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Steppingstone
museum is a private, not for profit museum which preserves and
demonstrates the rural arts and crafts of the 1880-1920 period in
Harford County. The Steppingstone collection is comprised of domestic
arts, skilled trades and husbandry. The Artifacts in each category were
used by skilled specialist whose talents are scarce in our present urban
and industrial society.
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The
purpose of the interpretive at Steppingstone is the acquisition,
preservation and study of the material culture of America's last rural
generation, as well as the exhibition and demonstrated use of the
artifacts. The museum was established for the education of the younger
generation and continues to strive to achieve this goal through a
variety of guided tours and craft workshop programs.
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The visitors can spend the
afternoon touring the sites of a once working Harford County farm.
The farmhouse, furnished as a turn-of-the-century home, charms the
visitor as a guide invites you to share the daily life of the
period. Tours include the formal sitting room, sleeping quarters,
and kitchen with its wood burning stove and ice box. The stone
farmhouse is furnished with antiques from the 1880-1920 time period.
Displays of quilts, lacework, dolls, toys, books, and other
memorabilia complete this collection.
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The nearby shops and display
barn hold many examples and exhibits which support the industries
and implements of the farm family. Visitors is encouraged to discuss
the craft skills with the volunteers. The collection of old restored
hand tools. started by J. Edmund Bull and augmented by many local
gifts, occupy the many implement sheds. Other shops contain the
tools of the blacksmith, joiner, woodwright, copper, potter,
wheelwright, dairy farmer, spinner and weaver. In the big barn,
there is a replica of the late 19th century general store, an office
of the veterinarian and workshop of the decoy carver. The carriage
barn houses carriages, buggies and sleighs. The museum grounds are
enhanced with a variety of trees and shrubs, perennial flowers and
cutting garden and herb garden.
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A gift shop features some of
the hand-crafted articles produced by Steppingstone friends and
volunteers.
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By special agreement, the
museum is jointly sponsored on a non-funding basis by the Maryland
Park Service. A limited staff and a extensive volunteer network
administer and organize all museum functions, programs and special
events.
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