For more information about your visit, please contact us at info@cimlg.org or call at 717-328-2800.

A Walk Back in Time

The Conococheague Institute is a hands-on regional learning center. We are headquartered within Rock Hill Farm, a well-preserved historic farmstead that was established in the early 18th century in southern Franklin County, Pennsylvania, near the village of Welsh Run. Our 30-acre site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes two historic house museums with outbuildings, a research library, two relocated historic log structures, walking trails with access to a pioneer cemetery, several historic gardens, an early childhood playground and picnic areas.

CI INFO graphic

Our Mission

The mission of the Conococheague Institute is to develop and foster awareness, understanding, and stewardship of the cultural and natural history of the Appalachian frontier of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.

___________

The name 'Conococheague Institute' symbolizes our focus on the early 18th Century, when the area was referred to as the Conococheague Settlement, (from the important waterway that gave the region its identity).

Throughout the centuries it has been spelled Canigotschik, Conecocheague, Conegocheek, Conegocheige, Conegochiegh, Conegoge, Conegogee, Conegogeek, Conigochego, Conigotoschick, Conijachola, Connatachequa, Connogocheague, Conocochego, Cunnaquachegue, Cunnatachegue, Cunnatichegue, and Guneukitschik.

In the Lenape language it is translated as 'Water of many turns' and it is phonetically pronounced as 'KAH-no-KAH-cheek'. Today locals pronounce it as 'Conica-jig'.

From 16,000 B.C.E to the 1700's C.E the land was inhabited by Susquehannoks, Shawnees, Lenni Lenape (Delawares) and tribes that made up the Six Nations (Iroquois). Numerous archaeology finds have shown extensive evidence of this rich cultural heritage, as the area was primarily a hunting and transportation corridor for tribes moving north and south.

Enjoying the Conococheague Institute Today

Now is a great time to visit the Conococheague Institute. With over 30 acres of a remote rural landscape, you can escape the crowds and enjoy nature's beauty. For Birding enthusiasts, our viewing platform over our wetlands area contains a wealth of healthy bird species from Redwing Blackbirds to our more extravagant Great Blue Herons.

Our Grounds are dog friendly, so enjoy walking your furry friend around our Cemetery Trail Loop (which crosses the Welsh Run three times), or enjoy the shade under our tree line walk.

Nature never takes a break, so check out the flowers in bloom throughout the grounds, or smell the herbs in our Kitchen Garden.

Book an educational program, or visit during our Saturday programming from 10am to 4pm YEAR ROUND.

Attend a Rock Hill tour on the first Friday of each month at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Learn more about the buildings and families that influenced the place that CI calls home.

Even when the buildings are closed, History doesn't stop! We now have walking tours and information packets at dispensers near the Visitor Center and our Interpretive Wayside panels give a rich history of the Buildings and their story.

For those currently unable to visit, we have been producing virtual programs and adding them to YouTube. Check them out at Colonial Living at the Conococheague Institute.

Saturday Programs

We have some warmer things planned with our free Saturday programs for Winter.
Free historic programs at CI every Saturday year round! Contact us for more details.

Of course every Saturday, the gift shop, exhibits and bathrooms are also open from 10am to 4pm. See you soon.

Oct 5th

Oct 12th

October 19th

October 26th

Sept-Oct

Announcements

Save the Date - Events, Programs, and Lectures

CI featured on abc27 Good Day PA

Bringing Colonial History to Life: Free programs every Saturday year round

Every Saturday join our team for some hands on programs. With a focus on daily life in the 18th Century, you're sure to learn something new every time.

Note: Programs run from 10-4 unless noted otherwise, with museum and gift shop access 10-5.

Saturday, October 5th, 10:00am to 4:00pm

Conococheague Conservation Crew: Nature Volunteer Workshop and Training

Looking to learn more about our environment, utilize practical conservation skills and aid the preservation of our natural beauty? Join the Conococheague Conservation Crew in this first open volunteer workshop and training and learn how to spot and remove invasive plants, how to care for trees, prepare restoration areas for plantings and make a big impact on our environment.

10am to 12pm Training, with 1pm to 4pm Practical workshop. Come for the whole day or just part, all hands are appreciated.  

Saturday, October 12th, 10:00am to 4:00pm

Dyeing for Color: Fall Edition

Join us as staff take plants from around the site to make a rainbow of color. For this special fall edition of the program, we’ll be utilizing dyes made from materials gathered across our site including (based on availability) black walnut, goldenrod, dock, acorn, or others.  You'll have to come see what we decide that day!

No RSVP required, our Saturday programs are free thanks to the Catherine Stickell Trust and from donations by people like you.

Saturday, October 19th, 10:00am to 4:00pm

Trials and Punishment: Crime in the 18th Century

Learn about 18th century laws, crimes and punishments and discuss how they compare today. We will be reading through transcripts of real cases, and visitors can discuss how they would vote if they were the jury, and then reveal the actual verdict.

No RSVP required, our Saturday programs are free thanks to the Catherine Stickell Trust and from donations by people like you.

Saturday, October 26th, 10:00am to 4:00pm

18th Century Homestead Life

Ever wonder what people did throughout their day in the 18th century? Stop by to see a day in the life of a person on the 18th century frontier. Engage in discussion of the similarities and differences to those of other classes or professions.

No RSVP required, our Saturday programs are free thanks to the Catherine Stickell Trust and from donations by people like you.

Latest News from CI

Rock Hill Tours (First Fridays) and Little Learner's (2nd and 4th Thursdays)

Rock Hill Tour

Rock Hill tours will be a docent-led walk of the property, exploring in more detail the architecture and families who called Rock Hill Farm their home. 

It will also take you inside the Rock Hill house itself (with its puncheon floors, chestnut boards, and antique furniture), providing context for the properties development as the Davis/Chambers/Negley/Brewer/Niswander/Craig/Stauffer families all left their mark.

Tours start at 11am, 1pm and 3pm at the Welsh Barren's Visitor center. No RSVP required, tour fees are $5 per participant with CI members being free.

The Little Learners is an opportunity for the youngest members of CI's community to engage in educational fun and exploration through story time, crafts and movement activities.

They will take place on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at 10:30am, and are $5 for non-members, and free for children of family members. The target age range is 2 to 4 years but siblings are welcome!

Contact Kori at visit@cimlg.org if you have any questions or would like to RSVP.

2024 Little Learners

New Strategic Plan Announced

Strategic Plan 2024

We are proud to announce that we have finished the Strategic Plan 2023-2026, and you can read it here!

It focuses on the larger concepts for the organization in the next few years, as we strive to fulfill our vision to

“Become the leading museum and historic site in the region that represents 18th century frontier life accurately, offers to the public engaging learning experiences, and continues to grow and further its reach both financially and in reputation.”

3rd Quarter Pioneer Times is Out Now! Read it here...

Interested in learning more about the recent happenings at CI? Check out our Quarterly Newsletter "The Pioneer Times". This issue showcases June to September, and what an amazing summer it was

You can read old issues below too.

June 2024 Pioneer Times

March 2024 Pioneer Times

December 2023 Pioneer Times

September 2023 Pioneer Times

June 2023 Pioneer Times

March 2023 Pioneer Times

December 2022 Pioneer Times

September 2022 Pioneer Times

June 2022 Pioneer Times

March 2022 Pioneer Times

Looking for a Free Outdoor Activity to do with your Family?

Stop by the porch of the Visitor Center where boxes contain Children's 'Explorer' activity packs. This free activity pack is a great way for families with young children to enjoy History and Nature at CI.

For more information on upcoming events, become a Member and sign up for our email newsletters.

To stay up to date on the progress here at the Conococheague Institute, make sure to follow our Facebook page...or stop by and see the progress yourself!

Our Facebook Feed