Maple Shade Barn
A Brief History of Maple Shade Barn
Maple Shade Farm (“dwelling, barn and tenement”) was built in 1857 by Michael B. Mumper, the grandson of the original Michael Mumper who settled in the area in the early 1800’s.
An historical marker on N. Baltimore St states that “Gen J.E.B. Stuart’s southern calvary, numbering about 6000 men, arrived in Dillsburg July 1, 1863 by Dover and Rossville. Local stores and the US Post Office were vandalized before proceeding to Carlisle where orders were received for them to recon Gen Lee’s army at Gettysburg.” This marker sets the stage for Annie (Mumper) Clark’s story.
Annie Mumper's Story
Annie (Mumper) Clark told the following story to James T. Logan in 1930 at the age of 75….
Annie begins by recalling the arrival of “skedaddlers,” men intent on saving their property – primarily their horses – who were fleeing east ahead of the Confederate forces driving up the Cumberland Valley.
She recalled that William Caldwell, the 12-year-old son of one of the men, had bene injured when kicked by a horse and that her family agreed to keep young William until things quieted down and his father could return and take his injured son home to Shippensburg.
After the skedaddlers left, the Rebs arrived – apparently on June 30 – and demanded “good eggs, ham and coffee…and no substitute” then took off after the skedaddlers and their valuable horses.
The next day was Wednesday, July 1, and more Confederates showed up – the calvary led by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. Annie says Stuart “and his brother, Dr. Stuart” were among those who again enjoyed eggs and ham at her home, along with champagne they apparently found along their foraging excursion, which had begun that morning in Dover.
The doctor dressed the wounds of young Willie and Gen. Stuart agreed to issue him a pass so he could go home through the Confederate lines when he felt good enough to travel.
During the dinner, one of the officers said he had enjoyed Mrs. Mumper’s homemade bread before. When, dressed as a woman who sold pins and needles, he had conducted a spying mission through Dillsburg. Annie recalled that her father had suspected at the time that a visitor to the home was not really a woman.
On the whole, though, Annie said she thought the Rebels “were the most gentlemanly men we ever saw.”
Annie added that two sick Union soldiers, part of an advance party, were hidden in the garret and covered with a feather bed when the Rebs arrived and they went undiscovered.
After dinner the Rebels moved on to Carlisle, where historians say there were notified the next day to get down to Gettysburg.
Annie said she could hear cannons firing during the Battle of Gettysburg, more than 20 miles away.
The original Maple Shade Barn burned down in early 1900 and was rebuilt by Annie’s second husband, George Koch (or Hoch) using a standing stone wall from the original barn. It is built in the traditional Sweitzer style with the characteristic overshoot, or forebay, of the second story which shields the front stable wall while providing extra space in the barn’s upper story. The barn faces east which would serve to protect the animals from the prevailing west winds of winter. These features are typical of the barns built in PA between 1790 and 1890 and it is the building you still see on Greenbriar Lane today.
At the death of Annie in 1936 and her third husband, Robert Clark, in 1939, part of the property, which included Maple Shade Barn, was purchased by J.H. Rearick who owned a lumber business. He used the barn for storage for several years. In 1992, J.H. and Mary Rearick donated the Barn to NYCHAPS.
Around 600 hours of volunteer work were given to change Maple Shade Barn from a storage facility into a climate controlled NYCHAPS headquarters. Today, this iconic barn houses a banquet hall and commercial kitchen, used to host meetings and events. The banquet room is available to the public for rent.
The barn also holds NYCHAPS' collection of artifacts, documents, and genealogical materials in our museum and archives. The museum is free and open to the public during normal office hours. Because we are not able to allow open research in the archives, we are pleased to offer access to our collection of historical documents through the NYCHAPS Archival Research Service. Please contact the office to schedule an appointment.
Reserve The Maple Shade Barn
The Maple Shade Barn in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, is a beautiful award-winning barn on a corner lot available as a venue for weddings, bridal and baby showers, family reunions, and more. Rentals include a spacious dining room with tables and chairs, a kitchen, and two bathrooms. The interior of the barn has a classic rustic feel with all modern amenities for your convenience.
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