The 2013 issue of Cumberland County History marks the 30th year of publication of the Journal. That alone is an important milestone, but it is also appropriate at this time to acknowledge the significant contribution to the success of this publication made by Executive Director, Linda F. Witmer. Her ongoing support for the Journal has made it possible to continue publication during the rich and the lean times at CCHS. She has made an indelible mark on the Society in so many ways and this publication, in its thirtieth year speaks to the success of her tenure at the Society.
The 2013 issue of Cumberland County History presents a variety of articles spanning from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries. The first two articles are about William Petrikin. At first my thought was to select one of them for this issue. However, each writer approaches this l Sth century immigrant's life from different perspectives and I decided to publish both of them. The readers will have an opportunity to learn much about this interesting man from the perspective of Wayne L. Trotta and Gerard Fox.
The next article by Stephen B. Hatton is the final in a series of three articles about Jacob Fought. In addition to learning about the life of this man, the reader will learn how the legal profession must have benefitted from his presence in Carlisle.
The next four articles continue the observance of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. The first article by Randy Watts looks at an event at the beginning of the war. The second, by Andre Watts, examines the war's effects on one small community in the South Mountain, particularly before, during and after the battle at Gettysburg. The final articles deal with the period following the war. Rachel Zuch looks at reconciliation efforts and the post-war impact of inviting Fitzhugh Lee, the man responsible for the shelling of Carlisle, back to Carlisle thirty years after the shelling. The fourth article by Janet L. Bell looks at the war's impact on the African American community during and following the war and helps tell the story of the often overlooked contributions of the local African American community during this important period of our nation's history.
The 2014 edition of Cumberland County History includes articles on a wide variety of topics stretching from the eighteenth century to the twentieth century. The articles focus on individuals, caves, tugboats, schools, and flags — quite an unusual collection.