The Pennypacker Express

______July—August 2020 MMXX ______

We welcome visitors back to Pennypacker Mills! Re-opening Tuesday, July 7th! To ensure the safety of visitors, staff and site, there are a few new guidelines : On the grounds, masks should be worn and household contact groups should practice social distancing. The restroom building will be open and cleaned twice a day.

For tours of the Pennypacker mansion, reservations should be made in advance. Call 610-287-9349 or email [email protected]. Scheduled tours must be confirmed by a staff member prior to the tour. Tours are limited to no more than 10 people per household contact group. Masks must be worn.

Nineteen thirteen was an eventful Previous Reunions year in the United States. Woodrow The first time that Union and Con- Happenings in July Wilson was elected President. The federate veterans reunited in Get- Sun., July 19 16th (the power to tax income) and tysburg was in 1887. An encamp- Songs & Stories of the Old West 17th Amendments (required that ment of the National Guard took with Matthew Dodd U.S. Senators were to be elected by place in 1905, where Governor 7 pm ~ Free the people or popular vote, no Pennypacker reviewed the troops longer elected by the state legisla- from a barouche (a four-wheeled, ture. Each state always had 2 sena- horse-drawn carriage) where he Happenings in August tors, each with one vote. ) were rat- inspected every regiment and all Sat. August 1 ified, and the nation celebrated the the other departments. In 1906, Traditional American & British 50th anniversary of the Battle of another small reunion occurred in Isles Music Gettysburg. Between July 1st and Gettysburg when Union veterans with Charlie Zahm & 4th, in 100-degree weather, more from the Tad Marks than 53,000 Civil War veterans Brigade and Confed- Cont. on Pg. 2 7 pm ~ Free from 46 of the 48 states vis- ited Gettysburg where they Sat., August 29 lived in tents located south- P.T. Barnum, Master west of the town. Veteran Showman Samuel W. Pennypacker with Neill Hartley was one of those men. In 7 pm ~ Free the twilight of his life, he Above: Train ticket used by Samuel W. Pennypacker, June 27, 1913. boarded the Pennsylvania Philadelphia & Reading Railway Co. All three porch performances Railroad for the trip to Get- The Gettysburg & Harrisburg Railway Co. are sponsored by the Friends of tysburg. Battle of Gettysburg, Fiftieth Anniversary Pennypacker Mills Joint Special Excursion Ticket

Page 2 erates from Pickett’s Division A Tent City pounds of butter, and 403 gallons met. Governor Samuel W. Penny- The camp totaled 280 acres with of pickles. For dessert, the menu packer also inspected the troops at more than 5,000 tents, which included 2,015 gallons of ice cream that reunion. were organized by state. Each had and 7,000 pies. After the event, un- two hand basins and a water used food was sold at auction. Fifty Planning for the 50th Anniver- bucket. Artesian wells were in- -four thousand mess kits were giv- sary of the Battle of Gettysburg stalled to supply water to the en to veterans as souvenirs. Each In April 1908, Brigadier General camp areas. Officially, 53,407 vet- kit contained a fork, knife, small H.S. Huidekopper, a Civil War vet- erans camped on site with 124 and large spoon, tin cup and two eran, suggested to Pennsylvania officers and 1,342 enlisted men plates. Governor Edwin Stuart that the assigned by the War Department state host a 50th anniversary event to help make sure things ran President Wilson initially declined at the battlefield. Stuart organized smoothly. There were also 155 the invitation to the reunion due to a special legislative committee to newspapermen and 2,170 cooks a personal rule not to leave Wash- plan the first major reunion. On who provided meals. Only veter- ington for any speechmaking while May 13, 1909, the Commonwealth ans with proper credentials, such Congress was in session. However, of Pennsylvania created the 50th as honorable discharge or pen- he reconsidered that decision and Anniversary Battle of Gettysburg sion papers, were fed and able to decided to attend. The President Commission to create a proper and camp. The remainder of the addressed the camp at 11 am on fitting recognition and observance 50,000 non-veterans who came the Fourth of July and left after the at Gettysburg. In June 1910, the were housed at Gettysburg Col- playing of the National Anthem. U.S. Congress created a Joint Spe- lege. This ceremony ended the encamp- cial Committee on the 50th Anni- ment and the shut down of the versary of the Battle of Gettysburg Conditions in the Encampment camp soon began. to work with the Commission and Temperatures were in the triple recommend what actions should digits on the first few days of the Events at the Reunion be taken by Congress. The Com- reunion. There were 744 cases On Day One, state monument dedi- monwealth of Pennsylvania con- admitted to the camp hospitals cations were held while on Day tributed $450,000 toward the cost and 319 of those were for heat Two (Military Day), a reading of of the event. In August 1912, Con- exhaustion. There were nine fatal- Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Ad- gress passed a bill that appropriat- ities, but considering the mean dress and the introduction of mem- ed $150,000, along with the use of age of the soldiers (age 72), this bers of General George Meade’s Army troops to set up and operate might be expected. family took place. On the Third Day a massive tent city to house the (Governor’s Day), sixty-five regi- veterans. Altogether, the individual Cooks mental reunions took place, states contributed $1.75 million served speeches and a flag ceremony at toward the reunion. 688,000 the site of Pickett’s charge and fire- meals works highlighted the day. On July The Pennsyl- from 4th, President Woodrow Wilson vania Rail- June 29 addressed those attending. road issued a to July 6. booklet with The When scheduled events weren’t maps detail- camp taking place, veterans spent their ing the events was time in Gettysburg reminiscing that occurred stocked with friends and getting to know July 1-4 as a with former enemies. It was common commemora- 156,410 Above: Guest lunch ticket for a veteran to find a man who pounds belonging to Samuel Penny- may have shot him or exchange tion of the packer. Fiftieth Anni- of meat, badges with a soldier from the oth- versary. 14,722 er side. Two men reportedly pur- pounds of poultry, 7,008 cans of chased a hatchet and walked to the fish, 24,930 dozen eggs, 12,383 site where they had fought and buried it. Page 3

The Bloody Angle One newspaper reported on the reunion of Philadelphians and Pickett’s men at this historic spot. “Over the stone wall at the Bloody Angle, “the high water mark of the rebellion,” survivors of the Phila- delphia Brigade and Pickett’s divi- sion, who fought on the spot 50 years ago today, clasped hands and wept on each other’s shoulders.” Old, torn battle flags of both sides were crossed over the line. At a given signal, Confederates rushed to the wall and extended their hands to the waiting veterans of the North. “Fifteen thousand per- sons, assembled at points of van- tage, cheered themselves hoarse. It reverberated over the slope, reach- ing the camp where veteran’s, too tired to go to Bloody Angle, caught the echo, and, knowing its meaning, joined the cheering.” ““Comrade, let us be the first of the Philadelphia Brigade and Pickett’s Division to clasp hands this afternoon,” ex- claimed Isaac E. Tibben, the wearer of the ancient blue uniform.” “Yank, I sure will, and this is the grandest and proudest moment of my79 years.,” replied W. H. Jerpen of Rich- mond, Virginia. At the end of the ceremony, bronze medals were given to survivors of Pickett’s Divi- sion by John Wanamaker through a representative. It read: “Presented by John Wanamaker through the Philadelphia Brigade as a token of peace. Philadelphia Brigade.” On the reverse side was a flag of the divi- Above: Program for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg sion with “Philadelphia Brigade. Commission. July 3, 1863. July 3, 1913. Pickett’s Division.”

75th Anniversary The 75th Anniversary was held in 1938, but most Civil War veterans had passed away by then. About 25 veterans who had fought at Gettys- burg and 2,000 other veterans at- tended. Page 4

A Living Fossil: mon name is maidenhair tree be- ing our trees now, it’s interesting English naturalist, geologist and cause its leaves are very similar to to note that Ginkgo trees can toler- biologist Charles Darwin called the fronds of primitive maidenhair ate pests, diseases, and tempera- ginkgo tree a “living fossil” since it ferns. tures lower than ten degrees below was determined to have been zero. While slow growers, at ma- thriving 125 million years ago, Ginkgo Trees Today: turity Ginkgos become well shaped when dinosaurs were still roaming Today, you will frequently see and offer a wonderful accent to any the earth. Ginkgo trees as street plantings in landscape. urban areas such as Philadelphia. These trees were originally found Ginkgo trees are known for their Thomas Meehan & the Mills: growing in the mountainous areas wonderful seasonal changes in leaf There are two female Ginkgo trees of China and were sent to the U.S. color and tolerance to air pollution, at Pennypacker Mills today that from London in 1785 by noted drought, salt, poor soil, and were planted in the early 1900’s plant collector William Hamilton of cramped spaces. when Samuel Pennypacker resided The Woodlands. Hamilton gave one here. ginkgo tree to , In springtime, the leaves open and Noted ’s son, and planted are a pale green and eventually land- two at The Woodlands. The sole turn a darker hue, which lasts until scape surviving original ginkgo tree is the fall. As fall arrives, ginkgo tree firm, the one at Bartram’s Garden in leaves turn a vibrant yellow-gold Thomas Philadelphia. color and are a real standout in the Meehan landscape. Female Ginkgo trees & Sons A Unique Tree: also produce small round yellow had de- Ginkgo trees have a very long life fruits (see image at top of page) veloped that fall in autumn. If stepped on, an Eng- Above: Thomas Meehan, span and many specimens in China acclaimed horticulturalist. are at least 1,000 years old. During they emit a strong, foul odor so lish nat- 1848-1901. Victorian times, ginkgo trees be- when choosing a ginkgo to plant, ural came popular to plant because of choose a male. It takes only one style landscape plan for the fifteen their many unique qualities. It is night of acres surrounding the Pennypack- the sole living member of a group below er mansion. The firm used native of plants that died eons ago, which freezing American plant varieties which were a vital link between primitive temper- grew at their nurseries in German- ferns that once covered the earth, atures town and Plymouth Meeting. Mee- and the higher plants and trees we for han’s son, J. Franklin Meehan, did know of today. these the work at Pennypacker Mills. trees to One of the main char- drop all Meehan’s nursery was the first of acteristics of this tree of their its kind to specialize in North is its two-lobed, leaves. American trees and shrubs rather leathery, fan-shaped than European varieties. He redis- leaves which were With so covered pink dogwood trees in fascinating to Victori- many Above: Pennypacker Mill’s Fairmount park and grew and sold pests ginkgo tree along the path to them to ans who were always looking for the mansion in fall, 2019. Ginkgo Trees, cont. on Pg. 6 exotic trees and plants. It’s com- attack- clients. Page 5

Bring the whole family for an entertaining schedule of performances for every age. Plan to bring your own chairs or blanket, wear a mask, and remember to social distance.

All three performances are sponsored by the Friends of Pennypacker Mills.

Matthew Dodd Songs & Stories of the Old West Sunday, July 19 at 7 pm ~ Free

Dressed in period style clothing, Matthew Dodd takes listeners back in time to feel what it was like to live in the Old West. Through songs and anecdotes (humorous and poignant) Matthew evokes the feelings and passions of that pivotal era of American history. Matthew sings and plays acoustic guitar, harmonica, banjo and mandolin. You’ll find yourself clap- ping your hands and tapping your toes with his engaging performance.

Charlie Zahm & Tad Marks Traditional American & British Isles Music Saturday, August 1 at 7 pm ~ Free Charlie and Tad bring the Spirit of the American Revolution and the drama of the Age to an audience like few musicians can. Whether he is singing the glories of gallant General Washington, an ode to the great new ideal of "Liberty," songs of battles won or lost, or just popular selections of the British Isles, Charlie calls on a robust bari- tone, mastery of guitar (and other instruments), and a seasoned approach to the art of entertaining to provide a program enjoyed by all. Joining Charlie will be Tad Marks, master fiddler.

P. T. Barnum, Master Showman Saturday, August 29 at 7 pm ~ Free Neill Hartley portrays master showman P.T. Barnum in this exciting and entertaining look at one of the most colorful and well-known personalities of all time, who brought high and low culture to all of America. A brilliant and shameless promoter, Barnum gave the wise public of the 19th century shameless hucksterism, peerless spectacle, and everything in between -- enough entertainment to earn the title "master showman" a dozen times over.

New arrivals to our Museum Shop include handcrafted redware by artist Ste- phen Earp. Featuring a variety of traditional designs, we offer both sgraffito and slipware pieces. The artist states these are food, oven, microwave and dishwasher safe, but they also make a wonderful addition to any home decor as pieces of art. Prices range from $30 - $45 per piece. Pennypacker Mills Montgomery Board of Commissioners 5 Haldeman Road Valerie Arkoosh, MD, MPH, Chair Schwenksville, PA 19473 Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr. Vice Chair Joseph C. Gale, Commissioner

Pennypacker Mills is opening soon!

Page 6 Ginkgo Trees cont. from Pg. 4 house and gardens, including that He also sold Japanese Maple and Gink- original Ginkgo tree, and had it added go trees that he had seen at the 1876 to the city’s park system in 1891. Centennial Exposition. Located in Ger- Meehan believed that every citizen mantown, remnants of his home and had a right to healthy green spaces. nursery still survive with rows of trees, His legacy includes legislation he in- including Ginkgo trees. troduced to establish many of the

parks in Philadelphia. The Meehan-Ginkgo Connection:

So, you might wonder how an arborist While native hardwood trees were the like Meehan could have developed such trees of choice at the Mills, it seems a fondness for Ginkgo trees? One an- that there was a choice made to plant swer might include a bit of history… these majestic Ginkgo trees too. And, After the Bartram family sold Bartram’s Governor Pen- estate to railroad magnate Andrew nypacker’s chi- Eastwick, he continued to preserve the na has Ginkgo gardens. Upon his death, the gardens Above: Original Ginkgo tree at leaves on it. Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia. became neglected. Thomas Meehan, Eastwick’s former gardener and later a member of the Philadelphia City Coun- Above: Royal Worcester of china, gingko leaf pattern. cil, led a campaign to preserve the