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| Our newsletter is now available in pdf format Online!
To view our newsletter, The Challenge, for March 2010, Click Here Note: For past issues of our newsletter, please click on the "Archives" page above. |
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· NEWS ARTICLES · (Current and Archived) Marie Kitto Memorial Award 2009 STHS Logo history of its design September, 2009 STHS at Chestnut Hill Garden Festival Spring, 2009 Van Scivers represent STHS in Memorial parade 2009 STHS History Scholarship Award 2009 STHS Archives moves to new quarters January, 2009 Heritage Day at the Black Horse Inn Sept. 28, 2008 Marie Kitto Memorial Award 2008 WANTED - Pictures for new Springfield Township Then and Now book First STHS History Scholarship Award Garden Tour for Black Horse Inn a Success Marie Kitto Memorial Award 2007 Philo T. Farnsworth Historical Marker Dedication PA Citation Honoring STHS 20th Anniversary $150,000 Federal Grant for Black Horse Inn Subdivision Management Options Workshop Temple University Students Research Township Properties To go to the BLACK HORSE INN Information and Donations Webpage Click Here |
2009 Marie Kitto Memorial Award Presented to Richard Wood Snowden
The Springfield Township Historical Society presented its Marie Kitto Memorial Award to Richard Wood Snowden (pictured on the right) at its annual meeting on December 3. The award is given in memory of Kitto, a founder of the historical society in 1985, to a person who has made significant contributions to the historical society's tenets of research, preservation, and education. "This year's recipient has quietly demonstrated a strong commitment to preserving Springfield Township's history over parts of the last three decades. For his inspiration he had to look no further than his own grandmother, Virginia Wilmsen, who herself was one of the founders of the Historical Society along with Marie Kitto and others," STHS president Ed Zwicker (pictured on the left) said, while presenting the award. Through the years, Snowden, along with his grandmother, worked behind the scenes to protect some of Springfield Township's larger tracts from becoming high-density developments. Some examples include three Wyndmoor properties: Griffiths Tract (Biddle Woods), Stenton Avenue and Paper Mill Rd; Buttonwood Farms on Montgomery Avenue,and Lane's End, the Wharton Sinkler Estate at Gravers Lane and Flourtown Avenue. High-density development had been proposed for the Griffiths Tract property to create apartments and a shopping center. Snowden became involved and was instrumental in finding a solution whereby a limited number of houses would be constructed with the open space protected by easements, which were donated to the Natural Lands Trust. When a nursing home was proposed for construction on the site of Buttonwood Farms, Snowden assisted in making the development work with the retention of the main house as a single-family house and the retention of the barn and conversion to a single family house. There were easements taken to protect the house and land in perpetuity. At the time the University of Pennsylvania announced the sale of Lane's End and there was discussion of the potential for new construction on the site, Snowden lent his expertise to help retain of all existing buildings and the protect all open space. In addition, over the years when the Historical Society was in need of a home, Snowden has provided a location in which to store archives where researchers could access them.
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The Story behind our STHS Logo
Visitors to Chestnut Hill may have noticed the logo depicted on our new sign in front of the STHS archives at 8428 Germantown Avenue. We thought it timely to include some background and history on our STHS logo. In the 1990s, local resident, architect, and former STHS board member, Kes Lukas, designed the STHS logo. The design was intended to echo the general look of the Springfield Township seal, while depicting elements specific to the township's history. The coat of arms shield represents the combined family crests of the Penn and Springett families (William Penn and his wife Gulielma Maria Springett) who founded our township. Symbolically, the metallic shield and the colorful banner above it are representative of an established society with the strong social structure and manufacturing capabilities. The oak leaves represent the virgin American forests that existed when the area was first settled and the oak tree is closely linked to William Penn's legacy here in Springfield. The shield, overlapping the leaves, represents the arrival of established society. The acorns at the sides represent the seeds of a new civilization planted by the Penn family and those who followed. As an Historical Society, we preserve that link to those original seeds and this logo is our symbol of that connection. We appreciate the work Kes Lukas has done in designing this logo for STHS, and recently in updating these graphic files to make them compatible with the latest computer technology. |
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| STHS at the Chestnut Hill Garden Festival STHS was happy to participate in the Chestnut Hill Garden Festival this year. Since our archives are currently located on Germantown Ave., we were able to have our archives open to visitors and also use the porch space and area in front of our building for various activities, crafts, demonstrations and sales.
(pictured below) Andy Logan (as Edward Stotesbury), Ellie Hamilton, Christine Smith and Joan Dessureau.
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Carol and Joseph Van Sciver represent STHS in the Memorial Day parade
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| STHS 2009 History Scholarship
Awarded
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| STHS Moves into New Quarters!
Board members and their relatives were joined by friends and high school students as they moved furniture that had been on loan to the Montgomery County Fire Academy and boxes of deeds, photos and books from its previous rented space at the Chestnut Hill Historical Society and the Friends of the Wissahickon to a 19th century frame building three blocks south of the CHHS/FOW headquarters. Relocating to another site enables the Chestnut Hill Historical and the Friends of the Wissahickon to have more room. The first floor space at 8428 Germantown Ave., is being provided by Bowman Properties Ltd., a Chestnut Hill firm, and the Snowden family. Richard Snowden, general manager of Bowman Properties, said that his grandmother, the late Virginia Wilmsen, had been a founding board member of the Springfield Township Historical Society. Mrs. Wilmsen, who lived in Wyndmoor, was a leader in the successful fights against 1967 plans for a high-rise apartment building at the corner of Stenton Avenue and Paper Mill Rd., and against 1980 plans for a shopping center on the same property, according to STHS co-founder Shirley Hanson. Six houses were eventually built on a portion of the property; another part belongs to the Natural Lands Trust, Hanson said.
Anthony accepts donations of scanned photos and photocopies of albums because she understands that families would want to keep the originals. The STHS archivist said that she would like to have more genealogical information in the archives because she gets requests from genealogists doing research on families. Working with Anthony in the archives are volunteers John Frantz, Dulie Gray and Leslie Smith who help enter information on the STHS PastPerfect cataloguing software system and organize the collection. The volunteers were on hiatus in the weeks after the move while the shelving and computer system were set up. The building at 8428 Germantown Ave. retains some of its original appearance with a ground floor porch, boxed framed openings and gabled dormers with a paired sash from the 19th century. Records in the Chestnut Hill Historic District inventory state that no deeds show a frame building on the property prior to 1864. The property is said to be the birthplace of John G. Johnson (1841- 1917), a lawyer and scholar whose art collection is at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Photos above: |
Evan Studenmund (left)
was presented with the Springfield
Township Historical
Society's History Scholarship
Award, by historical society
president Ed Zwicker. The
award is given to a graduating
senior of Springfield Township
High School who plans to
major in history or a related
field and for scholastic achievement.
The historical society
established the award to
recognize the importance of
education about the township's
past. Evan plans to attend Elon
University in North Carolina.
Many hands made light
work on a Saturday morning
in January as the Springfield
Township Historical Society
moved its archives from their
home for the last several years to
a new temporary location at
8428 Germantown Ave., Chestnut
Hill. The Black Horse
Inn on Bethlehem Pike in
Flourtown will be home to the
historical society in the future.
According to Susan
Anthony, STHS archivist for
the past four years, the STHS
archives includes items of media
such as photographs, papers,
books, maps, three-dimensional
artifacts and more, dating from
colonial times to the Wyndmoor
Hose Company's 100th
anniversary last year. Anthony
said that the archives includes
an extensive collection on estates
in the area, such as Edward T.
Stotesbury's Whitemarsh Hall
and properties on Montgomery
Avenue in Wyndmoor, as well
as photocopies of deeds dating
to the 1700s, material from
organizations such as the League
of Women Voters and the
Women's Club of Flourtown,
and local history books.
"People need to understand
that their past is Springfield
Township's past," said Anthony,
as she looked at a photocopy of
a photo album that was recently
donated to STHS.
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Heritage Day at the Black Horse Inn Huge Success!
Visitors to Heritage Day at the Black Horse Inn on September 28th took a step back in time to enjoy colonial crafts and music, while looking ahead to the future.
Highlights of the festivities included making Native American and colonial-style toys and visits with re-enactors Carl Closs who portrayed George Washington; Noah Lewis, who did living history portrayals of as Revolutionary War hero Ned Hector, and Joe Becton who appeared as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.
Seated on the porch of the inn, colonial musicians Jan & John Haigis
entertained guests as they went inside to hear glass armonica player Carolinn Skyler, and look around the first floor,
At a podium on the side porch of the inn, speakers included State Rep. Larry Curry and historical society president Ed Zwicker, among others. Curry spoke about Bethlehem Pike's connection to the Battle of Germantown, which took place in the fall of 1777, and Zwicker discussed the history of the inns along Bethlehem Pike. Zwicker and historical society vice president Charles Zwicker talked with visitors at an information table and historical society and Friends of Historic Bethlehem Pike members were among the many volunteers who helped at Heritage Day.
Band musicians from the Springfield Township High School and Springfield Township Middle School under the direction of Chuck Gottesman and Marcy Klugman entertained guests between speakers and presentations. Rich Lalena, a town crier for historic sites such as Carpenter's Hall, brought a colonial style to announcing activities of the day.
The inn, parts of which are believed to have been built in the mid-18th century, was the first stop on the Philadelphia-to-Bethlehem stagecoach line.
Expanded in the 19th century, it was a stop for farmers, when grain was taken to the local flour mills, and later used for meetings of the Society for the Apprehension of Horse Thieves, township commissioners, voting and horse trading. It continued to operate as a restaurant or tavern until the 1990s when the property was sold.
The restoration of the inn is being funded by individual contributions now exceeding $120,000, and state and federal grants. The grants include a federal $150,000 Save America's Treasure grant; two $500,000 Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants and an $85,000 Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Keystone Preservation Grant. A feasibility study is now underway for raising funds to complete the renovations to the interior of the inn. Members of the Heritage Day Committee were STHS board members Cynthia Hamilton and Christine Fisher Smith, township commissioner Doug Heller, and Friends of Historic Bethlehem Pike members Ellen Swoyer Manning and Don Mitchell. Hamilton is also a member of the Black Horse Inn Advisory Committee.
Above photos in descending order: |
The event at the inn, a Flourtown landmark which is currently undergoing renovations, was planned by the Black Horse Inn Advisory Committee, the Springfield Township Historical Society and the Friends of Historic Bethlehem Pike, to celebrate the completion of the exterior renovations and the beginning of the last phase of fundraising for the inn's interior as well as to thank contributors.
where there was information on the Black Horse Inn and other inns along Bethlehem Pike. A frame of a staircase has been built, and a pressed metal ceiling is in place enabling a visitor to envision what the interior will look like after it is completed.
Curry presented awards to winners of the "Young Historians Essay Contest" for students at Springfield Township High School and Springfield Township Middle School. Winners of the high school contest--- Jenny Uehling, Lina Sorg, Rebecca Sherwood and Scott Vierick—each read portions of Jenny's first place short story, "Spying History". The Springfield Twp Middle School winners were Aaron Caplan, first prize; Michaela Fallon, second prize; Kelli Bray, third prize, and Billy Sorg, merit award.
Plans called for the building to be razed or relocated before the property deed was transferred to Springfield Township and efforts to restore the building got underway.
| Don Mitchell Receives Second Marie Kitto Memorial Award 
The historical society presented its second annual Marie Kitto Award to Don Mitchell, former president of the Friends of Historic Bethlehem Pike, at its meeting on May 29. Don was honored for his work for the Friends of Historic Bethlehem Pike, the Black Horse Inn restoration project and for historic preservation. Don, who recently stepped down as president of the Friends, has been involved in fundraising and construction as well as communications for the restoration of the Black Horse Inn. The friends are working to raise awareness of historic preservation along Bethlehem Pike. In his acceptance remarks, Don thanked many people who have helped these efforts. The award is given in memory of Kitto, who helped to found the historical society in 1985, to a person who has made significant contributions to Springfield Township that exemplify the historical society’s tenets of research, preservation, and education. Last year, the award was given to Richard J. Meyer, Jr., who was a general contractor specializing in historic restoration before his retirement in 1987 and has been part of many restoration projects in the Eastern Montgomery County area, including the Black Horse Inn. (pictured above) Don Mitchell with Charles Zwicker, vice president of Springfield Township Historical Society, during the award presentation at our May program. |
New Book Coming in 2009! Springfield Township - THEN and NOW This is a companion volume to the "Springfield Township" and "Whitemarsh Hall" books, already both in their 4th printing! The Springfield Township Historical Society is proud to announce that they are working on a new Springfield Township book, with completely new and unique pictures and text. They are working with Arcadia Publishing, as part of the publisher's new Then & Now series of books. The book will be organized by areas of the township, with a history told through pictures and stories of each of its neighborhoods: Erdenheim, Flourtown, Northwoods, Oreland, the Pan Handle and Wyndmoor.
STHS member Deborah Wilson of Oreland found this early 20th century postcard showing an interior view of the Black Horse Inn and notified STHS of this rare find. Ms. Wilson acquired the portcard on behalf of STHS and we are pleased to include such an important item in our collection. |
| First STHS History Scholarship
Awarded
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But We Need You!!!
The Historical Society is currently collecting pictures and stories to include in this book. This is your chance to preserve some of your family's history in print for generations to come! Contact Ed Zwicker (215-885-3413 or ed@zsiconsulting.com) if you have any materials you would like to have considered for inclusion. All your pictures will be returned to you after we scan their image into our computer, unless you would like to generously donate them to the Historical Society's permanent archives.
Christopher Capone (pictured at left) received the Springfield Township Historical Society's first History Scholarship Award at the school's senior award's assembly in June 2007 from Charles Zwicker, vice president of the historical society. Capone plans to major in history at Ursinus College in the fall. The award is given to a graduating senior who plans to major in history or a related field and for scholastic achievement. The historical society established the award to recognize the importance of education about the township's past.
| Garden Tour a Success for Black Horse Inn
On Saturday, June 9th, the Friends of Historic Bethlehem Pike hosted a garden tour, proceeds from which benefitted the
restoration of the Black Horse Inn. The event, which included seven local private gardens, concluded with a reception at the
Carson Valley School. Local historian and author, David Contosta, local garden photographer Rob Cardillo and award-winning
author Adam Levine were available to sign their wonderful books relating to Carson Valley School and gardens of the region.
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Marie Kitto Memorial Award presented to Dick Meyer At our March 2007 program, our first annual Marie Kitto Memorial award was presented to the very deserving Richard J. Meyer Sr.This award has been created to recognize someone who has made significant contributions to the historical society's tenets of research, preservation, and education. The award will be given annually in memory of Marie Kitto, our first executive director who was the driving spirit behind our organization and was considered to be the unofficial hitorian of Springfield Township. She compiled the majority of the research, pictures, and other artifacts that make up the core of the STHS collection.
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Richard J. Meyer Sr. with Ed Zwicker, president of Springfield Township Historical Society,
during the award presentation at our March program.
| Philo T. Farnsworth State Historical Marker Installed in Springfield Township 
In September 2006, STHS proudly dedicated the first official state historical marker to be installed in Springfield Township. The marker, located across from Laurel Beech Park on Mermaid Lane in Wyndmoor, commemorates Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of the electronic television and the site of his former station, W3XPF, where some of the first experiments in live local television broadcasting were undertaken in the 1930s. If you haven't already seen the official blue and yellow marker, make a point to drive by and see where television was born.
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The historical society was organized in 1985 to research and preserve the history of Springfield Township and educate the general public about township history. The presentation took place at our November 2005 program at which local residents and organizations showed their collections. |
Representative Schwartz Announces $150,000
Federal Grant for Historic Black Horse Inn Washington, D.C. – On Friday, July 29, 2006, Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz (D-Pa.) announced that she has secured a $150,000 federal grant for further preservation and conservation efforts at the historic Black Horse Inn. The funds were included in the Save America's Treasures program within the Fiscal Year 2006 Interior and Environmental Appropriations Act. The bill passed the House, with Rep. Schwartz's support, by a vote of 410 to 10. In announcing the grant, Schwartz praised local organizations for their efforts to preserve the historic landmark. "Friends of Historic Bethlehem Pike, the Springfield Township Historical Society, local elected officials, as well as local citizens, should be applauded for their hard work to preserve and protect the Black Horse Inn," said Representative Schwartz. "I am honored to be able to support the efforts already underway to preserve the Black Horse Inn by securing a $150,000 federal grant for conservation efforts. The inn is a well-known landmark and I am pleased to help insure the site's historic integrity is preserved," added Schwartz. "Representative Schwartz's announcement caps off a great month for the historic Black Horse Inn," say Friends president, Donald Mitchell. "At the beginning of July the building was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Then in the middle of the month, with the help of township staff, our public appeal letter hit virtually every mailbox in the township. While that was happening the chimneys on the building were being restored, thanks to the contractor coordinating committee and the Black Horse Inn Advisory Committee. And now, thanks to Rep. Schwartz, we're seeing some of our earlier fundraising efforts pay off as well." Note: On Thursday, August 4th, @ 12:30 PM Representative Schwartz will hold a formal check presentation at the Black Horse Inn. NOTE - Click on BLACK HORSE INN for Donations and Information. |
The Springfield Township Historical Society and the |
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| Temple University Students Research Historic Township Properties
Temple University students suggested to the Springfield Township Planning Commission on May 3, 2005 that the township research and begin the nominating process to place architecturally-significant buildings in the township on the National Register for Historic Places and consider nominating a Wyndmoor neighborhood as a National Historic District. |
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