The Graeme Park Gazette J ANUARY - MARCH 2017 Charter Day 2017 On Sunday, March 12 secuted minorities as Pennsylvania will be well, including Hugue- celebrating the 336th nots, Mennonites, anniversary of the Amish, Catholics, Lu- granting of the found- therans, and Jews from ing charter to William England, France, Hol- Penn by King Charles land, Germany, Swe- II. The original charter den, Finland, Ireland, was granted on March and Wales. 4, 1681 in fulfillment of a debt of about 16,000 Charter Day is your English pounds (over 2 opportunity to tour million of today’s money) which Graeme Park, as well as many INSIDE THIS ISSUE: the crown owed to Penn’s fa- other state operated historic sites FROM THE PRESIDENT 2 OF THE FRIENDS ther—the Admiral William Penn. (se page 6 for a list) free of 2017 CALENDAR 3 charge. There will be volunteers Penn founded Pennsylvania, in each room so you may tour at NEWSBRIEFS 3 which Charles insisted on nam- your own pace and a few living LUNCH & LEARN: 4 ing Pennsylvania in honor of the history demonstrations and ac- 18TH C. HEALTH CARE Admiral, as a “Holy Experiment” tivities around the grounds THE NECESSARY 5 where Quakers could practice (weather permitting). their religion without fear of per- CHARTER DAY TOURS 6 secution. To attract settlers in Tours begin at 12 noon, and the HAPPY SCOTTISH NEW 7 large numbers, he wrote a glow- last visitors will be allowed in the YEAR ing prospectus, promising reli- house at 3-3:30 to ensure every- gious freedom as well as material one has a chance to go through UPCOMING advantages, which he marketed the house before we close at 4 EVENTS pm. Light refreshments will be throughout Europe in various languages. Within six months he for sale. More detailed, guided MARCH 12 had parceled out 300,000 acres to tours of the house are offered Fri- Charter Day over 250 prospective settlers, days—Saturdays 10-3 and Sun- APRIL 12 mostly rich London Quakers. days 12-3. Lunch & Learn Eventually he attracted other per- Page 2 From the President of the Friends GRAEME PARK Happy 2017 to everyone! There is nothing like a fresh calendar to help us imagine the possibilities. At Graeme Park, we closed 2016 with the last program of the year, “A Con- tinental Christmas”. Many thanks to our vice-president, Jack Washington, for organizing the military reenactors and as many thanks to our volunteers who gave of their time to transport our visitors back to the Christmas sea- son of 1777 and New Year of 1778. It was not a pleasant time for Elizabeth Graeme Park is the site of the Keith Graeme Fergusson or for the nearly 2,000 soldiers encamped right here at House, an 18th-century historic Graeme Park. With barely enough heat and food, it was a bleak outlook for house, the only remaining home of a the New Year for them. governor of colonial Pennsylvania. It is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission But the new year of 2017 at today’s Graeme Park has a much nicer outlook. in partnership with the Friends of We are revamping our calendar of events to include such programs as a Graeme Park, a 501c3 volunteer Mothers’ Day Brunch, which includes a tour of the Keith House, and “A organization that raises funds, staffs, Night with the Graemes”, where you are invited to join an evening’s enter- and promotes the site. The official registration and financial information tainment fit for the “upper class”. of The Friends of Graeme Park may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Horsham residents already know that the year 2017 is our township’s tri- Department of State by calling toll centennial. Each month, there is an event sponsored by the township to free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732- 0999. Registration does not imply honor this milestone. Saturday, May 13, will be the family-friendly Dance endorsement. Individuals who need Party at Graeme Park, which will feature a DJ and dancing in the tent with a special assistance or accommodation light supper, as well as activities for the kids. The Keith House will be open to visit Graeme Park should call for tours and colonial craftsmen will be on hand to showcase the trades of (215) 343-0965 in advance to discuss their needs. Pennsylvania TDD relay the era that was the beginning of Horsham and Graeme Park. service is available at (800)654-5984. We will continue with our school tours, our “Lunch & Learn” series and TOUR HOURS other historical lectures, as well as a guided nature walk, which will high- Friday - Saturday light how people in the mid-1700s would have used some of the trees and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. plants which grow on Graeme Park’s property today. Check the proposed Sunday Noon - 4 p.m. calendar of events listed in this newsletter and our website for up-to-date Last tour starts at 3 p.m. information. Our weddings will see their most successful year to date. The THE STAFF AT property, in its natural, rustic state, brings many couples who love the beau- GRAEME PARK ty and tranquility that is Graeme Park. Carla A. Loughlin Mike MacCausland So with our new calendar, we are imagining the possibilities that 2017 can bring to Graeme Park and we hope your calendar will do the same for you. THE PENNSYLVANIA Maybe the dates in your book will include a visit to one of our events. We HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM would love to see you here! COMMISSION Tom Corbett Governor James M. Vaughan Executive Director - Beth MacCausland Nancy Moses Chair Page 3 2017 Events Calendar Charter Day—March 12 Evening Lecture—June Lecture on Continental Christmas—November A self-paced tour of the Keith a historic topic with light refresh- 25 In the winter of 1777-78 nearly House with volunteers on hand to ments. Free for members. 2,000 men were encamped at Grae- me Park with their officers taking answer questions on the history Historic Nature Walk—September over the Keith House. Visit this and architecture. This is a great Take a guided walk through our time in Graeme Park’s history and event for members wishing to get woods and learn about some of our learn what it must have been like involved as volunteers. FREE landscape history, as well as how for Elizabeth, as she saw her Lunch & Learn—April 12 & residents of the 18th century would grounds being trampled and her October have used the property and plants. food stores being ransacked. Free Enjoy a continental breakfast, lec- Free for members. for members. ture on a historical topic, and a hot Homeschool Day—September 29 Ladies Night Out: Gingerbread and cold lunch buffet. Tours of the A day for homeschooling families Houses—December historic Keith House will also be to discover Graeme Park and life in Decorate a homemade, pre- available after lunch. Reserved 18th-century America. Demonstra- constructed gingerbread house- Event. $25/pp—$20/for members. tions around the ground change while enjoying light refreshments. Mother’s Day Brunch—May 14 annually, but include things such Reserved Event. Pricing to follow. A professionally catered hot and as open hearth cooking demonstra- Special members-only price. cold brunch buffet in the tent fol- tions, animal displays, military lowed by a tour of the historic drills, colonial games and toys, and * Details and pricing to follow. All pro- Keith House. Reserved Event. Pric- quill writing. $6/pp. Free for mem- posed events subject to change or can- ing to follow. Special members- bers. cellation. only price. NEWSBRIEFS Horsham’s Tri-Centennial Celebration door to the partition wall so we now can access and use 2017 marks the 300th year of the founding of Horsham the space for additional storage. Township and there will be events all year long celebrating Other additional projects on the 2017 “To Do” list include our history and community. There are events scheduled additional tree removal, reconstructing one segment of each month throughout the year, including a dance party the barnyard wall that wasn’t included in the earlier with food and a band at Graeme Park on May 13, a movie work that was done, and getting the lighting on the night at Lukens Park, a picnic at the library and a gala at driveway up and working again. Talamore Country Club. In between there are lots of activi- ties and events, which you can learn more about on the Township’s website under the “Community” tab. Planning 2017 Wedding Season is still in progress so check back often for more details and Even while we were finishing out the 2016 wedding sea- additional events. son, Beth MacCausland, president of the Friends of Grae- Barn Repairs & Upcoming Maintenance me Park and rental coordinator, was hard at work meet- ing with couples, showing them around, reviewing the The state has recently completed a project in the upstairs details and preparing contracts for those considering storage area of the barn/visitors’ center. Last year during a Graeme Park for their 2017 and 2018 weddings. The re- windy, heavy snow storm we had large amounts of snow sults so far are that we have 30 bookings scheduled for blow in through the vents and soak the insulation on the 2017 and a few already booked for 2018. These rentals unfloored, inaccessible side of the threshing floor. The insu- add greatly to our bottom line and allow us to continue lation was removed right away to stop the leaking down to offer educational, mission related programs to the into the office area and to allow the wood to dry.