The Graeme Park Gazette J ANUARY - MARCH 2017 Charter Day 2017

On Sunday, March 12 secuted minorities as Pennsylvania will be well, including Hugue- celebrating the 336th nots, Mennonites, anniversary of the Amish, Catholics, Lu- granting of the found- therans, and Jews from ing charter to William England, France, Hol- Penn by King Charles land, Germany, Swe- II. The original charter den, Finland, Ireland, was granted on March and Wales. 4, 1681 in fulfillment of a debt of about 16,000 Charter Day is your English pounds (over 2 opportunity to tour million of today’s money) which Graeme Park, as well as many INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

the crown owed to Penn’s fa- other state operated historic sites FROM THE PRESIDENT 2 OF THE FRIENDS ther—the Admiral William Penn. (se page 6 for a list) free of 2017 CALENDAR 3 charge. There will be volunteers

Penn founded Pennsylvania, in each room so you may tour at NEWSBRIEFS 3 which Charles insisted on nam- your own pace and a few living LUNCH & LEARN: 4 ing Pennsylvania in honor of the history demonstrations and ac- 18TH C. HEALTH CARE Admiral, as a “Holy Experiment” tivities around the grounds THE NECESSARY 5 where Quakers could practice (weather permitting). their religion without fear of per- CHARTER DAY TOURS 6 secution. To attract settlers in Tours begin at 12 noon, and the HAPPY SCOTTISH NEW 7 large numbers, he wrote a glow- last visitors will be allowed in the YEAR

ing prospectus, promising reli- house at 3-3:30 to ensure every- gious freedom as well as material one has a chance to go through UPCOMING advantages, which he marketed the house before we close at 4 EVENTS pm. Light refreshments will be throughout Europe in various languages. Within six months he for sale. More detailed, guided MARCH 12 had parceled out 300,000 acres to tours of the house are offered Fri- Charter Day over 250 prospective settlers, days—Saturdays 10-3 and Sun- APRIL 12 mostly rich London Quakers. days 12-3. Lunch & Learn Eventually he attracted other per-

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From the President of the Friends GRAEME PARK

Happy 2017 to everyone! There is nothing like a fresh calendar to help us imagine the possibilities.

At Graeme Park, we closed 2016 with the last program of the year, “A Con- tinental Christmas”. Many thanks to our vice-president, Jack Washington, for organizing the military reenactors and as many thanks to our volunteers who gave of their time to transport our visitors back to the Christmas sea- son of 1777 and New Year of 1778. It was not a pleasant time for Elizabeth Graeme Park is the site of the Keith Graeme Fergusson or for the nearly 2,000 soldiers encamped right here at House, an 18th-century historic Graeme Park. With barely enough heat and food, it was a bleak outlook for house, the only remaining home of a the New Year for them. governor of colonial Pennsylvania. It is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission But the new year of 2017 at today’s Graeme Park has a much nicer outlook. in partnership with the Friends of We are revamping our calendar of events to include such programs as a Graeme Park, a 501c3 volunteer Mothers’ Day Brunch, which includes a tour of the Keith House, and “A organization that raises funds, staffs, Night with the Graemes”, where you are invited to join an evening’s enter- and promotes the site. The official registration and financial information tainment fit for the “upper class”. of The Friends of Graeme Park may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Horsham residents already know that the year 2017 is our township’s tri- Department of State by calling toll centennial. Each month, there is an event sponsored by the township to free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732- 0999. Registration does not imply honor this milestone. Saturday, May 13, will be the family-friendly Dance endorsement. Individuals who need Party at Graeme Park, which will feature a DJ and dancing in the tent with a special assistance or accommodation light supper, as well as activities for the kids. The Keith House will be open to visit Graeme Park should call for tours and colonial craftsmen will be on hand to showcase the trades of (215) 343-0965 in advance to discuss their needs. Pennsylvania TDD relay the era that was the beginning of Horsham and Graeme Park. service is available at (800)654-5984. We will continue with our school tours, our “Lunch & Learn” series and TOUR HOURS other historical lectures, as well as a guided nature walk, which will high- Friday - Saturday light how people in the mid-1700s would have used some of the trees and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. plants which grow on Graeme Park’s property today. Check the proposed Sunday Noon - 4 p.m. calendar of events listed in this newsletter and our website for up-to-date Last tour starts at 3 p.m. information. Our weddings will see their most successful year to date. The THE STAFF AT property, in its natural, rustic state, brings many couples who love the beau- GRAEME PARK ty and tranquility that is Graeme Park. Carla A. Loughlin Mike MacCausland So with our new calendar, we are imagining the possibilities that 2017 can

bring to Graeme Park and we hope your calendar will do the same for you. THE PENNSYLVANIA Maybe the dates in your book will include a visit to one of our events. We HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM would love to see you here! COMMISSION

Tom Corbett Governor

James M. Vaughan Executive Director - Beth MacCausland

Nancy Moses Chair

Page 3 2017 Events Calendar Charter Day—March 12 Evening Lecture—June Lecture on Continental Christmas—November A self-paced tour of the Keith a historic topic with light refresh- 25 In the winter of 1777-78 nearly House with volunteers on hand to ments. Free for members. 2,000 men were encamped at Grae- me Park with their officers taking answer questions on the history Historic Nature Walk—September over the Keith House. Visit this and architecture. This is a great Take a guided walk through our time in Graeme Park’s history and event for members wishing to get woods and learn about some of our learn what it must have been like involved as volunteers. FREE landscape history, as well as how for Elizabeth, as she saw her Lunch & Learn—April 12 & residents of the 18th century would grounds being trampled and her October have used the property and plants. food stores being ransacked. Free Enjoy a continental breakfast, lec- Free for members. for members. ture on a historical topic, and a hot Homeschool Day—September 29 Ladies Night Out: Gingerbread and cold lunch buffet. Tours of the A day for homeschooling families Houses—December historic Keith House will also be to discover Graeme Park and life in Decorate a homemade, pre- available after lunch. Reserved 18th-century America. Demonstra- constructed gingerbread house- Event. $25/pp—$20/for members. tions around the ground change while enjoying light refreshments. Mother’s Day Brunch—May 14 annually, but include things such Reserved Event. Pricing to follow. A professionally catered hot and as open hearth cooking demonstra- Special members-only price. cold brunch buffet in the tent fol- tions, animal displays, military lowed by a tour of the historic drills, colonial games and toys, and * Details and pricing to follow. All pro- Keith House. Reserved Event. Pric- quill writing. $6/pp. Free for mem- posed events subject to change or can- ing to follow. Special members- bers. cellation. only price.

NEWSBRIEFS Horsham’s Tri-Centennial Celebration door to the partition wall so we now can access and use 2017 marks the 300th year of the founding of Horsham the space for additional storage. Township and there will be events all year long celebrating Other additional projects on the 2017 “To Do” list include our history and community. There are events scheduled additional tree removal, reconstructing one segment of each month throughout the year, including a dance party the barnyard wall that wasn’t included in the earlier with food and a band at Graeme Park on May 13, a movie work that was done, and getting the lighting on the night at Lukens Park, a picnic at the library and a gala at driveway up and working again. Talamore Country Club. In between there are lots of activi-

ties and events, which you can learn more about on the Township’s website under the “Community” tab. Planning 2017 Wedding Season is still in progress so check back often for more details and Even while we were finishing out the 2016 wedding sea- additional events. son, Beth MacCausland, president of the Friends of Grae-

Barn Repairs & Upcoming Maintenance me Park and rental coordinator, was hard at work meet- ing with couples, showing them around, reviewing the The state has recently completed a project in the upstairs details and preparing contracts for those considering storage area of the barn/visitors’ center. Last year during a Graeme Park for their 2017 and 2018 weddings. The re- windy, heavy snow storm we had large amounts of snow sults so far are that we have 30 bookings scheduled for blow in through the vents and soak the insulation on the 2017 and a few already booked for 2018. These rentals unfloored, inaccessible side of the threshing floor. The insu- add greatly to our bottom line and allow us to continue lation was removed right away to stop the leaking down to offer educational, mission related programs to the into the office area and to allow the wood to dry. This No- public at reasonable to no cost as well as make small im- vember crews reinstalled the insulation, covered it with provements to the property. floor boards (which we did not have before) and added a

THE FRIENDS OF Page 4 GRAEME PARK

MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Friends of Graeme Park is to pro- Lunch & Learn—April 12 vide on-going support of preservation, maintenance, development, interpretation, education and promotion of Graeme Park. Health Care, 18th Century Style BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Beth MacCausland Any assessment of health care in the 18th century, when life expectancy Vice President Jack Washington Secretary Melissa Kurek on both sides of the Atlantic averaged about 43 years, must include Treasurer Diane Horan personnel ranging from educated physicians through barbers and mid- Member at Large Tony Checchia Member at Large Deedie Gustavson wives to neighborhood quacks. Diseases were attributed to supersti- Member at Large Laura MacBride tions, to bad behavior, or inhalation of foul air. Remedies included

everything from herbal extracts, poultices, and cold baths to the most STANDING COMMITTEE

CHAIRPERSONS “advanced” treatments of bloodletting by non-sterile instruments or Education Carol Brunner even leeches. During the entire century people lived in constant fear of John Brunner Finance Vacant smallpox and yellow fever. Important events happened in the last dec- Fundraising Vacant ade of the century regarding these two diseases: the horrendous epi- Governance Jack Washington Grants Beth MacCausland demic of Yellow Fever in Philadelphia and the startling circumstances Hospitality Vacant that led to development of a vaccine for smallpox. Insurance Vacant Legal Vacant The lecture will include an overall assessment of health care in colonial Membership Carla Loughlin Museum Shop Carol Brunner America and England; specific treatments and procedures available at Carla Loughlin the time and a demonstration of several items of medical equipment Newsletter/Publicity Carla Loughlin Programs/Events Beth MacCausland used during the period; and a focus on two events in the last decade of Volunteers Beth MacCausland the 18th century – the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia and the Website Carla Loughlin development of smallpox vaccine in England.

THE GRAEME PARK GAZETTE is published quarterly by The Friends of Presented by Jim Miller. Jim is a Graeme Park volunteer and former Graeme Park in cooperation with the board member. He holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and was a professor PA Historical and Museum Commission at Delaware Valley University before retiring. Editor: Carla A. Loughlin Lunch will include: Schedule

 Hot entrée 10:15 a.m. - Check-in & breakfast  Deli tray with rolls and 11:00 a.m. - Lecture sandwich “fixins” 12:00 noon - Lunch Befriend the Past  Vegetarian option After Lunch - House Tour The Friends of Graeme Park  Salad, dessert, beverages

$25/person* Includes lecture, continental breakfast, lunch & tour Name(s):______ Please add my email to your list to re- ceive occasional notices of Graeme Park Address: ______news and events including the next Lunch & Learn Lecture City:______Zip:______

 My check for $25/pp is enclosed. Please Phone: ______eMail:______make checks out to “The Friends of Graeme Park Card # ______”  Please bill my credit card Exp. Date: ______Code:______

* $20 / Members Billing Zip Code: ______

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The Necessary * More commonly, however, Given the nature of the struc- privies were simple wooden ture, and even the origins of the structures which would make word “privy” (private, apart, transporting them to a new not publically known), the pit, when one was needed, placement was usually some- easier. These pits could be any where physically away from the -where from 18” to 6’ deep dwelling, at the side or back of and often served as trash the home and/or near other dumps as well, making them “unsightly” buildings used by great archaeological finds. servants or slaves such as kitch- ens, dairies, or smokehouses. One of the interesting charac- Exceptions were sometimes teristics of the reconstructed made in the case of grand colo- privy at Graeme Park is that it nial estates where the privy was is a “three seater” with two often a decorative building at adult seats and one at child the back of the formal garden— height. Was this common? Did everyone go at once? Or were The necessary, necessary partially hidden by the land- there separate seats for men, house, bog, boghouse, bog- scape with fragrant flowers cho- sen to obscure the smell. Lambs women, and children? gard, bog-shop, temple, con- venience, temple of conven- ear was often planted along the As it turns out, it was common ience, little house, house of path because it was reflective at to share accommodations and office, close stool, privy, night and helped guide the user three seats is even on the low garderobe—all euphemistic to their destination. side. There are monasteries in

terms for what we would call In grander homes the architec- France with privies that seat an outhouse. The privy at ture of the necessary often mim- 30-40! This seems at odds with Graeme Park is a reconstruc- icked that of the main house. the desire to keep the structure tion located just off the south Some were raised up to aid in itself hidden and private and side of the house. Given the removal of the waste (see back very much in opposition to proximity to the door, the car- our 21st century sensibilities. cover for more on this) and some riage turn-around and the examples had domed, plaster (Sources: Kitchens, Smokehouses known approach to the house, ceilings in order to avoid cor- and Privies by Michael Olmert. it is not believed to be the lo- ners where insects and dirt “Seen but Dismissed, Designed cation of the original privy, as could collect. but Disguised” by Kate Reggev.) it would be the first thing visi- tors would see (and smell) as they entered or exited the house. The reproduction was placed here based on an early painting which shows that some sort of small shed or structure existed here, but the archaeology that was done back in the 1960s failed to lo- cate a privy. This painting on the interior of the privy at Von Echstedt Farm in Sweden shows it as a shared space.

Page 6 State Historic Sites Open for Charter Day

Graeme Park would like to wish all of our 2016 brides and grooms a very happy 2017 as they begin their first new year together as husband and wife.

Larissa & Josh, May 21 Denise & Jim, June 25 Hana & Jerome, July 23 Jackie & Ken, August 20 Kelly & Kurt, August 27 Yenessa & Nelson, September 3 Anthracite Heritage Museum, Scranton Lindsay & Derek, September 10 Brandywine Battlefield Park, Chadds Ford Stacy & Gerry, September 16 Conrad Weiser Homestead, Womelsdorf Cornwall Iron Furnace, Cornwall Diana & Michael, September 17 Daniel Boone Homestead, Birdsboro Haley & Justin, September 23 Drake Well Museum, Titusville Sarah & Joe, September 24 Eckley Miners’ Village, Weatherly Michelle & Bill, October 1 Ephrata Cloister, Ephrata Katie & Lee, October 7 Erie Maritime Museum & Flagship Niagara, Erie Sarah & Anthony, October 8 Fort Pitt Museum, Pittsburgh Patti & Lucas, October 9 Graeme Park, Horsham Jeanette & Jonathan, October 14 Hope Lodge, Ft. Washington Misty & Shawn, October 15 Joseph Priestley House, Northumberland Shannon & Andrew, October 16 Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, Lancaster Kim & Keith, October 22 Old Economy Village, Ambridge Melody & Sam, November 12 Pennsbury Manor, Morrisville Pennsylvania Military Museum, Boalsburg Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing (Please check with individual sites for hours)

Page 7 The Scottish New Year Celebration

By Beth MacCausland to break out the scotch and join in “First Footing” was a highlight of

Happy New Year! As the holidays the merriment. Eventually, the cel- Hogmanay. The first person to wind down and we nurse those ebration moved to mark the new enter a house after midnight year instead of the solstice. brought gifts such as food or coal. hangovers from our New Year fes- tivities, it’s comforting to know The Scottish New Year gala began Ideally, it would be a tall, dark we’re in good company as we on December 31 with a cleaning of and handsome man, who was said reach for the bottle of aspirin. Peo- the house before Hogmanay ar- to bring good luck (I’ll answer the ple worldwide, no matter what rived. As night fell, children door, thank you!). However, if a race or religion, celebrate the new would go from house to house small, blonde woman entered year in some form. There are many begging. The sad part is that in first, the household’s luck and for- customs and traditions practiced tune were doomed (Someone else get the door, please!). today whose roots stretch back centuries. And yes, most nursed a As friends and family swelled a hangover after the celebrations Scottish home to the bursting back then as we do today. point, all joined in singing Robert

Since the Keiths and Graemes were Burns’ “Auld Lang Syne” while Scottish, let’s take a look at the tra- linking arms. Of course, by this ditions in Scotland that followed time, with the scotch flowing, those fast-talking, hard-drinking maybe the practice of linking arms Scotsmen from their homeland to was to hold your friend in an up- America. right position. Who am I to judge? Hogmanay is still a fantastic cele- The New Year, or “Hogmanay” in bration in Scotland. In Edinburgh, Scotland, is a festive, boisterous it begins with a torchlight parade, three-day extravaganza that is followed by fireworks and many hundreds of years old. It was, and performances by numerous musi- still is, the biggest celebration of cians, similar to how we party the year, beginning on New Year’s here in the States on New Year’s Eve and ending on January 2. Even Eve. Other cities have their tradi- bigger than Christmas? Yes! It was- tions as well, ranging from enter- n’t until 1958 that Christmas be- tainment to (unsurprisingly) came a public holiday in Scotland. drinking enormous amounts of So it was the New Year celebration, those days, there were no Hershey scotch, followed by a dip in an icy not Christmas, which became the Bars, Skittles or Cheetos available sea to raise money for charity. Or best reason to imbibe that all- so they had to be content asking to sober up. It’s anyone’s guess. popular scotch whiskey and get for bread and cheese. This, by the So let’s raise our glass of scotch the party going. way, is one version of how the whiskey and wish one and all a word “Hogmanay” came to be. Hogmanay has its origins in Vi- Happy New Year with all the best The offering from the neighbors king culture. The Vikings had a to you in 2017. Or, as Governor was called “nog money,” and ety- large celebration for the winter sol- Keith or Dr. Graeme would have mological evolution and the Scot- stice and when they invaded coun- said in the old Gaelic, Scottish tish brogue eventually labeled the tries, Scotland being one of them, brogue, “Bliadhna Mhath Ur.” New Year celebration they brought the party with them. Scots thought that a grand reason “Hogmanay.”

Address Service Requested

859 County Line Rd. Horsham, PA 19044 (215) 343-0965 www.graemepark.org

Charter Day—March 12 Lunch & Learn—April 12

18th Century Occupations: The Nightman Trade cards were the 18th century’s equivalent to today’s business cards and they provide interesting insight into some of the now obsolete jobs people once held.

John Hunt, of Goswell Street in London, for in- stance, advertised his ser- vices as a “Nightman and Rubbish Carter.” What ex- actly did a nightman do? As the name indicates, they worked at night—in fact there were laws that they had to do their work after a certain time. They came in after dark and cleaned out “the necessary.” In the 1840s Henry Mayhew de- scribed the process as involving a team of three or four men with a cart. The “holeman” went into the cesspit and filled the tub either by immersing it or with a shovel, then scraped or washed off the outside of the tub. The “ropeman” would pull the tub out, and the two “tubmen” would carry the tub, suspended on a pole, to the cart. The waste was then taken to the nightman’s yard where it was mixed with, among other things, ashes and rotting vegetables that had been collected, and then it was sold to farmers as manure for their fields. Often chim- ney sweeps and rubbish collectors also worked as nightmen.

Look for other unusual trades and occupations in upcoming issues.