TRAPPE CHRONICLE Fall 1990

A Publication Of The Trappe Historical Society Trappe, Pennsylvania Volume XIX, No. 3

Muhlenberg Committee Honors Rep. Ray Bunt

Representative Raymond Bunt was recently honored by the Muhlenber� Committee of the Trappe Historical Society for his efforts in behalf of the Muhlenberg House project.

Pictured above, left to right: Dr. Ivan Hess, Clay C. Hess, Rep. Ray Bunt and Dr. John Shetler.

Dewees Tavern­

New Old Look!!

The Dewees Tavern has been in need of paint and now through the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Ivan Hess the building gleams with a new coat of paint. Mr. John Milner researched the colors back to the beginning of the 19th century. The oldest color was brown. Therefore, the new paint is as near to that old color of the tavern as is possible

today. Checking for original materials of the building is part of the restoration that can be incorporated into future repairs as they are needed. The painting contractor is Mr. Kevin Rafuse of Rittenhouse Square, Trappe.

In behalf of the members of the Society we express apprecia­tion to Dr. and Mrs. Hess.

Veterans' Day Dinner Meeting Mr. Wilson Stradley, Esq, will

address the Historical Society, on the Subject of Pennsylvania And The Constitution. Of course this will include reference to Frederick Muhlenberg and the ratification of the Bill Of Right which was signed by Speaker Muhlenberg. Mr. Stradley is, the Historian of the Valley Forge Historical Society and a member of the Sons of the Revolution. He recently spoke at our Heritage Day program and is now making a return visit at popular request.

The date is Sunday, November 11th at 6:30 PM at Mooreheads·, First Avenue, Trappe. The cost will be $14. 00 including decora­tions, and other meeting ex­penses. This is an open meeting. Invite your friend s to come. Please return the reservation form on another page of the newletter.

Annual Flea Market

To Be Held A flea market which will be an

annual fund raising event will be the last Saturday of October

(27th) at the Muhlenberg House rain or shine. Shelter is provid­ed. The chairperson is Mrs. Gail Snyder, tel. 489-0927. Articles may be left on the Muhlenberg House back porch or at the office of the Collegeville Independent.

Historian� Notes-By Esther 0. Keller

Since the Civil War is very much in the minds of all of us who watched the recent televi­sion documentary, here is an excerpt from the d iary of Davis Longaker, member of Union Brass Band, Perkiomen Bridge, Montgomery County, Pa. (Mon­day July 15 - Wednesday July 17, 1861 was printed in the Chronicle XIV, No. 2, Second Quarter 1985)

July 18th .. . (at Camp Wash­ington, Easton, Pa) had supper and serenaded the Col.

Friday July 19th. . practiced

"Troop" and "Dixxieland" (pieces of music.)

Saturday July 20th . . prac­ticed "Major Anderson".

Sunday, July 21 st - Played for guard mounting, wrote a letter home, played for dress parade.

. Monday July 22nd - 4 P.M. Brood Todd and I (Davis Long­aker) went to Easton. Heard that Gen. McDowell was driven back by a heavy loss . . . Band meeting, adopted a constitution.

Tuesday, July 23rd . . . Sickles' Reg. left in morning. At practice young Pettee said the pettce trunk was broke open and things stole . . Went to Lehigh ... . My shirt came back.

Wednesday, July 24th - At 8 o'clock started for Harrisburg via Reading. Arrived at Harrisburg about 8 P. M . . . . Slept in a barn with other members of the band.

Thursday, July 25th - Saw the 4th Reg. returning home. Got our uniforms, .... and started for Baltimore at about 6 o'clock at night.

Friday, July 26th - Was in the cars all night & arrived at Baltimore about 2 o'clock. Marched to the Commons and slept out all night.

Saturd ay, July 27th . . . after dinner we put up our tents and

. slept in them all night.

Sunday, July 28th ... started for Harpers Ferry at 7 o'clock and arrived there at

08 o'clock at night

and slept out all night. Tuesday, July 30th - Received

rations for five days consisting of Bacon and Crackers.

The Union Brass Band con­sisted of W. E. M. Pettee, Band­master, C.W.B . . Todd, Leader Bailey P. Martin, C. Conway, C.F. Riley, Sam. M. Todd , Oberholtzer, Thad S. Vander­slice, M. h. Fox, Glendore M. Bear, Josiah Wagner, and Davis Longacker.

From The Perkiomen Region, Vol. XII NO. 46, 47 p 240ff

Archaeological Digs

Committee Walter Payne, Muhlenberg

Archaelogist, is looking for more volunteers for his committee. If you are interested in becoming a member call Jim Stewart at 489- 3001 or Dr. John Shetler at 489-2624 .

December Open House The Dewees Tavern and the

Muhlenberg House will be open

for vistation on Sunday, Dec. 2nd from 2: 00 to 4: 00 PM. The public is invited to attend.

Restore & Preserve The Muhlenberg House .................. c:o ....,_,, CERTIFICATE OF GIFT

To help preserve and restore the Muhlenberg House, I/We enclose a check for $ _______ to the HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF TRAPPE, in the name of _________ _

Street Town State/Zip Tel. I wish to discuss with you the possibility of a larger gift D You have my permission to publish my name as a donor,

without an amount: YesD NoO Clip and mail to: Historical Society of Trappe

P.O. Box 828, Collegeville, PA 19426 A receipt will be sent to you in the mail.

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Chamber of Commerce Auction

The Chamber of Commerce Auction held at the Gypsy Rose Hotel was a hugh success for the Muhlenberg House. More than $2600 was raised from this event. This was an increase of over $1100 from the year before. So next year give us items for either the silent or verbal auction that will take place in the spring. A nything of value can be auctioned. A weekend at your vacation retreat will bring big money for the Muhlenberg House. Call us 489- 8883 to d onate items for next years auction.

Annual

Fund Raising Events The Muhlenberg Committee

has in 1990 participated in three fundraising activities. They are: Community mail solicitation, Chamber of Commerce Auction, and the first A nnual Flea Mar­ket.

The fund raising program for 1991 will be as follows: 1. Community mail solicitation­scheduled for late February. 2. First Annual Cocktail Party­second weekend in May and hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Ivan Hess at their home in Upper Providence. 3. Chamber of Commerce Auc­tion-- scheduled for the spring. 4. Second Annual Flea Market-­scheduled last Saturday in Oct­ober.

TRAPPE CHRONICLE Newsletter of the

Trappe Historical Society

John Shetler, Editor James Stewart, Managing Editor

Relation Of Board And Committees The Board of Directors of the

Historical Society is the govern­ing body which is elected every two years at the annual meeting. Certain committees are prescrib­ed in the by-laws and others are created by the Board of Direc­tors. Appointments to the com­mittees are made by the presi­dent at a meeting of the Board of Directors. All committees are

accountable to the Board and report to the Board. Contractural matters must be approved by the board. The executive committee of officers may function between Board meetings.

The Historical Society is the 501 (c) (3) incorporated body which makes gifts tax d educt­ible.

Architect Authorized At its meeting on October 3rd

the Board of Directors of the Historical Society authorized the employment of Mr. John Milner, AIA to complete the historic investigation and engineering studies for the restoration of the Muhlenberg House as soon as funds are available.

The s�udy will be extensive and provide information for the restoration of first floor I cellar structures with the preservation of as much original material as possible. This stage of study will produce what is necessary for the working drawings and speci­fications.

Mr. Milner will also involve students from the University of Pennsylvania as well as local professional volunteers. Dr. and

Mrs. William T. Parsons will do Muhlenber research and Mr. Walter Payne will be in charge of archeological research.

One of the special features will be the complete computerization of all the original structure to minute detail of wood, paint, plaster, form, shape and strength. It will be possible to call up a room and go th e minute detail of any one area of that room. This will benefit educa­tional processes as well as the restoration itself. The estimated cost of the research and engi­neering stud y will b e from $27, 000 to $29, 000. We now need to have gifts of all sizes to meet this cost and the expense of the study materials.

Muhlenberg Summer Grounds Care

The Muhlenberg Property had excellent grounds care during the summer. Mr. Leon Linsen­bigler contributed many hours of grass mowing and trimming to keep the lawns and back field in good shape. The Collegeville

Community Club under the

guidance of Mrs. Stella Styles beautified the area with con­tainers of flowers. We express appreciation for this loyal sup­port and generosity.

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HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF TRAPPE, PA. P.O. BOX828

NON-PROFIT O RGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426

Fall 1990 Newsletter Please Do Not Delay

PAID COILEGEVIILE, PA.

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