NEWS AND COMMENT

By GAIL M. GIBSON Historical and Museum Commission

HISTORICAL SOCIETIES The August meeting of the Adams County Historical Society was a picnic at the Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church. Daniel E. Teeter spoke to the society about the history of the church from 1740 to the present. In September, Dr. A. R. Wentz, former president of Gettysburg Theological Seminary, discussed the seminary presidency of Dr. S. S. Schmucker.

The Armstrong-Kittaning Trail Society of Pennsylvania held a picnic at Shirleysburg on June 22. William A. Hunter, chief of the Division of History, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Com- mission, gave a brief talk about Fort Shirley. Mrs. Frances Strong Helman narrated pictures from the re-enactment of Col. Arm- strong's March.

The Beaver Area Heritage Foundation organized a historical walking tour of Beaver on July 4. Guides were stationed at sev- eral locations to explain the significance of Beaver's historic sites. Programs at recent meetings included one on trees of the area, and one about the history and importance of the canal from Lake Erie to the . Members of the society are compiling outlines of historical landmarks, historic houses, unusual archi- tecture, and persons who played a distinguished part in the de- velopment of the area.

The biannual Open House Tour sponsored by the Women's Committee of the Historical Society of Berks County was held on Septmber 28. The tour was in the Cacusi area in the vicinity of Wernersville.

The Blair County Historical Society's museum, Baker Mansion, was open for its 46th season this summer on Saturday afternoons 424 NEWS AND COMMENT 425 from June through October. The mansion was built and furnished from 1846 to 1850 by a Juniata ironmaster, Elias Baker, and is considered an outstanding example of Greek revival architecture in western Pennsylvania.

The Bucks County Historical Society presented a special ex- hibit, "American Naive and Popular Art-Reflections of a People," during the summer. Over two hundred artifacts from the Mercer Collection were used to illustrate early Americans' attitudes to- ward religion, death, the family, patriotism, business, and amuse- ments. The museum staff has begun an intensive program of re- search into the life of Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer, its founder, by taping interviews with people who knew and worked with him. The Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit, "Craftsmen of the City," visited the museum from September 9 to September 22. On Sep- tember 27, the Women's Committee sponsored its second American History Hat Dance.

The Cameron County Historical Society held dedication cere- monies on August 8 for the marker erected by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission near the birthplace of Tom Mix. Mrs. Merle L. Bowser, president of the society, and Paul Mix, a relative of the film star, participated in the program. At a testimonial dinner that evening John Nicholas, author of a recent book about the cowboy, spoke.

The newly-formed Chadds Ford Historical Society sponsored a Chadds Ford Day on September 7. Opening ceremonies included a Fife and Drum Corps performance and a re-enactment of the Battle of the Brandywine. A fine arts exhibit of local artists' work featured some of the Wyeth family; there were also colonial shops, crafts, carriage rides, a photographic exhibit, and handicraft work. The society plans to restore the house of John Chadd, first settler of the village, and other colonial buildings in the area.

Members of the Chester County Historical Society visited the Humphry Marshall House, the home and gardens of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis E. Stern, and Hibernia Furnace on their annual summer pilgrimage August 3. 426 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY

At the June meeting of the Clarion County Historical Society a number of old wedding dresses were modelled. Mrs. Margaret Prenatt of the United Natural Gas Company and her "magic suitcase" of articles made of natural gas were special features of the evening. The Society's annual out-of-the-county tour on June 26 visited the Venango County Historical Society's museum, the Venango County Museum Corporation's nearby museum, historic sites in Franklin, Drake Well Memorial Park, and Pithole City. On August 22, the annual in-county tour featured the Golf Hall of Fame museum, the Memorial Church of Our Fathers, and other historic sites in Foxburg. A picnic was held in the Civic Park in Knox that evening.

The annual meeting of the Columbia County Historical Society was held on June 4. Dr. Leslie G. Merrill, museum director of the San Mateo County Historical Society and member of the faculty of San Mateo College in California, spoke of his group's success in maintaining its services to its county and surrounding area. Officers of the society are: Clark E. Kirkendall, president; Craig A. Newton, vice-president; Miss Mary E. Browner, secre- tary; Chester A. Hansknecht, treasurer; and Edwin M. Barton, executive secretary.

Miembers and guests of the Historical Society of Dauphin County heard Dr. Irwin Richman, Curator of Science, Industry, and Tech- nology at the William Penn Memorial Museum, speak on "Pink Petticoats-Lady Radicals in American History" at the June meeting.

The Delaware County Historical Society will soon move its museum from the old county courthouse in Chester. The building is in such poor condition that the museum had to be closed last year; for the time being museum articles will be placed in storage. The annual meeting of the society was held at the Tyler Arboretum on September 22. On October 8, at a joint meeting with Historic Delaware County, Inc., a dinner meeting will feature a talk by Dr. Irwin Richman.

The Elk County Historical Society commemorated the 125th NEWS AND COMMENT 427 anniversary of the founding of the county at its fourth annual dinner on April 18. Dr. William Cashman of the Warren County Historical Society gave an illustrated lecture on the Holland Land Company. Relics and artifacts from the society's and private collections were on display at the second historical exhibit on Juine 7 and 8. The group heard Miss Ruth Shanley lecture on the "History of Spring Creek Township" at the July 16 meeting at the Shanley Homestead in Hallton. A tureen supper was enjoyed on August 20 at Mount Zion Church, Elk County's oldest Presby- terian Church. Mrs. Clair McClintock, Sr., presented the history of the church. On September 14 members of the society will be guests of the Warren County Historical Society.

French Azilum, Inc., held its members day program on Septem- ber 28. On October 5 and 6, a scholars day program for school children was sponsored.

On the annual fall tour of the Germantown Historical Society, members visited ]3ethlehem. Harold D. Saylor will be the speaker at the society's annual meeting in October.

The Goschenhoppen Historians met on June 20 at the IKlein Meetinghouse, Harleysville, and viewed the recreation of a tradi- tional eighteenth-century worship service, including the lining of hyins in German and a typical sermon. The annual picnic was held oin July 18 in Hendricks. The second annual folk festival was held on August 10.

The Harmonie Associates presented the third of a series of con- certs under the direction of Richard D. Wetzel on October 4- and 6. On October 17, the first of the Frederick Rapp lectures will feature Nicholas Bragg, director of education at Old Salem, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He will discuss Mloravian thought as reflected in their furniture, furnishings, and architecture. The "West Penn Pow Wow," a seminar for young people on the pur- poses and uses of historic preservation, was sponsored on Sep- temnber 28 by the Harmonie Associates, the History and Landmarks Foundation, the Pennsylvania Historical and A\ [useum Commission, and Old Economy. 428 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY

The Haverford Township Historical Society's Heritage Day attracted at least 700 persons, and was successful both educa- tionally and financially. On October 12, members will travel to the Hagley Museum on their fall field trip.

The Indiana County Historical Society held a family history workshop on August 10, at which Mrs. Elizabeth Hopp, Mrs. Kathryn Maddox, and Mrs. Frances Strong Helman conducted seminars. On September 6, members heard a discussion of local colonists and the development of the Baker Trail. At the meeting on October 4 several silent movies were shown.

The summer project of the Juniata County Historical Society has been the restoration of the old "Glebe" cemetery near Mifflin- town. It has been cleared of weeds and brush and a new fence has been placed around it.

At the meeting of the Lackawanna Historical Society on Feb- ruary 28, Anthony Kovaleski discussed "Ukelele Ramblings." On March 27, members viewed the film, "Mark Twain's America." Philip Geary presented "Passport to Adventure" on April 25. At the annual dinner meeting on May 27, Dr. John L. Earl spoke of "Russia: Summer of 1967."

The Lancaster County Community Historians held five trips during the summer, visiting Columbia and West Hempfield Town- ship; Mt. Joy Township; the city of Lancaster; Martic Township; and White Chimneys and Paradise Township.

The 1968-69 season of the Lancaster County Historical Society will begin on October 8 with a talk by Rev. Robert Etter on the Coleman Memorial Chapel at Elizabeth Furnace. Articles appear- ing recently in the Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society were about Lancaster Federalists and the War of 1812; the Stage Tavern; Henry Eichholtz Leman and the Pennsylvania rifle; the anthracite industry in Lancaster County, 1840-1900; and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Lancaster.

The Lawrence County Historical Society held its first meeting NEWS AND COMMENT 429 in several years on July 12. A movie, "How Will We Know It's Us ?" about the problems of historic preservation and urban renewal. The new museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society at 858 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, will be opened to the public on November 1. Exhibits of the lumbering era, a Victorian parlor, a grist mill, a woodworking shop, and a blacksmith shop are expected to be opened at that time, as is the Craft Center. Records and artifacts are presently being moved from the tem- porary quarters.

The Marple Newtown Historical Society will soon erect a his- torical marker on the lawn of the house which was formerly the Pratt Inn, and was run by Benjamin West's father. The society is sponsoring an amateur camera contest of pictures of the exterior, interior, and gardens of the Thomas Massey house, in order to attract more members and to increase interest in the restoration of the house. The Mercer County Historical Society has received a collection of old wills, deeds, diaries, and other papers from the estate of Elinor and Mary Junkin. At the annual dinner meeting on June 25, Max Pokorski, curator of the Old Stone House, gave an illustrated talk about the historic properties in the vicinity of the Old Stone House. The annual picnic was held on August 28. Recently elected officers are: John G. Johnson, president; Orvis Anderson, vice- president; Miss Helen F. Reed, secretary; and Mrs. James Pat- terson, treasurer. The Mifflin County Historical Society has completed a card file of the marked graves in the Lewistown cemetery established in 1790. The graves of two Revolutionary War veterans, redis- covered during the indexing, will soon be marked. The grave of another Revolutionary War veteran was discovered by an ele- mentary school class clearing a family cemetery. The thirty mem- hers of the class and their teacher have been given memberships in the society in recognition of this work.

During 1968, the Muncy Historical Society celebrated the 100th anniversary of its periodical, Now and Theii. Three events marked 430 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY the celebration: a program devoted to the history of the magazine; a program on the life of its founder, Jeremiah M. M. Gernerd; and the dedication of a panel of matched portraits of the editors of the periodical-Gernerd, Dr. T. Kenneth Wood, Marshall R. Anspach, and Eugene P. Bertin.

At the September 19 meeting of the Newville Historical Society, Murray E. Kauffman discussed "The Covenanter Pew from Corker Hill, 1791-1898." A. L. Weaver described "Campmeetings" on November 21.

The Old Stone House Associates sponsored a Fourth of July celebration for the second year. David W. Ketler gave the main address, and Max Pokorski spoke of the history of the Old Stone House. Guided tours of the house, Indian dancing, and square dancing were among other features of the celebration. On August 9, Ernest Snyder discussed the role Pennsylvania played in the development of the United States between the American Revolu- tion and the Civil War. A tour to Fort Ligonier and other mu- seums was sponsored on September 21.

Members of the Pennsylvania Canal Society took a field trip along the Delaware Canal the weekend of May 25, and were joined by members of the New York State Canal Society. Clarence Stephenson and Jesse Hartman have planned the fall field trip, which will be along the Main Line Canal on the weekend of October 19.

The 92nd volume of the Pennsylvania German Society Proceed- ings will be ready late this year, and will be available for $10.00 from the society, 128 North Law Street, Allentown. Charles Treher has written a treatise on Snow Hill Cloister, and Ralph Funk has written poems in the Pennsylvania German dialect which will be included in the volume.

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania reports the addition of a number of valuable manuscript collections. From a descendant of William Penn in England an important collection of Penn documents was purchased which included William Penn and Hannah Callowhill's original marriage certificate. Five more vol- NEWS AND COMMENT 431 umes, mostly colonial correspondence, were added to the large Drinker family collection. In another gift were 5,000 manuscripts of the Logan-Fisher-Fox families which contained material of the highest historical value, including letters of William Penn, Wash- ington, and Jefferson. From the Owen Wister family came a large gift, mainly of papers of Pierce Butler and Fanny Kemble, but rich in general in early nineteenth-century theatrical material. 'Yet another gift brought in three truckloads of the records of the Coxe Brothers anthracite coal mining operations, the most com- plete record in existence for this industry. Revolutionary War correspondence of Robert Morris has been received from one of his descendants. Dr. E. P. Richardson, formerly director of Winterthur and now president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, was recently elected to the Society's Board.

Ou Sunday, August iS, the Perryopolis Area Historical Society '4 onsored a Quaker service at the Providence Meeting House at P'erryopolis. The service was conducted by the Society of Friends from Pittsburgh in the meetinghouse which dates from the late eighteenth century, and which the society hopes to acquire as a historic landmark. The society opened a sightseeing information center on July 15 which will give both local people and visitors information on daily activities in the area.

The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation has had a summer of extensive public relations work. Articles covering various programs appeared in the city newspapers once or twice a week, and a television program about the foundation's free architectural counseling was prepared. A booklet depicting the architecture and topography of the Birmingham area of Pittsburgh has been published, and is available for $1.00 plus tax. This area is an example of renewal-through-restoration in a decaying section of the city, and would make a good case study for any group facing similar problems. The Polish Historical Commission will dedicate a plaque to Marie Sklodowska Curie on the University of Pittsburgh campus October 19. Madame Curie received an honorary degree from the University during her visit there in 1921. Ceremonies on October 19 will also mark the centennial anniversary of her birth. 432 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY

The fall meeting of the Pottstown Historical Society was held on September 23 at Saint Gabriel's Church, Douglasville. Raymond S. Elliott discussed "The Story of St. Gabriel's Church-Its His- tory and Restoration."

At the eleventh annual Founders' Day program of the Presby- terian Historical Society, Dr. Roy F. Nichols will be the guest speaker. The meeting will be held at the society's headquarters; the public is invited to attend.

The Shippensburg Historical Society held its annual picnic on August 22 at Middle Spring Grove.

The Historical Society of Trappe comnmemorated George Wash- ington's visit after the Battle of Brandywine in its annual home- coming celebration September 21. Historic homies and the society headquarters were open for inspection, and a procession from the Schuylkill River through the village of Trappe was led by mem- bers of the society.

The Venango County Historical Society acted as guides for the field trip of the Clarion County Historical Society on June 25. Recently elected officers are: Charles C. Briggs, president; Lewis Judson, vice-president; Joseph Szabat, secretary; and Mrs. Wayne Mook, treasurer.

The dedication of the "Three Flags" at Crescent Park, spon- sored by the Warren County Historical Society and the Kinzua Dam Vacation Bureau, was held on May 30. Count Reginald de Warren, French Consul General of Philadelphia, presented the French fleur-de-lis flag; Eric W. Cook, Her Majesty's Consul of Cleveland, presented an early British flag; and United States Senator Joseph S. Clark, after addressing the crowd, presented an early American flag. William F. Clinger, Jr., was chairman of the ceremonies. On August 4, members of the society journeyed to Tidioute to view the historic buildings there, and to visit the site of the world's first flowing oil well.

Recently elected officers of the Wayne County Historical So- NEWS AND COMMENT 433 ciety are: J. Fletcher Hurst, president; Dr. Denton Kuhn and Harold C. Burleigh, vice-presidents; Mrs. Carol Crosby, secre- tary; Kenneth M. Bunnell, treasurer.

The Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania took its an- nual summer tour on July 13. Members and guests visited Oglebay Park near Wheeling, West Virginia, and heard Robert Di Bar- tolomeo, curator of the park, describe "A Visit to Wheeling in 1820." They also visited Bethany College, where Dr. Perry Gresham, president, spoke of Bethany and the Campbellites.

Westmoreland County Historical Society members attended the first fall meeting in the form of a picnic on September 7 at the home of the president, Calvin Pollins.

The annual Founders' Day meeting of the Westmoreland-Fayette Historical Society was held on June 15. Mlalcolm Tweedy, his- torian at Fort Ligonier, discussed "The Future of Western Penn- sylvania." Officers of the society are: William R. Griffin, presi- dent; Rodney D. Mosier, Mrs. Buell Whitehill and Howard B. King, vice-presidents; and Richard W. Westerman, secretary- treasurer.

The Historical Society of York County has saved an 1812 log house from destruction by relocating it on a site near the Gates House and the Golden Plough Tavern. From September 11 through October 5 an exhibit of antique automobiles, with em- phasis on York's automotive history, was held. A major display of the history of home heating in the York area will be on view from mid-October to January. The society and the York Council for Community Education will present a five-session course of study, directed by Charles B. Simmons and Joe Kindig, III, en- titled "American Furniture Seminar: 17th, 18th and 19th Cen- turies." Further information on the course is available from the society, 250 East Market Street, York 17403.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

The Independence Hall Association, in conjunction with the Fidelity Bank, has announced plans for restoring the Graff House where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence 434 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY and for establishing a specialized library devoted to liberty, free- diom, and independence. The funds for erecting the library, to be known as the Balch Institute, would come from trust estates of Mrs. Emily Swift Balch and her two sons. Funds for restoring the Graff House would be raised by the Independence Hall Asso- ciation, with inatching funds available from the federal government. The Little Beaver Historical Society hopes to be able to raise funds for the restoration of two buildings of the Greershurg Academy in Darlington. The society was deeded the buildings at no cost by the Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroads xxith the provision that the society provide the railroad with office space in the community. The society hopes to convert the original building, constructed in 1802, into a museum, and the 1882 red brick building into a library. The Women's City Club of Philadelphia has sold its historic headquarters at 1622 Locust Street to the Jewish Publication Society of America. Joseph M. First, president of the society, said that the historical aspects of the structure will be retained while the interior is renovated for use as a national headquarters. The refurnishing will be carried out in close cooperation with the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The Ligonier Valley Historical Society has undertaken one of the nexvest historical projects in Western Pennsylvania, the restoration of the Compass Inn, a 170-year-old landmark in I aughlintoxvn. Built in 1799 adjacent to the Old Forbes Road, it was converted to a tavern in 1804, and enjoyed a brisk busi- ness from the old Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Turnpike, now U. S. Route 30. An archeological dig under the supervision of Jacob L. Grimm, state president of the Society for Pennsylvania Arche- ology, is in process to discover the foundations of several other buildings believed to have existed on this site. The Perryopolis Area Historical Society has purchased an old fulling mill on Washington Run, a stone building which was erected in about 1815. The preliminary four-phase project to restore the AWVashington Grist Mill, also owned by the society, was begun in mid-August with the clearing of all wooden structures not in their original locations from the mill site. NEWS AND COMMENT 435

The 137-year-old Johlston Tavern, along U. S. Route 19 near Leesburg, has been opened to the public by the Pennsylvania His- torical and Museum Commission. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy restored the building, and the property was then transferred to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to be furnished and administered by the Commission. The Tavern will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, except on generally observed legal holidays.

OF MEN AND MANY THINGS The third annual open house of the Mooresburg One Room School Museum was held on the afternoon of June 2. The school, erected in 1875 and rebuilt in 1891, was made into a museum after classes were discontinued in it three years ago.

The executive committee of the Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies has accepted the invitation of the Berks County Historical Society to hold the 1969 meeting of the Federa- tion in Reading on May 10. The Society will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 1969.

Mildred Rowe Trexler has written a 63-page booklet on the life of George Taylor, one of the Pennsylvanians who signed the Declaration of Independence. Further information about the book- let, a reprint from the Lehigh County Historical Society Proceed- ings, may be obtained from the society, Trout Hall, Allentown 18102.

The Huntington Library has published a leaflet describing its extensive holdings in American history, and the general services it offers to qualified scholars. Copies are available from the Depart- ment of Reader Services, Huntington Library, San Marino, California 91108.

Dr. Paul A. Giddens, former curator of , former chairman of the Allegheny College history and political science department, and author of several works on Pennsylvania's petroleum industry, retired on June 30 as president of Hamline 436 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY

University, St. Paul, Minnesota. He has accepted a position as historical consultant to the Standard Oil Company (Indiana) whose headquarters are in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. George D. Wolf, of the capital campus of Pennsylvania State University, recently presented the papers of Pennsylvania's Constitutional Convention to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for deposit in the State Archives. In his capacity as official historian of the Convention, Dr. Wolf gathered together and organized the papers, and is presently drawing upon his experience to write an account of the recent constitutional reforms in several states.

The Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies has published a 121-page manual which includes reproductions of a newspaper clipping file on Pennsylvania's Constitutional Convention, and an evaluation of its work by Dr. Richard F. Heiges. Intended for general classroom use, the paperbound volume may be ordered from the Council, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania 15701.

A teaching project, "The Point, 1754-1794," has recently been made available through the film library of the Pittsburgh public schools. Slides and a stereo taped script trace the through the colonial period, and relate this development to the historic landmarks in the Pittsburgh area.

Two archeological teams of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission uncovered much valuable information this summer. The crew at Washington Boro, Lancaster County, was working in cooperation with groups from Pennsylvania State University and Franklin and Marshall College; they found the outline of a stockade (palisade), and at least four distinct "long house" patterns within the stockade, of one of the fortified towns of the Susquehannock Indians. At the other site, just outside \Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County, the crew found remains of a stockade crossing beneath a stockade and ditch of the late 15th- century Wyoming Valley people, thus indicating the even earlier existence of another Indian settlement. Both digs were super- NEWS AND COMMENT 437 vised by Barry Kent, state archeologist, and Ira Smith, assistant curator of archeology, of the Commission staff.

In the Bureau of Museums, Pennsylvania Historical and Mu- seum Commission, Michael J. Ripton has been appointed assistant director. Harold Yoder, formerly with the Berks County Historical Society, is now a field curator with the Bureau. Rex T. Lohmann has been named curator of the Museum in , Pittsburgh.

The University of Pittsburgh will sponsor its fourth weekend seminar on Western Pennsylvania on October 19 and 20 at Hidden Valley Farm. Niles Anderson, vice-president of the His- torical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Dr. Charles F. Lewis, president of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and Robert M. Schmertz and Mrs. Gretchen Schmertz Jacob will participate in the program. Further information may be obtained from the School of General Studies at the University.