Colonial Complex & York Historical Society

We drove into York this morning to visit the Colonial Complex which consists of the Gates House, Golden Plough Tavern, Bobb Log House, & The Colonial Court House. When we arrived at the Complex we learned that a tour for school children had been scheduled for the 11:00 tour, so we decided to go back to an Irish pub we had seen & have lunch. We drove over to The Harp and Fiddle Irish Pub on North George Street. Mike had the Harp & Fiddle Burger and I had the Classic Reuben - both very good.
 We then went to the York County Historical Museum & Library. After viewing the Museum displays, we went into the library to do some genealogical research. Sue's 5th great-grandparents, William & Mary Wethereld Garretson, had lived in York County from the mid 1790's to the early 1800's. We found out that they had been Quakers & had attended a Meeting House only a few miles from Gifford Pinchot State Park. As a matter of fact, we had driven by the Warrington Meeting House on our way to and from Gettysburg yesterday!

We arrived back at the Colonial Complex in time for the 3 p.m. tour. We had nice young lady from the York County Heritage Trust take us on the tour of the buildings. She explained the events & history that took place within the buildings.

The Plough Tavern was built in 1741 (the oldest building in York) and served as a hotel, restaurant & a place to hear the news. It is a medieval-style Germanic half-timber construction, recalling the 18th-century Black Forest.

The Gates House (c. 1751) represents 1778 when General Horatio Gates lived there while the Continental Congress was meeting in York. It was here at General Gates' headquarters that he and Major General Thomas Conway developed a plot to replace George Washington as commander of the Continental Army. The plot became known as the Conway Cabal. The Marquis de LaFayette, the French representative to the American colonies, attended a meeting with the supporters of the Conway Cabal at York. After several toasts had been given, the Marquis stood and said that one toast had been omitted. He decided it was time to show his support of Washington & proposed a toast to the commander-in-chief of the American armies. The conspirators eventually gave up their plot.

The Barnett Bobb House, built of squared timbers, depicts family life during the 1830's.

The Colonial Courthouse is a 1976 reconstruction (the original was torn down in 1841). America was born here at the York Courthouse. During the American Revolution the Second Continental Congress had fled to York for safety. Here they adopted the Articles of Confederation, in which the words "United States of America" first appeared. Congress was in session at York from September 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778 where they adopted our first constitution.

From York, PA

Before we returned to the RV we drove out to the Warrington Meeting House. We weren't able to find any headstones for Garretson ancestors in the cemetery next to the meeting house.

From York, PA