
Back in time
(Mirror photo by Gary M. Baranec)
Karl Long of Huntingdon describes what life was like for a Civil War surgeon to Williamsburg Elementary School students (from left) Shannon Burket, Hayley Butcher, Alyssa Bowmaster and Sarah Poplaski Friday afternoon at Royer Mansion.
WILLIAMSBURG — A group of Williamsburg Elementary School sixth-graders stepped into the original front parlor of Royer Mansion Friday afternoon and went back in time almost 150 years.
The students — split into small groups — explored the Civil War era through five stations set up around the 1815 home’s property.
At the first station, Civil War enthusiast Robert R. Hileman Jr., president of the Colonel Crowther Foundation, stood in front of a display of memorabilia from the local military legend and leader of the PA 110th Regiment.
Hileman, an accountant and author of two books based on more than 60 letters written by Crowther to his family during the war, said he especially enjoys giving presentations to children.
‘‘They are very responsive to what we have to tell them,’’ he said. ‘‘I love talking with young people. It makes my day.



