Visual Concept
Barlow Creamery Interpretive Sign
2017
2017
In 2017, Thomas Clowney worked with the Cumberland Township Historical Society—of which he was a founding member—to honor the Barlow Creamery in Adams County, Pennsylvania. The creamery, famous for its “Barlow Ice Cream,” operated from 1898 to 1928 along Taneytown Road, just south of Gettysburg.
The historical marker was unveiled on June 7, 2017, drawing nearly 100 attendees, including Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and Adams County Commissioner Marty Qually. Since then, the marker has been added to The Historical Marker Database.
Objective
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Connect visitors with the story of Barlow Creamery, a business that helped the local dairy industry thrive in Cumberland Township.
Challenge
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Distill a 600-word history into a concise inscription, develop a clear visual concept, and collaborate with the fabricators to bring the marker to life.
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Connect visitors with the story of Barlow Creamery, a business that helped the local dairy industry thrive in Cumberland Township.
Challenge
—
Distill a 600-word history into a concise inscription, develop a clear visual concept, and collaborate with the fabricators to bring the marker to life.
Approach
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Using nearby historical markers as precedent, the story was condensed to roughly 100 words to keep the inscription clear and approachable. Thomas Clowney shared the fuller story as master of ceremonies during the unveiling. The marker was fabricated from layered steel with laser-cut lettering and a painted finish.
—
Using nearby historical markers as precedent, the story was condensed to roughly 100 words to keep the inscription clear and approachable. Thomas Clowney shared the fuller story as master of ceremonies during the unveiling. The marker was fabricated from layered steel with laser-cut lettering and a painted finish.
Outcome
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Unveiled during Dairy Month, the marker brought together family members, local historians, and community leaders for shared reflection. Visible from the road, it invites passersby to pause, read, and imagine the once-busy creamery that helped shape the township’s dairy heritage.
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Unveiled during Dairy Month, the marker brought together family members, local historians, and community leaders for shared reflection. Visible from the road, it invites passersby to pause, read, and imagine the once-busy creamery that helped shape the township’s dairy heritage.
Gettysburg Times, Barlow Creamery plaque dedication, October 24, 2017.
Project Details
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Site: Cumberland Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania
Size: 48 in. x 36 in.
Content: Words (103)
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Role: Visual Concept, Inscription Editor
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Project lead: Thomas Clowney
Fabricators: Rodney Yingling and Craig Yingling
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Site: Cumberland Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania
Size: 48 in. x 36 in.
Content: Words (103)
—
Role: Visual Concept, Inscription Editor
—
Project lead: Thomas Clowney
Fabricators: Rodney Yingling and Craig Yingling