PA Past Players
Bring history to life and right onto your motor coach or group event with the Pennsylvania Past Players. Meet Thaddeus Stevens, Lydia Hamilton Smith and other key players of the Civil War and Underground Railroad eras. Available as motor coach step-on guides and for walking tours throughout PA, this eclectic bunch presents an entertaining reenactment of history through storytelling, songs and dance.
Contact Mark Beyerle for more information on planning your group tour or call 215-625-7908.
Meet the Players
Mary S. Beatty
President of the Ladies Union Relief Association, Beatty helped care for wounded soldiers.
President of the Ladies Union Relief Association, Beatty helped care for wounded soldiers.
Basil Biggs
Biggs’ home was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Biggs’ home was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Mary Peck Bond
Bond founded the Center for the Elderly, a care center for infirm local African Americans.
Bond founded the Center for the Elderly, a care center for infirm local African Americans.
Eby Byers
Established a Soldiers’ Rest Home in Harrisburg.
Established a Soldiers’ Rest Home in Harrisburg.
Josiah W. Gitt
Sued the government, seeking recompense for his farm’s property damage during the War.
Sued the government, seeking recompense for his farm’s property damage during the War.
William Goodridge
Freed at 16, Goodridge went on to aid the Underground Railroad.
Freed at 16, Goodridge went on to aid the Underground Railroad.
Frances Harper
Born a freewoman in Maryland, Harper wrote politically aware poetry.
Born a freewoman in Maryland, Harper wrote politically aware poetry.
Mary S. Leader
A reporter for a local paper, Leader covered the Gettysburg Address.
A reporter for a local paper, Leader covered the Gettysburg Address.
Sarah McKim
McKim was a strong supporter of the anti-slavery movement, along with women’s rights.
McKim was a strong supporter of the anti-slavery movement, along with women’s rights.
James E. Murdoch
A famous actor during the Civil War, Murdoch gave speeches supporting the Union.
A famous actor during the Civil War, Murdoch gave speeches supporting the Union.
Dr. Henry Palmer
Dr. Palmer treated wounded soldiers during the Civil War.
Dr. Palmer treated wounded soldiers during the Civil War.
Private James Shirk
Served with the 55th Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War.
Served with the 55th Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War.
Lydia H. Smith
Smith worked for Congressman Thaddeus Stevens managing the staff and household finances.
Smith worked for Congressman Thaddeus Stevens managing the staff and household finances.
Thaddeus Stevens
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Stevens was an avid abolitionist supporter.
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Stevens was an avid abolitionist supporter.
George Zacharias
Railroad stationmaster in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Railroad stationmaster in Mechanicsburg, PA.
The Liberty Bell Forum
Commemorates the efforts of the PA Abolitionist Society (PAS).
Commemorates the efforts of the PA Abolitionist Society (PAS).
