Visiting the Past in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

A recent trip to Columbia, Pennsylvania introduced me to a town with many well-preserved buildings. Above is Wright's Ferry (the original name of the town) Mansion, built in 1738. What you can't see in the picture is the exquisite interior, which is approriately furnished with many 18th century pieces which belonged to the Wright family (no photos allowed). Susanna Wright's father established a ferry across the Susquehanna River, which was once visible from the house. After her father's death, this enterprising woman raised silkworms (on her windowsill no less) and had a thriving business producing fine silk.

In 1788 Wright had the town laid out with 160 building lots, and named the town Columbia, in hopes that with George Washington's support, it would be named the nation's capital. It lost by one vote. Then it tried for the state capital, and again lost. To add insult to injury, it later lost out to Detroit for the center of the automotive industry. So if you visit the Lancaster area, skip the outlet stores and enjoy the ambiance of Columbia.