NEWS AND COMMENT

By DONALD H. KENT Pennsyivania Historical, and Museum Commission

ASSOCIATION NEWS At its annual meeting at Raleigh, North Carolina, on October 4, the American Association for State and Local History selected the Pennsylvania Historical Association to receive its Award of Merit. The citation reads:

For constant support and aid of the activities of other societies interested in State and local history in Pennsyl- vania, and for steady contributions to historical knowl- edge.

It is good to see this recognition of the role of the Pennsylvania Historical Association in historical activities in the Common- wealth.

HISTORICAL SOCIETIES At its annual business meeting on October 1, 1963, the Adams County Historical Society dedicated the Musselman, Berkey, Hill, and Stewart Rooms in its headquarters, "Old Dorm." On No- Axernber 5, J. Melchior Sheads addressed the society on "The Ver- sions of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address." On December 3, Donald Tyson spoke on "The Tyson Brothers: Pioneer Gettysburg Photographers."

Dr S. K. Stevens, executive director, Pennsylvania Historical and 'Museutin Commission, talked to the Beaver Falls Historical Society on October 17 about ways to improve the society's services to the community and to develop its Historical Room.

The first fall exhibit in the Museum of the Historical Society of Berks County was "A Pictorial History of Reading's Penn Square from 1733 to the Present Time." This exhibit was opened 93 l 94 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY on September 22 with an illustrated lecture by Louis J. Heizmann, former president of the society, on old Reading sites. On October 6, Wilbur Dickinson of the Berks Camera Club presented a photo essay on the "Changing Face of Penn Square." In November, Ralph Dunkleberger, a well-known artist, talked to the Women's Auxiliary of the society on art in connection with the early history of Berks County. The Reading-Berks Chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen held a three-day craft exhibit and Christmas sale at the society's headquarters on November 22-24, with demonstrations of various crafts. At a lecture meeting on December 15, Colonel Frederick A. Muhlenberg gave an address entitled, "Some Reminiscences of the First World War." The most notable event of the season, however, was the gift to the society of $7,750 from the Junior League of Reading, Inc., for the perpetuation of history in Reading and Berks County. The presentation was made on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary celebration of the league.

The Blair County Historical Society has been working closely with congressional sponsors of the bill to create the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Johnstown Flood Memorial and to make these projects part of the National Park Service, U. S. Department of the Interior. Proposed sites to be included for maintenance, development, potential historical restora- tion, and public recreation are the Portage tunnel and canal dam at Johnstown, the railroad summit area, all of which are in Cambria County, and four of five remaining inclined planes and levels, still well preserved, in Blair County. A subcommittee and the full Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs have held hearings and reported the bill favorably to the House of Repre- sentatives. Passage cannot be expected at this session, but the prospect of enactment next year appears encouraging.

The annual dinner meeting of the Brownsville Historical Society was held on October 24 at the Nemacolin Country Club, with about sixty members in attendance. Howard Porter, a member of the executive committee of the Pennsylvania State Rural Area Re- development Council, spoke on the possibility of using historical sites in the Brownsville area as tourist attractions. The annual NEWS AND COMMENT ')5 business meeting of the society was held on November 14, when the following were elected to three-year terms as directors: Frank Silliman, Howard Porter, Louis Richards, and Mrs. Louise White. Dr. Ralph F. Garafalo was elected president, and the other offi- cers elected included Frank Silliman, vice-president; Louise White, recording secretary; Dr. H. D. Wilkins, treasurer; and Mrs. Julia Griffin, corresponding secretary.

The Bucks County Historical Society held its autumn meeting on September 28 at the village of Uhlerstown on the bank of the Delaware Division Canal. Hal Clark led a panel discussion of Uhlerstown and its environs. On October 5 the society sponsored a historical tour to the Sleepy Hollow Restorations at Croton-on- l Iudson, New York. A remarkable collection of fire-fighting memorabilia, which was bequeathed to the society in 1919 by the former Volunteer Firemen's Association of Philadelphia, has been rejuvenated and placed on display in a newly established exhibit area in the basement of the Elkins Building. This "Volunteer Firemen in America" exhibit was previewed at a meeting on November 20, and then opened to the public as an added attrac- tion to visitors to the society's museum. There is an admission charge of 75 cents for adults and 25 cents for children. A Christ- mas open house was held in the Mercer Museum on December 11.

At the meeting of the Butler County Historical Society on No- vember 15, i\Iiss Lila Adams presented "Who's Who of the Past in Butler County."

At the September 17 meeting of the Chester Couinty Historical Society, Mrs. A. William Ball, Jr., previewed the 23rd annual Chester County Day with an illustrated talk on the art, archi- tecture, antiques, and history of the county. The annual banquet wvas held on October 15, and featured an illustrated lecture on "The American Dream of Antiquity," by Dr. Edgar P. Richard- son, director of the staff at Winterthur. The society's annual open house was held on Sunday, November 17, when more than four hundred persons visited the museum at 225 North High Street in West Chester. This year's theme, "Chester County Furniture," served as a background for the meeting on November 19, when 96 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY

Mrs. Herbert Schiffer spoke on "Furniture Treasures in Our Museum." The Christmas meeting on December 10 included two illustrated talks: "Favorite Dolls of Pennsylvania Girls," by Miss Winnie Langley; and "Christmas Lore and Customs of Penn- sylvania," by Mrs. Lynmar Brock. There was a special display from the society's growing collection of toys as well as a Christ- mas tree with antique decorations.

At the annual meeting of the Clarion County Historical Society on October 8, Miss Dorothy Whitehill was re-elected president; George W. Cole, first vice-president: Mrs. Martha S. Rose, sec- retarv; Mlerle B. Eberlin, corresponding secretary; Bird E. Riley, financial secretary; and Mrs. Amy C. Davis. treasurer. B. M. Davis, former county superintendent of schools, was the speaker of the evening on the subject, "Chief Cornplanter the Man." The need of the societv for a home of its own was discussed and a fund-raisilng committee was appointed. At a later meeting of the society's board of directors, Mr. Eberlin was elected curator. The annual anniversary dinner of the society was held in the Prosperity Grange Hall on November 14. with a program featuring the junior Historian movement in Pennsylvania. The speakers in- cluded Mrs. Autumn Leonard, associate historian of the Pennsyl- vania Historical and Museum Commission and executive secretary of the Pennsvlvania Federation of Junior Historians; William Gilbert, district director for the Junior Historians in Clarion, Jefferson, and Venango counties; and two local Junior Historians. Entertainment was provided by the Boy Scout "Indian Chunka Dancers' of Knox and nearby communities. Members of the so- ciety were saddened by the sudden death on November 30 of Director Mrs. Velma K. Fitzgerald, who was chairman of the librarv-mnuseum committee. She willed to the society her home in Clarion and a considerable number of books and other items of historical interest.

The Clearfield County Historical Society held its annual meet- ing on November 19, when some 125 members heard a scholarly report on the Kephart family, presented by the Rev. John H. Ness, curator and secretary of the Historical Society of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. For the use of the local newspaper the NEWS AND COMMENT 97

society each week provides a photograph from its files of old pictures. The society is on the air each Saturday at 11:30 a.m. with a fifteen-minute radio program on the local station, in which some item of historical interest to the county is discussed.

The annual banquet of the Clinton County Historical Society was held on October 15. Hugh Manchester, of the editorial staff of the Bellefonte Centre Demiocrat, and president of the Centre County Historical Society, was the featured speaker, discussing the joint history of Clinton and Centre counties. At the meeting on November 11, Clarke Kahler of Muncy spoke on the death of Captain John Brady.

At the meeting of the Cocalico Historical Society in the Ephrata Public Library on November 21, Clarence Spohn presented an illustrated talk on "The Battle of Gettysburg."

The Columbia County Historical Society completed its public activities for the year 1963 with two stated meetings, at Esther Furnace, Franklin Township, on October 12; and at Berwick on October 30. The Esther Furnace meeting dealt with the history of the early charcoal iron furnace, which was operated for half a century. Members in attendance enjoyed conducted excursions to view scenery, old grist mills, and covered bridges. In the eve- ning, Mrs. Kenneth Artley presented the history of Esther Furnace and students of Southern Columbia County Joint High School presented musical numbers and two historical papers, the latter by Randy Whitenight and Timothy Steele. Their teacher is Mrs. Charles M. Rarig. At the Berwick meeting, Dr. Barbara Shockley, of the Bloomsburg State College faculty, presented aspects of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and conducted an open forum. The subject was of special interest because of the constitutional referendum to be held the following Tuesday and because of the importance of United States Senator Charles R. Buckalew, a native of Columbia County, in the Constitutional Convention of 1873.

The Crawford County Historical Society has taken title to the 120-year-old Baldwin-Reynolds home in Meadville, which will be 9S PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY developed as a public museum. The home, in the style of a South- ern mansion, was built in 1843 for Judge Henry Baldwin, first man from western Pennsylvania to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Many of the rooms are to be furnished with period furniture, and other rooms will be used for general his- torical exhibits and larger displays. A public subscription cam- paign is underway to help purchase, operate, and endow the property, consisting of a three-story brick house, a stone ice house, and four and a half acres of land with pond and gardens. The society also hopes to develop several other spots as historical sites, including remains of the old French Creek Feeder canal locks at the crossing of French Creek south of Meadville. Steps are also being taken to secure a steam locomotive from the Erie Lackawanna Railroad.

At the meeting of the Cumberland County Historical Society on October 24. photographic slides from the Line Collection were shown. They were organized by Mr. and Mrs. Roger Todd, and there was commentary by various members. On Novemiber 21, two papers were presented, one by Mrs. John F. Brougher on "Some Early Ordinances of Carlisle," and the other by D. W. Thompson bearing the cryptic title, "Portrait of the Herdic as a Young Bus.'

The 11storicai Society of Dauphin County held its first meet- iiig of the season on September 16, with Sylvester F. Keener as the speaker on the subject, "Goattown, U.S.A." In October, Dr. Milton Eo. Flower, president of the Cumberland County Historical Societv, talked on "War in the Cumberland Valley, 1864." In November Lieutenant Colonel J. Duncan Campbell discussed the topic, Excavating Soldiers' Huits of the American Revolution."

The annual meeting of the Delaware County Historical Society was held on Friday, November 15, in Chester. After a dinner for eighty-two members and guests, the meeting was addressed by Dr. Philip Shriver Klein, of the department of history, Pennsyl- vania State University, on "James Buchanan: The Bachelor President as a Ladies' Man." Dr. Klein explained that this Pres- iclent was not the solitary bachelor as often depicted, but had a NEWS AND COMMENT 99 household of five nieces and nephews, including Harriet Lane, wvho gave distinction to the President's residence as his hostess.

At the meeting of the Donora Historical Society on October 1, Miss May Flinn gave an interesting talk on "Frontier Living Along the Monongahela." On November 5, Melvin, N. Naser dis- cussed "The Underground Railway."

Under the auspices of a committee representing both the coin- munity and the Edgewocd Historical Society, the borough of Edgewood celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of its incor- poration on December 1, beginning with a pageant held in the Edgewood High School on Friday, November 29. An eight-page insert commemorating the anniversary was distributed with the November 28 edition of the Wilkinsburg Gazette to all the homes in Edgewood. The celebration concluded with a dinner at the Edgewood Club on Thursday, December 12. Dr. Stanton Belfour, past president of the Pennsylvania Federation *of Historical So- cieties. was the speaker. The dinner meeting took the place of the society's regular meeting, but was open to the public.

Dr. S. K. Stevens, executive director of the Pennsylvania His- torical and Museum Commission, was the principal speaker of a dinner meeting of the Erie County Historical Society on Novem- ber 13. He discussed the plans for the development of the Old Customn House and the adjoining cashier's house as a historical property and museum. Negotiations are in progress for the trans- fer of these buildings to the Commonwealth.

The Historical Society of the Evangelical and Reformed Church held its centennial meeting in Lancaster on October 29. In the afternoon, the centennial address was delivered by Dr. Charles D. Spotts, treasurer of the society, and chairman of the department of religion, Franklin and Marshall College; and the dinner speaker was Dr. Winthrop S. hudson, James B. Colgate Professor of the History of Christianity, Colgate Rochester Divinity School.

Members of the Fort Crawford Historical Association in New Kensington held a tag day on October 5, to raise funds to comn- loo PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY plete the log cabin in Elizabeth Y. McCrady Memorial Park in Upper Burrell Township and to begin other work at the historical park. The log cabin will provide a meeting room, kitchen, and rest rooms, according to William S. Stewart, the president of the Fort Crawford group.

T7he annual meeting of the Friends of the Caleb Pusey House, Inc., was held on November 16 in the Upland Baptist Church. John Miller Dickey, the architect, discussed plans for the restora- tion of the Caleb Pusey House; and Dr. Norman B. Wilkinson, research associate, Hagley Museum, gave an illustrated talk on "The Making of a M\luseum."

During the fall the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania had an interesting series of programs for its members. On September 24, Basil O'Connell, K.M., recently biographical research officer at Government Genealogicai Office, Dublin Castle, discussed "Problems of Tracing Irish Ancestry." Members toured the Museum and Library of the Bucks County Historical Society on September 28. At the meeting on October 29, Charles G. Dorman, curator, Independence National Historical Park, spoke on "Re- searching Cabinet-making Families in Delaware." On December 3, there was a panel discussion, "Ask the Experts," including Guy S. Klett, author of Prcsbyterians in Colonial Pennsylvaiiia; Hannah Benner Roach, F.A.S.G., editor, Pennsylvania Geniea- logical Magazine; Frederick B. Tolles, director, Friends Historical Library; and Don Yoder, author and lecturer on Pennsvlvania Dutch folklore.

The Greenville Historical Association sponsored the first Kidds M\lill art show and sale on December 3, to focus interest toward the preservation of Mercer County's only covered bridge. Three of the pictures were sold, and nine persons joined the Mercer County Historical Society during the event.

Historic Fallsington, Inc., held an open house tour on October 12, when eight historic houses in the vicinity were open to visitors for the benefit of this effort to preserve a significant historical area. The annual meeting of Historic Fallsington, held at the NEWS AND COMMENT 101

Fallsington Friends Meeting House on November 8, was ad- dressed by Leonard C. Johnson, executive director of the Bucks County Historical Society, whose topic was "Falls Before Bucks."

A house and garden tour was sponsored by Historic York County, Inc., on October 5, giving the public its first glimpse of the restoration work at the historic Gates House and the Golden Ploughl Tavern. Various private homes and other historic sites were also visited. At the annual meeting on October 24, Lieu- tenant Colonel J. Duncan Campbell discussed the archaeological work on the grounds of the Gates House and the Golden Plough Tavern during the past summer and made recommendations as to further work.

On October 5, the Huntingdon County Historical Society made a trip to Fort Ligonier. At the meeting on October 24, Dr. Stan- ton Belfour, trustee and vice-president of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, spoke on "The Importance of Local Historv." On November 18, the real estate of the McMurtrie Home trustees was divided between the Huntingdon County Li- brary and the Huntingdon County Historical Society. The society received a brick house on Fourth Street in Huntingdon, the coach house, and the old store building, as well as half the income from a $50.000 trust fund. The society will prepare the Fourth Street building as its museum, and the historical relics and exhibits now in the second floor of the library will be moved to this building.

The Indiana County Historical and Genealogical Society held a special anniversary banquet on September 18 to mark its twenty-fifth birthday. The featured speaker was Dr. S. K. Stevens, executive director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The society's officers for 1964 are: Mrs. H. C. Cun- ninghamn, president; Clarence D. Stephenson, first vice-president; Miss Thelma Bianco, second vice-president; Mrs. Howard Lock- hart, recording secretary; Mrs. Gladys Penrod, corresponding sec- retary; H. Emory Boyle, treasurer; Blaine Helman, curator; Flrank B. Hood, executive director; Mrs. Frances Strong Helman, executive secretary; Mrs. Margery Stephenson, parliamentarian. A request from the anniversary committee of Saltsburg asking lo-7 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY to be accepted as a branch of the society was presented at the December meeting, and accepted. The group will be known as the Saltsburg Area Historical Society.

The formation of a historical society in Jersey Shore was planned at a meeting on October 24 at the home of Mrs. A. B3ay. A committee to draw up by-laws and a nominating com- mittee were appointed by the acting chairman, Mrs. Robert Cooney. Charles G. Philips, the teacher sponsoring the Junior Historian club in the Senior High School, expressed the interest of his group in aiding the new society in any way possible. The organizational meeting was held on November 14, and Ralph klelchner was elected to serve as the first president of the Jersey Shore Historical Society. A number of articles of historical interest have already been presented to the society.

At the meeting of the Ixeystonians of Harrisburg on November 21, the architect John K. Heyl discussed the restoration of the Eplhrata Cloister. Mr. Heyl is a member of the board of the Lehigh County Historical Societv.

The latest novel activity of the King of Prussia Historical So- ciety was a square dance, held on November 22 in the social hall of the local fire company. On December 13, the society joined with the Gulph Mills Civic Association in sponsoring a Gulph Mlills Encampment Commemorative Meeting, in which George \\Walter, artist and historian, spoke on "The Winter of 1777 and 1778"; and "The Soldier of the American Revolution-His \\Veapons and Equipment" was discussed by William Richard Gor- dou, curator of arms, Valley Forge Historical Society Museum, and treasurer of the Pennsylvania Society, Sons of the Revolution.

At the meeting of the Lackawanna Historical Society on Sep- tember 17, Dr. Melvin W. LeMon, professor of music and chair- man of the music department of Alfred University, spoke on "Folk Songs of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Coal Miner." On October 5, the society sponsored a bus trip to visit the Farmers' Museum and other museums at Cooperstown, New York. "Browsing Through Yesterday's Newspapers" was the subject of a talk by Bernard NEWNS AND COMMENT 103

J. IcGurl, Jr., at the meeting on October 28. Dr. John 0. Mac- Lean spoke on his recollections of old-time physicians and surgeons on November 19.

Dr. Paul A. W. Wallace, associate historian, Pennsylvania His- torical and Museum Commission, addressed the fall dinner meet- ing of the Lebanon County Historical Society on September 18 on "The Seven Wonders of Pennsylvania.!' The society has re- cently published a paper by Joseph C. Saile on "Lebanon County at the Battle of Gettysburg." Mr. Saile wrote this paper in the senior history seminar of Lebanon Valley College under the direction of Dr. Ralph S. Shay, who is first vice-president and editor of the society. At the December meeting, Charles H. Huber spoke on the history of Schaefferstown and the observance of its bicentennial in Tune, 1963.

On October 12, the Lehigh County Historical Society held its annual historical tour, visiting historical sites in Philadelphia. Re- cently, the Allentown Flag Day Association presented two new flags to the society in memory of the late President John F. lKennedv.

The Lower Merion Historical Society held its fall meeting on November 3 in the Lower Merion Academy on the grounds of the Bala-Cyvnwyd Junior High School. iMiss G. Evelyn Irwin, a member of the Class of 1912 of the old school, related its story, and a marker provided by the society was dedicated on the lawn nearby.

During the past year, the Lycoming Historical Society met six times. with two meetings consisting of get-togethers with elders who gave personal reminiscences of the lumbering era and the Susquehanna log booms. To tie in with the Eastern Antique Auto Meet held in Williamsport, another program featured an auto tour of the early 1900's via commentary and slides. The society took two short trips to the museum of the Historical Society of York County and up the Williamson Road to the Corning Glass \Works. At the final meeting of the fiscal year, James P. Bressler "-vas re-elected president. Other officers are Richard Mix, Dr. R. 104 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY

Max Gingrich, and Dr. L. E. Wurster, as first, second, and third vice-presidents; W. Clyde Harer, treasurer; and Mrs. Henry P. Perciballi, secretary.

The annual dinner meeting of the McKean County Historical Society was held on October 23 in Port Allegany. Griffith A. Herold presented an illustrated talk on the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg, and E. Kent Kane of Kushequa gave impressions of the centennial.

The Mercer County Historical Society reports that the Caldwell School had many visitors during the summer, and that many articles were received from former one-room schools, donated by former students. This one-room school was dedicated last year in memory of all the one-room schools which were once in Mercer County. Members were grieved by the recent death of Dr. Mor- gan Barnes, one of the society's founders and its first president.

The Mifflin County Historical Society's annual meeting and dinner on December 5 was one of its most largely attended and successful. The guest speaker was Dr. Maurice A. Mook of Pennsylvania State University, a member of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, who spoke on "Pennsyl- vania s Plain People." In keeping with the theme, there was an exhibit of paintings of Kislhacoquillas Valley Amish by Mrs. Iva Kepler Fisher and Luther F. Kepler, Jr., which had been on dis- play in the State Museum a few months earlier. Reports indicated an increase of more than 50 per cent in the membership for 1963. The society is observing the twenty-fifth anniversary of the estab- lishment of its library-museum in the Lewistown Municipal Build- ing. Among recent accessions were twenty copies of the fl estern Star of 1805, 1806, and 1807, the second newspaper in Miffin County. Officers and directors were elected, Garver M. McNitt being re-elected president. and J. Martin Stroup, corresponding secretary.

The annual outing of the Historical Society of Montgomery County on October 5 consisted of a tour of colonial houses in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. Mansions visited included Cedar NEWS AND COMMENT 105

Grove, Woodford, Strawberry Mansion, Mount Pleasant, and Lemon Hill. At the fall meeting on November 16, the speaker was Charles C. Wall, resident director of Mount Vernon, whose topic was "George Washington, The Image and the Man."

As an aid to historians and genealogists, the Historical Society of Montgomery County plans to publish the Federal Census list of 1850 for all political divisions of Montgomery County, be- ginning in the spring, 1964, issue of its Bulletin. Persons not cur- rently members or subscribers who will wish to purchase these numbers are invited to notify the society in order to insure a sufficient printing.

During the fall, the Muncy Historical Society presented its usual series of interesting programs. On September 13, Mrs. Sue Heim Little presented "When the Chautauqua Came to Picture Rocks"; on October 11, D. N. Bradshaw of New York City discussed Michael Mylert's house and museum at La Porte; on November 15, Dr. L. E. ARWurster spoke on "Early Days on the Loyalsock"; and on December 20, Eugene P. Bertin's topic was "If Covered Bridges Could Talk." At the last meeting Mr. Bertin also pre- sented the annual report of the president, which showed that membership has been maintained at a level above five hundred. Many valuable accessions to the library and museum were made during the year, and improvements were made in the arrange- ment and "housing" of materials.

Committees of members of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Pensylvania are maintaining Stenton Mansion, built and occupied by James Logan in the early eighteenth century. They are also making a survey of colonial laws affecting women, which will be kept on file for interested researchers.

James H. W. Hay spoke on "The Volunteer Fire Companies of Easton'" at the fall meeting of the Northampton County His- torical and Genealogical Society on October 17.

The Historical Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania held 106 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY its semi-annual meeting on September 21 at the headquarters of the Monroe County Historical Society in Stroudsburg. Dr. Alfred l). Sumberg, president of the association, presided at the business mneeting. Alan WAT.Perkins, director of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, was elected second vice-president to fill a vacancy. The association voted to accept an invitation from the Wayne County Historical Society to hold its next meeting in Honesdale. In the program which followed, Harry J. Higgins of the United States Bureau of Roads spoke on "New Highways and Historic Sites," stating that "it is Federal policy to respect and protect significant historic sites during highway construction and work closely with historical societies in carrying out this policy." Dr. Sumberg spoke on "Jacob Stroud: A Study in Local Biog- raphy." At the luncheon, Dr. Kurt Winmer of the social studies department, East Stroudsburg State College, discussed "Woodrow Wilson and the League of Nations"; and Julius Kiesel, 91-year- old president of the Pike County Historical Society, spoke briefly on the early history of Pike County. Seven historical societies were represented at this meeting.

Dr. Paul R. Cutright presented an illustrated lecture, On the Trail of Lewis and Clark," at the annual meeting of the Old York Road Historical Society on November 19. All the officers were re-elected, including Ellwood Barry, president, and Dr. Cutright, secretary.

The Pennsylvania Historical Junto's first meeting of the fall was addressed by Dr. Homer T. Rosenberger, its founder and first president, who spoke on "Pennsylvania Artists." At the October meeting, Dr. Harry R. Weber discussed "Old Mills of Franklin County, Pennsylvania."

The seventy-third annual meeting of the Pennsylvania German Society was held at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, on October 25 and 26. The society presented its citation of merit to Dr. Russell W. Gilbert, professor of German, Susquehanna Univer- sity, and author of A Picture of the Pennsylvania Gernans., pub- lishe(l by the Pennsylvania Historical Association. NEWS AND COMMENT 107

At a meeting of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania on No- vember 20, Henderson Supplee, president of the Atlantic Refining Company, gave an illustrated talk on "The Early Oil Industry in Pennsylvania."

The Perry County Historical Society held its fall meeting on November 25, when slides of old covered bridges in the county were shown by David Bealor with Superintendent M. S. E. Gobrecht as narrator. Carrying out a project which was planned earlier this year, the society has erected five stone nmonuments with plates to register the names of all Perry County soldiers buried in cemeteries in the county. The five locations are Middle Ridge, once the site of the Middle Ridge Presbyterian Church, organized in 1804; Sulphur Springs graveyard; Fleurie grave- yard; Deardorff graveyard; and Grier's Point. Two new mem- bers joined the society at this meeting.

During the fall, the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks sponsored a series of five lectures by distinguished authorities to benefit the Grumblethorpe Restoration Fund. Car- lisle H. Humelsine, president of Colonial Williamsburg, Inc., pre- sented "A Twentieth Century Look at Eighteenth Century Wil- liamsburg"; Henry P. McIlhenny, curator of decorative arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art, spoke on "Decorative Arts or the Accessories Used in the Eighteenth Century"; Dr. Robert Smith, professor of the history of art, University of Pennsylvania, dis- cussed "Philadelphia Architecture of the Eighteenth Century"; Joseph Kindig, III, well known furniture expert, talked on "Philadelphia Furniture and the Cabinet Makers of the Eight- eenth Century"; and Henry Flynt spoke on "Old Deerfield."

At the stated meeting of the Potter County Historical Society on October 25, Miss Claire Trussell of the Bell Telephone Com- pany presented a moving picture, "The Song of the Allegheny."

The fall meeting of the Pottstown Historical Society was held at Augustus Lutheran Church in Trappe on September 23. The Reverend John A. McConomy, pastor of the church, spoke on "The House Our Fathers Built," and a documentary film was 108 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY shown. On October 10, the society sponsored a card party at Pottsgrove. The fifth annual Thanksgiving service was held in Zion's United Church of Christ on Sunday afternoon, December 1, and wvas followed by a tea at Pottsgrove.

Dr. Philip S. Klein, professor of American history, Pennsyl- vania State University, presented an address entitled, "James Buchanan: Selfish Politician or Christian Statesman," at the re- cent Founder's Day program of the Presbyterian Historical So- cietv. Also featured in the program was the presentation of the society 's Distinguished Service Award to Dr. James Hastings Nichols, professor of church history, Princeton Theological Sem- inary, for his "noteworthy service to Presbyterian history."

The Historical Society of St. Marys and Benzinger Township, now in its fourth year, has just completed a membership drive that netted two hundred new members. The annual memorial meeting which commemorates the founding of the settlement on December 8, 1842, was held on Sunday, December S. The society is embarking on an intensive drive for relics and memorabilia as additional room is now available for display.

Dr. Paul A. W. Wallace, associate historian, Pennsylvania His- torical and Museum Commission, was the speaker at the meeting of the Shippensburg Historical Society on October 10. The so- ciety's publication, Shippecnsburg in the Civil War, will be avail- able shortly after the New Year. Recently, in a joint meeting with the board of directors of the Shippensburg Public Library, the society was authorized to share some of the library facilities in establishing a permanent Americana display and exhibit on the secon(l floor, which will make the society's materials available to the general public.

The Historical and Genealogical Society of Somerset County held its fourth anniversary dinner meeting on November 20. George Swetnam, of the staff of the Pittsburgh Press, was the guest speaker, discussing the late Dr. William E. Elder as a typical "Frosty Son of Thunder"-that is, native of Somerset County. The November issue of the Laurel Messenger, the society's NEWS AND COMMENT 109 quarterly, gave a synopsis of Mr. Swetnam's talk, and included brief articles on the Peter Livengood family, the Willianm Tissue family, and on the country's covered bridges.

The sixth annual folk festival was held on October 4 and 5 at Springs, Somerset County, under the auspices of the Springs His- torical Society and Penn Alps, Inc. There were craft demonstra- tions, displays of handicraft, implements, and vehicles, and a pro- gram of folk singing. The society is laying aside funds to build a community museum, and Penn Alps is liquidating debts in con- nection with the self-help program of cottage industries which is being fostered in the mountains of the Tri-State area.

The Swedish Colonial Society and the American Swedislh His- torical Foundation joined as usual in November for their annual celebration of John Hansen Day. They held a farewell dinner at the Barclay Hotel in Philadelphia for Ambassador and Mrs. Gun- nar Jarring, who are leaving shortly for a reassignment to Moscow, Russia. Plans are practically completed for the celebration of the three hundredth anniversary of the founding of New Jersey. It is planned to create a historical shrine at Swedesboro, New Jersey. An appropriate marker will be unveiled there on May 23, 1964, when an interesting program will be held.

At the annual meeting of the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society, which was held in October, Mrs. Vera H. Wagner of Harrisburg was re-elected president. Other officers are Miss Joan L. Romig, James G. Kehew, Henry J. Prop, and John WV. Poteet, Jr., vice-presidents; Myron W. Miller, treasurer; Miss Anna May Strayer, recording secretary; Miss Grace K. Hackman, corresponding secretary; and Walter W. Pryse, historian-librarian. The society held a holiday dinner and meeting on December 1, when Miss Elinor Weaver of Parkesburg gave an illustrated talk on covered bridges.

The Union County Historical Society held its first fall meeting on September 19 at Bucknell University. Thomas R. Deans, an English teacher in Milton High School, talked on the problems he encountered in preparing The Story of a Coumty, the only history of Union County written in recent times. Mrs. Charles WV. Kulp, 110 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY who wrote the articles on schools and churches in this history, was the speaker on October 17.

The annual meeting of the Valley Forge Historical Society was held on October 19 in the Martha Washington Gallery of the museum. WNNilliam Richard Gordon, chairman of military exhibits, spoke on the display of the panoply of arms found on the 1778 seal of the War Office. After the meeting, the Women's Auxiliary entertained at tea.

The Venaingo County Historical Society held a field trip to the site of the Victory Iron Furnace in Victory Township on October S. This furnace, which was operated between 1844 and 1851, is one of the best preserved of more than twenty remaining in the countv. A side trip was made to the Boyd's Run rock shelter, where artifacts of prehistoric Indians have been found. On No- vember 12, P. Richard Thomas of Meadville spoke on "Penn- svlvaiiia's Early System of Canals," and on December 3, Kenneth P. WNilliams of Meadville discussed the Underground Railroad in northwvestern Pennsylvania.

The W arren County Historical Society held its third and last field tour of the season on September 28, with two hundred mem- bers and guests visiting Sugar Grove's historical sites. At the so- ciety's meeting on October 23, Charles Schaut told of the develop- ment and the achievements of the Historical Society of St. Marys and Benzinger Township, in which he had been the moving force. The meeting on November 19 heard a report on the tour to Gettysburg which the society sponsored in May. Dr. William Cashman showed colored slides of the tour. The society continues to stress proper recognition for its volunteer helpers such as, for example, Miss Nell G. Sill, retired chief librarian of the Cleveland Museum of Art, whose aid in caring for the society's collections is exceedingly valuable. Rented space has finally been secured for the proper storage of historical items offered to the society, and a campaign has been begun to collect significant relics. The so- ciety has also been working toward the preservation of the famous Irvine-Newbold estate by some public or private agency. A meet- ing and tour of the property was arranged on November 13 with NEWS AND COMMENT III representatives of the United States Forest Service, the Northern Allegheny Conservation Association, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Com- mission participating. In addition, Mrs. Frances A. M. Ramsey, the society's archivist, spoke at the five-county library district meeting on October 26, discussing "Local History Materials."

At the fall meeting of the Washington County Historical So- ciety on October 19, Mrs. Thomas G. Miller discussed "Amer- ican History in Glass."

One of the earliest hand-built tractors in Pennsylvania is to be moved under cover by proposed plans for the enlargement of the Wayne County Historical Society Museum, according to Charles Gay, its president. This "steam wagon" was built by two lumbermen, David and Frank Spencer, in 1888, to haul hemlock timber from the hills to the Lackawaxen River. During the Hones- dale centennial in 1903, the tractor was put back into operation but became overheated so that the original wooden cab was destroyed by fire. This has been restored, and the tractor may now be seen behind the museum building.

Professor Walter Read Hovey of the fine arts department of the University of Pittsburgh was the speaker at the opening meeting of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania on October 28. His subject was "The Henry Clay Frick Fine Arts Building-Its Significance to the University and to the City." At the meeting on November 19, Dr. John Duffy, associate professor of the history of public health, University of Pittsburgh, spoke on "Asiatic Cholera, the Scourge of the Nineteenth Century."

The Westmoreland-Fayette Historical Society reports that it has recently enlarged its display area by about 25 per cent. The second floor of the old gristmill-distillery has been renovated and painted so that new exhibits as well as expanded old exhibits can be shown to better advantage. At the annual Founders' Day meet- ing in June, Buell B. Whitehill was re-elected director and William R. Griffin was re-elected president. 112 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY

The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society has completed a successful program consisting of three lectures on area history, and has seen almost five hundred school children tour the society museum and its historic home, the Swetland House, under the auspices of the Wilkes-Barre Junior League. The program of school tours is to be expanded and made available for all the children of Luzerne County who can talk their teachers into making the trip. One Ph.D. dissertation has come out of the society's collection in the past year, and three M.A. candidates are currently working there for their theses.

On November 15, the Historical Society of York County re- newed its weekly television program for pupils in the fourth to sixth grades of the York city schools. The program is shown each Friday from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. over WSBA-TV. During De- cember, Dr. Andrew Case, dean of the York Academy of Arts, had a one-man showing of his oil and watercolor works in the main gallery of the society. At the official opening on December 3, Dr. Case met and discussed his work with visitors. A Christmas concert was presented at the society by the Pilot Club of York on December 8. During January and February, 1964, the society will display thirty works of historic American war art, on loan from the Department of the Army's Office of Military History. The series of concerts will continue in the New Year, with the Gettysburg Baroque Workshop on February 29, the Antiqua Players on March 21, and the Tannenberg Quartet on April 18.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES A new addition to the history department at Chatham College was Arthur G. Smith, instructor in history.

The University of Delaware, in cooperation with the Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation, will award two or more Hagley Museum Fellowships in April of 1964 for the academic years 1964-1966. Recipients of these grants take graduate work in history and re- lated fields at the University of Delaware. In addition, they spend half of each week during the academic year at the Hagley Museum, Wilmington, Delaware, where they receive training in museum work, and at the Eleutherian Mills Historical Library, where they NEWS AND COMMENT 113 conduct; research. Each fellowship carries an annual stipend of $2,000, and is renewable upon satisfactory completion of the first year. Applications should be received by March 5, 1964. For further details, address the Chairman, Department of History, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.

The seventh annual Robert Fortenbaugh Memorial Lecture was presented on the Gettysburg College campus on November 17. Professor David Donald of The Johns Hopkins University spoke "on"Abraham Lincoln and American Nationalism."

Robert R. Neff, assistant professor of history, Grove City Col- lege, has successfully completed the requirements for the Ph.D. degree by Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. For his dis- sertation Dr. Neff made a comprehensive study of the life and work of Paul V. McNutt, former governor of Indiana and a Presidential aspirant.

The Haverford College Library has received a grant of $75,000 from the Grundy Foundation "to increase its collection of books and manuscripts relating to the history of Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley, with special emphasis on the contributions of members of the Society of Friends." A large portion of this money will be used to enlarge the Quaker Collection, which now includes some 22,000 printed volumes and 50,000 manuscripts.

Juniata College is establishing the Juniata Museum on the second floor of the college's former library, to provide a central location for items associated with the history of the institution. Harold B. Brumbatiglh, vice-president for development, will serve as curator.

At Lebanon Valley College Dr. Elizabeth M. Geffen has been promoted to the rank of associate professor. During the summer of 1963, Dr. Geffen participated in a five-week comparative edu- cation seminar and field study in South America, sponsored by the Comparative Education Society and the Commission of Interna- tional Relations in Education of Phi Delta Kappa. Dr. Ralph S. Shay, associate professor in history and chairman of the depart- 114 PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY ment, has been appointed senior professor with special responsi- bilities for coordinating curricular and extracurricular activities relating to foreign affairs.

The library of Lehi-h University has received the congressional papers of the late Francis E. Walter, United States Representa- tive from the 15th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. The collection deposited in the library includes all Mr. Walter's official correspondence except those papers pertaining to the House Com- mittee on Un-American Activities, which have been retained by the Congress. Mr. Walter was for many years a member of the House Judiciary Committee. He was influential in the passage of the Administrative Procedures Act of 1946, and co-sponsored the McCarran-Walter Act of 1952, on Immigration. Following examination and arrangement of the collection by university staff, the documents will be made available for study by scholars.

At the Pennsylvania Military College Dr. Owen C. Lease has been appointed associate professor of history, and Dr. Thomas M. liams has been appointed assistant professor.

At the Pennsylvania State University, University Park Campus, Charles Ameringer has been appointed visiting assistant professor and Jack Pulsifer has been appointed instructor. New members of the department in the Commonwealth Campuses are as follows: Natalie Isser, assistant professor, Ogontz; Carole Panameroff, instructor, Mont Alto: John Larner, instructor, Altoona; and David Oden, instructor, Hazleton. John A. DeNovo, professor of history, is serving as visiting professor of history at Cornell University during the current academic year. John B. Frantz, assistant professor of history, delivered a paper on "The Educa- tional Uses of Instructional Television: An Historian's Point of View" at the annual meeting of the American Historical Associa- tion in Philadelphia on December 28, 1963.

Dr. Lee Benson of Wayne State University has been appointed a professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Morton Keller is on leave as a visiting professor at Harvard. NEWS AND COMMENT 115

At Saint Francis College, John F. Coleman has been named associate professor and chairman of the department of history and political science, effective September 15, 1963. He had previously been assistant professor and acting chairman.

Dean James Kehl of the department of history, University of Pittsburgh, was the speaker at the initiation and annual banquet for new members of Pi Gamma Mu at Slippery Rock State College on November 11. His talk, "History Is Where You Find It," was an interesting discussion of cartoons and comic strips as a source of historical knowledge. The fraternity is under the spon- sorship of Dr. Robert D. Duncan, head of the social science de- partment. The officers are John Nader, president, and John OhN, vice-president; David Hayden is program chairman. Professor Charles E. Halt is co-sponsor.

President J. Cutler Andrews of the Pennsylvania IHiistorical Association spoke to students, faculty, and townspeople at Susque- hanna University on November 14, 1963, on the topic, "Reporting the Battle of Gettysburg." His address was sponsored by the local chapter of Pi Gamma Mu and by the social science division. Duir- ing the second half of the college year, 1963-1964, Dr. William A. Russ, Jr., professor of history, will be on sabbatical leave. He and Mrs. Russ will travel around the world, primarily by ship.

At Ursintis College, Dr. Elizabeth R. Foster is on sabbatical leave to complete her edition of an early House of Commons Journal, one of a series under the general direction of Dr. Wallace Notestein. Mrs. Foster has just returned from England. Robert W. Bohl, a doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania, has been named a teaching fellow in history.

Norbert C. Soldon has joined the faculty of West Chester State College as an assistant professor of history.

Arthur Jensen, professor of history, Westminster College, pre- sented a paper entitled "Servants or Masters? Comments on the Relationship Between British and American Merchants in Colonial Philadelphia" at the December, 1963, meeting of the American Historical Association in Philadelphia. 116) PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY

OF MEN AND MANY THINGS The newly-appointed Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission held its organization meeting on December 5, and re-elected Dr. S. K. Stevens as executive director. Last spring, Governor William W. Scranton had reappointed James B. Steven- son of Titusville to the commission and redesignated him as its chairman, and eight additional members were appointed in No- venlber to the governing board of the state historical agency. They include Dr. Herman Blum of Philadelphia Dr. Edwin B. Cod- dington, professor of history, Lafayette College; Ralph Hazeltine of Luzerne County; Mrs. Ferne Smith Hetrick of Cumberland County; Mrs. Henry P. Hoffstot, Jr., of Pittsburgh; Dr. Maurice A. Mlook, professor of anthropology, Pennsylvania State Univer- sity (a reappointment) ; judge Charles G. Webb of Tioga County; and Thomas Elliott Wynne of Montgomery County. Dr. Charles H. Boehrn, Superintendent of Public Instruction, is an ex officio member; and the members from the General Assemlbly include Representative J. Dean Polen. Senator Israel Stiefel, Senator John H. Ware, III, and Representative Norman Wood. The new commission discussed possible locations for the pro- posed new railroad museum, but concluded that further study and investigation were necessary before a decision could be reached. Expenditures were approved for the purchase of antiques and folk art collections for the new 'William Penn Memorial Museutm, and three publications were authorized: a reprint of Pennsylvania History in Outtline, a reprint of Dr. Paul A. W. Wallace's Indians ill Pennsvlvania, and the publication of Dr. 'Wallace's long- awaited work on Historic Indian Paths of Peninsylvania. After the formal meeting, the members toured the new William Penn M\iemorial Museum and Archives Building which is under con- struction north of the State Capitol.

are sorry to report the resignation of Dr. Frank B. Evans as chief of the division of public records, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, to accept a position with the National Archives and Records Service, Washington, D. C. Dr. Evans has been on the commission staff since 1958, succeeding Henry H. Eddv as chief archivist in 1961. He will be succeeded by William NEWS AND COMMENT 117

H. Work, a member of the archival staff since 1956. In view of the approaching completion of the Archives Building component of the William Penn Memorial in mid-1964, the commission is fortunate again to be able to promote from its own staff a very capable archivist with experience during the years of planning for the new building and its use. The museum division of the commission suffered a similar loss in W. Fred Kinsev, III, the chief curator, who left to become director of the North Museum at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster.

A public campaign will be launched in the spring by the Fulton Opera House Foundation, Lancaster, to raise $100,000 to help finance the preservation and eventual restoration of the historic Fulton Theatre. The foundation took formal possession of the theater on January 2. Tentative plans have been announced for a full season of stage attractions beginning next September.

The Winterthur Program in Early American Culture will again offer five fellowships with stipends of up to $2,500 a year, re- newable for a second year, for a two-year graduate course in early American arts and cultural history leading to the Master of Arts degree. This program, jointly sponsored by the University of Delaware and the Henry Francis duPont Winterthur Museum, is planned as preparation for careers in curatorship, teaching, re- search, writing, and librarianship, with museums, historical so- cieties, colleges and universities, restoration projects, and historic sites. The program will commence in August, 1964, but the dead- line for applications is February 15. For application blanks and further information write the Coordinator, Winterthur Program, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.

The bicentenary of the historic Mason and Dixon Line was celebrated in Philadelphia on November 15, 1963, marking the two hundredth anniversary of the arrival in Philadelphia of Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon to begin work on their famous survey. Secretary of Internal Affairs Genevieve Blatt presided over ceremonies sponsored by the Department of Internal Affairs, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and the City of Philadelphia. Other speakers included Delaware Secretary 11S PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY of State Elisha C. Dukes: former United States Senator George L. Radcliffe of Maryland; Pennsylvania's Secretary of the Com- monwealth George I. Bloom; City Representative Fredric R. Ma\ann: and British Consul General Thomas S. Tull. After the ceremonies in the restored Shambles Market House, there was a luncheon at the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company Building.

The Council of the Alleghenies is a new organization which has been formed to assist the people living in the region of the Al- leghenv Mountains in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia to regain economic independence and to preserve and promote their cultural heritage. It has already launched important plans including a program of adult education for areas remote from educational centers, a program to retrain mountaineers in making their native crafts, a tourist promotion program, and a series of publications including the quarterly Journal of the Allegheniies on the history, arts, and letters of the region. To promote interest in the cultural heritage of the area, it is sponsoring an all-day history conference on the campus of Frostburg State College, Frostburg, Maryland, on April 4. Further information is available from the Council of the Alleghenies, 503 Chamber of Commerce Building, Pittsburgh 19, Pennsylvania.

The eighth annual Institute of Pennsylvania Life and Culture will be held on June 23-26, 1964, at the Pennsylvania Farm Museurn at Landis Valley, under the auspices of the Penn- svlvania Historical and Museum Commission. The institute is planned with both the interested layman and the professional in mind. This year's seminar topics include: women's work on the Pennsvlvania farm, 1800-1850; early railroading in Pennsylvania; preservation and minor restoration of paintings and documents; the American Indian, an archaeological study;: authenticating Pennrylvania antiques; and problems and techniques of historical restoration. All the classes will be informal and make use of the unique collections of the Farm Museum and nearby facilities. The registration fee for the institute, including two dinners and three hunches, is $25. For further information write to Mr. Irwin Richman, Chairman, Institute of Pennsylvania Life and Culture, Box 232, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17108. NEWS AND COMMENT 119

The Woman's Community Club of Uwchlan, Chester County, has acquired the historic Uwchlan Friends Meeting House, built iu 1756. It will not only provide the club with a meeting place and a center for its cultural and charitable activities, but will assure the preservation of a treasured landmark of the county. Mrs. Aimee J. MacNeill, who sent the information about this achieve- ment, reports that it has aroused so much interest that "nov sights are aimed at the restoration of the whole village of lion- ville."

The Societv of Architectural Historians will hold its annual meeting at the Sheraton Hotel in Philadelphia from January 30 to February 2. The sessions will include "Post-Centennial Styles in American Furniture and Architecture," "Preservation of His- toric Areas," "Late Renaissance and Post-Renaissance Architec- ture," "Philadelphia Architecture," and a general session on Eu- ropean and Near Eastern architecture. There will also be three tours. For information write to the Society of Architectural His- torians, Box 94, Media, Pennsylvania.

The new Drake Well Museum under construction at Drake Well Park near Titusville is now almost completed. The general contractors for the building expect to leave the construction site in January andl return in the spring to put on the finishing touches. This major museum is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to preserve the heritage of the great petroleum industry which began at this spot.

The recent death of Dr. Albert B. Corey, State Historian of New York, in an automobile accident is noted with deep and personal regret, because of his long and interested cooperation in the historical work of a sister state. No one was ever more willing to offer sound advice or to lend the weight of his in- fluence in any situation where he could be of assistance than this dignified and friendly scholar who has headed the historical agency of New York since 1944.