Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: July, 1938 Volume 1 Number 4, Page 36

An Impression

Rev. Crosswell McBee, Rector Old St. David's Church

Page 36

One who becomes a member of a society often finds himself committed to the doing of some task as entrance requirement. The suggestion made to me, a new member of the Tredyffrin-Easttown History Club, to write briefly an impression of the Club, is natural, and not lacking in precedent.

Such an impression is likely to be favorable. One does not join a group unless he sincerely approves its purpose and methods. Such an impression might furnish a pleasant and perhaps stimulating reassurance of worth-whileness. Any possible criticism would only come with fittingness from a longtime member.

The new member recognizes in his first contact with our Club that it has a clearly defined object. Of this object all members are conscious. They understand it well. The president, Mr. Teamer, makes it evident, not by talk, but by his manner and example. Without explanation or preamble, it is simply taken for granted that every member gives himself to do his share in personal discovery, exploration and verification of past and present facts and places, associated with the local and communal life of this section of Pennsylvania. Included in this object is the preservation and marking of sites and events, whose significance may be of no less interest to posterity than to us. This requires time and work. Such antiquarian activity creates and preserves history. It is serious and important business. The Club is meant to be a hive without drones. To this intention it measures up in practice very well.

Though physical refreshment and recreation and good fellowship are not the primary concern of this group, it is not to be imagined that these elements are entirely lacking. The sly humor and personal gibes occasionally exchanged by the privileged members who take advantage of the hikes and excursions on Sundays and other days, often rendering impossible benefit of clergy; and their graphic narratives of experiences and adventures, bear convincing witness to the contrary. These aspects of group life lighten and reward the toil of him who labors in the field of archeological research. They prevent serious business from being taken too seriously.

If this statement of impressions is frankly a statement of appreciation, it is because appreciation is the feeling which the facts strongly suggest.