Conestoga Wagon Series Presented by the Manheim Township Historical Society – Part One

Conestoga Wagon Powerpoint & discussion will focus on how the Conestoga wagon came about, its use, the tools associated with it, the local roads it traveled on and other relevant historical events.

Arthur Reist will be giving a two-part series on Conestoga Wagons. Art comes from a family who has been associated with the Conestoga wagon since 1723. His ancestors bred the Conestoga team horses and also hauled freight for General Braddock in 1755 during the French & Indian War. Jacob Reist was killed in that battle, 1755, when he was 23 years old. Art’s father (Arthur L Reist) wrote a book on the Conestoga wagon entitled “Conestoga Wagon – Masterpiece of the Blacksmith.” Art is a seventh generation Manheim Township resident who lives with his family on his great grandfather’s farm. He has been interested in the Conestoga wagon, agriculture, blacksmithing and champion Belgian draft horses since he was young. He will be sharing his knowledge with the community through a Powerpoint presentation and will have some Conestoga wagon artifacts on display. Focus on how the Conestoga wagon came about, it’s use, the tools associated with it, the local roads it traveled on as well as other relevant historical events.

Part Two will be held on Saturday, May 14th at 10:00am at the Reist Farm at 980 Eden Road. Art and his family will be giving a tour of their collection of antique wagons to show you real Conestoga wagons and other wagons plus a give live blacksmithing demonstration.

Parking in field near the house.