America Unearthed, Season 4, Episode 3: Courtney Cave

One of the most personally enjoyable episodes we’ve made had to be this one.  It centered around a mysterious limestone cave that touched on several poignant moments in the history of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.  Thousands of years ago it was certainly home to many creatures looking for shelter as well as a temporary shelter and source of water for Native Americans.  It could then have served as a hiding place for the whiskey during the Whiskey Rebellion in the 1840s.  It could have also been at least a temporary shelter for slaves, like others in the area, on the run who had escaped from the south making their way to freedom along the underground railroad in the 1860s. 

Meeting Valerie Still and hearing the story of her research into her brave ancestor, William Still, was truly moving and inspiring.  One of the most powerfully moving moments we’re ever filmed was watching Valerie examine for the time the detailed journal of William Still who documented the personal information of slaves who had just escaped with the assistance of Harriet Tubman.  Another moving moment came when curator Dr. Lee Arnold, showed us one of the 50 original copies of the Emancipation Proclamation personally signed by President Abraham Lincoln.  He relayed how recently an African American woman doing research asked if she could touch the signature of Lincoln on the original proclamation.  He said normally he would never let anyone touch a document like this, but in this case, he made an exception and let her run finger over the signature with tears in her eyes.  It's time to put Harriet Tubman on the twenty dollar bill now!    

Based on Chris’ discovery of the Knights of the Golden Circle medallion, the history of the original owner of the property, and the mortared entrance leading into the cave that once inside a building it appears certain it was used as part of the rituals of the Masonic-like organization.  It was very gratifying to get the bottom of the mysterious cave and learn so much in the process.    

Chris Courtney (far left) and Janey Klebe (left) look on as Brendan Harris shoots at the entrance as a diver explores the flooded cave on a very brisk January morning in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

Brandon Bouley, Director of Cinematography, prepares to shoot while standing in water inside Courtney Cave in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

 I paused for a quick photo while descending into Courtney Cave with Director, Andy Awes, looking on at the entrance.

The Knights of the Golden Eagle Chris Courtney found in the vegetable garden behind his home in 1981 when he was 12 years old (left).  An undated photo of the cast for a ritual of the Knights of the Golden Eagle (right).

Andy Awes directs a scene from inside one of the caves known to harbor slaves in the 1860s who had escaped via the underground railroad while Brendan Harris (smiling) and Janey Klebe look on. 

Pennsylvania Historical Society Curator, Dr. Lee Arnold, looks on as Valerie Still reads for the first time early 1800s era adds of slave owners offering rewards for the return of their escaped slaves.  The adds were pasted on the inside cover of a detailed journal written by Valerie’s ancestor William Still, who working with Harriet Tubman, documented information of each escaped slave.

A powerful photo was taken by Brandon Bouley of Valerie Still’s hands next to the handwritten journal of her ancestor, William Still, she was reading for the first time.

Chris Courtney and I toast a glass of whiskey at a distillery near the Mason Dixon Line where we filmed the final scene of this thoroughly enjoyable and personally moving episode; thanks Chris!