April 16, 2026 • 30 mins
"We’re taking a tour and celebrating America’s 250th birthday in Central PA with Sharon Seitz Myers, President and CEO, and Alison Rohrbaugh, Senior Director of Communications and Content Strategies, at visit Hershey/Harrisburg.org." Visit Hershey & Harrisburg | Official Trip Planning Website
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm Sylvia Moss. This is Insight, a presentation of
iHeartMedia where we really do care about our local people
that are living here and are real anxious to celebrate
America's two hundred and fiftieth birthday with you. And before
I introduce you to my awesome guests, there are going
to be our tour guides for all the Auson events.
Got to tell you that for those who think history
(00:20):
is born, well, maybe other places, but certainly not here
in Central PA.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
First of all, let me give you a little bit
of history.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Dauphin County is one of the oldest and most influential
counties in the development of our nation, and the county
was named Dauphin because it was in honor of the
eldest son of the King of France, who had come
to the ay of American counties during the Revolution.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
All began with a.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Guy named John Harris who was a native of Yorkshire, England.
He arrived in Philly as one of the first immigrants
to accompany William Penn and then in about let's say
about seventeen eighteen seventeen nineteen, Harris moved with his wife
Esther from Chester County to Lancaster County. They eventually built
a log cabin on the banks of Susquehanna near the
(01:03):
present juncture of Packson and Front Streets. Then, in about
seventeen twenty seven, John Harris Junior was born. Harris Junior
became the founder of the city of the Harris of
Harrisburg and the leader in the movement to establish Dauphin County.
He developed a large trade with the Indians in fur
and skins, and established a lot of trading posts. He
also began farming on a small scale and introduced the
(01:25):
first plow of the vicinity. His dad established the first
ferry that came across the Susquehanna, which in time became
so popular that the place was no longer called by
its Indian name of I believe it's pronounced Pike Satan,
but then it was called Harris Ferry. John Harris Senior
died in seventeen forty eight and was buried at his
request beneath the shade of a mulberry tree and river
(01:47):
park below Harrisburg Hospital. He had once been tied to
this tree by hospital. Indians were prepared to burn them,
but his Indian friends rescued him in the nickea tine.
That's pretty interesting. John Harris Junior, the son, operated the
ferry that established by his father, where he took a
lot of boatlets of supplies to the Continental Army west
of the Susquehanna. And then he gave two lots on
(02:09):
Market Street and two on wall in the Street for
the use of the county. And with the amazing forest sight,
gave the southern part of Capitol Park for the use
of the Commonwealth should the seat of state government be
chosen in this location. Then in seventeen eighty five, Harris's
son in law, William maclay, laid out the town proposed
by Harris. These names sound pretty familiar, don't they. Dauphin
County's full of historic people, places and events we haven't
(02:32):
even touched on, and we don't have enough time to.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Do them all.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
But it certainly played a big barrole in the growth
of our nation. And who better to guide you along
the way to all that's going on as we celebrate
America's two hundred and fifty birthday then Sharon sites Myers
Sharon present is President and CEO, and Alison Roorbrocks, she's
the senior director of Communications and Content Strategies at Visit Hershey, Harrisburg,
(02:58):
DoD Or.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Oh that was a eat.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Anyway, Ladies, I love love Love series, and you know
I love it when you came in and you're here
to tell us why we should be so proud of
Pennsylvania's history and why it contributed to us nationally, and
also to talk about all the fun events going on
for the one hundredth anniversary. First of all, let me
ask you, Allison, transportation was pretty big deal here in
(03:22):
central Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
It's always been, right, Can you explain that absolutely?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
I mean you touched on a little bit of it
in your introduction there, and just from the earliest days
of trading, it was really a crucial trading post where
Harrisburg kind of symbolized that importance of connecting people. It
was really trade connected people. It's how you learn about
other cultures and other people. When it was kind of
an entrance to the west, even here locally between East
Shore and West Shore. For what happened there at harris
(03:48):
the trading post that you talked about on the Susquehanna River,
the place that eventually became Harrisburg.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Wow, that's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
And the lady that ran the farm show complex for
what was it about forty years now, I'm getting out
and I don't seem that way.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
No, no, no, oh, my god.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Sharing When I think about farm Show, I think about you.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
I think about you.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Other times I think what a wonderful lady you are.
But you really were bang on that and tell us
what went on in the farm show as far as
this year's Pennsylvania Farm Show, what went on that reflected
the two hundred and fiftieth Birthday of America.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Yeah, so while farm Show hasn't been around for two
hundred and fifty, it has been around and tenths okay,
so real happy to still be able to represent that
facility to some degree. This year, the farm Show event,
which is held in January, which is run by the
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, again celebrate the one hundred and
tenth show, and they the theme this year was growing
(04:47):
a Nation And how appropriate given the two hundred and
fiftieth Agriculture has played such a vital role in everyone's life, right,
and you know, two hundred and fifty years ago it
was really the number one industry, still the number one
industry in Pennsylvania and so having it represented here in Harrisburg,
in Dauphin County is pretty incredible.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Well, you know what, I just thought of something.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
You ran the farm show complex and now you're doing
the tourism. You've you're running the two most important things
that bring the most.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Money, and don't you with a team? Wow?
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Oh yeah, you're so humble. Okay, but I always think
about it when you do it. That's when all that's
going on with this big celebration. What's going to mean
to the economy in this area.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
We're really excited about it, you know, as we you know,
you know, Dolphin County generates about four point three seven
billion dollars in economic impact from tourism throughout the throughout
the year. People that travel for history and culture actually
stay longer because they typically come from further away and
they stay, you know, they visit longer, which means, you know,
(05:53):
on an average spend of nine hundred and ninety four
per day, give or take with you know, expenses, it
just means more economic impact. And so with that economic
impact comes more jobs and more people in the restaurants,
more tickets sold to our museums, and all the great
places that we have events going on this year, concert
tickets and so on. So you know, so it's really
(06:13):
good for the economy to be able to talk about
America two fifty and celebrate it here in Dauphin County.
It's a big year for Pennsylvania in tours and overall,
but to have this to celebrate on top of it
is even better.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
You should run for governor. Seriously, she amazes me.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Okay, let's talk now, I'm serious, the man who embodies
the American dream. Let's talk about Uncle Milty Hershe and Hershey.
Tell us a little bit about this guy.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Yeah, so you know, Milton Hershey just an extraordinary man.
You know, we all know Hershey chocolate, and it's it's
what makes our destinations so.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Recognized.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Really, you know, you can't go to a trade show
or a conference or travel on vacation without somebody you know,
knowing word Hershey. It was a man who built a
community or built a business for the community.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
And he failed several times, but he picked himself up
again and he got forward.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
And never gave up.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
That's right, And so you know, he is a true
icon when it comes to the American dream. So we're
very fortunate to have, you know, his legacy here in
this region and really excited. They made an announcement earlier
this week that the Hershey movie will be coming out
on that Thanksgiving week this November, and we think it's
(07:31):
going to be a great opportunity to not only showcase
his legacy, but showcase the destination as well.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
This man was all about integrity all he cared about.
Even I did some history read some things about him,
and the park was built for his employees. I mean,
he wanted to make the air Gary township really a
place for families to thrive and grow and experience wonderful
things like the Hershey Theater in the park, and oh
(08:01):
my goodness, he was something else I wish we hadn't nowadays.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Don't you.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
Yeah, And you know, he was the kind of guy
that during the Great Depression didn't want to lay employees off,
so he built the Hershey Arena and the again the
community center at the theater that's when it was originally built.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Amazing, he just blows me away. Well, there's something going on.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
It's going to end up in Hershey, and it's going
through all sixty seven counties and you know what I'm
talking about the bells across America. What is that It's
going to come by Hershey's Chocolate World right, Well, it's
there now.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Yeah, there are sixty seven bells that are in every
county across the state. And what it does is just
allows local artists to kind of put their spin on
and really showcase all the unique parts about a specific destination.
So what's on display at Chocolate World?
Speaker 5 (08:47):
You know right now?
Speaker 2 (08:48):
I didn't realize it was on already. How about that is.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
It'll be there through the end of the year and
it showcases showcases Hershey, and it showcases Harrisburg and all
of the industry across our county.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Let's slip away from her She a little bit and
talk about the place that we've all. You know, it
gets me talking about all these when I was talking
about in the beginning about McLay and Harrison, these are
all guys. Now we know the street science who their name.
It gives us a little bit of insight into that.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Let's talk about what why Fort Hunter Mansion is so important? Well,
Fort Hunter.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Mansion it began as a French and Indian War kind
of a Frontier Fort. So it really is a place
where people now can go in and see how life
was along the Susquehanna River all those years ago, and
just really great to walk in and see those artifacts
and see how people lived in that particular space. And
of course there's so many events and things that go
on now really accessible to get there and to see
(09:44):
just the beautiful Susquehanna as it rolls by.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Also, well, you know what I got to tell you
before I ask you about this. I have a friend
who's an expert, a national expert. He lives locally on
the Civil War, and when I ask him, you know,
about different things in the area, he asked me, he says, so,
do you you know that when President Grant was president
and he was visiting, they had to take the two
(10:07):
doors off the front of the did you hear that story?
He was a big boy, what I'm saying, And I
had something about the cub But this guy's an expert,
So tell us about the history of the Harris Simon
Cameron Mansion.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Yeah. So it was built around seven sixty six by
John Harris Junior, so of course the son of the
city's founder. And you know, it's really among Harrisburg's oldest
surviving buildings. Just a beautiful mansion there that later served
as the summer home for Lincoln's first Secretary of War
was Simon Cameron. And again just linking its early colonial
origins to nineteenth century history. The beauty in there and
(10:41):
their tours. The Doncon County Historical Society is there and
they run tours, so call ahead for those times and
you can go in and see some really really neat
architecture in there.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Well up the river a little bit out of the
city of Harrisburg and Millersburg, there's something really cool.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
What's that?
Speaker 3 (10:57):
So the Millersburg Ferry that was established all the way
back in eighteen seventeen and it's the last wooden double
stern wheel paddle boat in the United States and through
post revolutionary times. It really just preserves that early American
transportation history and it all comes back to the Susquehanna
and how powerful and important it was to connect people,
to connect industry, to connect trade. All of that flows
(11:18):
by here all the time.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Ford Halifark Fat yeah arks Fororda Halifax Park.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Tell us about that.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
One too, sure, So it was a British frontier Fort.
It was built in seventeen fifty six, and that was
to guard the Susquehanna River during the French and Indian War.
So again these really important strategic posts people in those days.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Huh wow wow.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Well, you know what I did a researcher on churches,
and all the churches in the air, the majority there's
something connected to the history of central Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
They were built in the Colony of Times.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Revolutionary people met there, they worshiped there, and a lot
of them were even buried in these different cemeteries and
you go check them out.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
But we got to find out where they are. So
how do we find out.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Sure, So on our website, if you search America to
fifty Pa. Okay, Dolphin, if you search America to fifty Pa. Doffin,
it's going to come up on our website. And we've
got a lot of the history that we're talking about
here and a map that really kind of shows all
of those locations. And some of them aren't locations that
are still built, right. A lot of Revolutionary Times have
(12:22):
been destroyed or taken down, but they're markers all over
the place. And like Sharon talked about before, people who
love history. Love to just be in a place and
walk in those footsteps. And even if there's not a
building that you can walk into, even if there's just
the history that you can read on a marker, people
love to understand and kind of picture themselves back in
those poments. So you can see all of that on
(12:42):
our website.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Okay, let's talk about some events and exhibits during this
time celebration at the State and Museum.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
What's going on there?
Speaker 1 (12:50):
I heard there's something that's going to run till the
end of the year there too, right.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Yeah, it's revolutionary things, it's objects from the collection, so
it's an exhibit. But that will be at the State Museum.
If you're familiar with where the Art of the State
exhibit takes place every year, or have taken place every year,
that's the space that this will be in through through
August there or through.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
The end of July.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
What are they going to find there?
Speaker 3 (13:14):
They will find all sorts of things like one hundred
and forty artifacts spanning three centuries of Pennsylvania and American history.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
And again just to be able to see.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Those kinds of things that played a role or you know,
the people used in their industries and in their homes
and just made an impact on everything around them.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Here's an example of Sharon said that, like art is
so important to the history of the year, it says
Quehanna Art Museum has something going on too. Who wants
to take that one anywhere? Girls just jumping in whenever
you realize that one.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
So, yeah, that's the restoring the river again, going back
to the river. There's so much inspiration that can be
taken from the river that runs through our region. So
this will be recurring weekly. It'll be Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
Saturday through June twenty eighth, so people have time to
come in and see that at the Susquehanna Art Museum,
which is down in the midtown area at fourteen oh
(14:05):
one at North Front Street, and there'll be more than
one hundred historic works there that are spanning four centuries, again,
all centered on the River's influence on American art.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
Keep I'm talking on river, River, River, It's amazing. Well, Sharon,
here's where you can learn about a lesser known story
behind the Declaration of Independence. Tell us that that is
pretty cool. I want to hear this lesser known story.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
Right, So that's going to happen May eleventh at the
Hershtreet Hershey History Center, and it's called the Story of
America's Founding. It's going to be presented by Professor Robert P. Watson,
who is PhD. Hershey native and award winning historian, and
the talk will explore dramatic, lesser known stories behind America's
most iconic document. So we think it's going to definitely
(14:49):
drive some again those real history buffs that are going
to want to come and learn really what the backstory.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Was exactly exactly. That is so cool.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Okay, more going on with the John Harrison. I'm in
camera mansion. It's for the whole family, and that I
believe is when's that one going on?
Speaker 2 (15:04):
A sixteen? That's a Saturday. What's going on there?
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Yeah, So that one's just that's the opening of the
American two fifty Patriots of Dauphin County Exhibit. So again
something that the whole family can come to. There'll be food,
there'll be lots of entertainment there in that exhibit, and
the opening reception all free to the public to attend,
which is always fantastic because you want all of these
historic things to be accessible.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
John, Let's talk about the music. There's lots of music.
What's going on?
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Yeah, So Governor Shapiro put forth an effort this year
for the Dolphin or not Dolphin, but the America two
fifty PA Concert Series, which is happening all across the state.
There's five concerts happening in different locations, as far away
as Eerie, as far east as Scranton, and you know,
and they're free concerts. So we are fortunate enough to
(15:50):
have one of them right here in Hershey. The concert
that will be played here as the Everett Brothers and
they are an American folk rock and grass band. Again,
tickets are free, but you do have to preregister.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Also, don't forget the kids, because you know kids, kids
get bored, but they're not kind of get bored if
if mom and dad take them to Wildwood Park, aren't
they what's going on?
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Well, a couple of things there.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
There's the kids discovered bald eagles, and of course bald
eagles a wonderful semple.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
This kid would like to see that one, and so
that's going to go on the fourteenth.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
And then there's discovering the ancient sycamore tree as well
on June twentieth.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
So it's the history behind this tree.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
Isn't that one of the oldest that's been like around
for long, long long, even before we were I mean
civil wars started.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Isn't that pretty much?
Speaker 5 (16:43):
It well?
Speaker 4 (16:44):
And I think for you know, the sycamore trees, it's
one of the one of the Pennsylvania trees.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
Right, it's it's not an invasive species.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
And so having kids understand, you know, what the tree,
what the tree is, what it stood for, what it
has been used to build, and then you know, as
well as learning about other trees that aren't Pennsyvania naive trees,
so they know when they're planting their trees in their
house or you know, around mom and dad's backyard, they
know which tree is a plant.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
And that's cool.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
They're good.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
That's really cool.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
There's some whiskey tasting going on too. What's that about?
Who wants to jump on the booze?
Speaker 5 (17:14):
That should be a group events.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
You should go.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
That's taking place June twentieth at six pm. It's called
the Spirits of seventy six, a Revolutionary whiskey tasting at
the John Harris Junior The Historic John Harris Junior. So
I'm in Cameron Mansion. So again it's going to be
a busy place this year. Real happy with the list
of events that they have going on this year.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Also, I'm sorry, excuse me.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Also, isn't there isn't there a ball masquerade ball that
I heard about.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
I have to check that out myself. That sounds pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
Maybe we're still getting information about what's going on, so
there'll be a lot of things, obviously than what we're
talking about today.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
I'm sorry sharing.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
So one thing to note is if you go to
the visit Hershey Harrisburg website, we are housing the Dauphin
County events page for America two fifty. So if you
just go to visit Hershey Harrisburg dot org, which is
easy to remember, and then up in the search search
two fifty PA, the list of events will come up,
you know, just across the county. So lots more than
what we're talking about today, and inclusive and as Alison noted,
(18:12):
we're always adding to.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
It and you can put this information now.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
I mean there's a map there, there's all kinds of
stuff and that's just so great about what you guys
do on your website that you're constantly adding to it.
You'll be surprised what's on there for the fourth of July.
What's going on it?
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Heroes Grow Prays Grove has been there for how many
years now?
Speaker 1 (18:31):
But is it five years? Anyway, it's been a while. Yeah,
I remember when that was open.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Tell us about that. Sure.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
So that's the space, you know, behind the Capitol Area
that Soldiers and Sailors grove. It'll be the state's official
medal of honor and memorial that honors Pennsylvania's military heroes.
So there'll be a line of ten markers that lie
beside those oaks that represent each of the major war
that Pennsylvanians have fought in. So just a way to
absolutely remember the folks who have sacrificed so much and
(18:59):
continue to sacrife for the nation that we have.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
What are you guys the most excited about going to
and seen? I bet you've been to a lot of
these things anyway, Alison.
Speaker 3 (19:07):
Really all of them, because when people go to things
like this, it's really for the sense of community, and
that's just that's great.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Right. Anytime you have these.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
It falls in the summertime, so there's the sense of travel,
there's the sense of vacation, and there's the sense of
celebration that comes across with with all of these events
and they're wonderful for everybody to put on.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
It's about for you though, I mean, what do you like?
What are you looking forward to seeing and being part of? Personally?
Speaker 3 (19:31):
Well, I think one of the things that we didn't
talk about is Daphin County Beer Fest that's coming up,
so you know, they'll be we're working with We've talked
before on this program about some trails, beer trails and
things like that. So working on a little bit of
another collab project that'll be you know, announced through that
week where the recipe will be in honor of some
(19:52):
early early ale recipes and things like that, kind of
harkening back to the original beers and the drafts of all.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
Times she liked. Personally, you see what she brings up.
I had a girl. How about you, Shi, Karen? What
are you going to do? You're gonna go to the
farm shells if there's anything going on there?
Speaker 5 (20:08):
Well, I do make it a trip very frequently. Yes.
Speaker 4 (20:12):
I love what they have going on out there, and
there's always something and I think the thing that has
been very exciting this year is to watch almost every
tourism asset that we represent step up in some way
to say, hey, we too want to celebrate America two fifty.
So going back to the farm show this past year,
there were a number of exhibits that had, you know,
(20:32):
a Red, White, and Blue class or an American Heritage
class or you know, or you know, when you look
at the beers, that get you know, I look at
the beers.
Speaker 5 (20:41):
I like to taste the beers.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
You know, there there are either historic recipes or you know,
beers associated and so you know, we're excited. You know,
we understand Urban Churn is going to be doing some
you know, historic ice cream again this year. They did
a they worked with Dauphin County Parks and Wreck last
year to do do an ice cream release for the
two fifty and they're going to be doing that again
(21:03):
this year. But even looking at Doauphin County Parks and RECs,
they have an amazing program.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Crossing up this month. I think they have a big
weekend plan.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
Almost every week there's something going on in a in
a park and they've done a really good job of
embracing two fifty and making sure that you know, from
the you know, from the mansion, you know, all the
way through. You know there again their their history and
educational component, educational sessions for the kids, and they're really
(21:33):
doing a lot National Civil War museums doing a program.
You know, all of our tourism assets are doing something related,
even you know, even Hershey Park, there's you know, fireworks
and and all the you know, they have some renamed
some rides in.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Yeah, you know any of them.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
One of them's.
Speaker 4 (21:52):
Independence and I can't remember exactly and we do have
that on our website. But yeah, so it's been great
to see every tour as a masset embrace America two fifty,
appreciate it how we got here and just celebrate together for.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
People who have families. I mean we as an adult
a lot of us. I love history, I always did,
But how do you sell it to kids?
Speaker 2 (22:17):
You know, do you want to go to that?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Now when they call those places the bouncy things, they
don't want to do that. How do you sell history
to kids? Because we learn from history?
Speaker 4 (22:27):
Well, I think again, if you go if you look
at something like Dauphin County Parks and rec who does
such a great job is they engage the kids, whether
it be through the bald eagles or learning about trees
where they can get their hands in the dirt, you know, whatever,
whatever the programs are, they try to do something that
isn't just a lecture series where you have to you know,
sit there and people talk at you all day. They
want to engage, engage the people in what you're learning.
(22:50):
Being able to touch different things and hold artifacts and that
type of thing. So and when kids can do that,
when you can, you know, keep them out of their
seats and moving, I think they you know, they learn.
First of all, they learn more because they aren't bored.
But then they stay engaged and they really do gain
a love for history.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
And the way it's presented. It's not like it's presented
in school.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
It's story ish, it's fun games, it's and that's what
kids walk away with and remember, right.
Speaker 4 (23:15):
It's experiential and that's one of the things that you know,
at the Visitors Bureau we were really proud of. We
do have an experience trails and Experience division really on
and those trails are on our website, as Alison mentioned earlier,
and so it's making sure that the visitors that are
coming here understand that you can experience a lot of
the things while you're learning, and we found it to
(23:36):
be very beneficial.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
What it is your responsibility as the HEADHANO over the
Visitors Bureau.
Speaker 4 (23:43):
Well, my responsibility is really to have it's an opportunity,
is what it is. To work with just an amazing
team that is very, very passionate about the success of
Dauphin County tourism. As we discussed earlier, agriculture is number one,
Rism is number two, and to be able to showcase
(24:04):
the amazing assets that we have here is like no other.
You know, we're not doing brain surgery at the end
of the day. You know, people have fun, they learn.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Look, we have da dada, right, that's right.
Speaker 5 (24:13):
That's right. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (24:14):
So you know, our job is to promote the destination
to people that are outside of this destination, So we
focus on fifty miles or more away because most likely
they will come and spend the night, and when they
spend the night.
Speaker 5 (24:29):
They spend the bucks.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
It's additional economic impact and it's what keeps us going.
If you look at again all the events at farms show,
all the events within harshy resorts and entertainment or things
that are happening at the Hilton. You know, every time
someone comes and they stay in a hotel, and they
eat in a restaurant, and they shop in the stores,
and they go get a coffee and then they go
to a museum. All of that creates really the success
(24:53):
that Dauphin County has realized. We are the state capitol
and we have just a great opportunity to tell our
story about being the state capital.
Speaker 5 (25:04):
What has made us, you know, made us who we are.
Speaker 4 (25:09):
We have another division within our program called Explore HBG.
We feel it very very important to make sure that
Harrisburg story is told and people understand that Harrisburg is
a great place to visit, you know, while visitation and
people coming into the city itself maybe down, whether it
(25:30):
be to you know, due to a variety of things
that have happened in all cities across the nation, Harrisburg
is a great place to visit. Again, whether you're walking
on Riverfront, whether you're visiting the capitol, which is a
free tour, whether you're going to a senator's baseball game
at F and B Field, who will also be celebrating
two fifty this year. About that, Yes, there are so
(25:51):
many things in Harrisburg to do and explore. HBG strictly
focuses on Harrisburg City and making sure that those less
than fifty miles know what's going on.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
And that's nothing fifty miles.
Speaker 1 (26:04):
I mean, it's a nice area, you know, and come
and visit all the wonderful things we have and then
stay because it doesn't mean you don't have to. You know,
you're visiting all these wonderful things in Central Pennsylvania, you're
going to disappear, say, and learn more about it and
find out that Central Pennsylvania is also hope you mentioned
Allison about the river and everything else. But we're close
(26:27):
to Philly, close to DC, close to New York, a
couple hours away, close to the shore that I like,
you know, it's only a lot two three hours away.
And what a wonderful place to raise children too, how
about it.
Speaker 5 (26:39):
It's absolutely an amazing livapool city.
Speaker 1 (26:42):
So come and visit and stay right there. Okay, we
talked about on a lot of wonderful things. Is there
anything that we forgot that I want to make sure
you know because you guys are the experts here.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Well, Sharon just mentioned the capitol kind of in that
last segment, So that's something that the free tours at
the Pennsylvania State Capital, Capital of Pennsylvania. They're wonderful it is.
It is really a it's a museum in and of itself.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
So there's excise me, the most beautiful state capitol in
the country, right, I've heard up.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
It's gorgeous.
Speaker 3 (27:11):
Part of my job, you know, working with media and
working with collaborators who come in for content. I get
to visit that beautiful building so many times, and I
learned something new every single time I'm there. It never
ceases us to amaze me how beautiful it is.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
I recently meant an older gentleman who goes around and
make sure like there's no cracks around.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
He gives all that.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
They're meticulous at taking care of that police too, isn't it.
I mean, it's just wonderful.
Speaker 5 (27:36):
Absolutely, it consistently shines. I don't know how they do it.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Yeah, And also they do some wonderful things throughout the year,
like in October the breast cancer they you know, the
fountain outside is pink. It's all part of who we
are and when I think about and I mentioned this
lady recently too, because I just think there's nobody like her.
Pat houp and Murphy, who was in stage four breast
cancer and she started the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and
(28:01):
what she did other breast cancer coalitions across the whole country,
or modeling, She's had such an impact on the women.
She and Michelle Ridge are responsible for insurance companies, playing
for breast reconstruction, a whole lot of other things. So
I'm thinking about maybe i'd better start to make ours
raising some cash or put a statue of Pats.
Speaker 5 (28:22):
What do you think that's idea?
Speaker 2 (28:25):
I mean, yeah, And you know what it's not. We
talk when we're talking about this, we talk about the men,
the men, the men. What about the women?
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Yeah, Hey, that's your next assignment, charl Next year we're
going to talk about the wonderful women in Central Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
And I about that one too.
Speaker 5 (28:42):
It's a great, great segment looking forward to that one.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
That's right, because of orn for the women, the guys
won't be here, right, Okay, Okay, So anyway, I want
to thank you. I always look forward to seeing. Oh,
I want to ask you something. I usually ask men this,
but I want to ask you girls this one. If
you weren't doing this, what would you be doing?
Speaker 2 (29:00):
What would your job?
Speaker 5 (29:03):
H I don't know. You know, I've been promoting tourism forever.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
You had a perfect job.
Speaker 5 (29:09):
Yeah, I love it.
Speaker 2 (29:10):
How about you, honey.
Speaker 3 (29:12):
When I was first considering school, I thought I wanted
to be an actress. So I put acting and writing
together and I ended up in nonprofit and news and
here I have been in tourism for fifteen years. So
it all works out well.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
If you examine our history, you're gonna find out there's
a lot of famous actors from Pennsylvania too. So girls,
thanks so much to Sharon Seismeier's president and CEO, and
Alison Roorbrock, Senior director of Communication and Content Strategies, for
showing us what a remarkable.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
Place we live in.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
For more information, you go to visit Hershey Harrisburg dot
org and we don't forget You go to the America
to fifty on their website and you can find a
map there. Remembered also that you should check out all
of them is all year round in Dauphin County. By
going again to visit Hershey Harrisburg dot org. Also remember
(29:59):
catchings every week on a one of your ten iHeart stations,
or any time on your favorite podcast app. I'm Chelby Moss,
Thanks so much for listening to it for America's two
hundred and fifty ath birthday party
Hi, I'm Sylvia Moss. This is Insight, a presentation of
iHeartMedia where we really do care about our local people
that are living here and are real anxious to celebrate
America's two hundred and fiftieth birthday with you. And before
I introduce you to my awesome guests, there are going
to be our tour guides for all the Auson events.
Got to tell you that for those who think history
(00:20):
is born, well, maybe other places, but certainly not here
in Central PA.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
First of all, let me give you a little bit
of history.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Dauphin County is one of the oldest and most influential
counties in the development of our nation, and the county
was named Dauphin because it was in honor of the
eldest son of the King of France, who had come
to the ay of American counties during the Revolution.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
All began with a.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Guy named John Harris who was a native of Yorkshire, England.
He arrived in Philly as one of the first immigrants
to accompany William Penn and then in about let's say
about seventeen eighteen seventeen nineteen, Harris moved with his wife
Esther from Chester County to Lancaster County. They eventually built
a log cabin on the banks of Susquehanna near the
(01:03):
present juncture of Packson and Front Streets. Then, in about
seventeen twenty seven, John Harris Junior was born. Harris Junior
became the founder of the city of the Harris of
Harrisburg and the leader in the movement to establish Dauphin County.
He developed a large trade with the Indians in fur
and skins, and established a lot of trading posts. He
also began farming on a small scale and introduced the
(01:25):
first plow of the vicinity. His dad established the first
ferry that came across the Susquehanna, which in time became
so popular that the place was no longer called by
its Indian name of I believe it's pronounced Pike Satan,
but then it was called Harris Ferry. John Harris Senior
died in seventeen forty eight and was buried at his
request beneath the shade of a mulberry tree and river
(01:47):
park below Harrisburg Hospital. He had once been tied to
this tree by hospital. Indians were prepared to burn them,
but his Indian friends rescued him in the nickea tine.
That's pretty interesting. John Harris Junior, the son, operated the
ferry that established by his father, where he took a
lot of boatlets of supplies to the Continental Army west
of the Susquehanna. And then he gave two lots on
(02:09):
Market Street and two on wall in the Street for
the use of the county. And with the amazing forest sight,
gave the southern part of Capitol Park for the use
of the Commonwealth should the seat of state government be
chosen in this location. Then in seventeen eighty five, Harris's
son in law, William maclay, laid out the town proposed
by Harris. These names sound pretty familiar, don't they. Dauphin
County's full of historic people, places and events we haven't
(02:32):
even touched on, and we don't have enough time to.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Do them all.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
But it certainly played a big barrole in the growth
of our nation. And who better to guide you along
the way to all that's going on as we celebrate
America's two hundred and fifty birthday then Sharon sites Myers
Sharon present is President and CEO, and Alison Roorbrocks, she's
the senior director of Communications and Content Strategies at Visit Hershey, Harrisburg,
(02:58):
DoD Or.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Oh that was a eat.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Anyway, Ladies, I love love Love series, and you know
I love it when you came in and you're here
to tell us why we should be so proud of
Pennsylvania's history and why it contributed to us nationally, and
also to talk about all the fun events going on
for the one hundredth anniversary. First of all, let me
ask you, Allison, transportation was pretty big deal here in
(03:22):
central Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
It's always been, right, Can you explain that absolutely?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
I mean you touched on a little bit of it
in your introduction there, and just from the earliest days
of trading, it was really a crucial trading post where
Harrisburg kind of symbolized that importance of connecting people. It
was really trade connected people. It's how you learn about
other cultures and other people. When it was kind of
an entrance to the west, even here locally between East
Shore and West Shore. For what happened there at harris
(03:48):
the trading post that you talked about on the Susquehanna River,
the place that eventually became Harrisburg.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Wow, that's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
And the lady that ran the farm show complex for
what was it about forty years now, I'm getting out
and I don't seem that way.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
No, no, no, oh, my god.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Sharing When I think about farm Show, I think about you.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
I think about you.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Other times I think what a wonderful lady you are.
But you really were bang on that and tell us
what went on in the farm show as far as
this year's Pennsylvania Farm Show, what went on that reflected
the two hundred and fiftieth Birthday of America.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Yeah, so while farm Show hasn't been around for two
hundred and fifty, it has been around and tenths okay,
so real happy to still be able to represent that
facility to some degree. This year, the farm Show event,
which is held in January, which is run by the
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, again celebrate the one hundred and
tenth show, and they the theme this year was growing
(04:47):
a Nation And how appropriate given the two hundred and
fiftieth Agriculture has played such a vital role in everyone's life, right,
and you know, two hundred and fifty years ago it
was really the number one industry, still the number one
industry in Pennsylvania and so having it represented here in Harrisburg,
in Dauphin County is pretty incredible.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Well, you know what, I just thought of something.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
You ran the farm show complex and now you're doing
the tourism. You've you're running the two most important things
that bring the most.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Money, and don't you with a team? Wow?
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Oh yeah, you're so humble. Okay, but I always think
about it when you do it. That's when all that's
going on with this big celebration. What's going to mean
to the economy in this area.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
We're really excited about it, you know, as we you know,
you know, Dolphin County generates about four point three seven
billion dollars in economic impact from tourism throughout the throughout
the year. People that travel for history and culture actually
stay longer because they typically come from further away and
they stay, you know, they visit longer, which means, you know,
(05:53):
on an average spend of nine hundred and ninety four
per day, give or take with you know, expenses, it
just means more economic impact. And so with that economic
impact comes more jobs and more people in the restaurants,
more tickets sold to our museums, and all the great
places that we have events going on this year, concert
tickets and so on. So you know, so it's really
(06:13):
good for the economy to be able to talk about
America two fifty and celebrate it here in Dauphin County.
It's a big year for Pennsylvania in tours and overall,
but to have this to celebrate on top of it
is even better.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
You should run for governor. Seriously, she amazes me.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Okay, let's talk now, I'm serious, the man who embodies
the American dream. Let's talk about Uncle Milty Hershe and Hershey.
Tell us a little bit about this guy.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Yeah, so you know, Milton Hershey just an extraordinary man.
You know, we all know Hershey chocolate, and it's it's
what makes our destinations so.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Recognized.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Really, you know, you can't go to a trade show
or a conference or travel on vacation without somebody you know,
knowing word Hershey. It was a man who built a
community or built a business for the community.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
And he failed several times, but he picked himself up
again and he got forward.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
And never gave up.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
That's right, And so you know, he is a true
icon when it comes to the American dream. So we're
very fortunate to have, you know, his legacy here in
this region and really excited. They made an announcement earlier
this week that the Hershey movie will be coming out
on that Thanksgiving week this November, and we think it's
(07:31):
going to be a great opportunity to not only showcase
his legacy, but showcase the destination as well.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
This man was all about integrity all he cared about.
Even I did some history read some things about him,
and the park was built for his employees. I mean,
he wanted to make the air Gary township really a
place for families to thrive and grow and experience wonderful
things like the Hershey Theater in the park, and oh
(08:01):
my goodness, he was something else I wish we hadn't nowadays.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Don't you.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
Yeah, And you know, he was the kind of guy
that during the Great Depression didn't want to lay employees off,
so he built the Hershey Arena and the again the
community center at the theater that's when it was originally built.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Amazing, he just blows me away. Well, there's something going on.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
It's going to end up in Hershey, and it's going
through all sixty seven counties and you know what I'm
talking about the bells across America. What is that It's
going to come by Hershey's Chocolate World right, Well, it's
there now.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Yeah, there are sixty seven bells that are in every
county across the state. And what it does is just
allows local artists to kind of put their spin on
and really showcase all the unique parts about a specific destination.
So what's on display at Chocolate World?
Speaker 5 (08:47):
You know right now?
Speaker 2 (08:48):
I didn't realize it was on already. How about that is.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
It'll be there through the end of the year and
it showcases showcases Hershey, and it showcases Harrisburg and all
of the industry across our county.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Let's slip away from her She a little bit and
talk about the place that we've all. You know, it
gets me talking about all these when I was talking
about in the beginning about McLay and Harrison, these are
all guys. Now we know the street science who their name.
It gives us a little bit of insight into that.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Let's talk about what why Fort Hunter Mansion is so important? Well,
Fort Hunter.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Mansion it began as a French and Indian War kind
of a Frontier Fort. So it really is a place
where people now can go in and see how life
was along the Susquehanna River all those years ago, and
just really great to walk in and see those artifacts
and see how people lived in that particular space. And
of course there's so many events and things that go
on now really accessible to get there and to see
(09:44):
just the beautiful Susquehanna as it rolls by.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Also, well, you know what I got to tell you
before I ask you about this. I have a friend
who's an expert, a national expert. He lives locally on
the Civil War, and when I ask him, you know,
about different things in the area, he asked me, he says, so,
do you you know that when President Grant was president
and he was visiting, they had to take the two
(10:07):
doors off the front of the did you hear that story?
He was a big boy, what I'm saying, And I
had something about the cub But this guy's an expert,
So tell us about the history of the Harris Simon
Cameron Mansion.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Yeah. So it was built around seven sixty six by
John Harris Junior, so of course the son of the
city's founder. And you know, it's really among Harrisburg's oldest
surviving buildings. Just a beautiful mansion there that later served
as the summer home for Lincoln's first Secretary of War
was Simon Cameron. And again just linking its early colonial
origins to nineteenth century history. The beauty in there and
(10:41):
their tours. The Doncon County Historical Society is there and
they run tours, so call ahead for those times and
you can go in and see some really really neat
architecture in there.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Well up the river a little bit out of the
city of Harrisburg and Millersburg, there's something really cool.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
What's that?
Speaker 3 (10:57):
So the Millersburg Ferry that was established all the way
back in eighteen seventeen and it's the last wooden double
stern wheel paddle boat in the United States and through
post revolutionary times. It really just preserves that early American
transportation history and it all comes back to the Susquehanna
and how powerful and important it was to connect people,
to connect industry, to connect trade. All of that flows
(11:18):
by here all the time.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Ford Halifark Fat yeah arks Fororda Halifax Park.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Tell us about that.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
One too, sure, So it was a British frontier Fort.
It was built in seventeen fifty six, and that was
to guard the Susquehanna River during the French and Indian War.
So again these really important strategic posts people in those days.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Huh wow wow.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Well, you know what I did a researcher on churches,
and all the churches in the air, the majority there's
something connected to the history of central Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
They were built in the Colony of Times.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Revolutionary people met there, they worshiped there, and a lot
of them were even buried in these different cemeteries and
you go check them out.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
But we got to find out where they are. So
how do we find out.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Sure, So on our website, if you search America to
fifty Pa. Okay, Dolphin, if you search America to fifty Pa. Doffin,
it's going to come up on our website. And we've
got a lot of the history that we're talking about
here and a map that really kind of shows all
of those locations. And some of them aren't locations that
are still built, right. A lot of Revolutionary Times have
(12:22):
been destroyed or taken down, but they're markers all over
the place. And like Sharon talked about before, people who
love history. Love to just be in a place and
walk in those footsteps. And even if there's not a
building that you can walk into, even if there's just
the history that you can read on a marker, people
love to understand and kind of picture themselves back in
those poments. So you can see all of that on
(12:42):
our website.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Okay, let's talk about some events and exhibits during this
time celebration at the State and Museum.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
What's going on there?
Speaker 1 (12:50):
I heard there's something that's going to run till the
end of the year there too, right.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Yeah, it's revolutionary things, it's objects from the collection, so
it's an exhibit. But that will be at the State Museum.
If you're familiar with where the Art of the State
exhibit takes place every year, or have taken place every year,
that's the space that this will be in through through
August there or through.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
The end of July.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
What are they going to find there?
Speaker 3 (13:14):
They will find all sorts of things like one hundred
and forty artifacts spanning three centuries of Pennsylvania and American history.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
And again just to be able to see.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Those kinds of things that played a role or you know,
the people used in their industries and in their homes
and just made an impact on everything around them.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Here's an example of Sharon said that, like art is
so important to the history of the year, it says
Quehanna Art Museum has something going on too. Who wants
to take that one anywhere? Girls just jumping in whenever
you realize that one.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
So, yeah, that's the restoring the river again, going back
to the river. There's so much inspiration that can be
taken from the river that runs through our region. So
this will be recurring weekly. It'll be Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
Saturday through June twenty eighth, so people have time to
come in and see that at the Susquehanna Art Museum,
which is down in the midtown area at fourteen oh
(14:05):
one at North Front Street, and there'll be more than
one hundred historic works there that are spanning four centuries, again,
all centered on the River's influence on American art.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
Keep I'm talking on river, River, River, It's amazing. Well, Sharon,
here's where you can learn about a lesser known story
behind the Declaration of Independence. Tell us that that is
pretty cool. I want to hear this lesser known story.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
Right, So that's going to happen May eleventh at the
Hershtreet Hershey History Center, and it's called the Story of
America's Founding. It's going to be presented by Professor Robert P. Watson,
who is PhD. Hershey native and award winning historian, and
the talk will explore dramatic, lesser known stories behind America's
most iconic document. So we think it's going to definitely
(14:49):
drive some again those real history buffs that are going
to want to come and learn really what the backstory.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Was exactly exactly. That is so cool.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Okay, more going on with the John Harrison. I'm in
camera mansion. It's for the whole family, and that I
believe is when's that one going on?
Speaker 2 (15:04):
A sixteen? That's a Saturday. What's going on there?
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Yeah, So that one's just that's the opening of the
American two fifty Patriots of Dauphin County Exhibit. So again
something that the whole family can come to. There'll be food,
there'll be lots of entertainment there in that exhibit, and
the opening reception all free to the public to attend,
which is always fantastic because you want all of these
historic things to be accessible.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
John, Let's talk about the music. There's lots of music.
What's going on?
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Yeah, So Governor Shapiro put forth an effort this year
for the Dolphin or not Dolphin, but the America two
fifty PA Concert Series, which is happening all across the state.
There's five concerts happening in different locations, as far away
as Eerie, as far east as Scranton, and you know,
and they're free concerts. So we are fortunate enough to
(15:50):
have one of them right here in Hershey. The concert
that will be played here as the Everett Brothers and
they are an American folk rock and grass band. Again,
tickets are free, but you do have to preregister.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Also, don't forget the kids, because you know kids, kids
get bored, but they're not kind of get bored if
if mom and dad take them to Wildwood Park, aren't
they what's going on?
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Well, a couple of things there.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
There's the kids discovered bald eagles, and of course bald
eagles a wonderful semple.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
This kid would like to see that one, and so
that's going to go on the fourteenth.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
And then there's discovering the ancient sycamore tree as well
on June twentieth.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
So it's the history behind this tree.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
Isn't that one of the oldest that's been like around
for long, long long, even before we were I mean
civil wars started.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Isn't that pretty much?
Speaker 5 (16:43):
It well?
Speaker 4 (16:44):
And I think for you know, the sycamore trees, it's
one of the one of the Pennsylvania trees.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
Right, it's it's not an invasive species.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
And so having kids understand, you know, what the tree,
what the tree is, what it stood for, what it
has been used to build, and then you know, as
well as learning about other trees that aren't Pennsyvania naive trees,
so they know when they're planting their trees in their
house or you know, around mom and dad's backyard, they
know which tree is a plant.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
And that's cool.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
They're good.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
That's really cool.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
There's some whiskey tasting going on too. What's that about?
Who wants to jump on the booze?
Speaker 5 (17:14):
That should be a group events.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
You should go.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
That's taking place June twentieth at six pm. It's called
the Spirits of seventy six, a Revolutionary whiskey tasting at
the John Harris Junior The Historic John Harris Junior. So
I'm in Cameron Mansion. So again it's going to be
a busy place this year. Real happy with the list
of events that they have going on this year.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Also, I'm sorry, excuse me.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Also, isn't there isn't there a ball masquerade ball that
I heard about.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
I have to check that out myself. That sounds pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
Maybe we're still getting information about what's going on, so
there'll be a lot of things, obviously than what we're
talking about today.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
I'm sorry sharing.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
So one thing to note is if you go to
the visit Hershey Harrisburg website, we are housing the Dauphin
County events page for America two fifty. So if you
just go to visit Hershey Harrisburg dot org, which is
easy to remember, and then up in the search search
two fifty PA, the list of events will come up,
you know, just across the county. So lots more than
what we're talking about today, and inclusive and as Alison noted,
(18:12):
we're always adding to.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
It and you can put this information now.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
I mean there's a map there, there's all kinds of
stuff and that's just so great about what you guys
do on your website that you're constantly adding to it.
You'll be surprised what's on there for the fourth of July.
What's going on it?
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Heroes Grow Prays Grove has been there for how many
years now?
Speaker 1 (18:31):
But is it five years? Anyway, it's been a while. Yeah,
I remember when that was open.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Tell us about that. Sure.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
So that's the space, you know, behind the Capitol Area
that Soldiers and Sailors grove. It'll be the state's official
medal of honor and memorial that honors Pennsylvania's military heroes.
So there'll be a line of ten markers that lie
beside those oaks that represent each of the major war
that Pennsylvanians have fought in. So just a way to
absolutely remember the folks who have sacrificed so much and
(18:59):
continue to sacrife for the nation that we have.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
What are you guys the most excited about going to
and seen? I bet you've been to a lot of
these things anyway, Alison.
Speaker 3 (19:07):
Really all of them, because when people go to things
like this, it's really for the sense of community, and
that's just that's great.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Right. Anytime you have these.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
It falls in the summertime, so there's the sense of travel,
there's the sense of vacation, and there's the sense of
celebration that comes across with with all of these events
and they're wonderful for everybody to put on.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
It's about for you though, I mean, what do you like?
What are you looking forward to seeing and being part of? Personally?
Speaker 3 (19:31):
Well, I think one of the things that we didn't
talk about is Daphin County Beer Fest that's coming up,
so you know, they'll be we're working with We've talked
before on this program about some trails, beer trails and
things like that. So working on a little bit of
another collab project that'll be you know, announced through that
week where the recipe will be in honor of some
(19:52):
early early ale recipes and things like that, kind of
harkening back to the original beers and the drafts of all.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
Times she liked. Personally, you see what she brings up.
I had a girl. How about you, Shi, Karen? What
are you going to do? You're gonna go to the
farm shells if there's anything going on there?
Speaker 5 (20:08):
Well, I do make it a trip very frequently. Yes.
Speaker 4 (20:12):
I love what they have going on out there, and
there's always something and I think the thing that has
been very exciting this year is to watch almost every
tourism asset that we represent step up in some way
to say, hey, we too want to celebrate America two fifty.
So going back to the farm show this past year,
there were a number of exhibits that had, you know,
(20:32):
a Red, White, and Blue class or an American Heritage
class or you know, or you know, when you look
at the beers, that get you know, I look at
the beers.
Speaker 5 (20:41):
I like to taste the beers.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
You know, there there are either historic recipes or you know,
beers associated and so you know, we're excited. You know,
we understand Urban Churn is going to be doing some
you know, historic ice cream again this year. They did
a they worked with Dauphin County Parks and Wreck last
year to do do an ice cream release for the
two fifty and they're going to be doing that again
(21:03):
this year. But even looking at Doauphin County Parks and RECs,
they have an amazing program.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Crossing up this month. I think they have a big
weekend plan.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
Almost every week there's something going on in a in
a park and they've done a really good job of
embracing two fifty and making sure that you know, from
the you know, from the mansion, you know, all the
way through. You know there again their their history and
educational component, educational sessions for the kids, and they're really
(21:33):
doing a lot National Civil War museums doing a program.
You know, all of our tourism assets are doing something related,
even you know, even Hershey Park, there's you know, fireworks
and and all the you know, they have some renamed
some rides in.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Yeah, you know any of them.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
One of them's.
Speaker 4 (21:52):
Independence and I can't remember exactly and we do have
that on our website. But yeah, so it's been great
to see every tour as a masset embrace America two fifty,
appreciate it how we got here and just celebrate together for.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
People who have families. I mean we as an adult
a lot of us. I love history, I always did,
But how do you sell it to kids?
Speaker 2 (22:17):
You know, do you want to go to that?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Now when they call those places the bouncy things, they
don't want to do that. How do you sell history
to kids? Because we learn from history?
Speaker 4 (22:27):
Well, I think again, if you go if you look
at something like Dauphin County Parks and rec who does
such a great job is they engage the kids, whether
it be through the bald eagles or learning about trees
where they can get their hands in the dirt, you know, whatever,
whatever the programs are, they try to do something that
isn't just a lecture series where you have to you know,
sit there and people talk at you all day. They
want to engage, engage the people in what you're learning.
(22:50):
Being able to touch different things and hold artifacts and that
type of thing. So and when kids can do that,
when you can, you know, keep them out of their
seats and moving, I think they you know, they learn.
First of all, they learn more because they aren't bored.
But then they stay engaged and they really do gain
a love for history.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
And the way it's presented. It's not like it's presented
in school.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
It's story ish, it's fun games, it's and that's what
kids walk away with and remember, right.
Speaker 4 (23:15):
It's experiential and that's one of the things that you know,
at the Visitors Bureau we were really proud of. We
do have an experience trails and Experience division really on
and those trails are on our website, as Alison mentioned earlier,
and so it's making sure that the visitors that are
coming here understand that you can experience a lot of
the things while you're learning, and we found it to
(23:36):
be very beneficial.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
What it is your responsibility as the HEADHANO over the
Visitors Bureau.
Speaker 4 (23:43):
Well, my responsibility is really to have it's an opportunity,
is what it is. To work with just an amazing
team that is very, very passionate about the success of
Dauphin County tourism. As we discussed earlier, agriculture is number one,
Rism is number two, and to be able to showcase
(24:04):
the amazing assets that we have here is like no other.
You know, we're not doing brain surgery at the end
of the day. You know, people have fun, they learn.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Look, we have da dada, right, that's right.
Speaker 5 (24:13):
That's right. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (24:14):
So you know, our job is to promote the destination
to people that are outside of this destination, So we
focus on fifty miles or more away because most likely
they will come and spend the night, and when they
spend the night.
Speaker 5 (24:29):
They spend the bucks.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
It's additional economic impact and it's what keeps us going.
If you look at again all the events at farms show,
all the events within harshy resorts and entertainment or things
that are happening at the Hilton. You know, every time
someone comes and they stay in a hotel, and they
eat in a restaurant, and they shop in the stores,
and they go get a coffee and then they go
to a museum. All of that creates really the success
(24:53):
that Dauphin County has realized. We are the state capitol
and we have just a great opportunity to tell our
story about being the state capital.
Speaker 5 (25:04):
What has made us, you know, made us who we are.
Speaker 4 (25:09):
We have another division within our program called Explore HBG.
We feel it very very important to make sure that
Harrisburg story is told and people understand that Harrisburg is
a great place to visit, you know, while visitation and
people coming into the city itself maybe down, whether it
(25:30):
be to you know, due to a variety of things
that have happened in all cities across the nation, Harrisburg
is a great place to visit. Again, whether you're walking
on Riverfront, whether you're visiting the capitol, which is a
free tour, whether you're going to a senator's baseball game
at F and B Field, who will also be celebrating
two fifty this year. About that, Yes, there are so
(25:51):
many things in Harrisburg to do and explore. HBG strictly
focuses on Harrisburg City and making sure that those less
than fifty miles know what's going on.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
And that's nothing fifty miles.
Speaker 1 (26:04):
I mean, it's a nice area, you know, and come
and visit all the wonderful things we have and then
stay because it doesn't mean you don't have to. You know,
you're visiting all these wonderful things in Central Pennsylvania, you're
going to disappear, say, and learn more about it and
find out that Central Pennsylvania is also hope you mentioned
Allison about the river and everything else. But we're close
(26:27):
to Philly, close to DC, close to New York, a
couple hours away, close to the shore that I like,
you know, it's only a lot two three hours away.
And what a wonderful place to raise children too, how
about it.
Speaker 5 (26:39):
It's absolutely an amazing livapool city.
Speaker 1 (26:42):
So come and visit and stay right there. Okay, we
talked about on a lot of wonderful things. Is there
anything that we forgot that I want to make sure
you know because you guys are the experts here.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Well, Sharon just mentioned the capitol kind of in that
last segment, So that's something that the free tours at
the Pennsylvania State Capital, Capital of Pennsylvania. They're wonderful it is.
It is really a it's a museum in and of itself.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
So there's excise me, the most beautiful state capitol in
the country, right, I've heard up.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
It's gorgeous.
Speaker 3 (27:11):
Part of my job, you know, working with media and
working with collaborators who come in for content. I get
to visit that beautiful building so many times, and I
learned something new every single time I'm there. It never
ceases us to amaze me how beautiful it is.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
I recently meant an older gentleman who goes around and
make sure like there's no cracks around.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
He gives all that.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
They're meticulous at taking care of that police too, isn't it.
I mean, it's just wonderful.
Speaker 5 (27:36):
Absolutely, it consistently shines. I don't know how they do it.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Yeah, And also they do some wonderful things throughout the year,
like in October the breast cancer they you know, the
fountain outside is pink. It's all part of who we
are and when I think about and I mentioned this
lady recently too, because I just think there's nobody like her.
Pat houp and Murphy, who was in stage four breast
cancer and she started the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and
(28:01):
what she did other breast cancer coalitions across the whole country,
or modeling, She's had such an impact on the women.
She and Michelle Ridge are responsible for insurance companies, playing
for breast reconstruction, a whole lot of other things. So
I'm thinking about maybe i'd better start to make ours
raising some cash or put a statue of Pats.
Speaker 5 (28:22):
What do you think that's idea?
Speaker 2 (28:25):
I mean, yeah, And you know what it's not. We
talk when we're talking about this, we talk about the men,
the men, the men. What about the women?
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Yeah, Hey, that's your next assignment, charl Next year we're
going to talk about the wonderful women in Central Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
And I about that one too.
Speaker 5 (28:42):
It's a great, great segment looking forward to that one.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
That's right, because of orn for the women, the guys
won't be here, right, Okay, Okay, So anyway, I want
to thank you. I always look forward to seeing. Oh,
I want to ask you something. I usually ask men this,
but I want to ask you girls this one. If
you weren't doing this, what would you be doing?
Speaker 2 (29:00):
What would your job?
Speaker 5 (29:03):
H I don't know. You know, I've been promoting tourism forever.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
You had a perfect job.
Speaker 5 (29:09):
Yeah, I love it.
Speaker 2 (29:10):
How about you, honey.
Speaker 3 (29:12):
When I was first considering school, I thought I wanted
to be an actress. So I put acting and writing
together and I ended up in nonprofit and news and
here I have been in tourism for fifteen years. So
it all works out well.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
If you examine our history, you're gonna find out there's
a lot of famous actors from Pennsylvania too. So girls,
thanks so much to Sharon Seismeier's president and CEO, and
Alison Roorbrock, Senior director of Communication and Content Strategies, for
showing us what a remarkable.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
Place we live in.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
For more information, you go to visit Hershey Harrisburg dot
org and we don't forget You go to the America
to fifty on their website and you can find a
map there. Remembered also that you should check out all
of them is all year round in Dauphin County. By
going again to visit Hershey Harrisburg dot org. Also remember
(29:59):
catchings every week on a one of your ten iHeart stations,
or any time on your favorite podcast app. I'm Chelby Moss,
Thanks so much for listening to it for America's two
hundred and fifty ath birthday party
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