Original. Innovative. Inspiring. All words that have been used to describe the new coloring book that portrays the events that shaped the history of Stewartstown and its environs. The book, Welcome to My Town, was recently published by the Stewartstown Historical Society. It was the brainchild of society president, Mary Sue Shaw, and the creation of member-artists Jane Thomas and Jenni Sipe. The first page holds a representation of Anthony Stewart, the town’s first postmaster, ready to be colored. Subsequent pages unfold in a first person narrative as the history of Stewartstown is recalled. 

The story begins with the native Americans burning of the forests to facilitate hunting. Next is the log cabin of the first settler, James Savage, in 1774, and Benedict Meads, an early tavern keeper. The pages of the book proceed to show the progress of the town and area over the years. The churches, railroad, mills, furniture factories, roads, and even the introduction of electricity are all covered in the approximate time sequence that they were developed in reality. The back of the book contains numbered historical notes, one for each page of the book, that gives a little more detail about how the picture on that page was significant to the history of the town. Kathryn Jordan and Joseph Hall, both of Stewartstown, served as historical consultants for the book.

The coloring book was published in time for the celebration of Stewartstown’s 150th birthday that will begin on July 21st. All three elementary schools in the South Eastern School District are including the book as a teaching aid in their curriculum about local history. “A Walk Through Time” program is being developed by the elementary schools’ Health Room Staff to encourage exercise and fitness, while passing each milestone represented in the book.

The books may be purchased from the Stewartstown Historical Society for $3.75 each. The society headquarters, at 6 North Main Street, is open every Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Copies may also be purchased at the Mason Dixon Library, from the Stewartstown Borough Building, and from the Hopewell and East Hopewell Township Buildings. They may also be ordered by mail for an additional $1.75 postage. The coloring books would make excellent gifts for families with children in the 6-to-10-year age group. For more information, please call and leave a message at the Historical Society’s number at (717) 993-5003.