Fortified Bedford House

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Fortified Bedford House

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1758: an old structure with a new story. Walls waiting to talk; to tell their tales; a 501c3

10/20/2026

This find got me a little in the emotions & set my mind to storytelling. At first, this tiny hand-stitched pouch looked like a piece of padding or like a small pillow. Then, I saw the buttons & from within came the “bed” or perhaps pin cushion. There’s other stitching on the side—not sure what that’s all about. I’m reminded anew that yes, soldiers & military members were here, shopkeepers & business owners, too. But there were also families & children that lived here & played here & dreamed here. This structure has always been a safe place—for the Fort and for all those who also called it “home.”

10/19/2026

Longevity experts aren’t new. Gayelord Hauser was a nutritionist & self-help guru in the late 1940s & ‘50s. He wanted to live to age 100 “without falling apart.” He died at age 89.
It’s newspaper snippets like this that were in the Fortified Bedford House that got me distracted all the time. A TV Guide from the ‘60s, a Sears catalog, old receipts. The “help wanted” section from the 1800s newspapers were a hoot & often disturbing—now. How could I not pause & do my due diligence to every era? The FBH may have been constructed in 1758 but she’s lived every day of each decade ever since—with a lot of patience & pizazz, I’d say. She’s lived 268 years & she’s just getting started.

10/18/2026

I have stood at these two plaques—one on the Square & the other at the cemetery—countless times. I’ve photographed them, written stories about them for the Bedford Gazette, & explained them on my walks with my granddaughter Emma Grace. She & I have stood at this tombstone so often as we passed through the cemetery, never once knowing there was any connection directly to us. Why would I think so? When I moved to Bedford 12 years ago, I knew no one in the state of Pennsylvania & had never been to Bedford. As a fairly recent member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, this is also opening up all kinds of historical trails in my ancestry—finding out that Colonel Samuel Davidson is a direct bloodline ancestor of mine, & that he fought in the Revolutionary War & is named and recognized on the very plaques & in the very same ceremonies where I listened & wrote as his name was called out. Not possible that he wasn’t in our building and now his & my DNA daily dwell in the Fortified Bedford House. Incredible. Just incredible.

Fortified Bedford House

10/17/2026

My many greats-ago grandmother was born in Bedford in 1771. The Parrett/ Parrott (and a few dozen other spellings) family is one of my ancestors who fought in the French & Indian War & in the Revolutionary War. My membership to the DAR traced my direct lineage to Eleanor and Joseph. You just can’t make this stuff up—how I ended up in Bedford & in this place, in this structure boggles my mind every day. Eleanor, in 1771, even if she never entered our building, would have passed by it frequently, if not daily. I’m home, Eleanor. Took me awhile but I made it. ❤️ Wait ‘til you see what I name after you. ❤️ Eleanor, meet Emma—your latest granddaughter. ❤️

10/05/2026

The sky’s the limit…or is it?

10/04/2026

Our first full weekend of our 10th Fall Foliage Festival is now in the books. I used my extra time today having so many helpers on hand to re-set the Sacred Space. We’re ready to face the candlelit nights & the brrr days. We’re going to sip & sup together here & dwell in our thankfulness this season.
Peppercorn Market

10/03/2026

First fire 🔥 of the season—so cozy & welcoming! We have guests hanging out today enjoying a little peace & quiet during these Bedford's Fall Foliage Festival days—all in the oldest building in Bedford & the only extant structure left associated with the French & Indian War. Built in 1758 & still captivating attention & warm emotions to this day! Researchers dubbed us “a unique survivor.” Indeed. ❤️Peppercorn Market

10/01/2026

We’re on the final countdown for the next two big weekends. Upstairs tours will be available for a donation & by appointments only during the busy weekends. So many exciting changes on the horizon. It’s hard for me to keep happy secrets but we’ve got lots of good news to share soon. 🙏🤞☘️

09/26/2026

This old ad gets me every time. 😎 Keeping us women “good” since 1895 but you’re on your own after midnight. Our hours have changed. 😎❤️🤣🍬🍭Peppercorn Market

09/22/2026

All the same room; all the same hope: to make things better than they were before & to create something everlasting. Check. To share the story of what was & what will be: check. I just wanted a cute little place to sell my jams & jellies, salts & spices, & few pretty things. Famous last line: “I only want to knock a hole in the wall to make one big open space.” And as they say, “The rest is history.”
Peppercorn Market

Address

111 S. Juliana Street
Bedford, PA

Website

http://www.fortifiedbedfordhouse.com/

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