John F. Steinman (portrayed by Tom Englert),
Miss Sweigart (Eileen Sweigart-Rios) and Col. Paul Zantzinger (Bill Bair)
discover that the ballots in Lancaster's election for Chief Burgess have
gone missing.

Controversial elections. Contested ballots. Political intrigue. If you think recent presidential elections have been challenging, imagine what it was like when the idea of democracy was still new.

The Historic Lancaster Walking Tour Corp. and Rock Ford Plantation have teamed up again this summer to create a new historical mystery for the citizens of Lancaster County to solve.

It's the 1790s and the Borough of Lancaster has just completed a heated campaign to determine who will serve as Chief Burgess, the head of the governing council. But suddenly, the box containing the ballots has gone missing. On Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can help find it and save the election.

The Hunt for the Baffling Ballots of Burgesses will begin outside the Heritage Center on Penn Square in Lancaster, which once served as the borough hall. There, you'll learn more about this fictional mystery.

To gather clues to find where the ballot box is hidden, you'll walk through the streets of Lancaster, visiting historic sites including Central Market, Demuth Tobacco Shop and St. James Church. At each site, you'll meet  residents who lived in Lancaster in the 1790s, such as John Frederick Steinman, Christopher Demuth and Katharine Hand. Each one will provide another clue.

After solving the mystery of who stole the ballots and why, the "investigators" will gather at Rock Ford Plantation in Lancaster County Central Park to enjoy games and tours of the 1794 mansion. The property was built by Revolutionary War General Edward Hand, who once served as a burgess in Lancaster.

"Imagine it's the early days of this nation and the idea of choosing your own leaders is new to everyone. It hasn't been that long since we emerged from the rule of the British monarchy," said Tom Englert, a guide for Rock Ford Plantation and the Historic Lancaster Walking Tour Corp. "Isn't it possible that, as people tried out the new freedom of democracy, there was a little trickery?"

"We imagined just such an historic scenario, and that developed into this year's historic hunt," said Englert, an organizer of the event. "More than 125 individuals and families joined in last summer's historic scavenger hunt, so we hope to have a good turnout to help solve this year's mystery!"

Cost for the event is $5 per person or $15 per family, and proceeds will support the educational programs of the non-profit Historic Lancaster Walking Tour Corp. and Rock Ford. Tickets are available on the day of the event outside the Heritage Center on Penn Square; advance reservations are not necessary.

In its 32nd year of giving tours, the Historic Lancaster Walking Tour Corp. offers tours led by trained, costumed guides through the streets and back alleys of downtown historic Lancaster. Tours leave every day from the Southern Market House at 100 S. Queen Street at 1 p.m., and at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on market days (Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday). Special tours and presentations are also provided. For more information call 717-392-1776.

Rock Ford Plantation, at 881 Rockford Road, Lancaster, is open for tours each Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guides in 18th-century costume show visitors through the Georgian-style home furnished with antiques from the late 1700s and early 1800s. The 30-acre property -- which includes a barn, orchard and gardens -- is available to rent for wedding receptions and private events. For more information, call 717-392-7223.

 

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