Craighead House in Boiling Springs, PA
Many of the stories in Jean Craighead George's books have roots in an old house along Yellow Breeches Creek near Boiling Springs Pennsylvania. The house is the birthplace of Jean's father, Dr. Frank C. Craighead, Sr., and her brothers, Drs. Frank and John Craighead, and many aunts, uncles and cousins spent their summers at the "Craighead House" when they were growing up. The house is the setting for Summer of the Falcon and many of the adventures that Jean and her relatives lived through during those summers are found in her books. The area is also featured in her brothers' book Hawks in the Hand: Adventures in Photography and Falconry. The Craighead House was purchased and restored by the Craighead House Committee Corporation and now serves as a hub for environmental education initiatives, offering a spectrum of programs that nurture a deep appreciation for nature, literature, and history. Dive into captivating reading groups, featuring works that echo the spirit of the Craighead family's literary contributions. Join us in supporting this endeavor, as the Craighead House weaves together the past and the present, fostering a community rooted in respect for our environment.
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Outdoor Magazine Chose My Side of the Mountain for Top Adventure Book for the State of New York
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On November 22, 2023, Outdoor Magazine selected
My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George (1959) for the State of New York. Read more |
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Forever on her Side: New Castle Renames and Dedicates a Park to Honor
Jean Craighead George, Beloved Children’s Book Author
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On Sunday, October 10th 2021, Douglas Park was renamed Jean Craighead George Park to honor and remember Ms. George, an award winning author of 105 books, naturalist, and beloved and influential member of the Chappaqua community. The ceremony was filled with neighbors, friends, and those passionate about nature and conservation. The speakers told stories, reflected on George’s life, read excerpts of her work, and shared their accomplishments and hopes for the park. The speakers included Jen Bounds, Erin Spira, Sue Meany, Ronni Diamondstein, Gray Williams, Wendell Minor, Mercy Garland, and the George children. Read Article
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Friends and Family Speak at Dedication of Literary Landmark
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July 2nd- The Cannon Free Library in Delhi, New York was named a Literary Landmark by the Empire State Center for the Book.
The Cannon Free Library in Delhi, New York was the inspiration for the library that Sam Gribley visited in My Side of the Mountain. In 2019, Empire State Center for the Book named The Cannon Free Library a Literary Landmark for its role in the book and for inspiring children to read for over 100 years. The plaque was unveiled in a ceremony at the library on July 2, 2019 on the anniversary of Jean’s 100th birthday, and the 60th anniversary of the publication of My Side of the Mountain. Speakers at the event included: Susan Frisbee, Library Director; Mary Pelletier, Youth Services Librarian; Martin Podskoch, a local teacher and author; Rocco Staino, Director of the Empire State Center for the Book; and Jean’s three children. Read More |
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Jean Craighead George Day at the Craighead House
-Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania
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June 29th- The Craighead House celebrated Jean’s 100th birthday by hosting a Jean’s children, local falconers, displaying pictures of Jean’s life and her books, and providing activities for children and adults. Falconers Margaret Young "Falconry Girl" and her father Sean wowed the crowd with their highly-trained birds and spoke about the role of the Craighead family in fostering falconry in the United States. Twig, Craig, and Luke George gave short talks about Jean’s life and the importance of the Craighead House to the development of a close connection to nature for Jean and her brothers John and Frank Craighead. Over 50 people attended the event. The Craighead House is continuing to celebrate Jean’s 100th year via the Jean Craighead George Book of the Month Club.
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Bench in Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden
- Arboretum at Penn State
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June 30th 2019- Bench in Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden at the Arboretum at Penn State.
Jeni Zerphy, a Gifted Support Teacher at Gray's Woods/Radio Park Elementary Schools in State College, Pennsylvania, has been on a mission to establish a bench in Jean’s name in the Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden on the Penn State campus for several years. Jean has a strong connection to Penn State. She received her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Penn State, was honored as a Distinguished Alumni in 1968, and has been featured in Penn State’s alumni magazine. In the spring of 2019, Jeni launched a successful “Go Fund Me” page to raise the funds to establish a bench and helped get it in place for Jean’s 100th birthday. Jean’s children Twig, Craig, and Luke visited the arboretum, met Jeni, talked to some of Jeni’s students and took in the beautiful plants and sculptures in the Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden. Jeni is now working on commissioning a bronze sculpture of a crow to go with the bench. Jeni is truly a force of nature! |
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Additional pictures and videos can be found in the slideshow below.
George’s Three children, Twig, Craig, and Luke Spoke at the Dedication Ceremony:
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Thoughts: The Eastern Forest
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