Students Produce Digital Exhibits Showcasing Clarks Ferry Tavern History
Students at Susquenita School District have created a series of digital museum exhibits that highlight the history of the historic Clarks Ferry Tavern. Under the guidance of Terrance Shepler, who teaches Advanced Placement U.S. History, Civics, and Media, the project involved the production of museum-quality videos and digital infographics that chronicle the tavern’s past.
The initiative began in spring 2023 when the Friends of Clarks Ferry Tavern contacted Shepler after viewing a video his students had created for the Perry County Chamber of Commerce. Initially focused on video production, the collaboration expanded to include a deeper exploration of the artifacts unearthed from the tavern site. “History blends so well with technology,” Shepler remarked. “This project gave my students a chance to curate and present history in a cinematic way.”
Students from Shepler’s AP U.S. History and Civics classes researched primary sources, while Media students took on the roles of film editors and producers. Among them, senior Karissa Black interned on the project, dedicating her summer to research and photo selection alongside tavern historian Glenn Holliman. Shepler initiated the editing process using Final Cut Pro, while four Media students worked diligently through August and September to finalize the videos for Pioneer Days.
A Comprehensive Look at Tavern History
The resulting five-part video series guides viewers through various historical eras of the tavern. It includes segments on the early Native American presence along the Juniata and Susquehanna rivers, the arrival of settlers, and the tavern’s role as a crucial crossing point. Additional topics cover its use as a stagecoach stop and community hub, as well as a century-long stewardship by the Smith family.
To enhance visitor experience, the tavern installed iPads and televisions to display the videos sequentially, providing a chronological tour of its rich history. Students also created infographics paired with QR codes, allowing visitors to delve into the stories behind individual artifacts. Artifacts recovered during a 2010 dig include Native American arrowheads, stone tools, and various bottles from the 1800s and 1900s.
Shepler designed a challenge-based learning project for the students, who utilized digital research tools and the AP History “HIPP” method—Historical context, Intended audience, Purpose, and Point of view—to investigate and create engaging infographics on their iPads. Feedback during Pioneer Days was overwhelmingly positive, with visitors praising the storytelling in the videos and taking time to examine the artifact displays.
Future Projects and Community Impact
The partnership between the Susquenita School District and the Friends of Clarks Ferry Tavern is set to continue. Students are currently producing a new video about the Carson Long Institute, which will premiere during the school’s reunion in October. Plans also include a deeper examination of the Smith family’s stewardship of the tavern, as well as future collaborations featuring the work of local historical artist Scotty Brown.
Beyond the tavern, Shepler’s students are engaged in real-world media projects for various local organizations and businesses, including the Perry County Chamber of Commerce and Sisson-Boyer Eyecare. “Projects like this keep learning real and impactful,” Shepler stated. “Students gain technical skills while telling stories that matter to our community — and that’s something they’ll carry with them well beyond the classroom.”
Christie Caswell, a board member of the Friends of Clarks Ferry Tavern, emphasized the significance of this collaboration. “The collaboration between the Susquenita School District and the Clarks Ferry Tavern has added an incredible dynamic for education and history in a current-day atmosphere,” she noted. Observing students engage with local history has been a joyful experience, highlighting the importance of preserving and interpreting the past through modern means.
