The WallSummer 2010 Paper

A Publication of the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission Volume XIII Number 14

Market Day --A Gala Event Market Day, in its 27th year, is an annual fund raising event sponsored by the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission. Market Day will be held on the grounds of the Richard Wall House Museum on September 11th, 2010 (Rain Date, Sunday, September 12th) from 9 AM to 4 PM. The event features numerous vendors of collectibles, arts, crafts, memorabilia and antiques. Throughout the Day, the Richard Wall House Museum will be open for self-guided tours from 10 AM to Noon and from 1 PM to 4 PM. Refreshments will be available for purchase on the grounds. Admission to the grounds and the museum are free. All proceeds benefit the restoration and maintenance of the museum. For more information or to serve as a dealer for this Cheltenham Township Fund Raiser please call 215-887-9159 or visit the Township website at www.cheltenhamtownship.org. The Richard Wall House Museum is located on 1 Wall Park Drive, Elkins Park, PA.

Richard Wall House Museum opening in September 2010. The exhibit “World War II Remembered” under the World War II The Richard Wall House Museum will exhibit direction of Cathy McCoy, will feature library memorabilia from the home front and war books and keepsakes of library staff and its Tribute time life overseas. The exhibit was mounted patrons. by Dorothy Spruill, curator of the Wall House Cheltenham, PA Committee and the Exhibitions commemorating the 65th with the assistance of Cynthia Breen, archivist anniversary of World War II are being and Louse Cohen, conservator. Opening United Kingdom’s Twinning Committee presented through the collaborative efforts of September 5th between the hours of 1 - 4 PM, Assist Richard Wall House Museum several community organizations here and in visitors can see “Life on the Home Front and Exhibit the UK, including Reform Congregation “War Front.” Displays of the home front will Keneseth Israel and its Temple Judea Museum, feature ration books and rationed items, The Twinning Committee of Cheltenham and the Richard Wall House Museum, the Elkins copies of newspapers, wartime wedding party Gloustershire, UK and the Cheltenham Park Library, and the Old York Road finery, a USO Canteen Tableau, war time Committee, PA have collaborated to facilitate Historical Society. This multi-organizational music, photos of Civil Defense teams, and the the display of photos (at the Richard Wall memorial is a tribute to the lives of families polio epidemic. “The War Front” will feature House Museum) depicting life on the home on the home front and the men and women photos of the Pearl Harbor bombing, copies of front in the sister community of Cheltenham, who fought in the global conflict that was the President Roosevelt’s notated war time England during WW II. Permission to share “War to End All Wars.” speeches, GI and officer uniforms, a field these photos was made possible by the organ, and other wartime memorabilia. Of Gloustershire newspaper, “The Echo.” The Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel special interest will be a collection of mini committees foster an ongoing relationship due Temple Judea Museum photographs from wartime England, donated to the bond that exists between them because by our sister community in Cheltenham, the founding fathers of Cheltenham Township The exhibition at the Temple Judea Museum United Kingdom. On December 11, 2010, the emigrated from Cheltenham and remembers that fateful time in history with Museum will be open from 10 AM to 4 PM for Gloustershire, UK. The Twinning Committee, selections from the Silver Family World War II self-guided tours of the exhibit. The exhibit UK is accessible to all interested Cheltenham Home-front Ephemera Collection, a visual will be open from September through March Township PA residents who visit. For more response by members of the Keneseth Israel 2011. information contact Nancy Gibson (215) (KI) Artists’ Collective and students of the KI 887-1000. Confirmation Academy, a photographic Multi-Faith Memorial Service tapestry, and selections from the Temple Judea Old York Road Historical Society The public is invited to participate in a Museum permanent collection mounted by special multi-faith service in tribute to the museum director, Rita Poley under the The Old York Road Historical Society, under memories of World War II, Friday evening direction of Guest Curator, Marlene D’Orazio the direction of its President David Rowland, December 10, 2010 at 8 PM at Reform Adler. The exhibition will be presented from will display photographs of the “Home Front” Congregation Keneseth Israel, officiated by September 3, 2010 to March 5, 2011 at Temple from communities along and adjacent to the Rabbi Lance Sussman. Judea Museum, Reform Congregation Old York Road Corridor from to New Hope at the Richard Wall House Keneseth Israel, 8333 Old York Road, Elkins Elkins Park Library Park, PA at the corner of Township Line Road Museum Library in September. and Washington Lane. The Elkins Park Library will host a lobby World War II Tribute continued on page 2 exhibit of World War II memorabilia also

1 The Lore and Lure of Old Wyncote “There are many good reasons for studying Avenue. What a treat to discuss the prospects We can’t go back except in our studies and history. One of them is to help restrain the for his latest investment, a professional team reveries, and this, we might reluctantly unwarranted romanticism that pondering in the new sport of baseball, which he named concede, is a good thing. But it is important to past times incurs. Ah, the good old days! Life the “Phillies”. know and ponder what our ancestors was slower, less complicated, cleaner, then. accomplished and what they suffered to build Wasn’t it? I can smell the fresh country air of Would he have guessed that in the far off 21st the beautiful communities of Cheltenham we Olde Wyncote now”. century it would be the oldest one-name, one- enjoy today. city franchise in all of professional sports? We ----Thomas Wieckowski could step down to the Diehl Oyster house in Thomas Wieckowski’s new book, “Making the tiny commercial area on the corner of Marathon”: A History of Early Wyncote, To be sure, given the chance, I would be the Glenside Avenue for a tasty lunch and then go chronicles the growth of Wyncote from first in line to tour the Wyncote of a century or next door to the fountain at Eckles Pharmacy to 1900. Mr. Wieckowski is a so ago. Seeing the old Mather mill in its for a refreshing drink. But the pastoral setting member of the Cheltenham Township heyday along a rustic country road would be a was, alas, far from idyllic by our standards Historical Commission. wonderful event. I yearn to experience what today. one early 19th century visitor described as ********************************************** “the click-clack of the old mill’s mechanism” Preservation of food, and the milk from which could be heard as soon as one started Wanamaker’s, Sharpless’ and Heacock’s cows, World War II Tribute continued from page 1 descending the narrow and rutted dirt path depended on the supply of ice blocks cut from known first as the Abington-Germantown ponds like Heacock’s between the new Philadelphia USO Road, then renamed Washington Lane in Glenside Avenue and the railroad tracks. honor of our great national hero who trod the Filling the icehouse every winter was the route several times in the storied autumn of cause for a celebration. The modern Canteen 1777. improvement in 1899 represented by ice During World War II a USO Canteen was blocks manufactured and supplied by the situated in an open area near Philadelphia The grassy fields and thick woods that lined Hygeian ice company on Glenside Avenue City Hall. Here, dances were held for the the way supported Isaac Mather’s family for marked a step forward in the comfort of home servicemen. Not only did the US servicemen one hundred and fifty years, then hosted and the safety of eating. department store magnate John Wanamaker’s enjoy the hospitality but so did the servicemen prize herd of Alderney cows for another fifty. When the “Syndicate” started building houses from France and Great Britain whose ships There’s a sight, cows in Wyncote! His on the other side of the township line (there docked in the Philadelphia Naval Yard. Their mansion, Lindenhurst, was one of the most was not a road by that name then), they partners were young ladies who volunteered sumptuous homes in the entire country - until simply allowed household runoff, and sewage from the city and suburbs including local it burned to the ground in 1907, victim to the was so extensive in the new village that Elkins Park girls. The young ladies danced all ever-present scourge of uncontrolled fire. The typhoid was an annual problem in the summer long with servicemen in the open air small stream that meandered through summer. The two churches were closed at canteen. In winter, the canteen was moved to Wanamaker’s field and fed a pond before times of contagion, and resident Joseph a nearby office building basement. There was emptying into the Tookany exploded in Hellerman of Greenwood Avenue was an airfield in the vicinity of Atlantic city which wildflowers in the spring and summer. Annie reported “very low” with typhoid on August also provided entertainment for servicemen. Heacock, who lived in the 1749 farmhouse on 24, 1896. He was dead a week later, one of On one memorable evening a bus was the hill overlooking today’s eponymous road many who succumbed to this now unknown chartered for the Philadelphia Canteen ladies described the sylvan setting in the mid-19th disease in our country. to venture to Atlantic City. As the ladies century: “The bluffs were blue with the viola stepped off the bus they were faced with pitch pedata, saxafrage, columbine, arbutus, The watchman at the Chelten Hills railroad black darkness due to a coastal black out. anemones-what a wealth of spring flowers crossing, William Mack, was struck by a train Each lady put her hand on the shoulder of the grew along the banks of the Tacony Creek.” in 1896. Who doubts that, given a choice he one in front of her to guide herself to a would have preferred a 21st century five- brilliantly lighted auditorium with Glen Miller Another sure winner would be the chance to minute ride to the future Abington Hospital and his Orchestra. The orchestra played long sit in 1898 with attorney and neighbor, John I. rather than being put on a train headed into the evening giving the servicemen a good Rogers, on the veranda of his majestic hilltop downtown to the nearest hospital at the time, time prior to their embarking on a tour mansion, Dunluce, overlooking Greenwood The Jewish Hospital. He died on the way. overseas. 2 C H E LT E N H A M T O W N S H I P Cheltenham Township Precious Places AWA R D E D K E Y S T O N E Wins $20,000 Preserve Conceived as a way to mark the 20th H I S T O R I C P RESERVATION anniversary of Scribe Video Center, the America Grant Precious Places video documentaries celebrate G R A N T the richness of neighborhoods, buildings, Cheltenham Township recently won a $20,000 public spaces and landmarks. Precious Places Preserve America Matching Grant to Cheltenham Township was recently is a community oral history project in which document, inventory, and catalog the members of the community who know its awarded a $72, 781 Keystone Historic costume, clothing, and textiles collection of history create video documentaries about the Preservation Grant from the the Richard Wall House Museum. This special places that help define a community, Historical and Museum project will enable the township-owned hold community memory, or may be in danger museum, which is listed on the national Commission to undertake a long term of being forgotten or lost due to suburban Register of Historic Places and dates to 1682, restoration and rehabilitation project development. Elkins Park’s High School to better interpret Cheltenham’s 300 years of involving the wood windows, doors and Park, and La Mott’s, La Mott Community local history. related exterior woodwork at the George Garden are two of nine K. Heller School located at 439 This matching grant was one of 43 awarded to community groups that have been Ashbourne Road, Cheltenham, 23 states under the Preserve America Grant Program. The program began in 2006 and is accepted for participation in Pennsylvania. administered by the Department of the Scribe Video Center’s 2010 “Precious Places” The building was constructed in three Interior’s in partnership with the Advisory Council of Historic Community History Project. campaigns, 1883, 1893 and 1906 as a Preservation. Preserve America is a White Scribe Video Center is a non- public school. The building was last used House initiative that encourages and supports profit organization founded by filmmaker as a public elementary school in 1953. community efforts to preserve and enjoy the Louis Massiah and is located in West nation’s heritage. More information on The Township acquired the building from Philadelphia. Scribe provides each Preserve America, including a complete list of the Cheltenham Township School District community group with production support grant recipients can be found at in 1954. From 1955 to present, the and equipment to create an oral history www.PreserveAmerica.gov. building has been leased to the documenting the people and places that make Cheltenham Center for the Arts and used Karen Karuza, a former communities unique. Philadelphia joins New for instruction in the visual and Historical Commission member, has been York and Los Angeles in performing arts serving well over 500 named by the Historical having a citywide oral students (young children as well as Commission to history project. adults) annually. inventory and catalog The 2010-2011 Precious the Wall House Places series which includes High School Park The restoration and rehabilitation project collection. Ms. Karuza is a professor at the Art and La Mott Community Garden is scheduled to commence in September, Institute of Philadelphia where she teaches documentaries will premiere at the textile and design studio courses. In 2008-09 2010 and be completed by the end of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts she was given the distinction of Honored year. All the existing wood windows and at the Kimmel Center. For more information Faculty. Ms. Karuza holds a Bachelor of Fine doors will be restored. Also, at least nine contact Corey Chao, Community Programs Arts from Moore College of Art and Design Coordinator at [email protected]. new synthetic replacement windows will and a Masters of Liberal Arts from the be removed, new wood windows will be University of Pennsylvania. added, and the wood cornice and cupola Richard Wall House will be restored and painted. All other Salute to Women’s exterior wood and trim will be scraped, Museum primed, and painted. This restoration History and rehabilitation project will improve The Richard Wall House Museum 1 Wall Park SPECIAL OPEN Drive Elkins Park PA is open Sundays, 1-4 the overall function, condition, and HOUSE TOUR AT PM. Weekday group tours are available. For operation of the building and will extend THE RICHARD more information please call 215-887-9159. the life of the original historic fabric and WALL HOUSE MUSEUM architectural elements for future To donate items circa 1682-1980 or to volunteer please contact the curator, Dorothy generations to enjoy and appreciate when Sunday, October 24, Spruill, 215-884-4306. visiting the Cheltenham Center for the 2010, from Noon to 5 PM visitors can tour the Richard Wall House Arts. Museum and glimpse the clothing styles and acquaint themselves with the Bryan T. Havir, P.P., AICP accomplishments of prominent women in history. ADMISSION is free and light Assistant Township Manager refreshments will be served.

3 Relics from the Cheltenham Township Health The Cheltenham Richard Wall House Department Township Historical Museum Acquires Portable spectator’s chair, circa unknown Commission Shovel, circa unknown, Cheltenham Township Period Pieces School District The rich history of Cheltenham Township is being made available to its residents through The Richard Wall House Museum has 2 grey wool shawls belonging to the the Township Historical Commission’s acquired period furniture from the Cliveden descendants of Sarah Wall, circa 1875 Outreach Program. and Upsala Mansions in Philadelphia. These Pearl seeded bag The Commission’s first endeavor was a lecture acquisitions enable the Richard Wall House during the then annual Antique Show at Museum to mount a permanent Victorian 1960’s short black dinner dress . It dealt with little exhibit. The transfer of items of historical known points of interest at the turn of the significance from one museum to another is century. sanctioned by the Mark Your Calendars National Trust. Among In the years 2004 and 2005, the Commission the new acquisitions are Please visit the Cheltenham Township sponsored township bus tours which were side chairs, a secretary, website for a complete listing of events highlighted by viewing homes of township settees, a sewing occurring in our community. Visit: notables, mill sites, mill workers lowly abodes, cabinet, blusher, and www.cheltenhamtownship.org/events/ and stately mansions. Patrons visited historic pewter inkwell, all circa index.htm St. Paul’s Church, the Dominican Retreat 1800-1830. The House, and the site of , OPENING to view these marvelous OPENING exhibits of newly acquired period the first and largest federal training ground acquisitions is Sunday September 5, 2010 pieces and displays featuring “Life on the for Civil War “US Colored Troops”. From this starting at 1 PM. Home Front and Overseas.” Richard Wall beginning, Curtis Hall became the scene for House Museum. Sunday, September 5, 2010 two lectures a year. Lecture topics have Recent Acquisitions from 1-4 PM. included salutes to Black History Month Market Day at the Richard Wall House (celebrated in March) and to Historic The Richard Wall House Museum has received Museum, Saturday, September 11, 9 AM - 4 Preservation Month (held in May). Lectures numerous donations since the last publication PM. Rain Date, Sunday, September 12th. have been given by historians, authors, and of the Wall Paper in the Summer of 2005. residents. Those concerning black history Please note this is an abbreviated listing of Congregation Reform Keneseth Israel have included township history of the Civil what has been donated since 2005. Temple Judea Museum Exhibit September 3, War era with emphasis on the “colored 2010 to March 5, 2011. troops,” the underground railroad, the 1937 formal tail suit, shirt, tie, suspenders, relationship between Germantown and gloves and white pearls studs and cufflinks ”World War II Remembered Exhibit,” Elkins Philadelphia, and the genealogy of a Park Library, September 2010. 19th century skis prominent black family. Community Harvest Festival, October 9, 2010, 19th century apothecary scales National Preservation lecture topics have Curtis Arboretum, Wyncote. included East Cheltenham, township 1914 mahogany crib Salute to Women in History, Richard Wall architecture and architects, mills and mill House Museum, Sunday, October 24, 2010 work along the Tookany Creek, and the 19th century cobbler’s iron shoe repair stand from Noon to 4 PM. history of the Lenape Indians who originally and 3 iron shoes inhabited the township. The May 13, 2010 Richard Wall House Museum Holiday Party, Victorian hair ornament lecture featured author and historian, Dr. December 9, 2010, 8 - 10 PM. An evening, Thomas Wieckowski who discussed his most Early 19th century french ivory hair ornament featuring from the Richard Wall House recent book, “Making Marathon: A History of collection, the changing styles of holiday Early Wyncote.” Evening suit decorations throughout its history.

Historical Commission Lectures take place at 1940’s tuxedo suit, shirt, black pearl studs and Interfaith Memorial Service, Friday, Curtis Hall, Greenwood Avenue at Church cufflinks December 10, 2010, Reform Congregation Road, Wyncote at 8 PM. Historical Keneseth Israel at 8 PM. Commission meetings precede lectures, and 1960 evening gown begin at 7 PM. All meetings and programs are Richard Wall House Museum World War II free and open to the public. Autographed book, Camp William Penn Memorial, self-guided tours Saturday, December 11, 2010, 10 AM to 4 PM. ***************************************************** Book, Willow Grove Park Black History Month celebration, Sunday * Contributions to this edition of the Wall Book, Information and History: Cheltenham, England February 24, 2011 at 2 PM. Curtis Hall, Paper were made by: Dorothy Spruill, Wyncote. Thomas Wieckowski, Louise Cohen, Bryan Family Tree depicting the marriage of Sarah Havir, Diane Williams and Rita Poley. Wall and George Shoemaker donated by a Premiere, “Precious Places,” April 2011 at the direct descendant, Lettice Moon Kimmel Center, Philadelphia. Date and time * Compiled and edited by Susan Axelrod to be announced.

4