The Graeme Park Gazette O CTOBER—DECEMBER 2015 Haunted Halloween Moonlight Tales in the Parlor Mini-Moonlight Kids’ Graeme Park has long been said to Halloween Party INSIDE THIS ISSUE: be one of the most haunted houses On Sunday, October 25 at 2:00 FROM THE PRESIDENT 2 in Horsham, with tales of Eliza- p.m. children ages 4—9 are invited OF THE FRIENDS beth’s ghost dating back to the ear- for spooky (but not too terrifying) HOLIDAY COLLECTION 3 ly 19th century. As recently as last tales in the parlor of the Keith FOR MILITARY month a six-year-old boy stated House, followed by an ice cream NEWSBRIEFS 3

“this is the ghost room” when we sundae bar and Halloween craft. SOLDIERS’ CHRISTMAS 4 entered Elizabeth’s bedroom— The cost is $10 for kids and $5 for clearly sensing something no one ELIZABETH’S LOVES & 5 adults (at least one adult must ac- LOSSES could see. On Friday, October 30 at company children; no drop-offs) HOMESCHOOL FESTIVAL 5 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. paranormal in- and costumes are encouraged! THE BLACK WALNUT 6 vestigator and author Laurie Hull TREE will be telling stories in the dark Is Graeme Park Haunted? 2015 WEDDING SEASON 7 and creepy parlor of things she’s You be the Judge! detected in the Keith House, as well as in her investigations of oth- Stories of Elizabeth’s ghost have haunt- ed Graeme Park since shortly after her er local haunted places. death and continue to this day. Much of the activity centers on the staircase, re- As the author of Valley configured by Elizabeth’s father, Dr. Ghosts, Philly’s Main Line Haunts, Thomas Graeme, in the mid-1700s. Supernatural Mid-Atlantic, and Su- Shortly after Elizabeth’s death in 1801 her friend Eliza Stedman reported pass- UPCOMING pernatural , Laurie has ing her on this staircase. Mrs. Straw- EVENTS extensive knowledge of the haunt- bridge, who owned Graeme Park from ed places in our area. She is also 1920—1958, once heard “the rustle of OCTOBER 25 adept at spinning tales through her her skirts” as she went up or down the Mini-Moonlight experience as a guide with Grim stairs, and our staff and volunteers have more than once thought they heard . OCTOBER 30 footsteps or voices on the stairs. Are we Moonlight Tales all imagining things? Or is there some- Presentations will be made at 7:00 thing to these stories? Even the alarm NOVEMBER 28 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on October 30 system sometimes picks up motion in Soldiers’ Christmas and the $15 admission cost in- this location. Come hear Laurie’s stories cludes light refreshments, hot choc- on October 30 and decide for yourself. DECEMBER 12 Perhaps you’ll even experience some- Living History Theater olate and (weather permitting) a thing while you’re here. bonfire.

Page 2

From the President of the Friends GRAEME PARK

Welcome to autumn! The leaves are showing their true colors and crisp, cooler temperatures are in the air. Here at Graeme Park, we are beginning our fall festivities with something for everyone.

School tours are in full swing and many thanks go to our educational committee for spending most of their October and November in see- ing that hundreds of children enjoy their day at Graeme Park. They are treated to a step back in time and learn what it was like to live in the mid-1700s in colonial America. Graeme Park is the site of the Keith House, an 18th-century historic Also on tap for the kids is our “Mini-Moonlight at Graeme Park”. On house, the only remaining home of a Sunday, October 25 from 2:00-4:00, treat the kiddies to spooky tales in governor of colonial Pennsylvania. It is administered by the Pennsylvania the mansion. The stories are ideal for ages 4-9. This is followed by an Historical and Museum Commission ice cream sundae bar and a fun-to-make craft. in partnership with the Friends of Graeme Park, a 501c3 volunteer On Friday night, October 30, come out to hear Laurie Hull tell tales of organization that raises funds, staffs, and promotes the site. The official local lore and legend in the Keith House parlor. Amid the eerie glow registration and financial information of candlelight, this published author will spin the haunted yarns of The Friends of Graeme Park may which have been part of local history for generations. Her research be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll into the paranormal lends a unique twist to these stories. Our shows free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732- are 7:00 and 8:00 and you are invited to cozy up to our bonfire before 0999. Registration does not imply or after your show to hear some of Graeme Park’s most time-honored endorsement. Individuals who need special assistance or accommodation tales. to visit Graeme Park should call (215) 343-0965 in advance to discuss Our Halloween programs naturally are filled with ghosts, goblins their needs. Pennsylvania TDD relay and, of course, jack-o-lanterns. Here’s a colonial factoid for you. In service is available at (800)654-5984. the Graeme’s time, pumpkins were not carved into scary faces and TOUR HOURS lighted with candles. Rather, the pumpkin was an important food Friday - Saturday source and crucial to survival through the hungry winter months. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The flesh of pumpkins and squash were boiled, stewed, baked and Sunday Noon - 4 p.m. dried to a jerky and the seeds were roasted, all of which provided Last tour starts at 3 p.m. sustenance during long, bleak winters. And when all things edible on

THE STAFF AT a pumpkin were finished, the shell could be used as a bowl. So never GRAEME PARK underestimate the mighty American pumpkin. Carla A. Loughlin Saturday, November 28 brings the return of “Soldiers’ Christmas”. Mike MacCausland

Tour Graeme Park’s grounds free of charge and visit encampments THE PENNSYLVANIA representing different wars to hear the stories of Christmas on the HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM battlefront. COMMISSION

Tom Corbett See this newsletter for more information on these programs. Hope to Governor see you at Graeme Park before winter sets in and we’re all sitting at

James M. Vaughan home before a roaring fire, digging into our pumpkin jerky! Executive Director

Andrew E. Masich Chairman - Beth MacCausland

Page 3

Collection for Troops during Soldiers’ Christmas

As part of our Soldiers’ Christmas program on  Saline eyewash, individual tissue packets, in- November 28, the Friends of Graeme Park will dividual wrapped rolls of toilet paper be collecting items to send to service  Holiday decorations, individually wrapped men and women overseas. You may drop off non-chocolate candies, non-dairy creamer, items during our regular Friday—Sunday hours small tubes of Crystal Light, 12 oz. bags or up to and including the day of the program on smaller of coffee, sugar/Splenda packets, nu- November 28 (please note we will be closed on trition bars, small bags of chips, cookies (no Friday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving holi- peanuts, put in Gladware-type container if home- day). Items we’re collecting include: made)  Flip flops, men’s and women’s white socks  Unscented soap, wipes, deodorant, shampoo, hand sanitizer, foot powder, Chapstick/ Blistex, moist- urizer (please note, all prod- ucts should be unscented)

NEWSBRIEFS New Partnership with Lunch & Learn Bux-Mont Party Rental On Wednesday, October 7 we held our fall Lunch & Learn The Board of Directors made the program on Foodways during the Revolutionary era. Long- decision this summer to enter into a time volunteer Mary Washington, who is an experienced new contract with Bux-Mont Party hearth cook and reenactor, spoke about ingredients, reci- Rental as our tent provider and ex- pes, and preparation methods to an enthusiastic group of clusive rental agent for the develop- 20. Participants were also treated to a Halloween version of ing wedding business at Graeme the house tour with a introduction to the haunted history of Park. The new arrangement has Graeme Park responsible for Graeme Park by Board President Beth MacCausland, fol- showing and selling the property, as it was felt that this lowed by a full house tour with Jack Washington and Jim would help us to take the business to the next level. President Miller. Beth and Marie Cherry then served them a hot and Beth MacCausland, who also happens to be a Certified Wed- cold lunch buffet of beef stew, hot roast pork, pasta, and a ding Planner, has taken on the role of developing this busi- deli platter, along with coffee and dessert. We’ll be doing ness and has several contracts already signed and lots of irons another Lunch & Learn Program in April of 2016. in the fire. The OAA tent should be coming down in Novem- Donations to Library ber and the BMPR tent will be installed in the spring. It will Volunteer Herb Levy has made a donation to the library of be the same size and similar style and will be situated in the books on Colonial Philadelphia, the Revolution, Quakerism same location as the old tent. We are excited for new begin- and early-American politics. They are available for volun- nings and to continue to move forward with this business. teers who wish to read them. Thank you Herb!

Page 4

THE FRIENDS OF Soldiers’ Christmas GRAEME PARK On Saturday, November 28, from 11

MISSION STATEMENT -4 pm, leave the hustle and bustle of The mission of the Friends of Graeme Park is to pro- Black Friday shopping behind and vide on-going support of preservation, maintenance, development, interpretation, education and promotion enjoy a relaxing day on the grounds of Graeme Park. of Graeme Park. See living history

displays depicting how soldiers cel- BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Beth MacCausland ebrated the holidays on the battle- Vice President Jack Washington front during different eras and dif- Secretary Melissa Kurek ferent wars, visit with Santa from 12 Co-Treasurer Marie Cherry Co-Treasurer Diane Horan -3 pm, enjoy musical entertainment, Member at Large Tony Checchia and browse for unique gifts and Member at Large Jim Cherry Member at Large Deedie Gustavson goodies from a few select craft ven- Member at Large Toni Kistner dors. Refreshments will be available Member at Large Donna Mitchell Member at Large Gary Oswald and we’re also taking up a collection

for active duty military members STANDING COMMITTEE serving overseas (see the list on CHAIRPERSONS Education Carol Brunner page 3 of what we’re collecting). John Brunner Finance Bruce Rader Fundraising Marie Cherry Governance Jack Washington Grants Beth MacCausland Membership has its Privileges Hospitality Vacant Insurance Vacant Legal Vacant All membership Membership Donna Mitchell Museum Shop Carol Brunner levels receive: Carla Loughlin Free House Tours, Newsletter/Publicity Carla Loughlin Programs/Events Beth MacCausland Free Admission to All Volunteers Beth MacCausland Website Tony Checchia Non-Reserved Events, Melissa Kurek Quarterly Newsletter,

THE GRAEME PARK GAZETTE 10% Shop Discount

is published quarterly by The Friends of Graeme Park in cooperation with the See our website at www.graemepark.org for additional member benefits. PA Historical and Museum Commission

Editor: Carla A. Loughlin Household————————————- $40 Individual—————————————-$25

Name______Street Address______City______State/Zip______

 My check payable to the Friends of Graeme Park is enclosed

 Please bill my Visa/MC/Discover Card #______Security Code ______Exp. Date ______Billing Zip Code______Befriend the Past The Friends of Graeme Park Mail to: Graeme Park, 859 County Line Rd, Horsham, PA 19044

Page 5

Living History Theater: Elizabeth Homeschool Day Graeme’s Loves & Losses at Graeme Park

Elizabeth Graeme Fer- On Wednesday, September 23 gusson was privileged approximately 50 members of and well-educated. She the homeschooling community was engaged to Wil- participated in our Homeschool liam Franklin and Day at Graeme Park. Kids and friends with many their families were able to expe- men and women rience hands-on history as they who made names marched with the militia, wrote for themselves in with quill pens, learned about Colonial America. cooking over an open fire and Her friend, Dr. played colonial games. They , were also able to tour the Keith referred to her as House to learn the history of a “glittering gos- Governor Keith and the Grae- sip” and she me family, and were enter- was a re- tained by storyteller Robin nowned salon Moore who tells tales about life hostess who in Colonial America and the surrounded herself with edu- Native Americans. This annual cated and talented writers, Park to take up rooms as a event is a chance for students musicians, doctors, and law- boarder in someone else’s who do not come as part of a yers. home. public or private school pro-

gram to engage with other On the surface, she seemed to Learn about Elizabeth’s loves homeschoolers and enjoy a have it all, but an ill-fated and losses on Graeme Park’s program at Graeme Park. marriage to Scotsman Henry Living History Theater tour,

Hugh Fergusson and the sub- featuring costumed actors por- Thank you to Pam Hawthorne, sequent Revolutionary War, traying scenes from Elizabeth’s who worked the gift shop, Bill in which Henry remained loy- life in vignettes throughout the Sparke who did admissions and al to the British, were to dras- historic Keith House. Tours are played colonial games with the tically alter the course of Eliz- being held on December 12, children, Jack Washington, who abeth’s life. Her last years every half hour between 12:30 ran the colonial school, Mary were spent in virtual seclu- and 2:30 p.m. and are $10/ Washington who demonstrated sion. She alienated all but her person which includes light re- hearth cooking, Jim Miller who closest friends, her husband freshments. Please note: This gave house tours, John Brunner returned to while she program was rescheduled from who drilled the kids in militia fought to regain title to her August due to volunteer time exercises and made rubber ancestral home. In the end she commitments. band guns with them, and Car- did not know what became of ol Brunner who organized it all. Henry and she moved out of her beautiful estate at Graeme

Page 6 The Black Walnut Tree

By Jim Miller The addition of vinegar to the inhibit growth of many other There’s a very good reason why dark black tea will make the ink organisms in its vicinity. it is called the black walnut. As last longer once it is applied to Since this includes its own one of the last trees to leaf out paper. The entire process is ex- saplings, dispersion of the in springtime and first to shed tremely messy and it is not ad- walnut population relies on its leaves in the fall, its branch- visable to do this indoors. If squirrel activity to carry the es are black and bare except for your hands acquire black stains nuts away to new areas. only a very few months each they are very difficult to remove. year. That is long enough, Some excellent examples of however, for its leaves to do Since the hull of the nutshell it- walnut furniture found in the their photosynthetic work and self has a corrugated surface that Keith House are the drop leaf nourish magnificent growth resembles the human brain, it table in the dining room, the with trunks reaching two to was thought to be useful for Highboy chests of drawers in three feet in diameter. There are treating headaches. It was also the master bedroom and on several fine examples at Grae- effectively used to treat tape- the third floor, as well as sev- me Park near the pond and worm infections, probably be- eral side chairs throughout parking lot. cause of a chemical secreted the house. from the roots that is known to Colonial carpenters and wood- workers appreciated the dark, rich color of the fine-grained wood and cooks, of course, found many uses for the nutty fruit. But one of the blackest, potentially messiest uses of the tree was in the preparation of ink. A typical recipe for mak- ing walnut ink calls for gather- ing several dozen nuts in their fleshy green husks. If the husks are bruised or have begun to rot, they are even better. In a non-reactive pot, such as a cast iron one, cover them with wa- ter and let them soak for a few days or even a few weeks. When most of the husks are black then it is time to boil the lot for several hours to concen- trate it. Strain out the solids.

Page 7 2015 Wedding Season This year 15 couples chose to say their “I Do’s” at Graeme Park and each celebrated with friends and family in unique and personal ways. For all of the details and photo- graphs, as well as the weddings that hadn’t happened yet as of press time, please see our blog at www.graemepark.blogspot.com

Carly & Ron

Lauren & David Kathy & Bob

Amanda & Jimmy

Tasha & Adraea Abby & Rick Hye-Won & Tristan

Noelle & Andrew Erika & Eugene

Kori & David Nicole & Mike

Katie & Andrew

Address Service Requested

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

Mini-Moonlight: October 25 | Moonlight Tales: October 30 Soldiers’ Christmas: Nov. 28 | Living History Theater: Dec. 12 Compare & Contrast While it often seems as if things move along at a quiet pace here and not much ever chang- es, it is fun to look back through the centuries and realize just how much things actually have changed. The top picture, taken between 1898—1918, shows how much has been done to the exterior of the Keith House to restore it back to what we believe it looked like in Dr. Graeme’s time, including removing vines, painting trim, reconstructing stone garden walls, flagstone patios (not visible under the snow in the bottom photo) and outbuildings, replacing the transoms and upper story win- dows, and perhaps most noticeably, removing dormers from the roof. All of these changes were made based on research, archaeology, and clues the building itself provided through the skilled reading of architectural historians, paint analysts, and other preservation profes- sionals.