Cumberland County has been the home of thousands of individuals and organizations. Each has contributed to its history in ways both small and large. The Gardner Digital Library collects these stories in the Memory Bank. From Oral Histories of locals experiences in World War II to serving local civic organizations to growing up in Carlisle, Silver Springs Township, the West Shore, or Shippensburg, the Memory Bank is a place where the collected stories of Cumberland County can be shared and engaged with to present a fuller history of the County.
Interview of Carol Finkey, Blaine Shatto, Mary Ann Duran, and Timothy Wagoner of the Claremont Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. The group discusses what makes Claremont unique and the history of the center.
Interview of Frances Del Duca for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library.
Interview of Don D. Dillon for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library of the Cumberland County Historical Society. Dillon discusses growing up in Elkhart, Indiana before joining the military and living in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Dillon recounts how he came to carve traditional Springerle cookie molds, become a Hot Air Ballon guide, and how he became a world champion disc golfer.
Interview of Dave Ditenhafer for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library. Ditenhafer discusses his long history with the Second Presbyterian Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Interview of Kim and Van Du for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library. Kim and Van discuss leaving Vietnam as refugees and coming to the United States, establishing themselves and their family in Carlisle, and their successes since settling.
The 19th and 20th century memories of Blanche Lightner Dum and her niece Margaret Anne “Peggy” provide personal glimpses of life in Landisburg and Carlisle. Blanche was born in 1886 to George Billow Dum/Thommen and his wife Annie Simons Spotts/Spatz, both born 1863. Thus, Blanche was a granddaughter of Samuel Spotts and his 2nd wife Mary Jane Baker, and of John Dum and Mary Catherine Tressler/Dressler.1 Blanche wrote of her knowledge of her mother’s preparations for marriage as follows:
Interview with J. L. Durnin for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library. Durnin discusses growing up during the Great Depression in Carlisle, his World War II military experience, and later years working at AMP Inc.
Interview of Marge Dutrey and Cassie Line for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library Memory Bank. Dutrey and Line discuss growing up in Carlisle, their friends, and experiences.
Interview of Tita Eberly for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library. Eberly discusses growing up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and owning a business.
Interview of Pete Ellerman of the Union Fire Company by Randy Watts on March 21, 2016. The interview focuses on the Union Fire Company in Carlisle, Pennsylvania as well as fire fighting in general.