10/29/2026
"Stories from the Yard"
Every job has its perks. One of the best at Mount Hebron Cemetery is the friends you make along the way. I met George Schember about five or six years ago when we installed a bronze marker to commemorate an early Valley settler in the Old Opequon Cemetery in Kernstown. George and I continued to meet here and there along the brick and cobblestone pathways of this old town, and we have built a friendly relationship based on our passion for the history of Wi******er. My friend and co-worker Kate, another history lover is always up for an adventure and truly enjoys visiting old homes and historical buildings. For her birthday this year I wanted to set up a special outing that she would hopefully enjoy. For that occasion, I reached out and spoke with George who in turn spoke to his wonderful wife Jeanne about a visit to see the house Daniel Morgan lived out his last days. To my amazement they seemed as excited as I to host our visit and a date was set. I feel like Kate may have had some idea of where we were headed but she acted pleasantly surprised when we pulled in the drive and parked around behind the large old home. With our house warming gift in hand we were greeted with smiles at the front door and invited in. The Schember's are the most gracious of hosts and the morning seemed to pass by so quickly as we moved room to room listening to George and Jennie tell the history of the home and more importantly share their fond experiences of first finding the house and then living there for the last thirty years. The icing on the cake was the "insiders tour" to see the incredible train set and railway community that George had built over the years. I have never seen such finely detailed craftsmanship as what I witnessed in the basement of that old house. George said that if and when the house were to welcome new owners the trains and village conveyed with the property. I will say this, there are no two better stewards to care for this beautiful home than George and Jeanne Schember and we are so very grateful that they took the time to share their home and story with us.
So if you have an old house or building give us a shout and we will gladly come invade your space.
Thanks, George! Thanks, Jeanne!
Best always!
