Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
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Source: 1947 Volume 6 Number 3, Page 68


Ramblings of the Club

Winona C. Erickson

Page 68

Creaking bodies and well worn tires were no deterrent to the little band of Club members who, on one Sunday each month, packed into the "average 6 or 8 year old car" and jaunted off in search of historic knowledge.

In March, a personally conducted tour of the Commercial Museum by the Curator, Mr. Charles R. Toothaker, was made possible buy Major Edgar S. Gardner.

Mr. Charles Francis Jenkins, president of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, was a delightful and entertaining host to the Club at his home, "Far Country", Mt. Airy, in April. Of special interest was "The Signers' Walk", made from stones connected closely with the life of each Singer of the Declaration of Independence, coming from his birthplace, his home, his burial place or his business activity. The Walk, containing mementos of the entire body of 56 Signers, had just been completed a few days before the visit.

A trip to the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens in May was taken for the purpose of becoming familiar with "Solitude", the home of Governor John penn, grandson of William Penn. The Director, Freeman M. Shelley, gave an informative talk on the history of the "Zoo", after which a tour of "Solitude" was made. The historic Mansion is now used as the Administration building.

One "rare day in June" found a caravan rolling through Chester County to attend the morning Meeting for Worship at "quaint friendly Birmingham, Thou storied shrine". Messages were given by E. William Pyle and Winona C. Erickson during the worship period. Following the Meeting, Helen W. Shortlidge gave a brief account of the historical events connected with the locality. Then the annual visit was paid to the ancestral home of J. Carroll Hayes, Esq. In the afternoon, Mr. Hayes spoke on the "Battle of the Brandywine".

Members attended the Memorial services at the Carranza Monument, near Mt. Holly, N.J. in July.

Mrs. Frances Wilson Frizzell arranged a trip for September. The starting point was old St. Peters Church in the Valley, where the Rector, the Rev. J. Jarden Guenther, spoke of the history of the Church. From there, a cross country run was made to St. James Episcopal Church, Perkiomen in Evansburg, where the Rev. Edward Platts, the Rector, acted as host. These two parishes, together with that of Old St. Davids in Radnor, were, during the middle 1700's, shepherded by one pastor, the Rev. William Currie, who rode from place to place on horseback.

In October, the Club visited the site of the Indian caves at Broomall. Dr. Mary Butler acted as guide and described the work of excavation.

The November trip took on a professional note when Christian C. Sanderson, well known Chester County historian, led a procession of cards to all the points of interest from Chadds Ford, through Kennett Square to Longwood Gardens. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar M. Styer entertained the Club members at their home in Kennett Square.

Innumerable points of interest in old Philadelphia from 2nd to 5th Sts. were thoroughly scrutinized in December. The Arch St. Meeting House, Christ Church, Betsy Ross House, St. Georges M. E. Church, the Atwater Kent Museum were a few of the buildings entered.

The Rodin Museum and the Free Library of Philadelphia were visited in Jan.

A tour of Girard College in February completed a year of profitable activity by the Club ramblers. Mr. James D. White, a resident teacher at the College, graciously opened many doors to interesting exhibits and important buildings, from Founder's Hall to playrooms and kitchens. After viewing the magnificent Chapel by the waning rays of the Winter sun, each member was given a few of the traditional Girard "gingers" and departed through the Lodge gates with a keener appreciation of one of Philadelphia's finest institutions.

 
 

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