Dennis Farm Symposium highlights progress

The 10th Annual Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust Symposium came together in-person for the first time in two years on Thursday, Oct. 6, at an event held at Keystone College and at the Dennis Farm site in Brooklyn Twp.

The symposium and farm visit focus on the over 200-year-old, 153-acre Dennis Farm, which was originally purchased and settled by the Prince Perkins family, free African Americans, in 1793, who arrived in Susquehanna County from Connecticut following the Revolutionary War. The Perkins-Dennis family has owned the property for seven generations. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The symposium, emceed by George Stark of Coterra Energy and a DFCLT Advisory Council member, likened attending the event to a “family reunion.”

“We’re all a part of it,” Stark said. And of the 10 years that has elapsed since the first event and more and more people visit the farm, he said, “Every day that passes, there’s progress.”

Historical archaeologist and DFCLT board member Wade Catts provided an overview of the past year, focused on the Dennis Farm as a heritage, educational, environmental and cultural site.

He provided an update on the renovation and restoration of the 1820s timber-frame home on the property. The renovation of the basement foundation has been completed.

Adrienne Whaley, Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Museum of the American Revolution, located in Philadelphia, delivered the keynote address.

She said the museum includes not just the story of America’s “Founding Fathers,” but also explores stories of women, children, farmers, merchants, Native American and African American people during the revolutionary era.

“Our story is not just about the signers, or the military revolution. It’s part of it, but not all of it,” Whaley said. “The work we do is powerful.”

“We have stories or real people to get excited about,” Whaley said. “We are all better when we are more informed.”

The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA), will place its first commemorative bronze permanent Semiquincentennial Bell in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. The bell will be unveiled at the Dennis Farm in 2023.