Editor’s Letter

What comes to mind when you think of Pennsylvania? The features in this edition spotlight perspectives on commonwealth culture through a painter’s scenic landscapes, a sculptor’s three-dimensional portraits of historical and folkloric figures, the state animal, and a popular food product.

In the early 1970s, artist Nick Ruggieri was commissioned by the Harrisburg Patriot-News to select a representative location from each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties and paint a picture of it for the commonwealth’s impending celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial. The resulting series of landscapes was exhibited throughout the state in 1975–76 and viewed by a reported 300,000 people. In this edition’s cover story, “Pennsylvania in Watercolor,” State Museum Chief of Interpretation Curtis Miner revisits Ruggieri’s series 50 years later, examining Pennsylvania’s role in the Bicentennial and the artist’s career, accompanied by a selection of key works from the series, illustrating the diverse natural wonders, historic sites, industries and institutions that continue to impart the essence of the Keystone State.

Another artist, Marshall D. Rumbaugh, active from the 1970s until his death in 2023, incorporated his Pennsylvania folk-cultural roots in the multicolored wooden sculptures he carved. His figures represent historic people and events related to themes of human rights and the humanities, with many depicting individuals and scenes from Pennsylvania history and folklife. Additionally, Rumbaugh produced craftwork inspired by his Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, including painted chests, altarpieces, house blessings, butter molds and date stones. Director of the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center Patrick J. Donmoyer reveals the significance of Rumbaugh’s art in “Carved from Our Roots,” discussing the artist’s early influences, the development of his distinctive style as an artist, and an assortment of his finest works.

On October 2, 1959, the white-tailed deer was designated as “the official state animal” of Pennsylvania by an act of the General Assembly. At that time and for many years following, the whitetail was regarded as a valued resource. Deer hunting had become a cultural phenomenon in the state, a favorite recreational activity for many families, passed down through generations — its opening day something akin to a statewide holiday — and an important funding source for wildlife management. In the current decade, however, for several reasons, there has been a gradual decline in deer hunting throughout the state. In “Changing Values: The Whitetail’s Challenging Existence,” author, photographer and wildlife conservation specialist Joe Kosack explores the history of Pennsylvania’s relationship with whitetails and ponders the ecological consequences of their diminishing value.

Pennsylvania has been home to numerous nationally known food brands, many that have been around for more than a century — from Hershey’s Chocolate to Heinz Tomato Ketchup. Philadelphia Cream Cheese is another iconic brand, but its Pennsylvania story is more complex. Despite the use of “Philadelphia” in its name, adopted to evoke an association with reputable Philadelphia dairy products, this American-style cream cheese actually originated in New York. In a brief feature, author Emma Leuschner contends that Philadelphia plays a greater role in the narrative and delves into the history of cream cheese to identify its status as a Pennsylvania product.

Kyle R. Weaver
Editor