Andrew Ellicott, Lancaster, Lancaster County

Well, it might be another dreary January day in Pennsylvania, but at least it's the last one? Literally, of course, since tomorrow is the start of February. Rumor has it the temperatures might be going up a little bit soon - here's hoping. I'll be sending out the first monthly newsletter of 2024 tomorrow too, so if you don't already subscribe, now's the perfect time.

I'm slightly panicked because I now have just under two months until I return to my beloved Zenkaikon and give presentations about the history of Lancaster. This always happens to me; I jump at a chance to do something, then I get scared that I'm in over my head, and then somehow it all works out. Usually, anyway. So to get back into practice of telling Lancaster stories, we're going to spend today's quest learning about a gentleman who had a house there and contributed greatly to science and exploration back during the early days of our country.

Meriwether Lewis, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

First, thank you to those who wished me a happy anniversary last week! Husband Kevin and I had a very nice day at the Franklin Institute, which he and I have visited many times over the years. They were even so kind as to feature us on their Twitter page that day.

The weather was not entirely compatible with marker hunting, as it rained a lot; however, there are two markers right near the Franklin itself, and I was able to grab both of those before we returned home. This one, which was the first one I spotted, is about a man who opened the western frontier before meeting with a tragic end - and a mystery which has never been solved.