Bird-in-Hand — The Lost Testament

Your investigation begins at Lancaster Central Market, a National Historic Landmark designated in 1977. This market, established in 1730, is the oldest continuously operating in the United States and has held weekly markets since 1742. Here, amidst the vibrant stalls and facades of the Historic Lancaster Downtown District, you uncover the first clues to the testament. The district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, immerses you in architecture ranging from Federal to Victorian styles, developed between 1730 and 1930, with its cobblestone alleys and 18th-century buildings.

Continuing your journey, you reach the First Moravian Church of Lancaster, at 645 Hamilton Street. This congregation was established in 1742 by Moravian settlers from Saxony, Germany. The current Gothic Revival style building was constructed between 1893 and 1894 and features stained glass windows depicting Moravian history. It is here that one of your client's ancestors allegedly left a coded note, hidden in the church archives, which is part of the Moravian Church in America, with roots in the Unitas Fratrum renewal of 1727.

Your search then leads you to LancasterHistory, housed in the former residence of James Buchanan, the 15th U.S. President. This mansion, Wheatland, dates from 1828 and was Buchanan's home from 1848 to 1861. The museum and library, founded in 1932, span 10 acres and include 18 historic buildings, with a collection of over 20,000 objects related to Lancaster County history from 1718. You search here for clues in the president's papers, who might have been an indirect witness to the family dispute.

The next stop is the Lancaster Museum of Art, located at 135 N Lime Street. Opened in 1961 as the Lancaster Art Association, it occupies a 1913 Beaux-Arts style building, originally the YMCA. Its permanent collection of over 500 works includes Pennsylvania German folk art, and it exhibits contemporary art with a focus on regional artists since 1961. An seemingly unimportant old painting could hold a key to deciphering the final message, linking art and the local history of Lancaster.

Finally, your journey concludes at Buchanan Park, a 62-acre park established in 1914 in northwest Lancaster. Named after James Buchanan, it features the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, dedicated in 1922, and offers walking paths near the historic residential district. It is in this peaceful setting that you assemble the final pieces of the puzzle. The lost testament, found through your perseverance, reveals the heritage of a family and the history of a region, blending Amish traditions with the foundations of the city of Lancaster, making this exploration a true journey into Pennsylvania's heritage.