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The Gazette J ANUARY - MARCH 2018

Celebrate the Charter with Graeme Park!

Join Graeme Park in celebrat- include the land be- ing Pennsylvania’s 337th tween the 39th and birthday on Sunday, 42nd degrees of March 11 from 12 to 4 north latitude and (last admission to from the Dela- house at 3:30). Meet ware River west- Dr. Thomas ward for five de- Graeme as he grees of longi- welcomes you tude. Other provi- to his home. sions assured its This annual people the protec- statewide open tion of English house is held in laws and, to a cer- honor of the tain degree, kept it granting of the subject to the gov- Pennsylvania Charter ernment in . to by King In 1682 the Duke of York Charles II in 1681, and many deeded to Penn his claim to the three of Pennsylvania’s historic sites are open lower counties on the , which for free tours and special activities. (See are now the state of Delaware. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: page 3) In October 1682, Penn arrived in Penn- The King owed William Penn £16,000, FROM THE PRESIDENT 2 sylvania for the first time on the ship OF THE FRIENDS money which his father, Admiral Penn, Welcome. He visited , just NEWSBRIEFS 3 had lent him. Penn, a member of the So- laid out as the capital city, created the ciety of Friends, or , was look- PA HISTORIC SITES OPEN 3 three original counties (Philadelphia, ing for a haven in the New World where FOR CHARTER DAY Chester, and Bucks), and summoned a he and his fellow believers could prac- LUNCH & LEARN: THE 4 General Assembly to Chester on Decem- tice their religion freely and without ber 4. 2018 CALENDAR OF 5 persecution. Penn asked the King to EVENTS grant him land in the territory between Three hundred years later, William CONGRATULATIONS 2017 6 NEWLYWEDS Lord Baltimore’s province of Penn and his wife Hannah Callowhill THE SPRING EQUINOX 7 and the Duke of York’s province of New Penn, were made honorary citizens of York. With the Duke’s support, Penn’s the , by act of Congress. petition was granted. The King signed On May 8, 1985, they were also granted the Charter of Pennsylvania on March 4, honorary citizenship by Pennsylvania. UPCOMING

1681, and it was officially proclaimed on (Courtesy of the PHMC, extracted from The EVENTS April 2. Quaker Province: 1681-1776,

The King named the new colony Penn- www.phmc.state.pa.us) MARCH 11 sylvania (meaning Penn’s Woods) in Charter Day honor of William Penn’s father. It was to

Page 2

From the President of the Friends GRAEME PARK Happy 2018 to all of our Friends of Graeme Park!

We ended 2017 with the last programs of the year; Haunted Lantern Tours in October and Christmas in the Colonies in November. Both drew amazing crowds and we received super, positive feedback from attendees.

Though not much is on our calendar in January and February, we are busy at the site planning for the coming year. We are diligently seeking speakers for our Happy Hour with the Historian programs. These are fun nights con- sisting of a happy hour from 6:00-7:00, with thanks to Bert Gottbrecht, and a Graeme Park is the site of the Keith half-hour talk, beginning at 7:00, on many subjects of interest. No reserva- House, an 18th-century historic tions necessary. Just check our calendar and drop in for one of our many house, the only remaining home of a diverse topics being offered this year. governor of colonial Pennsylvania. It is administered by the Pennsylvania Our Living History Sundays are coming back, as well. Though you may Historical and Museum Commission take a Keith House tour any Sunday, if you visit on the third Sunday from in partnership with the Friends of Graeme Park, a 501c3 volunteer May through October, you’ll be treated to something special. Each Living organization that raises funds, staffs, History Sunday features an historical figure or event to make the visit more and promotes the site. The official meaningful. registration and financial information of The Friends of Graeme Park may Check this newsletter for our spring Lunch and Learn information, which is be obtained from the Pennsylvania being held on Wednesday, April 25. This fun day at Graeme Park features a Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732- continental breakfast, a lecture and a catered lunch. All for only $25 ($20 for 0999. Registration does not imply members!). endorsement. Individuals who need special assistance or accommodation We are beginning to gear up for our 2018 Mothers’ Day Breakfast. A great to visit Graeme Park should call breakfast buffet with a tour of the Keith House is always a nice way to treat (215) 343-0965 in advance to discuss the ladies on their special day. And who can resist the newest addition to their needs. Pennsylvania TDD relay service is available at (800)654-5984. our menu…Blushing Mimosas? Don’t wait too long to make your reserva- tions. We fill up quickly. TOUR HOURS Friday - Saturday Volunteering at Graeme Park is a great way to chip away the winter blues. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. We plan our wonderful programs for the spring, summer and fall and it has Sunday Noon - 4 p.m. a tendency to take our minds off of the barren landscape outside. If you’d like to help in any way, please let us know. We are always looking for extra Last tour starts at 3 p.m. hands and fresh ideas for our programs, school tours and many other things. We’d love to have you on board.

Carla A. Loughlin Last and certainly not least, we want to wish a speedy recovery to our vice- Mike MacCausland president, Jack Washington. Jack has been a bit under-the-weather these past months and though he has kept in touch with phone conferences, we

THE PENNSYLVANIA miss seeing him and having his guidance on all matters Graeme Park. The HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM good news is that he’s on the mend and coming around. Get well VERY COMMISSION soon, Jack!

Tom Wolf Governor Here’s hoping that 2018 is an exciting year for you!

Andrea Lowery All the best, Executive Director

Nancy Moses Chair Beth

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Charter Day—Historic Sites Open for Free Tours*

• Heritage Museum, Scranton • Hope Lodge, Ft. Washington

• Park, Chadds Ford • House, Northumberland

• Homestead, Womelsdorf • Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Lancaster

• Cornwall Furnace, Cornwall • , Morrisville

• Homestead, Birdsboro • Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Ulysses

• Museum, Titusville • Pennsylvania Military Museum, Boalsburg

• Eckley Miners’ Village, Weatherly • Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg

• , Ephrata • Somerset Historical Center, Somerset

• & Flagship Niagara, Erie * Please check with sites before visiting to insure they • Museum, are open and participating in Charter Day; hours may vary from site to site. Contact information can be found • Graeme Park, Horsham at www.phmc.pa.gov/museums NEWSBRIEFS History Day For more information about this regional competi- On March 24, 2018, hundreds of middle and high tion please visit www.nhdbucksmont.org. The school students from across Bucks and Montgomery deadline to register is February 12. Counties will assemble at Ursinus College in Col- legeville. They will have just one thing on their School Tour Volunteer Opportunities minds: HISTORY! All will be participating in Bucks Graeme Park is seeking dedicated volunteers to as- and Montgomery Counties’ Regional National Histo- sist our Education Committee with school tours. ry Day® Competition, the first stage in this national Duties might include giving tours of the historic academic competition for students in grades 6 Keith House to groups of children & their chaper- through 12, sponsored regionally by the Bucks Coun- ones, leading children in colonial games, quill writ- ty Historical Society. ing, and other hands-on activities or crafts, and spe-

Modeled after the highly successful science fair con- cialized demonstrations such as hearth cooking. cept, History Day encourages young people to under- Children are generally 2nd-7th grade with the ma- take original research and interpretation of historical jority being 4th & 5th graders. Volunteers will work events. Students may write papers, present perfor- with current school tour volunteers to “learn the mances, design exhibits, or create media presenta- ropes” and costumes are available to borrow. tions. Competition is divided into a junior level Most tours occur during school hours September- (grades 6-8), and a senior level (grades 9-12). All en- November and April-June and the schedule is flexi- tries must relate to a predetermined theme – this ble. Please contact us at [email protected] if year’s theme is Conflict & Compromise in History. you are interested in learning more.

THE FRIENDS OF Page 4 GRAEME PARK

MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Friends of Graeme Park is to pro- Lunch & Learn— vide on-going support of preservation, maintenance, development, interpretation, education and promotion April 25 of Graeme Park.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Beth MacCausland The Walking Vice President Jack Washington Secretary Melissa Kurek Purchase Treasurer Diane Horan Member at Large Tony Checchia In 1737 four Delaware Chiefs agreed Member at Large Deedie Gustavson Member at Large Laura MacBride to carry out an old deed which would

allow the sons of William Penn to pur- STANDING COMMITTEE

CHAIRPERSONS chase as much land as a man could Education Carol Brunner walk in a day and a half. The Chiefs John Brunner Finance Vacant assumed this would be about 40 miles. Fundraising Vacant Instead James Logan, provincial secre- Governance Jack Washington tary, hired runners to run on a path Lappawinsoe, one of the Chiefs who signed Grants Beth MacCausland the Walking Purchase Treaty, is also documented as Hospitality Vacant that had been prepared for them being the first Native American portrayed in an oil Insurance Vacant painting. Painting attributed to Gustavus Hesselius Legal Vacant ahead of time, and the one runner to Membership Carla Loughlin finish the course traveled 70 miles. The Museum Shop Carol Brunner resulting loss to the Native Americans was over 1.2 million acres. Carla Loughlin Newsletter/Publicity Carla Loughlin Programs/Events Beth MacCausland Speaker Doug Miller has worked for the PHMC for over 20 years, in- Volunteers Beth MacCausland cluding time at Graeme Park. He is currently the Site Administrator at Website Carla Loughlin Pennsbury Manor.

THE GRAEME PARK GAZETTE is published quarterly by The Friends of Enjoy a continental breakfast, lecture on the walking purchase, and a Graeme Park in cooperation with the hot and cold lunch buffet. Tours of the historic Keith House will also PA Historical and Museum Commission be available after lunch. Reserved event. $25/person; $20/members. 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: ______

Page 5 2018 Calendar of Events*

MARCH OCTOBER 11 (Sunday) – Charter Day—Free tours of the 10 (Wednesday) – Lunch & Learn—Continental historic Keith House in honor of the founding of breakfast, lecture on historic topic (to be determined) Pennsylvania and a hot and cold buffet lunch. 18 (Thursday) – Happy Hour with the Historian APRIL 21 (Sunday) – Living History Sunday 19 (Thursday) – Happy Hour with the Historian 26 (Friday) – Halloween Program 25 (Wednesday) – Lunch & Learn—See page 4 NOVEMBER

24 (Saturday) – Christmas in the Colonies— MAY Guided tour of the Keith House with a Christmas 13 (Sunday) – Mothers’ Day Breakfast—Waffles, theme. eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, pastries & bagels, Blush- ing Mimosas (real and mocktail) and a tour of the DECEMBER Keith House. Reservations required. 6 (Thursday) – Gingerbread House Workshop 17 (Thursday) – Happy Hour with the Historian Happy Hours with the Historian 20 (Sunday) – Living History Sunday Join us Thursday evenings for a few drinks on

the grounds of Graeme Park (indoors in cooler/ JUNE inclement weather) and a talk on an historical 17 (Sunday) – Living History Sunday topic. We’re working on lining up speakers now, 21 (Thursday) – Happy Hour with the Historian so topics will be announced as we know them.

The dates are as follows: April 19, May 17, June JULY 21, July 19, August 23, September 20, October 18 4 (Wednesday) – See our flag collection and tour the historic Keith House with an emphasis on the Revolu- Living History Sundays tionary-era history of Graeme Park. Join us on the third Sunday, May—October for 15 (Sunday) – Living History Sunday Living History Sundays. Topics are still being fi- 19 (Thursday) – Happy Hour with the Historian nalized but there will be costumed interpreters and brief presentations on a variety of topics re- AUGUST lating to Colonial America and the Graeme fami- 19 (Sunday) – Living History Sunday ly and their friends. The dates are as follows: 23 (Thursday) – Happy Hour with the Historian May 20, June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16, October 21 SEPTEMBER 12 (Wednesday) – Life in William Penn’s * All events are subject to change. Please keep an Woods—Guided nature walk through the grounds of eye on our website (www.graemepark.org) and Graeme Park. Leashed dogs welcome. Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ 16 (Sunday) – Living History Sunday graemeparkhorsham), and of course upcoming 20 (Thursday) – Happy Hour with the Historian issues of The Graeme Park Gazette, for details, 28 (Friday) – Home School Day—Hands-on day for costs, and registration information as we com- Homeschoolers and their families. plete our planning.

Page 6 Congratulations to our 2017 Newlyweds Graeme Park wishes all the best to our 2017 couples Mary & Matt – October 7 as they begin their first New Year together. Angie & Charles – October 13 Kristin & Nick – October 14 Rebecca & Richard – April 22 Karin & Kyle – October 15 Alina & Greg – April 29 Jessy & Scott – October 21 Nicole & Anton – April 30 Hannah & Nick – October 28 Kendra & Steve – May 27 Brittany & Kevin – November 3 Christina & Matt – June 3 Jessica & Jenna – November 4 Shanae & Mark – June 10 Christine & Jason – November 5 Catherine & Kevin – June 17 Valerie & Colin – November 10 Larissa & Armando – June 23 Heather & Mike – November 11 Sue & Matt – June 24

Amanda & John – August 5 Alexis & Michael – August 19 Karaline & Nicholas – August 26 Julie & Brian – September 1 Marlena & Andrew – September 2 Leah & Zach – September 9 Laura & Zach – September 16 Kayla & Chris – September 23 Jennifer & Justin – September 30

Need a unique gift for a friend or your child’s teacher? The Graeme Park shop has jigsaw puzzles (cats, historical), jew- elry, iron candle holders and hooks, family tree charts, his- toric games and toys, and more. Open Fridays—Saturdays 10-4 and Sundays 12-4.

Page 7 The Spring Equinox

By Beth dying East- Mac- er eggs has Causland its roots in the vernal As we hunk- equinox. It’s er down a natural these winter since eggs months, let’s are a sym- remember bol of re- that spring birth, as is would not be spring. Ar- so welcome chaeological without the evidence frozen land- suggests scape which that people we see now. We get through equator—from south to north have been dying eggs for thou- these arctic blasts and freezing and vice versa in September. sands of years. Throughout his- temperatures by counting the tory, egg dying and eggs at the days until spring arrives. It may Now, it’s true that we may be in time of the spring equinox go arrive slowly or with a bang the throes of a snowstorm on hand-in-hand. where one day, the landscape March 20. We always seem to bursts with crocus and snow- get something on or near St. The vernal equinox for the an- drop blooms which were not Paddy’s Day. But March 20, cient Celts was called “Alban there the day before. 2018 will, indeed, mark the be- Eiler”, which means “Light of ginning of the astronomical the Earth”. This was a time of Whether spring comes in on its spring and regardless of the transition to the ancients and the own good time or with a flour- weather we may be facing, in earliest of crops would be sown. ish, the fact is that in 2018, here our hearts and on our calendars, It also represented a rare balance in the Philadelphia region, the it will be spring. in nature and was considered a spring or vernal equinox will powerful time for magic. quietly happen at 12:15 pm on An ancient Chinese tradition Tuesday, March 20. On the equi- calls for balancing eggs, a sym- So celebrate spring’s arrival on noxes, the sun shines directly on bol of fertility, on the day of the March 20 at 12:15 pm. Try to the equator and the length of March Equinox for good luck stand an egg upright. Or dye an day and night are said to be and prosperity. People claim egg or eat an egg or pull a rabbit equal. that it’s the only day of the year out of your hat! Just take a mo- when the earth is so perfectly ment to know that the worst is The March equinox marks the balanced that an egg will stand behind us as far as winter goes moment the sun crosses the ce- on its end. Maybe it will, maybe and warmth, sunshine and re- lestial equator—the imaginary it won’t, but it’s a good legend! birth are just up ahead. line in the sky above the earth’s Our contemporary tradition of

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

March 11—Charter Day Best Hot Chocolate Ever By Beth MacCausland Serves 6-8 - Cook time approx. 2 hours in a 5-quart or larger crock pot. Did you know that our colonial ancestors frequent-

ly indulged in a mug of hot chocolate? By the mid- Ingredients: 1700s, it was affordable to all classes and available 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream in most coffee houses where people gathered to dis- 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk cuss the news of the day. Chocolate was ground 5 ½ cups milk and pressed in cakes, wrapped in paper then sold 2 tsp. vanilla by grocers in Colonial America. It was served by 2 cups milk chocolate chips OR 1 cup milk choco- mixing with hot water and brandy, milk, port or late chips and 1 cup semi-sweet chips sherry. Sometimes red pepper, cloves, aniseed or

nuts would be added to the drink. Directions: I’m sure it didn’t taste quite like what we are used 1. Stir together all ingredients in the crock pot. to in our modern world—that tried and true pow- 2. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring oc- dered mix and hot water. Let’s go a step casionally with a whisk. You want to make above that for our hot chocolate. This rich sure all chocolate chips are melted and that and creamy recipe is THE BEST. Just a little mixture is hot. If chips are not melted after something to warm you from your head to 2 hours on low, switch to high and contin- your toes on the coldest days of winter. ue to stir periodically until mixture is Don’t forget the marshmallows or smooth. whipped cream to make each cup com- 3. Turn crock to warm and serve. plete!