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This publication is complimentary with your Historical Society membership. If you are not a member, visit www.hummelstownhistoricalsociety.org for more information.
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Fall 2014
Hummelstown AreaHistorical Society
Page 1 www.hummelstownhistoricalsociety.org Fall 2014
32 W. Main Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036 717-566-6314 [email protected]
In thIs Issue...
• October eventsPage 1
• Social MediaPage 1
• All AboardPage 2
• Baggage ExhibitPage 2
• Hummelstown BlanketsPage 3
• President’s MessagePage 4
• Wedding ExhibitPage 4
Thanks to everyone who bought tickets for our October events! Both events - Paranormal Activity Results and the High Tea at the Parish House - have sold out.
For those who didn’t get tickets for Paranormal Activity, there may be hope. Contact the Society by phone or email to express interest. If there are enough of you interested, we may be able to have a second showing.
Make sure you have your tickets, and get ready to have a great time at both events. We look forward to seeing you there.
October Events Sold Out
Getting Social With HAHS: Facebook & TwitterIf you wanted another way to get involved with the Society, here’s your chance. We are on Facebook and Twitter and we want your “likes” and “tweets.” This is your opportunity to talk to us about whatever is on your mind about events, exhibits, memories or anything you would like to see from the Society.
Join the Conversation. Talk to Us!
Like us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/HummelstownHistoricalSociety
Follow us and Tweet us on Twitter:https://twitter.com/HummelstownHist
Page 2 www.hummelstownhistoricalsociety.org Fall 2014
All Aboard! Steaming Toward January’s Exhibit OpeningPlanning continues for the All Aboard show that the Society is sponsoring in January and February, 2015.
The social and economic development of Hummelstown was linked to area railroads. Visit the Society’s website at www.hummelstownhistoricalsociety.org to read about these railroads including the Brownstone Railroad, the Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad, and the Reading Railroad.
Our website also has interesting articles about model railroading, including the Lionel Company, wooden trains, and Plasticville.
Check out Facebook and Twitter to chat or post your thoughts about all things railroad and train - a favorite trip, an adventure, family ties to the railroad. We would love to hear about all of them.
Baggage Room DisplayThe All Aboard show will feature a Reading baggage room as one of its displays. Every old-time railroad station in America had a baggage station or room. Years ago, everything was shipped by train. As the name implies, it was a building or designated area where baggage waiting to be shipped or received was deposited.
A baggage area was a hodgepodge of travelers’ trunks, valises, and suitcases, as well as mail sacks, crates with items to be sold in stores, equipment, and even commodities such as food. The station master was responsible for notifying local residents if there were items awaiting pick-up.
A wagon used by the Hummelstown postmaster to transport mail from the station to the post office will be part of the display.
The Railway Express Agency (REA), originally started by the government as part of the WWI effort and then administered by the railroads independently, provided small package and parcel transportation using the railroad infrastructure as the forerunners to modern-day UPS and Fed-Ex.
Page 3 www.hummelstownhistoricalsociety.org Fall 2014
Commemorative Hummelstown Blankets on Sale NowIn celebration of the Parish House’s 200th Anniversary, the Hummelstown Historical Society has designed two commemorative blankets. All proceeds will benefit the preservation of the historic building.
Both blankets can be shipped directly to your home for $12.00 or can be picked up at the Historical Society free of charge.
Above:Parish House Throw
$25.0050” x 60”
100% cotton tapestryNavy & White
Right:Hummelstown Tapestry
$35.0054” x 70”
100% cotton tapestrySepia Tone
Page 4 www.hummelstownhistoricalsociety.org Fall 2014
President’s Message: Thank you, All VolunteersThanks to our volunteers, the HAHS has been successful with its programs and community activities. I am very grateful for the work that volunteers do because it promotes the mission of the Society, while saving funds. Whether it is those who mow lawns, clean the treasures in the Parish House, welcome guests at our open houses, provide services at reduced fees, preserve our acquisitions, stage special shows, or those who work with our interns and Eagle Scouts, significant hours are committed to accomplish major tasks.
But there is another type of much-appreciated volunteering – the monetary contributions of members, friends, and business sponsors to our projects. We have been successful in generating funds by selling publications, renting our buildings, and holding raffles. We have obtained donations through memberships and sponsorships to fund scholarships, shows, and improvements to our facilities and collections.
These fundraising activities are often associated with projects that the Society is undertaking at the same time. This means that you may receive several requests to make donations. I want to emphasize that, as a member or friend, you should not feel obligated to participate in every fundraising event. Each of us has other organizations and causes that we support as well. Therefore, I hope you feel free to support whichever Society events or activities speak to you.
We reach out to our members with the understanding that our organization will only prosper when we create learning opportunities about our historical region and work to maintain our historic buildings and collections. These efforts require both volunteers and monetary contributions. Please join us in participating whenever and however you can to fulfill that mission.
As always, I welcome your support.Chad Lister
New Wedding Exhibit Now on Display in the Parish House
A new display in the Parish House was designed by Rosie Bashore to complement our existing popular bridal collection. The display includes the wedding dress, veil, and ribbons worn by Betty Elizabeth Conrad when she married Sergeant Clifford Sterner on January 17, 1943 at the Zion Lutheran Church. A book lists the gifts that the couple received from families and friends including luggage, table ware, and bed linens.
The couple’s wedding cake topper had an apt military theme and featured American flags and a groom dressed in a military uniform. There are also photographs of the bride and groom with their wedding party and the 1943 Hummelstown Sun in which the wedding was announced. The items were donated by Kenneth Conrad. The Society is always interested in donations like this that help depict life in Hummelstown.
