ABERDEEN MUSEUM ABERDEEN MUSEUM REVIEW OUR NEWSLETTER ~ A link to the past and present. ~ Volume 7, No. 4 REVIEW August 1, 2008 Volume 7, No. 4 August1, 2008 Aberdeen Room Archives & Museum, Inc. OUR NEWSLETTER ~ A link to the past and present. ~ 18 Howard Street P.O. Box 698 Aberdeen, Maryland 21001 A 4TH THAT MADE THE NEWS REMEMBERING THE FIRST DAY AT RIPKEN STADIUM What were July 4th celebrations like back in the good old days? What happened to make news in It was 18 June 2002, when it all started Harford County nearly a century ago? in Aberdeen. The commemorative “First Pitch” Back we went to the newspaper files at the program for the evening read, “The City of Aberdeen Aberdeen Room Archives and pulled out the earliest Extends its Warmest Welcome to the IronBirds and file book with its faded blue cover and yellowed Its Fans. Today, the memories begin. It is a day of pages. What we did not remember was the fact that firsts - the first pitch - the first hit - and hopefully the the first issue was published on Friday, July 4, 1919. first win!” There it was, the first page - July 4th! It was a memorable occasion. A number of Sure enough, there was news of fireworks organizations and individuals were recognized. State on the front page. Headlines read that there was and County elected officials, and Governor Parris N. a big explosion in the pile of German ammunition Glendenning were thanked for their help in making brought from overseas to the Aberdeen Proving the dream of a minor league stadium become a reality. Ground where the authorities, after an analysis, had It was a proud day to be affiliated with the Baltimore Current Museum Officers EXPLOSION DEFACES HEADQUARTERS - found that heat will cause an explosion. The story Orioles organization. Curator ........ Charlotte G. Cronin This photo, taken March 28, 1919, shows the marred continued on to page 3 of that first issue. “Another A special tribute was given to Cal Ripken, Secretary ..... Mary-Lynne Livezey Lot of Hun Shells Go Off” read the headlines. The Jr. for his vision and dedication, and for his Treasurer ...... Jim Lindsey front of APG Headquarters building following an explosion on the Main Front. The blast blew out shells had been stored near Michaelsville, about efforts in keeping sights high while he showed the Board of Directors (Continued on Page 2) most of the structures windows. - Harford Democrat (Continued on Page 4) Catherine Adams Ann Glover Souvenir Edition, 1967 Charles W. Baker John Glover A SEA OF UMBRELLAS George H. Baker Ann M. Kelly Maxine Boyle Cara Manley A 4TH THAT MADE THE NEWS (Continued) Mary Clary Mary Lee Plummer William R. Cronin Kenny Wilson two miles from Perryman. Houses for miles around Trudy DeForest were shaken. Aberdeen citizens were made aware of Paul Ciesla, Computer Consultant fireworks for Independence Day. There had been a Jon Harlan Livezey, Genealogy Consultant Councilman Ron Kupferman, City of Aberdeen Liaison former explosion on Flag Day, June 14, of the same year. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Aberdeen Room Museum “When we have neglected all of our historic Welcomes All Visitors Free Of Admission Charge buildings, we will have a severe case of Alzheimer’s. Your Donations are Welcomed Save your memories, love a building.” C. Manley ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Articles written by Charlotte and William Cronin The Aberdeen Room acquires, records, and displays memorabilia and artifacts that relate to the social, Edited by Jim Lindsey and Mary-Lynne Livezey economic, and cultural development of the city of Composition by Cara Manley Aberdeen. All interested persons are welcome and The 389th U.S. Army Concert Band played to a sea of umbrellas in Festival Park in Aberdeen on July 1, 2008. are invited to visit, utilize, and enjoy the museum and Copyright © 2008. The loyal audience from surrounding states weathered the sudden downpour, as the band played on. archival facilities provided. Aberdeen Room Archives & Museum. Page 2 Page 3 FIRST DAY AT RIPKEN STADIUM (Continued) Harford County were saluted for their united efforts reason or another, thoughtful people often think of of the publication years of the “Harford Democrat and commitment. The craftsmen, laborers and the the museum. Such donations have proved to be the and Aberdeen Enterprise” newspapers that we have professionalism he displayed throughout his career. Maryland Stadium Authority were recognized for the life blood of our historic repositories. saved. Some of these items date back to the late 19th Cal Ripken, Sr. was also remembered for his love management of the construction of the stadium. Sixteen years ago, Aberdeen celebrated the century. of baseball and providing the inspiration for this “It has been one year and eight months since 100th birthday of its incorporation. At that time, the There is a “Booster Number of the Harford memorial. the groundbreaking ceremonies for the stadium. On Town of Aberdeen became the City of Aberdeen. Democrat” from 1940. It contains a brief history It was a dream come true. In October 2000, what was once 50 acres of the Coen family farmland, a There were meetings to plan the parade, dinner, of the Bata Shoe Company’s first year in Harford Cal and brother Bill launched the construction of a magnificent structure now stood with a prepped field, church service, pageant, “First 100 Years” video, and County. How many remember that employer of many very unique baseball project. It was a family vision and players ready to begin professional baseball in publication of the “Centennial Almanac.” Harford Countians in Belcamp? of a 6,000 seat minor league stadium, along with Aberdeen. It was a most coveted seat to hold on that Many citizens were involved in all phases There is a “Harford Democrat Supplement” a youth academy featuring six replica ball fields, evening! There was excitement as the Black Daggers, of the celebration, and many items have been dated 5 May 1876, about the Act of Code of Public dormitories, and dining halls. a Special Operations Command parachute team from contributed over the years to fill file cabinets at the General Laws titled “Oysters,” containing notes of On 7 February 2002, Cal, Jr. And Ripken Fort Bragg, North Carolina, decended to the field, Aberdeen Room. Jane and Ed Mello were very the Maryland General Assembly January Session, Professional Baseball purchased the New York - Penn trailing a cloud of red smoke in their wake.” active in the planning process of the event, and 1876. League Utica Blue Sox. The team was transformed by Six drill sergeants from the U.S. Army recently brought in armfuls of papers, pictures and From 1964 is an advertisement by the the Orioles into the Aberdeen IronBirds, the seventh Ordnance Center and Schools formed the honor shirts marking that occasion. There is an original Pennsylvania Railroad of the fare from Baltimore Baltimore Orioles minor league affiliate. The name guard which presented colors at the grand opening. photo of the Centennial Committee with Chuck to New York, special package ticket $11.45. An “IronBirds” is a product of two distinct tie-ins that What a grand military-style grand opening! Jacobs, Jr., Chairman, Judy Michalski, Sue Swisher, impressive advertisement, showing engine # 4868, is Cal wanted to incorporate into the team’s image. The first season bulged with fans for all Sandra Matthews, Leslie McGlothlin, Laurence for a one-day excursion for children priced at $6.25. “Iron” is a reference to Cal’s streak of 2,632 38 home games. The Class A IronBirds played to Harris, Kathy Ray, Jon Livezey, Ronald Landbeck, There is the USO of Central Maryland, Inc., consecutive games played, surpassing the record 231,935 spectators, an average of 6,109 a game, Clifton Dowling, Wilma Arford, Rowe Haywood, folder from July, 1975, when it held its Board Meeting previously held by Lou Gehrig. Ripken is now which is more than the Stadium’s listed capacity of Peter Dacey, Jane Gevecker Mello, Edmund Mello, in Aberdeen. It contains a certificate of appreciation known as baseball’s all-time “Iron Man.” “Birds” 6,000. Flora Bradley, Neale Wirtanen and Maria Fothergill. to the “Harford Democrat” in 1973. referred to Cal playing his entire 31 years in an As we recall, the IronBirds took on the 2001 Members of the “staff” wore pink shirts, and There is also a “History of Havre de Grace” Orioles uniform. New York Penn League defending co-champions, the two of those are included in the Mello donation. by Elias Kidwiler, and the “History of the Aberdeen The IronBirds logo has several features, Williamsport Crosscutters. In their debut as a team, Those shirts are the first to be a part of the Centennial Fire Department.” From 1974 is a book of poetry which pay homage to the Ripken family and their there were IronBirds infielders Will Combs and collection at the museum. All of the minutes of the from local author, Margaret Cronin Umbarger, home, Aberdeen. “We were able to give him blue Pete Shier, and outfielder Tim Gilloohy. Rumor had meetings, and stationery used for the correspondence “Adolescent Sentience.” eyes, attributed to my mom, and just kind of merged it that Tim Gillooly crushed a ball over the MBNA are now filed away. At the time of the dedication of the Ordnance the orange and black in a subtle way,” explained Cal. scoreboard at practice, 480 feet! Other items that have come to light in Museum in the 1970s at Aberdeen Proving Ground, The jet is a tie to the Aberdeen Proving Ground, and For those who are interested in more details housekeeping and downsizing efforts are recollections we were present to acquire a booklet that was on its tail is a orange and black number 8, the number of the Ironbirds and Ripken Stadium, The Aberdeen published for the occasion, that was found among Ripken wore during his career with the Orioles.