In this episode of The Wandering Pen, Christine talks with Brian Fritz, a historic preservation advocate who has spent the past five years working to save the Peebles Farmstead—a limestone homestead built in 1773 just outside Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Once home to Revolutionary War veteran Alexander Peebles Sr., this historic property tells the story of early Scotch-Irish settlement, enduring architecture, and the ongoing fight to preserve what remains.

Brian shares how his interest in documenting the farmstead evolved into a passionate mission to protect it from commercial development and demolition by neglect. We explore the property’s archaeological significance, environmental concerns surrounding nearby sinkholes, and the creative vision for turning the homestead into a space for community learning and historical events.

This conversation examines the intersection of local history, grassroots advocacy, and what it really takes to prevent stories like these from being lost.

In this episode:

• The history and legacy of the Peebles family

• National Register eligibility and its limitations

• Karst topography and risks to Newville’s water supply

• Preservation efforts, community outreach, and future plans

• Why saving old places matters to all of us

Learn more on the Peebles Homestead and Alexander Peebles of Shippensburg Facebook page, or find the property on Peebles Family Homestead. -

Find a grave - Captain Alexander Peebles, Sr. 1740-1824

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