April 2022 Program
The Challenges Facing the Continental Congress in Yorktown, Pennsylvania
Held at the York History Center Colonial Courthouse on West Market Street in York.
Presented by Tom Gibson, Volunteer, York County History Center.
It was a difficult time for our German-speaking ancestors in York when the congressional representatives and their families crowded into our small town, resulting in insufficient housing and a shortage of basic necessities. While George Washington and his Army were at Valley Forge, the Congress in York completed the drafting of the Articles of Confederation, our nation's first Constitution. Program held at the Colonial Court House. Leave your inhibitions behind and join Tom as we travel back in time to the year 1777, when the Continental Congress was meeting in our community.
This archived presentation may be watched here.
Program review by Becky Anstine:
The April 6th meeting was called to order by Town Crier, “Tom Gibson” at the York Colonial Courthouse. The Continental Congress was presided over by the Honorable Judge, Richard Konkel. Attending the meeting were Abigail and John Adams and members of SCPGS. Telling why the Congress moved from Philadelphia to York; Tom then discussed the actions of the Congress in York. The Congress was not thrilled by the accommodations they found in York. John and Abigail read from their letters. Abigail would relay events that were occurring outside of York and John would describe his frustrations with the German hostility shown by the citizens of York. For the short time that the Congress was in York, several things occurred – the Articles of Confederation, a Thanksgiving Proclamation, and the Conway Cabal affair.
Tom Gibson is a retired educator and thoroughly enjoys volunteering at the History Center. With significant colonial ancestry, he is a longtime member and officer of the Continental Congress Chapter of the United States Sons of the American Revolution. Tom is a Vietnam veteran, thirty year Scout leader, bicycle enthusiast, and radio engineer.
This archived presentation may be watched here.
Program review by Becky Anstine:
The April 6th meeting was called to order by Town Crier, “Tom Gibson” at the York Colonial Courthouse. The Continental Congress was presided over by the Honorable Judge, Richard Konkel. Attending the meeting were Abigail and John Adams and members of SCPGS. Telling why the Congress moved from Philadelphia to York; Tom then discussed the actions of the Congress in York. The Congress was not thrilled by the accommodations they found in York. John and Abigail read from their letters. Abigail would relay events that were occurring outside of York and John would describe his frustrations with the German hostility shown by the citizens of York. For the short time that the Congress was in York, several things occurred – the Articles of Confederation, a Thanksgiving Proclamation, and the Conway Cabal affair.
Tom Gibson is a retired educator and thoroughly enjoys volunteering at the History Center. With significant colonial ancestry, he is a longtime member and officer of the Continental Congress Chapter of the United States Sons of the American Revolution. Tom is a Vietnam veteran, thirty year Scout leader, bicycle enthusiast, and radio engineer.