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in Memoriam: Michael Morrison
James Michael Morrison (1952-2019)
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17 December 2019 — The Society is very saddened by the loss of former president and well-loved member J. Michael Morrison.
After a valiant effort to survive his long illness, Michael passed away early on 19 December 2019. His many contributions are highly-valued and he will be well-remembered.
The following notice was posted today on the King of Prussia Historical Society facebook page:
It is with very heavy hearts that the King of Prussia Historical Society announces the passing of J. Michael Morrison after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Michael was instrumental in the re-establishment of the Historical Society in advance of the townhip's Tricentennial in 2013. In doing so,
he was following in the footsteps of his grandmother, Lucressa Morrison who was one of the original founders of the society in 1953, owner
of the King of Prussia Antique Store, and one-time post-mistress. Michael's encyclopedic knowledge of Upper Merion history was key to his authorship of the book,
Upper Merion: the First 300 Years. He was a sought after expert speaker on many topics of local history, and was always eager to share his passion
for the preservation of our history. Michael will be greatly missed but his legacy will live on in the King of Prussia Historical Society
about which he was so passionate and so proud. Rest in Peace, Michael. Final arrangements will be private.
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Paoli Inn Historic Marker Dedication
Paoli Inn historic Marker
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To commemorate the long-gone Paoli Inn, the Paoli Business & Professional Association (PBPA)
has placed an historic marker on the original site,
near the eastern end of the Paoli Plaza at the Paoli Village Shoppes, close to the North Valley Road bridge and the Paoli train station.
Society members were invited to join the dedication celebration, and many did come out to support this recognition of an important part of Tredyffrin Township's historic legacy.
Due to the rainy weather forecast for the original date, the postponed event was held on Thursday, 16 May 2019 from 2:00–2:30pm at The Paoli Village Shoppes,
near the Paoli Train Station and the North Valley Road bridge.
In addition to remarks from members of the PBPA, there were several invited speakers, including Society VP Bart Van Valkenburgh, Tredyffrin Township Supervisor Murph Wysocki,
and Pennsylvania State Representative Melissa Shusterman. Seven members of the Revolutionary Military Honor Guard, dressed in period uniforms, also participated in the ceremony.
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The Society Supports the Paoli Blues Fest
2017 Paoli Blues Fest poster with artwork by Dane Tilghman
2017 festival scene near the end of the day
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On Saturday, 7 October 2017, the Society participated as an exhibitor for the seventh consecutive year in the nine-year history
of the Paoli Blues Fest.
We were pleased to have nice late-summer weather and a good turnout, this year in the new location at Paoli Presbyterian Church.
For various reasons, has not exhibited since the 2017 event.
The ten-by-ten foot exhibit tent was located at booth position #54 near the northwest corner of the parking lot exhibit area.
The steady stream of visitors who visited the tent throughout the day were fascinated by the diverse collection of historic
photographs on display, and enjoyed having the opportunity to both learn about, as well as share their knowledge of, local history.
This year we displayed a new set of large, poster-size images of the Main Line Airport for the enjoyment of our vistors.
Exhibiting at this community event was a wonderful way to introduce the Society to a new and wider audience, as well as to connect with many friends
who stop by to chat. If you are interested in the enjoyable work of helping to staff our booths at any public event, please contact the Society by email or
speak to one of us at a Society meeting.
Information about our Blues Fest participation in previous years can be found here:
2011,
2012,
2013,
2014,
2015, and
2016.
Roger Thorne talking with visitors in the 2017 booth
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CBS 3 SummerFest visits Devon
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On Friday 2 June 2017, as part of their ongoing SummerFest series, local television network affiliate CBS 3 (KYW) spent much of the day at
the Devon Horse Show & Country Fair, with a video crew and several on-screen personalities,
exploring various aspects of the event. A combination of pre-recorded and live segments appeared during the Eyewitness News broadcasts at 5, 6, and 11 pm.
Earlier in the week, Society president John O. Senior, and former president Michael Morrsion
were interviewed by producer Aubrey Clerkin about the historical background of Devon. The Society provided several historic photos
that were included in the program, along with short segments from the interviews. The first portion of the program, focusing more on history and
including this content, was originally shown on Friday just after 5 pm, and is provided below.
The complete story, as it appears on the CBS 3 website
may be viewed here.
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TEHS at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair
Front cover of the 2014 book
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Roger Thorne and a visitor at the TEHS table at Devon
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From 22 May – 1 June 2014, Society members staffed a table located at northwest corner of the Committee Stand, very close to the main entrance,
where our publication "Rediscovering Devon" (prepared in collaboration with DHSCF) was on sale. Many people stopped by and visited, and many others passed by and admired
the large timeline banner immediately above our display table.
On Friday 12 September 2014, we once again set up our display table in the same location during the Devon Fall Classic.
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John & Nancy, Dixon, Jim & Herb on "booth duty"
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On 15 June 2014, the Society held our 2014 Member Excursion at DHSCF.
Click here for more information and photos.
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Society Elects New President
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At the January 2012 Annual Meeting, the Society elected Michael Morrison as its new president.
Michael took over from Roger Thorne who served as president for nine years, leading the Society
through a period of remarkable change and growth, including the transition to a 501(c)(3) organization.
Roger will remain active as Board of Directors Chair with our thanks and appreciation for his vision
and dedication.
Michael was a published historian who led
the Archives Committee for several years, and his passion for history and great enthusiasm
for the Society helped us to continue to grow and develop.
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Michael Morrison and Roger Thorne
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In April 2016, Michael stepped down and Vice President John O. Senior took on the duties of President.
Michael remained very involved and continued to serve on the Board of Directors through 2018.
John initially became involved by creating the Society's website in 2006. His role gradually expanded as he
managed the digital conversion of the History Quarterly back issues,
serving on the board since its inception in 2008, and as Vice-President starting in 2010, and he has been
editor-in-chief of the History Quarterly since 2013.
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State Support for the Society
Andy Dinniman and Roger Thorne
Photo courtesy John O. Senior
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At our June 2011 special meeting at Historic Waynesborough, we were pleased to once again welcome State Senator Andy Dinniman,
this time to present the Society
with a special state proclamation recognizing seventy-five years of exceptional community service.
Roger Thorne also expressed our appreciation for the support that
Sen. Dinniman provided in helping us to obtain the recently concluded 2009 DCNR grant that funded several important projects,
including the acquisition of new aerial photos of the region, other selected historical photographs,
and a noteworthy collection of recorded and transcribed oral histories.
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Andy reading the proclamation
Photo courtesy John O. Senior
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At the September 2009 meeting, we were pleased to welcome State Senator Andy Dinniman and former State Representative Carole Rubley to recognize
them for their valuable assistance in helping the Society to receive two DCED grants that have supported our Digitization Project.
Senator Dinniman presented us with a check for a new DCNR grant to support several important projects.
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Roger Thorne with Andy Dinniman
Photo courtesy John O. Senior
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2006 Kirkner Essay Contest Awards
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