Trappe Chronicle A Publication of the Historical Society of Trappe and the Perldomen Valley

Spring 1 993 Trappe, Pennsylvania Volume XXII, No. 1

The President's Message

After exhaustive work, we received a $200,000 grant from the Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corporation acting as administrator for "The Pew Trusts." This is a challenge grant, which means that we must locally raise $50,000 to receive the full amount of the grant.

lfwe raise the $50,000 locally, we will have sufficient funds to nearly complete the restoration of the exterior walls of the Muhlenberg House.

This grant money will be used to lower the roof and restore the exterior facades. This will include a pent roof on three sides and installing a balcony on the south facade with a door leading to the second floor. The restoration will also include rebuilding of the chimneys with the fireplaces.

This is a very ambitious program, but it should be completed this summer. The work will be bid and it is our goal to have it ready for bidding by April 1, 1993.

We need volunteers for much of the work on the outside. Please contact me at 489-7622 or John Shetler at 489-2624 to discuss volunteer capabilities.

At present, we have no debt, and the interior structure is stabilized with much of the studding in place.

In April, we will have a community mailing in an effort to raise the $50,000. Your support is vital and appreciated.

Ivan W. Hess, M.D. President

Archaeology to Resume

As soon as the ground becomes dry enough, the archaeology at the Muhlenberg House will resume. The work planned for the cellar area during the winter could not be completed because of the wetness of the ground in the cellar.

Work will be on Mondays and Wednesdays and some Saturdays. Those interested may contact Chairperson Jam es Stewart, Mary Hundertmark, or Archaeologist Walter Payne. We will still seek the donation of a kerosene heater, used dental picks, 2" ring notebook covers, dustpans, and brushes.

Tall Case Clock Comes Home to Trappe

A Tall Case Clock made by George Hagey of Trappe about 1830 has been donated to the Trappe Histori­cal Society by two anonymous donors.

George Hagey lived and operated a clock and watch shop in Trappe from 1833 to 1850. His shop was located opposite the Fountain Inn" (Trappe Tavern) on Main Street.

George Hagey was born on February 14, 1808, in Lower Salford Township. He was a son of Jacob Hagey, clockmaker. His brothers, John and Joseph, were also clock­makers. George is thought to be the most celebrated of the three genera­tions of his family engaged in this occupation. He died November 23, 1887, in Sterling, IL, at age 79.

The following is an excerpt from an article printed in a local newspaper in 1837: On the night of the 9th the shop of George Hagey, Clockmake1� at Trappe in Upper Providence Township was entered by a villain or villains and property consisting of watches and jewelry, etc., were stolen therefrom to the value of $1,000. A reward is offered for the apprehension of the thief and recovery of the property.

The restoration of the Hagey Clock was donated by the seller, Iron Bridge Clock Shoppe, including cleaning and polishing the case, minor repair to the door, and a pro­fessional "touch up" to the dial. It also included cleaning, polishing, and lacquering parts of the movement and replacing the weight lines.

Membership Renewal

With this newsletter, you will find the form to renew your member­ship in the Historical Society for 1993. Please return it with your dues to Richard Holcombe, 21 Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.

Those who are contributors to the Muhlenberg House restoration will also see the record of their last contribution. You may use the enclosed form for your 1993 contribution.

Your gift will count toward the Matching Fund for the grant of $200,000 from the Philadelphia Historical Preservation Corpor­ation, which is distributing funds from The Pew Charitable Trusts for the assistance of House Museums. We need to have $50,000 in matching funds.

We also invite Muhlenberg con­tributors to become members of the Historical Society. Dues are:

Regular . . . . . . . . . . . . $6.00 Schrack . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00 Dewees . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00 Muhlenberg . . . . . . . . . $50.00 Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00 Student . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.00

Flea Market and Auction September 11, 1993

When you clean house, you may give collectibles, books, and small items to the Flea Market (no broken or worn out things, please).

Items of greater value may be given to the Auction.

PLEASE NOTE: Items of his­toric interest to Trappe or the Perkiomen Valley may be with­drawn or reserved for the Museum.

For information call:

Ray Spaid 489-9770 Flea Market

Randy Riegner 489-69 1 1 Auction

Recent Museum Accessions

A large family style photograph album from the tum of the last century was given to the Society by Mrs. Mildred (Clay) Hess. Mrs. Hess acquired the album at the sale of Earl W. Brunner, 1 84 Main Street, Trappe. Mrs. Brunner was Marion Tyson from Limerick. Earl's father was Irvin Brunner and his mother was Jennie Whitby. The Brunner farm was located on 7th Avenue where Uniform Tubes, Inc., is now located.

A deed signed by Frederick Muhlenberg, Recorder of Deeds for Montgomery County, dated 1 789 was given to the Muhlenberg Com­mittee for use at the Muhlenberg House (when the restoration is finished) by Mrs. Phyllis Vibbard Parsons. The deed is from the collection of her late husband, Dr. William T. Parsons, Professor of History of U rsinus College.

We extend our appreciation to both these persons for their gen­erosity.

Preparing for December Open House

"A Half Century of Christmas Greetings, 1875-1925" will be the theme of an exhibit for the Open House on December 5th and will remain on exhibit until the Board Meeting in January.

Do you have Christmas Cards from that period? Many cards of that day were in the form of deco­rative postcards, which were mailed to family and friends. Please search your postcard albums, family treasure boxes, and keepsake collec­tions. Also watch for them at public sales and flea markets.

Please contact Curator John Shetler (489-2624), as over the summer we want to record the availability of all such Christmas greetings and the possible lenders so the displays can be planned and in the fall arranged. All cards will be protected by glass coverings or in cases. If your greeting card is of great financial value, it will be possible for you to lend it for the day of December 5th only.

Univest Sponsors Muhlenberg Exhibit at Berman Museum

From January 26 to April 4, hundreds of people visited this historic exhibit. Shown at the opening ceremony are Curator, Dr. John C. Shetler; Co-Chairman, Mr. Merrill S. Moyer, President and Chief Executive Office of Univest; and Dr. Ivan W. Hess, President and Co-Chairman of the Society and the Muhlenberg Committee.

1993 Budget - Projected Expenses CALENDAR FOR 1993

Historical Society of Trappe

Banquet Tour Insurance Maintenance Utilities Telephone Security Supplies (General) Supplies (Library) Printing (including Newsletter) Postage Dues and Subscriptions Bank Service Charges Cost of Items for Sale

TOTAL:

s 3,300 1 ,200 1 ,000 1 ,200

300 200 -100 250

1 ,200 500 150

50 1.000

Sl0,750

Muhlenberg Committee

Restoration Expenses Insurance Maintenance Utilities Telephone Security Supplies Printing Postage Bank Service Charges Leadership Program Expenses Fund Raising Event Expenses Rents Purchase of Items

$302,800 1 ,000 1,000 1 ,250

650 300 400

2,000 500

50 1,700 5,000 1 ,200

__l2Q TOTAL: $3 18,600

June 13 MUSEUM OPENS FOR Sunday THE SUMMER - THE

DEWEES TAVERN Dedication of the Hagey Clock 2:30 P.M.

June 14 Dinner Meeting 7:00 P.M. Monday Mooreheads

1st Avenue, Trappe

MUHLENBERG AS LOYALIST AND PATRIOT, Dr. Ed\.\in Baldrige,

Professor of History, Muhlenberg College

Sept. 1 1 Fl.E A MARKET and Note: The above budgets also have income budgets. AUCTION

The Finance and Budget Committee Randolph Riegner, Chairperson

Sept. 19 HERITAGE SUNDAY

Committee for 275th Anniversary of Trappe

Gives Gift

When the 275th Anniversary Com­mittee completed its work, by unanimous motion a gift of $2,645, along with all unsold souvenirs, was given to the Historical Society of Trappe.

The 275th Anniversary Committee requested that at least $ 1,200 of this amount be placed in a permanent endowment entitled, "The 275th Anniversary Endowment, the in­terest of which may be used for general Historical Society purposes."

Among the lasting benefits to the community by the Anniversary Committee was the erection of a Veterans Memorial at the Borough Hall dedicated to the veterans of all wars from the American Revolution to Desert Storm. The metal plaque will be installed in the granite boulder when the expansion and contraction of freezing weather is past.

Dewees Tavern Volunteers Needed

Starting June 13, 1993, the Dewees Tavern will be open each Sunday through the summer months from 1 :30 to 4:00 P.M. Volunteers are needed to welcome and provide information for visitors. Training will be provided for volunteers.

If you are able to help in this capacity, please contact Betty Pitcherella at 489-0996.

Nov. 1 1

Dec. 5

ANNUAL MEETING

OPEN HOUSE at the

DEWEES MUSEUM,

"A HALF CENTURY OF CHRISTMAS GREETINGS"

For Newsletter correspondence

Write P.O. Box 828 Collegeville, Pa. 1 9426

r-----------------------------------------------------------------------,

C E R T I F I C A T E O F G I F T

To help restore the Muhlenberg House, I/we enclose a check made payable to the HISTORICAL SOCIE1Y OF TRAPPE, in the name of

Str .. 1 Town StaJe/Zip Tel.

This gift will be applied to the matching amount for the $200,000 grant from the Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corporation through the Pew Foundation.

_$25 _$50

Clip and mail to:

_$ 100 _$500 _$1,000

Historical Society of Trappe

_Other

P.O. Box 828 Collegeville, PA 19426

L---------- ---------- ------------------------------- --------------------

==========HISTORICAL ITEMS FOR SALE ==========

Prints of Dewees Tavern from a Water Color by Mr. Eugene Bechtel (These are limited edition prints. Only 250 were made. When the supply is exhausted. there will not be another printing.)

Signed Print Matted Signed Print Matted Artist's Proof Framed Signed Print Framed Artist's Proof

Display a TRAPPE FLAG on our National Holidays

Desk Top Flag with Holder 3 ' X 5' Flag 12" X 18" Flag

Mugs 'Suitable for All-Purpose Gifts

Displays the Symbol of Trappe

Bill of Rights (Facsimile)

Contains the Signature of Frederick Muhlenberg

Anniversary Book of Trappe

275tli - Pictures, Historical Sketches, Businesses 250tli - Pictures, Historical Sketches, Businesses

$ 40.00 $ 55.00 $ 65.00 $125.00 $135.00

$ 3.00 $48.00 $ 5.00

$ 3.00

$ 1.00

$ 2.00 $ 1.00

Map of/tinerary of Washington's Anny in Montgomery County

Anny Crosses Schuylki.ll at Parkerf ord and Some Units Camp in Trappe $ 3. 00

T-Shirts

Some T-shirts are available. Three different logos: Old Style Muhlenberg House, New Style Muhlenberg House, and Emblem of Trappe. Some Large, Medium, and Small sizes. Also some Children 's sizes. Prices: $6.00 and $8.00

Tiles with Trappe Emblem $ 2.00

Muhlenberg Sunvisors 25¢ each or 5 for $1.00

Postcards/Scenes in Trappe 25¢ each or 5 for $1. 00

You may call Ways and Means Chairperson, Dr. Gail Snyder (489-0927).

Items may be obtained at the Dewees Tavern on the last Wednesday of each month, 7:45 P.M. to 9:30 P.M., when the Muhlenberg Committee meets, and on the first Wednesday when the Historical Society Board meets, 7:45 to 9:30 P.M., except during the Lenten season.

IF YOU HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WHO FORMERLY LIVED IN THE TRAPPE AREA, REMEMBER THEM WITH AN HISTORICAL SOCIETY GIFT.

HISTORICAL SOCIE TY OF TRAPPE

P.O. BOX 828 COLLEGEVILLE, PA 19426

Address Correction Requested

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

COLLEGEVILLE, PA

PERMIT NO. 9

SPRING 1993 NEWSLETTER PLEASE, DO NOT DELAY!