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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION

William Penn Memorial Museum and Archives Building
Box 1026 Harrisburg, PA 17120

PENNSYLVANIA CODE
TITLE 46, MUSEUMS AND ARCHIVES
CHAPTER 5, Special Provisions
“HISTORIC WARRIOR RUN CHURCH”

Guidelines for Use of the Historic Warrior Run Church

C5.1 Definitions

1. By contract, the Warrior Run – Fort Freeland Heritage Society is the official “Management” organization for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to oversee the program and general operation of the historic Warrior Run Church. A Society representative must be present during all activities scheduled at this edifice.
2. The purpose of this guideline is to inform all users of Warrior Run Church that it is an historic site protected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and that any damage or loss may be irreplaceable.  Responsible care of the property must be exercised before, during and after a scheduled event, so that the citizens of the Commonwealth, as well as future generations may enjoy this important site.
3. A representative of the Warrior Run – Fort Freeland Heritage Society will be on the premises to assist you with your event.  His/her main function is to provide security for the historic site and to aid you according to these regulations.

C5.2 Arrangements Prior to Use

1. Weddings or other events are not scheduled at Warrior Run Church during the cold water (November 1st to the end of April), as there is no heat in the church.
2. All requests for the use of the Warrior Run Church (or the grounds thereof) will be made to Robert S. Franks. Advance planning will help to avoid scheduling difficulties.  Indicate the date and time that you wish to use the church.  Wedding rehearsals must also be scheduled.
3. Persons granted permission to use the facilities must send a check or money order payable to: Warrior Run Church, WRFFHS.  For weddings, a $100.00 deposit (non-refundable) is required to reserve the date.  Two months prior to the date of the wedding, a check or money order for the remainder of the $300 fee ($200) must be received.
4. Individuals or groups using the church building or grounds can make no admission charge for events. Only the Commission or the Warrior Run – Fort Freeland Heritage Society are authorized to charge for services rendered.
5. Cancellations of reservations should be made at least one week in advance to insure refund of fees.
6. There is a two-hour limit on rehearsals.  This includes the time to decorate the church.  Rehearsals cannot be planned to run past 8:00 p.m.  If the rehearsal runs past the scheduled time frame, there will be a $50 charge for each hour or part of an hour over the two-hour limit.
   

C5.3 Conduct at the Historic Site

1. The occupancy of the Warrior Run Church is restricted to no more than 350 people.  This regulation will be strictly enforced in the interest of public safety.
2. The windows may be opened and closed only by a trained and authorized person.
3. Decorations appropriate to this building are flowers (garden and field), evergreens, grains, herbs, or dried weeds.  They may be placed on windowsills, tied to the pews, placed on tables or pulpit, and hung on the doors.  Plants may also be placed on the porch or along the paths. At no time can nails, tacks, or adhesive tape be used to attach items to the church or its furnishings. Other decorations such as bunting, balloons, streamers or signs cannot be brought onto the property.  All decorations must be removed at the end of the service.
4. Smoking will not be permitted at any time in the church building or anywhere other than the parking lots.
5. Candles may be used the Society’s candleholders and hurricane shades.  (There is an extra charge of $10.00 for the use of the hurricane shades.)  Candles must be lit by a Society representative only.  Candelabras or other forms of lighting are not permitted. The oil lamps on the pulpit may not be lit.  Fire extinguishers are available in the rear of the building.
6. There are no heat or electricity in the church.  A telephone is located at the service building.
7. Vehicles are to be parked in the lot behind the church.  Handicapped parking spaces are designated on the site. The bride and her entourage (up to two vehicles) may park at the service building.
8. Rice, flower petals, or confetti cannot be thrown in the church or on the grounds.  Birdseed may be thrown outside the church and beyond the porch.
9. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the buildings or on the grounds.
10. The visitor book table can be moved outside on the porch to hold the wedding guest book. No other furniture can be taken outside, nor can other furniture be brought into the church.
11. Safety regulations require that aisles remain unobstructed by stationary objects.

C5.4 Use of the Historic Pump Organ

1. There is an antique pump organ in the church.  A list of organists can be obtained from Mr. Franks. The organ can only be played by a qualified, trained musician.  Approval for the use of the organ must be obtained at the time of the final payment.  Other appropriate musical instruments, excluding pianos, may be used in the church.  Electronic instruments are not appropriate.
2. While the choice of music ultimately  rests with the wedding couple and organist, it is suggested that religious music, particularly of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries is most appropriate for weddings and other services in the church.  This music will allow the organ to sound its best and will greatly enhance the ceremony.
3. It will not be possible to provide practice time for organists or soloists except at the wedding rehearsal and the one-hour provided before the wedding or service.

C5.5 Conduct for Photographers

1. Photographers and their subjects are permitted to use all interior areas of the church or grounds. However, it is not permissible to move exhibits or furniture.
2. No one is allowed to stand on benches, pews, or on top of pulpit.
3. The photographer may reserve the last pew in the rear of the church for his/her equipment so he/she can move easily about the church.
   

C5.6 History and Significance

1. The first Warrior Run Church sat on the riverbank at the mouth of the Warrior Run Creek. This was a log church build in 1774 and subsequently burned by the Indians during “The Great Run-away” of 1778.  After the end of the Revolutionary War (1783) the colonists returned to the area and constructed a second log church near the site of old Fort Freeland (1789). This church also burned (cause unknown).  In 1835 the present brick church was built from bricks fired at the nearby Hower-Slote Farm.  A ¾ inch to the foot replica of the second log edifice is on exhibit within the church.
2. The Warrior Run Church is an important historic and cultural piece of the Commonwealth’s heritage.  It is to be used as a resource and enjoyed by the public.  Proper care of the property must be exercised at all times before, during and after an event at the church. Any damage or loss may be irreplaceable and thereby deny citizens and future generations full enjoyment of this historic site.

NOTE: These regulations are from The Pennsylvania Code, Title 46. Museums and Archives. Chapter 5. Chapters 1, 3 and 7 also apply to this historic site.

For use of the Warrior Run Church, contact

Terry Greiner
Phone: 570-768-4165
Email: palominogal1@ptd.net

Rev. 01/2010