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January - March 2020

Pennsylvania: A Holy Experiment

William Penn, a Quaker, was looking for a haven in the New World where he and other could practice their religion freely and without per- secution. He asked King Charles II to grant him land in the territory be- tween Lord Baltimore’s province of and the Duke of York’s province of in order to sat- isfy a debt owed to his father’s estate. With the Duke’s support, Penn’s peti- tion was granted. Charles signed the Charter of on March 4, 1681, and it was officially proclaimed INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

on April 2. With this act, the King not FROM THE PRESIDENT 2 only paid his debt to the Penn family, A NEW BOOK ABOUT 3 but rid of troublesome ELIZABETH GRAEME

Quakers who often challenged the NEWSBRIEFS 3 policies of the Anglican church. LUNCH & LEARN: WOMEN & THE 4 Penn was granted 45,000 acres and, at FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE Charter Day Open Charles’ insistence, named the new SEASONAL PLANTERS 5 House—Free Tours colony Pennsylvania (meaning TEA WITH LOUISA MAY ALCOTT 5 Penn’s Woods) in honor of his father, 2020 CALENDAR 6 March 8—12 noon - 4:00 p.m. Admiral . Penn intend- ed to establish Pennsylvania as a Ho- CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 6 2019 WEDDING COUPLES Join on Sunday, ly Experiment built on the Quaker March 8 from 12 to 4 (last admis- 2019 LIVING HISTORY 7 ideals of religious tolerance, belief in ROUND-UP sion to house at 3:15) in celebrat- the goodness of human nature, par- ing the 339th anniversary of the ticipatory government, and brotherly UPCOMING founding of Pennsylvania. This love. His desire was to create a socie- annual statewide open house is ty where people of different faiths EVENTS

held in honor of the granting of could worship as they chose and ac- March 8 the Pennsylvania Charter to Wil- tively participate in a government Charter Day liam Penn by King Charles II in that guaranteed that right. However, 1681, and many of Pennsylva- while all groups enjoyed religious March 29 nia’s historic sites are open for freedom, the right to participate in Tea with free tours and special activities. the government was actually only Louisa May Alcott extended to Protestant Christians— (See back page for list of other partic- April 22 ipating sites.) Catholics and Jews were excluded Lunch & Learn Continued on page 5

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From the President of the Friends GRAEME PARK

Winter is here, along with the snow, ice, cold and bleak, short days. But it’s at this time, when we at Graeme Park are thinking of the days ahead and are busy with our planning sessions for upcoming programs and events. We try not to dwell on the need for massive outerwear and instead, focus on the many varied presentations on our new 2020 calendar when warmth, flora and fauna will overtake the austere landscape of today.

In this issue, you’ll see our proposed 2020 calendar of events. Yes, we have many different opportunities for you to enjoy Graeme Park and the pro- Graeme Park is the site of the Keith grams we have in store. Educational programs such as School Tours, Living House, an 18th-century historic house, the only remaining home of a History Sundays and Lunch & Learn, family programs such as our Mother’s governor of colonial Pennsylvania. It Day Breakfast and Christmas in the Colonies and fun programs such as our is administered by the Pennsylvania Haunted Halloween Tours, to name a few. Historical and Museum Commission in partnership with the Friends of Graeme Park, a 501c3 volunteer However, we cannot do these programs without our treasured volunteers. organization that raises funds, staffs, They do so much to keep the site up and running from the everyday site and promotes the site. The official operations to the special events, planned and executed down to every detail. registration and financial information We are beyond grateful for all they do for The Friends of Graeme Park and of The Friends of Graeme Park may be obtained from the Pennsylvania we could not continue to operate without them. Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732- This is why we are always looking for willing and enthusiastic people to 0999. Registration does not imply become part of our team of dedicated volunteers who understand how im- endorsement. Individuals who need special assistance or accommodation portant it is to preserve our past. We have many opportunities available. to visit Graeme Park should call Whether you are an historian or a person who has a little time to give doing (215) 343-0965 in advance to discuss something fun, we need you. Learn to give Keith House tours if history is their needs. Pennsylvania TDD relay service is available at (800)654-5984. your thing. But if lending a hand now and again suits your lifestyle a little better, how about helping to sell or collect tickets at a special event. Maybe TOUR HOURS helping in the gift shop during one of these programs. Maybe you would Friday - Saturday like to help plan the events or perhaps you have some great ideas for new 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. events. Do you have some time during the week in spring and fall? The Sunday Noon - 4 p.m. School Tour Committee is always looking for a few good people who are Last tour starts at 3 p.m. eager to help bring history to life for the school kids.

There is so much more and you, your family and friends are invited to hear

about all of the opportunities and take a free tour of the Keith House on Carla A. Loughlin Sunday, April 19. Check the newsletter for full details and mark your calen- Mike MacCausland dar. We would love to have you on board to help to continue our work of

THE PENNSYLVANIA keeping history alive. And in the coldest, darkest days of the winter, it is HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM our volunteers and all they do, who keep the sun shining with a promise of COMMISSION tomorrow at Graeme Park.

Tom Wolf Governor

Andrea Lowery All the best, Executive Director

Nancy Moses Beth MacCausland Chair

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A New Book about Elizabeth Graeme

It is not uncommon for people to at Church, the graveyard at the obli- live in Horsham or some place very Old Swedes Church where she and gations near Horsham for years and years Henry Fergusson were married, the of life before they somehow happen to dis- house where her sister Jane lived, as as a 21st cover Graeme Park. But when Wen- well as lots of libraries and, of century dy Stanley moved here from Canada course, Graeme Park. While poring wife, a decade ago it took her only a few through an original journal at the mother, weeks to find it and only minutes to Pennsylvania Historical Society li- and em- become excited about it. She learned brary, written in solitude with a quill ployee a bit about Elizabeth Graeme’s life as pen by Elizabeth’s own hand, a would a privileged but restricted woman of pressed flower fell out of the pages. allow, the eighteenth century and started to It had been there nearly three centu- to write. write a novel about her. Wendy de- ries! scribes her book, The Power to Deny, She will be at Graeme Park on Penn- just published last December, as his- Elizabeth’s life story seems a natural sylvania’s Charter Day on Sunday, torical fiction. But it is hardly fiction for a novel, considering her strug- March 8 to sign her books, which at all. There is very little in it that is gles in romance, as a writer, as a we’ll have available to purchase. Ad- not documented or did not actually property owner during the Revolu- mission to the park is free that day, happen. tionary War, and generally as a fe- as it is at all Pennsylvania Historic male during that turbulent era. Wen- and Museum Association sites. That is because Wendy did such ex- dy put it all together in this book, tensive, detailed research about her which took her eight years of work- — Jim Miller subject. She visited Elizabeth-related ing in solitude at her computer, sites in – her burial site when time away from juggling all of NEWSBRIEFS Join Our Mailing List to other state-owned properties. The project will Keep up to date with all that is happening at Grae- undertake an inventory of the historic and archae- me Park via our e-mail list. We send a few com- ological resources on the property and develop a munications a month and do not sell or rent our plan for their ongoing maintenance and use. Stay list. Go to our Mail Chimp form at http:// tuned for updates. eepurl.com/VY_IT to subscribe. You may unsub- scribe any time. You can also find out about events Museums for All on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ The PHMC has joined other museums across the GraemeParkHorsham. country in Museums for All. This program ena- bles low-income families to explore Pennsylva- CRMP Pilot Program at Graeme Park nia’s rich history and culture by visiting partici- During the first half of 2020 The Friends of Grae- pating state-owned museums for a minimal fee of me Park will be working with staff members of the $2 per person with the presentation of an Elec- State Historic Preservation Office as they use tronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and identifica- Graeme Park to develop a Cultural Resource Man- tion. This offer is for general admission only and agement Plan (CRMP) that will then be expanded excludes special programs or events.

THE FRIENDS OF Page 4 Lunch & Learn—April 22 GRAEME PARK

MISSION STATEMENT Forgotten Heroes: Women & the The mission of the Friends of Graeme Park is to pro- vide on-going support of preservation, maintenance, development, interpretation, education and promotion Fight for the Right to Vote of Graeme Park.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Forgotten Heroes takes the audience President Beth MacCausland on the long 72-year fight for wom- Vice President Jack Washington Secretary Melissa Kurek en’s suffrage, beginning at the 1848 Treasurer Diane Horan Women’s Rights Convention in Sene- Member at Large Tony Checchia ca Falls, New York and culminating Member at Large Mary Gemmill with the ratification of the 19th Member at Large Deedie Gustavson Member at Large Laura MacBride Amendment in 1920. The program

will highlight some of the deter- STANDING COMMITTEE mined and skillful women who cou- CHAIRPERSONS Education Carol Brunner rageously fought to change not only John Brunner the laws, but cultural and social Finance Vacant norms. Pennsylvania’s suffrage cam- Fundraising Vacant Governance Jack Washington paign to amend the state constitution, named the “ Plan” will also be Grants Beth MacCausland covered. Hospitality Vacant Insurance Vacant The program was developed as part of the League of Women Voters of Bucks Legal Vacant County’s celebration in 2020 of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and Membership Carla Loughlin Museum Shop Carol Brunner the founding of the League of Women Voters. The speaker is Sandra Kerr, a mem- Carla Loughlin ber of the LWVBC’s Speakers’ Bureau, who has done extensive research to inform Newsletter/Publicity Carla Loughlin her presentation. The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization, Programs/Events Beth MacCausland whose purpose is to promote active and informed participation of citizens in gov- Volunteers Beth MacCausland Website Carla Loughlin ernment. Its members reach out to the public with information and assistance on

registering to vote, candidate information and forums to help voters make in- THE GRAEME PARK GAZETTE formed choices, and studied and developed positions on important issues. is published quarterly by The Friends of Graeme Park in cooperation with the Enjoy a morning waffle station & other breakfast items, lecture on the women’s PA Historical and Museum Commission suffrage movement, and a lunch buffet. Tours of the historic Keith House will also Editor: Carla A. Loughlin be available after lunch. Reserved event. $30/person; $25/members.

Lunch will include: Schedule ⚫ Choice of hot entrées with 9:30 a.m. - Check-in & breakfast

aa side dishes 11:00 a.m. - Lecture ⚫ Vegetarian option 12:00 noon - Lunch Befriend the Past The Friends of Graeme Park ⚫ Salad, dessert, beverages After Lunch - House Tour

$30/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 $30/pp is enclosed. Please Phone: ______eMail:______make checks out to “The Friends of Graeme Card # ______Park”  Please bill my credit card Exp. Date: ______Code:______

* $25 / Members Billing Zip Code: ______

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Pennsylvania—continued from page 1 from voting or holding office. This right to vote was extended to virtu- the government cannot be bad; if it religious tolerance attracted Catho- ally all free Christian (non- be ill, they will cure it. But, if men lics, Jews, Anglicans, Baptists, Scots Catholic) men, regardless of wheth- be bad, let the government be ever -Irish Presbyterians, and several er or not they owned land. so good, they will endeavor to warp sects of Germans, who all lived and spoil it to their turn. In the 1682 Frame of Government, harmoniously. the first document which formed Succeeding Frames of Government Pennsylvania’s government was the foundation of the new colony’s were produced in 1683, 1696 and organized into three parts: the Pro- government, Penn wrote: 1701. The fourth Frame was also prietor, who was William Penn, known as the Charter of Privileg- Governments, like clocks, go from es and remained in effect until acted as the governor of the colony the motion men give them, and as (or in Penn’s absence a deputy (our the Revolution. governments are made and moved William Keith) fulfilled the duties by men, so by them they are ruined, (Source: Kashatus, William; “William of executive); a seventy-two mem- too. Wherefore governments rather Penn’s Legacy, Religious & Spiritual ber Provincial Council, or upper depend upon men than men upon Diversity,” Pennsylvania Herit- house; and a unicameral Provincial governments. Let men be good, and age Magazine, Volume XXXVII, No. 2 - Assembly, or lower house. The Spring 2011)

Seasonal Tea with Louisa May Alcott Planters You know Louisa May Alcott as the author of the beloved Young Adult novel, Little Women.

Although she immortalized her family’s life in The Friends of Massachusetts in her writing, she was born in Graeme Park Pennsylvania, just miles from Graeme Park. would like to Join her in 1868 as she visits her birth state on thank Carol an author’s speaking tour, on the heels of the Brunner for al- surprise success of part one of her most success- ways keeping ful work to date, Little Women: or, Meg, Jo, Beth, the barrel plant- and Amy.

ers outside our The program, on Sunday, March 29 at 1:00 pm, Visitors’ Center will include a reading of selections of her works fresh and season- leading up to Little Women, discussion of her life ally appropriate. and artistic influences, and an opportunity for They’re a wel- esteemed audience members to provide feed- coming greeting back on what should happen in part two of Al- to our visitors, cott’s most successful novel to date, which she and her summer is begrudgingly writing by popular (and her editor’s) demand. After the presentation, enjoy plantings never a light tea of sweets, hot and iced tea, and infor- fail to attract but- mal chat with Louisa. $5 suggested donation. terflies and hum- mingbirds.

Page 6 2020 Calendar of Events March 8—Charter Day September 13—Living History—Lenni & Native American Traditions March 29—Tea with Louisa May Alcott September 17—Homeschool Day April 19—Volunteer Recruitment Program September 27—Songs & Stories of the Civil War April 22—Lunch & Learn: Forgotten Heroes, (Presented by Matthew Dodd) Women & the Fight for the Right to Vote October 14—Lunch & Learn May 10—Mother’s Day Breakfast & Tour October 18—Living History—Pirates in Colonial May 17—Living History—Keeping a Colonial America Household October 23 & 30—Halloween Lantern Tours June 14—Living History—High Society November 28—Christmas in the Colonies June 21—Annual Meeting & Volunteer Lunch December 31—A Toast to the Ghost June 21—Antiques Appraisal with Locati Dates & topics subject to change. Please keep an eye on our July 4—Living History—Independence Day website (www.graemepark.org), Facebook page August 16—Living History— & (www.facebook.com/GraemeParkHorsham), or sign up for our email list (see page 3—Newsbriefs) for more details . Colonial Medicine Graeme Park wishes all the best to our 2019 couples as they begin their first New Year together.

Morgan & Ryan – April 27 Kasie & Ed – August 31 Lauren & George – May 10 Emily & Chris – September 7 Sarah & Alex – May 18 Brooke & Matt – September 14 Rose & Keegan – May 25 Bridey & Jack – September 21 Jayne & Robert – June 8 Lacie & Duncan – September 28 Yong & Kevin – June 15 Caroline & Adam – October 5 Kristen & Tim – June 21 Christi & Jay – October 11 Erin & Mike – June 22 Brittany & Brennon – October 12 Bridget & Alan – July 6 Jennifer & Tim – October 13 Lori & Doug – July 20 Bree-Anna & Cody – October 19 Anne & Chris – August 3 Laura & Michael – October 20 Stefanie & Ed – August 16 Jennifer & Sean – October 26 Jennifer & Briar – August 17 Corey & Derik – November 2 Lynnette & Kermit – August 24 Kyle - Day & Alex – November 9 Hannah & Jordan – August 30 Kayleigh & Alex – November 10

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Living History at Graeme Park—In 2019 we cooked on the hearth, played kids’ and tavern games, walked the plank with the pirates, did household chores, staged a reading of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, wrote with quill pens, did needlework, and more. We’re working on topics for our 2020 Living His- tory Sundays—some repeats of last year, and some new things too. Please keep an eye on our website (www.graemepark.org), Facebook (www.facebook.com/GraemeParkHorsham), or subscribe to our emails (see page 3) to hear more about them as they approach.

Address Service Requested

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

Charter Day—March 8 | Tea with Louisa May Alcott—March 29 Lunch & Learn: Women & the Fight for the Right to Vote—April 22

Other Historic Sites Open for Free Tours & Special Programs on Charter Day

Military History: Eckley Miners’ Village and U.S. Brig Niagara Cornwall Furnace Museum Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Military Museum Rural Farm and Village History: Park Washington Crossing Historic Park Somerset Historical Center Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum Historic Homes: House Homestead History Hubs: Homestead The State Museum of Pennsylvania Graeme Park Pennsylvania State Archives Hope Lodge See https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Museums for links to specific sites you are interested in. Industrial Heritage: Please contact the sites directly for specifics and Museum confirmation of their hours. Pennsylvania Lumber Museum Pennsylvania Heritage Museum