PO Box 564 Flourtown, PA 19031 215-233-4600 Stolen, Smuggled, Sold: www.springfieldhistory.org On the Hunt for Cultural Treasures Presented by Nancy Moses SEPTEMBER 2018 Author and Chair, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission IN THIS ISSUE: • President’s Corner...... 2 Thursday, September 6, 2018 – 7:30 p.m. • STHS 5th Annual History in Motion...... 2 First Presbyterian Church – Bethlehem Pike & East Mill Road in Flourtown, PA • Whose Head Is It, Anyway?...... 3 • Historical Society Award...... 4 ho owns the world’s cultural treasures –­ is it A resident of Philadelphia since 1976, • Then and Now: 400 Bethlehem Pike, the artist, the society or the museum a work she began her career as a Program Chief at the Erdenheim...... 4 Wcomes from? That is the premise of Stolen, National Endowment for the Humanities and then • Archives Update...... 4 Smuggled, Sold: On the Hunt for Cultural Treasures, went on to top management positions at WQED- • La Loire et Le Loiret...... 5 published in 2015 by Rowman & Littlefield – a book Pittsburgh Public Broadcasting, the University of • From the Archives...... 6 by Nancy Moses, who will speak at an upcoming Pennsylvania’s Center for Philadelphia Studies, Springfield Township Historical Society program. and the City of Philadelphia. As an independent “I look at the law from the perspective of consultant, and through her firm, Collaborations, OFFICERS history and ethical issues. The ethical issues are Inc., she has helped clients create heritage tourism T. Scott Kreilick the most interesting –­ people with power vs. the entities and digital learning labs; launch interna- President powerless. It has happened with Native Americans tional, environmental and civic initiatives; and Albert M. Comly, Jr. and even little old ladies,” said Nancy, pointing out establish new philanthropies. Vice President that one chapter is about author Pearl Buck. When Nancy plans to sell copies of her book at the W. Scott Armington Treasurer Pearl Buck was in her 70s, she developed a relation- program. The program is free and open to the Katie Worrall ship with a young man who she put in charge of her public. For more information, call the historical Secretary foundation. “Her entourage was stunned. Did the society at 215-233-4600. young man take advantage of her? I am not sure,” DIRECTORS said Nancy. The manuscript for Buck’s most famous Robert Brock book is in a safe owned by her oldest son Dorothy J. Cutler Katharine Haight rather than a library, Nancy said. Cynthia Hamilton A writer who is the author of Amanda M. Helwig another book, Lost in the Museum: Victor L. Henkels Hidden Treasures and the Stories They Dolores Jordan Cannon Tell (AltaMira Press 2008), Nancy was Laura Reich appointed by Governor Wolf as chair of Judy Smith the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Anna Coxe Toogood Commission, which works in partnership Robert Wilmot with others to preserve the Common- wealth’s natural and cultural heritage as ADVISORY BOARD a steward, teacher and advocate for the Shirley E. Hanson people of Pennsylvania and the nation. EDITORS Cindy Hamilton Christine Fisher Smith PLEASE NOTE: Katie Worrall Attendees to the September program are encouraged to bring a canned food item to donate to the First Presbyterian Church’s neighborhood food pantry. Please help us to support this important cause. The Wheel Pump Inn in Erdenheim was built about 1735 and was of the Revolving Doors provided the evening’s entertainment. Bob Brock continually operated as an inn for more than 260 years. The village that donated and served a case of wine from Chaddsford Winery. Scoogi’s Ital- surrounded the Inn was known as Wheel Pump, later Heydrick’s Hollow, ian Kitchen and Karla’s Kitchen provided the food. Greenberg’s Bakery Heydrick’s Dale, and finally Erdenheim. As the Inn is about 12 miles from supplied the desserts. Acme donated paper products. Paul Csihas of Lafay- the City of Philadelphia, the distance a carriage could travel in a day during ette Hill Studios photographed the event. Thank you to all of our sponsors colonial times, it became a popular stopping place for travelers coming out and donors. Finally, thank you to the STHS Board members and volunteers of the City on the road to Bethlehem. who helped organize the event. In 2014, Brian Quinn of BQ Basement Systems acquired the property T. Scott Kreilick and began the process of restoring the building for use as the company’s President, Springfield Township Historical Society base of operations. The porch was rebuilt, the floors replaced, stone and brick repaired and repointed, and new HVAC, water, and electrical systems installed. On June 28th 2018, BQ Basement Systems and the Springfield Town- ship Historical Society came together to celebrate the restoration of the historic Wheel Pump Inn. The Open House was attended by more than a hundred guests and served as a fund-raiser for the Historical Society. Thank you to all of those who attended. I’d also like to take this oppor- tunity to thank the sponsors of the event. In addition to Brian Quinn and the staff PHOTOS COURTESY OF: of BQ Basement Systems, Dan Helwig, Inc. Realtors and Kreilick Conservation, LLC provided financial support. The Page Brothers All photos from the event can be viewed and downloaded at: http://lafayettehillstudios.com/wheelpump-historicalsociety-bqbasementsystems

These include Suburb in the City: Chestnut Hill Philadelphia; A Philadelphia Family: The Houstons and Woodwards of Chestnut Hill; and Metropolitan Paradise: Philadelphia’s Wissa- hickon Valley, co-authored with Carol Franklin. Contosta has also written about Henry Adams, Abraham Lincoln, and Charles Darwin. His most recent book is America’s Needless Wars. In addition, he has lectured at universities in China and South Korea. At present he is working on a documentary film about the Wissahickon Valley. Tickets are now on sale for the Springfield Township Historical A complimentary wine tasting will be provided by Chaddsford Society’s fifth annual History in Motion event, “Carson Valley & Winery. Erdenheim Farm: Fantasy Village & Country Estate” which will be Proceeds of History in Motion5 will benefit the Springfield Town- hold on Thursday, November 1, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the Ambler ship Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks Theater,108 East Butler Ave., Ambler. to collect, preserve, and promote the history of Springfield Township. The Carson Valley School and Erdenheim Farm, once parts of Tickets are $25 per person.To order tickets, go to the Springfield a single property, are places of unparalleled beauty and serenity at Township Historical Society website, www.springfieldhistory.org, the edge of Philadelphia. Speaker Dr. David Contosta will tell the and open the History in Motion link under the events tab. Tickets story of how this unlikely pairing has been shaped and preserved may also be purchased by sending a check, payable to the Springfield over several centuries. Township Historical Society, to the historical society at P.O. Box 564, Contosta is Professor of History at Chestnut Hill College and a Flourtown, PA 19031. frequent speaker before civic and community groups. He is the author of more than 20 books, many of them about the Philadelphia region. For more information, call the historical society at 215-233-4600.

2 Whose Head Is It, Anyway? A statuary group prominently of one of the two female figures. displayed at the Philadelphia The Rotunda was immediately Museum of Art is not quite what cordoned off, the shattered plaster it seems, due to a little-known acci- pieces were swept up, and a repair dent that occurred in Springfield plan was devised. Township 90 years ago. Thanks to a copy of a letter Visitors to Gallery 288 (Euro- written on October 1, 1928 by Jane pean Art) at the PMA will find Law Lachlan, the Secretary to the two large works by French sculp- Stotesburys, we learn that “Mr. tor Claude Michel (also known Stotesbury put in hand at once as Clodion); both carry the title the making of a new head for the “Nymphs Holding Aloft a Plat- figure, which has been done by Mr. ter Charged with Fruit” and were Gréber in Paris and which I believe created circa 1785-1793 in Paris. is coming over to America very Both had been owned by Edward soon.” In this case, she is referring T. Stotesbury of Wyndmoor, and to Henri-Léon Gréber, the father were given to the Museum in 1938, of Jacques Gréber, the landscape in memory of Mr. Stotesbury, by architect for Whitemarsh Hall (and his widow. the Benjamin Franklin Parkway). At the Stotesburys’ mansion, Miss Lachlan wrote the letter to Whitemarsh Hall, each Clodion the offices of Sir Joseph Duveen stood in the center of a Rotunda in , asking them to – circular rooms 35 feet in identify “…the proper person to diameter, with domed ceilings attach the new head to the figure.” and marble floors. These were Duveen Brothers replied with a highly-trafficked, as each rotunda recommendation that the Stotes- interconnected four rooms or halls; burys hire Mr. Gustave Roncin of the main hallway of the First Floor New York to effect the repair. passed through both rotundas. In the end, the work was One day in the early summer done so expertly that the pres- of 1928, two members of the ent-day casual observer cannot estate’s gardening staff were rush- detect which of the two figures ing to complete watering of the in this piece were damaged, nor indoor plants on the first floor. tell which head was the work of Gardener Andy Lilley, carry- Clodion, and which was instead ing a tall ladder needed to reach Gréber’s copy of Clodion. the planters mounted just under And, we can happily report the ceiling of the West Loggia, that Mrs. Stotesbury, gracious to unfortunately hit the Clodion in a fault, kept Andy Lilley on her the center of the West Rotunda, gardening staff, even after this literally knocking the head off costly and embarrassing mistake. Nymphs Holding Aloft a Platter Charged with Fruit by Claude Michel (also called Clodion), 1785-1793, Paris, France. Purchased by Edward T. Stotesbury from a French art Richard R. Billig AUTHOR dealer, this statuary group was the centerpiece of the West Rotunda at Whitemarsh Hall Email: [email protected] CONTACT in Wyndmoor, and was later donated to the Philadelphia Museum of Art by Eva Stotesbury, Administrator, “Fans of Whitemarsh Hall” group on Facebook in honor of her husband, after his death in May 1938. INFORMATION: http://www.facebook.com/groups/WhitemarshHall/ Image Source: Philadelphia Museum of Art, http://www.philamuseum.org/

CALL FOR ARCHIVES VOLUNTEERS

Our dedicated group of volunteers are continuing to catalogue our collection. Our volunteers provide a valuable service to the historical society and are vital to carrying out our mission. If you like history and working with computers and have an hour or two to spare each week please contact the archives at [email protected] or 215-233-4600.

3 Historical Society Award Won by Makenna Lukens Written by Ray Smith A photograph in the archives shows The Springfield Township a house under construction in 1903 Historical Society Scholarship at the northeast corner of Bethlehem Award was presented to Makenna pike and Bells Mill Road. It is striking Lukens, a graduating senior at due to the very tall stone basement Springfield Township High School wall. The photograph was taken from at a school assembly on June 12. where the township building was later The award is given to a graduat- built, in 1907. ing senior who plans to major in Compared to a current photo, you’ll history, social studies or economics. notice that the bottom half of the wall has disappeared (that is a corner of the township build- Makenna, who lives in Erdenheim ing, on the right side of the current photo). with her mother, Linda Reynolds, and her grandmother, Virginia A look at an 1899 USGS topographical map leads us to the explanation. The corner of the Reynolds, plans to major in Ameri- property was a gully prior to construction, which we marked on the map with an “H”. The can studies at La Salle University. builder graded this area after construction to get the best use of the land. “I love history. It is a passion of mine,” said Makenna, who is interested in going into child advocacy law or constitutional law. “My dream job is to work for the ACLU.” UPDATErchives Over the last few months,A STHS In addition, Coleman, and Steve Lester has received into its holdings: n Staff/Volunteers aided Brandon continue to sort organize, scan Peterson of Christian Counseling and catalog records in the n Nine (9) 35mm slides of the and Education Foundation with Society’s collection. Ed Zwicker demolition of Whitemarsh research regarding “Falcondale” III and Ed Zwicker IV staff the Hall, April 1980 from Robert estate and received a copy of archives on Tuesday evenings, Ferguson. the related material Mr. Peter- undertake extensive research, n A framed photograph of the son obtained elsewhere for our and assist with helping to expand Springfield Township High Makenna has lived in the records as well. our collection. School District of Springfield School Football Team, 1947 was Township her entire life. She brought in by John Cannon, who We are extremely thankful for all of STHS has had several inquiries: attended Enfield Elementary was co-captain of the team. our dedicated volunteers. In the last n A gentleman from Texas School for four years and Erden- n Exterior Black Horse Inn Ther- few months, they provided approxi- interested in the Whitemarsh heim Elementary School for one mometer from James Mascaro. mately of 71.75 hours of service. year. Her class was the first gradu- n Community History recollection Hall blueprints. ating class after that school was from Charles E. Dunleavy, Jr. n Ray Smith, Dulie Gray, Barbara n Request for information on the rebuilt. She then attended Spring- weather events in the area during field Township Middle School and the operation of the Tank Car Springfield Township High School. Corporation of America In high school, she served on the The to in Oreland. student council for four years, Archives the n Police briefs from 2000-present. including three at cabinet level and are Public one as a representative. She and a group started a peer tutoring center, OPEN If youn are interested in which they tutored students in TUESDAYS 7pm – 9pm in volunteering, different subjects. Makenna tutored researching a topic, schoolmates in English and history. WEDNESDAYS 1pm – 5pm or have items She is a nursery volunteer at SATURDAYS 9am – 12noon you wish to donate Oreland Evangelical Presbyterian to the Society, Church and works at Robertson’s For more information, call 215-233-4600 please email us at of Chestnut Hill. [email protected]. 4 La Loire et Le Loiret Written by T. Scott Kreilick, President STHS

The sculptural group entitled of Auguste Rodin’s (1840-1917) La Loire et Le Loiret is located The Kiss for the Rodin Museum at 1207 Claridge Road in Wynd- in Philadelphia. moor, PA. The figures are allegorical In 1917, landscape architect representations of the longest river Jacques Gréber revised an earlier in France (La Loire) and a tributary (1909) master plan by Horace (Le Loiret), respectively. The lime- Trumbauer, Clarence Zantzinger, stone sculpture was carved by the and Paul Philippe Cret for the French artist Henri-Léon Gréber Benjamin Franklin Parkway. In (1855-1941) in 1925 and placed 1926, Gréber collaborated with Cret Figures 5 & 6 La Loire et Le Loiret before treatment. in its current location by his son, on the design of the Rodin Museum. Whitemarsh Hall’s landscape archi- Earlier, in 1913, Gréber was enlisted are several carved elements missing. reduce the biological growth. tect Jacques Gréber (1882-1962). by Joseph E. Widener to redesign The surface was soiled and organic After general biological The sculpture is a copy of an the formal gardens of Lynnewood growth was evident. There have cleaning, black circular biologi- earlier work by Corneille van Clève Hall in a French style. Gréber been previous repairs. The pointing cal deposits, and gray and black (1645-1732) which was commis- again collaborated with Trumbauer mortar was deteriorated. Overall carbon crusts remained. These sioned by King Louis XIV in 1699 from 1916-1921 on the design of photos, before treatment, are shown unsightly stains were removed for placement at Château de Marly. Whitemarsh Hall in Wyndmoor for in Figures 5 & 6. through micro abrasion using About 1719, it was moved to the Edward T. Stotesbury. It was here Bio-soiling has caused gray- calcium carbonate media. Tuileries Garden, along the Grand that Gréber placed La Loire et Le ish stains on the carving, and Mortar joints were completely Allée. The original is now at the Loiret at the Plaza, along with other well-adhered black stains had cleared of old pointing mortar in Musée du Louvre (Figure 1). A of his father’s sculptures. Figure 4 developed in areas speckling the preparation for installing all new replica is in its place at the Tuileries is a photo of the sculpture taken surface. Erosion has occurred and pointing mortar in the joints of the Garden (Figure 2). by Landscape Gardener Maurice worn the surface of the carving sculpture and the base. While all Prior to the carving of the Deschamps on January 5, 1938. uniformly, resulting in a rough and of the joints were clear of mortar, marble sculpture, a plaster model Kreilick Conservation, LLC friable surface. the limestone was consolidated to was created for the King’s approval. of Oreland, PA was retained by Biological growth was brushed strengthen the stone and reduce In 1700, Swedish architect Daniel Springfield Township to conserve from the sculpture using soft bristle friability of the surface. The joints Cronström made a drawing of the sculptural group. Work began brushes. Remaining moss growth were then repointed using a color- the plaster model. The drawing, on April 30th and concluded on was removed with plastic scrap- matched, lime-based pointing shown in Figure 3, is at the Swedish May 18th, 2018. ers and brushed with stiff nylon mortar. National Museum in Stockholm. 1 At the beginning of the project, brushes. A biocide was applied to The photo below shows La The artist Henri-Léon Gréber the limestone figures and pedestal the surface of the stone to further Loire et Le Loiret after conservation. is known for his were in poor condition. Significant Memorial (1924) in Beauvais, Oise, detail had been lost due to weath- France; the formal gardens of the ering and human interaction. There Clarence Mackay estate, Harbor Hill, on Long Island; and his copy

Figure 3 Drawing (1700) by Daniel Cronström of La Loire et Le Loiret plaster model. Figure 1 La Loire et Le Loiret by Corneille van Clève at Musée du Louvre.

1 “New Documents and Drawings Concerning Lost Statues from the Chateau of Marly” by Betsy Rosasco, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum Journal, Volume 10, 1975, pp.79-96. Figure 2 Figure 4 Copy of La Loire et Le Loiret Copy of La Loire et Le Loiret by 2 Reproduced in Whitemarsh Hall: The Estate of Edward T. Stotesbury by Charles G. and at Tuileries Garden. Henri-Léon Gréber at Whitemarsh Hall. 2 Edward C. Zwicker, Arcadia Publishing (2004), page 79. 5 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Fort Washington, PA Permit No. 518 Springfield Township Historical Society PO Box 564 • Flourtown, PA 19031

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