302 tel: 717-862-3948
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Mid April - Mid October: Thurs & Fri 10am-4pm, Sat, Sun & Holidays 10am-5pm. Free, donations accepted. Lg groups encouraged to call ahead.
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