The Corridor
Volume XX, No. 1
Newsletter of the Old York Road Historical Society
Spring 2011
SPRING OUTINGS
SPRING LECTURE SERIES
The Program Committee has arranged the following
presentations to be held on Wednesday evenings at
7:30 p.m. in the Parish House of the Church of Our
Savior at Old York and Homestead Roads. Lectures
are free and open to the public.
BRYN ATHYN HISTORIC DISTRICT
Sunday, February 27, 2:00 p.m.
Join the Society as it teams up with the Briar Bush
Nature Center for an outdoor walking tour of the
Bryn Athyn Historic District. We will visit Cairnwood, the home of John Pitcairn, Glencairn, the
home of John’s son Raymond, Cairncrest, the home
of John’s son Harold, and the Bryn Athyn Cathedral.
We will be out of doors for the three homes and then
inside at the Cathedral. Bryn Athyn historian and
archivist Greg Jackson will join Society President
David Rowland and Briar Bush Executive Director
Michael Weilbacher in leading the tour. We will
meet in the parking lot off of Cathedral Drive between the Cathedral and Glencairn. Dress for the
weather. This is a free event, open to all who can
walk the walk and brave the prevailing elements.
March 9 – Wanamaker’s: Meet Me At the Eagle.
Philadelphia native and author Michael J. Lisicky
takes a nostalgic journey through the history of
Wanamaker’s department store, from its beginnings
as a haberdashery to its growth into New York and
Delaware and the final closing of its doors. Lisicky
draws upon interviews with insiders and memories
from local celebrities such as Trudy Haynes and
Sally Starr to bring back to the soft glow of the marble atrium and the quiet elegance of the Crystal Tea
Room that was Wanamaker’s. Copies of Lisicky’s
book will be available following the lecture.
April 13 – Philadelphia Lady Gardeners – With
Trowel and Pen. Distinguished garden historian,
Elizabeth P. McLean, will give an illustrated lecture
on the role women have played in Philadelphia garden
history. Philadelphia has a long gardening tradition
and there has been a series of dedicated lady gardeners, beginning with Deborah Norris, and including
Jane Bowne Haines (Wyck), and Deborah Norris
Logan (Stenton). Early 20th century women’s activity created the Garden Club of America and the
Penna. School of Horticulture for Women near Ambler. It also brought women who established arboreta
(Laura Barnes, Barnes Arboretum School), and
women landscape architects (Ellen Biddle Shipman,
garden at Laverock Hill, Cheltenham Twp.).
STENTON AND BELFIELD
Sunday, April 3, 1:15 p.m.
Join us for a tour of two of the few surviving 18th
century historic buildings featured in the Society’s
most recent book, Oak Lane, Olney, and Logan.
Stenton was the home of James Logan, secretary to
William Penn. It was one of the country’s grandest
residences when it was completed in 1726. Descendants of Logan married into the Fisher family and
purchased an adjoining estate, Belfield, which had
been home to the great American painter Charles
Wilson Peale. The house survives today on the LaSalle University campus and serves as the President’s
office. We will depart by bus from the Jenkintown
Library at 1:15 and return by 5:00 p.m. Cost is $25
for members and $28 for non-members. Please return the enclosed form by March 25.
May 11 – Springfield Township Now and Then.
Edward Zwicker, President of the Springfield Township Historical Society, will give a historical presentation on historic Springfield Township. Drawing on
a variety of photographs showing “Now and Then”
comparisons, Zwicker will take us through the history of Springfield Township, from early settlement,
through the rise of the railroads, development of
mansions and summer communities, and post-World
War II development.
The Annual Meeting of the Society will precede the May
lecture. Officer and Committee reports will be presented and
the Nominating Committee will present a slate of Officers
and Directors to be elected for the 2011-2012 program year.
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Recent Collection Gifts to the Society
The Society received several important donations this past fall:
 From the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission, bound copies of the newspaper Easton Road Guide,
dating from February 1937 to December 1954 and June 1960 to June 1961.
 From Kathy and John Judge, the Records of the Jenkintown Republican Club dating from 1946 to 1973.
 From Jeanne Robson, a scrapbook of historical news clippings and reminiscences of Glenside, Weldon and vicinity compiled by William H. McCann and including a number of programs from the Glenside Patriotic Association’s ceremonies marking Memorial Day and Independence Day.
 From Joseph James, a group of early 20th century photographs of sites in Bucks and Philadelphia counties.
 From Mary Washington, a small group of photos from Miss Marshall’s School that once occupied the former
T. Henry Asbury estate in the Melrose Park section of Cheltenham Township.
 From Lee Shriver, recordings of the productions of the Music Theater of Abington from 1958 to 1975.
 From the Friends of the Oak Lane Library, the Records of the Old York Road Branch of the Southeastern
Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross and a scrapbook of clippings covering Olney, Oak Lane,
Cheltenham, and Bucks County.
Quester Grant Project Completed
The Society was the beneficiary of a generous grant from the Steeplechaser Questers and a matching grant from the
Pennsylvania State Questers. With the grant funds, the Society had a professional archivist organize and process
the Records of the Old York Road Woman’s Exchange. The Exchange was a non-profit consignment store.
Founded in 1932, it offered the opportunity for women to obtain some income during the difficult Depression years.
After the war, a thrift shop was the major source of income. Following declining sales in the 1980s, the Exchange
closed in June 1996. The records of the Exchange consist of the organization’s minutes, Treasurer’s books, Economy Shop account books, a consigners’ book, a scrapbook, and other memorabilia. We are grateful to the ladies of
the Steeplechaser Questers for their continuing interest and support.
Huntingdon Valley Library Display Case Exhibit
Running now through the end of May, the Society’s display case in the Huntingdon Valley Library features an exhibit on the Holt family of Huntingdon Valley. The Holts were early Quaker settlers in Pennsylvania. They were
instrumental in establishing the Abington and Horsham meetings, and one financed the construction of the Union
Library building in Hatboro. Another descendant lived on land that was purchased by John Pitcairn and another
lived on a farm that was purchased by the Elkins family for their Justa Farm estate. From early school notebooks
to Chicago World’s Fair souvenirs, the Holt family is brought to life in this most interesting display.
Society Receives Eastern Mont. County Chamber of Commerce Award
Last year the Society received the Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce’s Non-Profit of the Year
Award. Society President David B. Rowland attended the Chamber’s annual awards dinner in May 2010 to accept
the award, which sits prominently near the sign-in book at the Society’s headquarters. The award presentation was
sponsored by Penn State Abington. Many thanks to all the Society members, area businesses, volunteers and board
members that help make the Society one of the region’s best non-profit organizations!
Membership Renewal Reminder
We are half way through our 2011 membership year. If your mailing label does not read “2011,” you are not current. All current members will receive a copy of the Society’s latest Arcadia Publishing book, Oak Lane, Olney,
and Logan. Please consider membership at the Patron level or above. Your support is greatly appreciated.
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A Bit of History – The Ridpath Photographic Collections
by Joyce H. Root
The Ridpath family photographic
collections includes the John W.
Ridpath Photographic Collection
(650 images) and the William M.
Ridpath Photographic Collection
(350 images).
John Ridpath (1840-1913), progenitor of the Jenkintown Ridpaths,
emigrated as a child with his family
from Nova Scotia to Pittsburgh in
1848. When he moved to Jenkintown sometime in the 1850s, he
was a house painter. However, it
became very obvious that he had an
intelligent and inquiring mind.
Originally a member of the
Milestown Methodist Church, in
1866 he joined with two other men
to establish the Jenkintown Methodist Episcopal Church. He became interested in medicine and
drugs, apprenticed and then became
a manager of the Philadelphia and
Camden-based Parrish Pharmacy.
He established the Ridpath Pharmacy, located in the Masonic Temple building, in 1877, but later sold
it to Thomas C. Coltman.
Ridpath was instrumental in forming the Jenkintown Water Co. and
became the new corporation’s secretary and general manager in
1889. He published a small newspaper, The Pestle, later renamed
The Jenkintown Pestle, for several
years before selling it. He also became very knowledgeable about
chemistry and natural science, writing many articles and lecturing at
both the Heacock School and the
Franklin Institute. A Mason, he
helped establish the Jenkintown
chapter in 1867, served as Worshipful Master in 1870, and was
instrumental in the efforts to build
a new home for the lodge in the 400
block of Old York Road. By 1909
he was Superintendent and Treas-
urer of the Old York Road Toll
Road. He was also a director of
the Jenkintown National Bank.
Early on Ridpath became fascinated with the new art of photography, becoming a very skillful and
accomplished photographer. He
recorded family, friends, nearby
scenes, travels, and anything else
that interested him.
His photographs allow us to see an
earlier Jenkintown as it looked in
the 1890s up to 1913. There are
images of long-gone churches,
homes, public buildings, street
scenes, and events. There are several interior shots of the Easter altar at the old Methodist Church.
There are many photos of parades,
the popular bicycle race, and snow
scenes. And have you ever wondered what people did before
vaudeville, movies, radio, and TV?
Basically, they entertained each
other, both in venues such as the
Lyceum, which put on lectures,
readings, dramatic skits, etc., and
at home with friends.
What is really fascinating in the
home photos of Ridpath is that the
subjects could be just as serious
and solemn, or just as funny, uninhibited, and silly as folks are today.
One image that I am especially
fond of shows the future very serious and proper Jenkintown Librarian, Florence Ridpath, as a smiling
young woman seated on a sofa with
other members of the family, playing her ukulele with one of her
brothers, Thomas George, seated
on the floor beside her, strumming
his instrument.
John passed on his skill with the
camera to his oldest son, William
(1870-1942), who, after working as
an engineer with several compa3
nies, both in and out of the area,
became an engineer in the merchant
marine. He served as assistant engineer in the Merchant Marine and
then joined the US Navy where he
was assigned to the cruiser U.S.S.
Raleigh in 1897. After making
stops in the Mediterranean, the ship
was sent to the Pacific, and at
Hong Kong joined Admiral
Dewey’s Squad, which sailed into
Manila Bay during the SpanishAmerican War. He then spent six
years as an engineer working on the
Panama Canal.
Like his father, William took photographs wherever he was – at sea,
home for a visit, on vacation, and
in Panama. His Panama photos
document both the American progress on the canal, as well as the
French ships and heavy equipment
left to rust and rot in the jungle.
The really fascinating part of this
collection is the look into the everyday lives of those living in Panama. The U.S. government created a very comfortable Victorian
“home-away-from-home” for the
men and their families. This included high pay, servants, and almost non-existent expenses. On the
other hand, the scenes of the laborers’ living and working conditions
are very different, and illustrate a
very obvious vast social disparity.
Both of these collections offer a
glimpse of a past that is long gone.
____________________________
Joyce H. Root is a trained librarian and has served on the Society’s
Board of Directors since 1996.
She was Society archivist/librarian
for seven years and now serves as
the Society’s photograph archivist,
working exclusively with the Society collection of some 165,000 images.
Willow Grove Tri-centennial
Upper Moreland Township is celebrating the 300th anniversary of the naming of Willow Grove with a month long
extravaganza of events. The history-related events are provided below. A complete schedule of all events can be
found at www.willowgrove300.com. All events are free and open to the public, without advanced registration,
unless otherwise noted. Event locations have been abbreviated as follows: UMTB = Upper Moreland Township
Building, UMFPL = Upper Moreland Free Public Library, PERT = Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust.
Kid’s Event, Thursday April 21, 6-8 p.m., UMFPL, Kids in grades 2-6 are invited to come experience what life
was like during Colonial times as they churn butter, write with a quill pen, sew, play period games, and more!
Walking Tour, Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m-12 noon, PERT, Mystery of Mason’s Mill. Join Dr. David Robertson,
Executive Director of PERT for a walking tour of Mason’s Mill Park. Learn about its history and geology.
Film Series, Tuesday, May 3, 1:30 p.m., UMFPL, The Crossing, This A&E production, starring Jeff Daniels, depicts Washington’s crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night 1776 (90 minutes).
Lecture, Wednesday, May 4, 7 p.m., UMTB, “The Manor of Moreland from its Beginnings to 1887” presented by
Dr. Mildred Wintz, historian and former Upper Moreland Historical Association archivist.
Walking Tour, Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m-12:30 p.m., PERT, Historic Mills and Houses Along the Pennypack. Join
historian Dr. Mildred Wintz for a walking tour along the Pennypack highlighting the sites and ruins of the old mills
and houses that once made the Pennypack a hub of milling activity.
Trolley Tour, Saturday, May 7, tours departing 1:00 and 3:30 p.m., PERT, Trolley tour of historic houses and
sites, advanced registration required by calling U.M. Parks and Recreation Dept., 215-659-3100 x 1039.
Film Series, Tuesday, May 10, 1:30 p.m., UMFPL, The Battle of Crooked Billet, This film depicts the Battle of
Crooked Billet that occurred just above Hatboro (about 60 minutes). The showing will be followed by a discussion
session with the filmmakers; DVDs of the film will be available for purchase.
Lecture, Wednesday, May 11 7 p.m., UMTB, “History of Transportation in Willow Grove” presented by Edward
Momorella, Upper Moreland Historical Association board member.
Walking Tour, Saturday, May 14, starting at 10 a.m., Historic Walking Tour of Willow Grove. Self-guided tours
begin at the UMTB entrance opposite the Library and include a map and a booklet describing the historic building/sites prominent in the history of Willow Grove. The walking tour should take approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours.
Special Event, Sunday, May 15, 12:30 p.m., Train Ride to New Hope departing from the Willow Grove Train Station, nominal ticket charge, tickets must be purchased in advance from U.M. Parks and Recreation Dept., 215-6593100 x 1039.
Film Series, Tuesday, May 17, 1:30 p.m., UMFPL, American Experience: If You Knew Sousa, Recall the life and
music of John Philip Sousa as seen through the lens of the American Experience from PBS (90 minutes).
Lecture, Wednesday, May 18, 7 p.m., UMTB, “A History of Willow Grove Park” presented by David Rowland,
President of the Old York Road Historical Society and author of Willow Grove Park (Arcadia Publishing, 2005).
Garden Tour, Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Upper Moreland Historical Association’s Garden Tour of five
private gardens. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $6 at the UMFPL, the UMTB and Kremp Florist. On
the day of the event, tickets may be purchased for $7 only at Kremp Florist.
Concert, Sunday, May 22, 7 p.m., John Philip Sousa Concert by the Allentown Band, location to be determined.
Film Series, Tuesday, May 24, 1:30 p.m., UMFPL, Life was a Lark in Willow Grove Park, Come see what Willow
Grove Park was like when it was a world-class amusement park, before the shopping mall (50 minutes).
Lecture, Wednesday, May 25, 7 p.m., UMTB, “Willow Grove Since 1900” presented by Gretchen Elfreth, Upper
Moreland School System.
Lecture, Wednesday, June 1, 7 p.m., UMTB, “History of Aviation at Willow Grove” presented by Col. Gregory
Marston, Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association.
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Just Released:
Old York Road Historical Society
Oak Lane, Olney, and Logan
460 Old York Road
Jenkintown, PA 19046-
The Old York Road Historical Society is pleased to
announce the release of its latest book co-authored
with Marita Krivda Poxon and Rachel Hildebrandt.
Oak Lane, Olney, and Logan, published by Arcadia
Publishing, arrived in local stores in late January.
Members who renew their membership this year will
receive a copy of the book as a benefit of membership. The Society sells the book for $20. While the
book may be found at stores throughout the area, the
Society benefits directly only from purchases made at
the following locations:
215-886-8590
Archive Research Hours
Located on the lower level of the Jenkintown Library, the archive is open:
Mondays, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Call for Special Appointments
Abington Bank, Jenkintown Branch
Abington Free Library
Chelten Hills Savings Bank
Elkins Park Library
Glenside Library
Jenkintown Library
Society’s Website
www.oyrhs.org
Upcoming Lectures on East
Oak Lane Architecture
Oak Lane, Olney, and Logan contains 217 images,
each with an informative caption. The book covers
the communities of East and West Oak Lane, Olney,
Fern Rock, and Logan. A number of the images used
in the book come from the Society’s collections. Proceeds from book sales will support the preservation
and enhancement of the Society’s collections.
The Friends of the Oak Lane Library are sponsoring
two lectures on the architecture of the East Oak Lane
community. The lectures will be held at the Korean
United Church (previously the Oak Lane Methodist
Episcopal Church) at 12th Street and Cheltenham
Avenue on Sunday afternoons, beginning at 3:00 with
a reception to follow. The lectures are as follows:
Now Playing on YouTube
March 27 – Jeffrey Cohen, Senior Lecturer in the
Growth and Structure of Cities Program at Bryn
Mawr College, will look at the evolution and early
architecture of East Oak Lane using early maps
and other documents. He will discuss the architectural character of the community and its association with other Victorian domestic buildings in
Philadelphia. As preface to Cohen’s talk, author
Marita Krivda Poxon will give a short presentation
on T. Henry Asbury, father of modern Oak Lane,
and the cottages he built, many of which were designed by architect Harrison Albright.
Society President David B. Rowland was invited to
give the keynote address for the dedication of the
Sutherland Plaza at Penn State Abington this past
October. His remarks were recorded and are now
posted on You-Tube. You can find the talk by
searching under the key words “Penn State Abington
Rowland”. The address discussed the history of
Sutherland Hall, designed by Horace Trumbauer.
Boileau Farmstead Festival
The Friends of Nathaniel Boileau Farmstead will host
the Fifth Annual Boileau Festival Day on Saturday,
May 14, from 11 to 3 at the farmstead located off of
Byberry Road opposite the former Orangemen’s
Home. All are welcome to attend. The event raises
funds for the restoration of the historic farm buildings. This year’s festival will be held in conjunction
with the Willow Grove 300 Community Day and will
include re-enactors, farm animals, and live music.
For additional information contact Friend’s president,
Nick Scull at 215-802-7443.
April 17 – David S. Traub, architect and cofounder of Save Our Sites, which advocates for the
preservation of sites and structures within the City
of Philadelphia, will give a lecture on the architectural styles found in East Oak Lane. He will emphasize the importance of preserving East Oak
Lane, with its wide range of architectural styles, as
a historic neighborhood within Philadelphia.
For more information, please contact Friends President Michael Poxon at 215-549-6531.
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THANKS TO OUR MAJOR MEMBERSHIP DONORS
The Society gratefully recognizes those who have so far supported our work for the 2011 program year through
membership at the Patron level and above. All those listed will be invited to this year’s Patrons’ Party.
BENEFACTOR
Eileen M. Koolpe
The Jenkinstown Lyceum
Joyce H. Root
David B. Rowland
Patricia S. Scott
SUSTAINER
Janet S. & Lewis Klein
Nancy R. Posel
CONTRIBUTOR
Abington Bank
Mr. & Mrs. C. John Hobe
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kahn
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Mills
Judith P. Rhodes
Rev. Richard J. Robyn
Mr. & Mrs. Baron Rowland
PATRON PLUS
Mr. & Mrs. John B. Chapman
Chelten Hills Savings Bank
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Eastwood
Mr. & Mrs. Donald L. Felley
Diane B. Foster
James T. Gulla
Robert J. Harbison, III
Barbara A. Jacobs
Mr. & Mrs. John B. Neff
Myrtle B. Neiman
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Pokrifka
Mr. & Mrs. Luis Vicente Rivera
Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln Roden, III
Josh Rosenbloom
Rotary Club of Jenkintown
Elizabeth B. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. L. Scott Somers
Thomas J. Wieckowski, Ph.D.
PATRON
Paul E. Aloe & Patricia A. Sullivan
Mr. & Mrs. John F. Bales
Richard W. Bourbon, Esq.
Paul K. Bunting
James A. Butler, Ph.D.
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen W. Christian
Mr. & Mrs. John F. Collins
Shirley H. Davis
Sandra R. DiGiulio
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald H. Freidman
John F. Glynn
Mr. & Mrs. Louis M. Golden, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Harold N. Grier, Jr.
Kathryn A. Gulla
Rep. Kate Harper
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert L. Harris
Bryan T. Havir
Mr. & Mrs. Clyde R. Herr
Carol A. Ingald
Mr. & Mrs. Martin G. Kalos
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory A. Jackson
Mr. & Mrs. John Larish
Mr. & Mrs. Albert P. Mainka, III
Mr. & Mrs. Howard C. McConnell
Martha C. McDonough
Elaine C. Meckling
Mr. & Mrs. Martin L. Mikelberg
Elizabeth M. Morris
Albert R. Paulbinsky
Stephen S. Rappaport
Anne E. Richtarik & Scott Ash
Mr. & Mrs. Hugh T. Ryan
Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Shorday
Mr. & Mrs. Laurence C. Sibley
Kenneth E. Thomas
Mr. & Mrs. John N. Weiss
Mr. & Mrs. Laurence Withers
David J. Wolfe
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. Zoidis
Patrons’ Party to be Held at Glenhurst
The annual Patrons’ Party will be held Sunday, May 15, at historic Glenhurst, located on Huntingdon Pike just
above the entrance to Cairnwood Village. Glenhurst was built by Robert Glenn and completed in 1895. The Glenn
family lived in the sprawling Tudor revival mansion until 1938. In 1940 Dr. Hugo Odhner purchased the house.
The property was later owned by the Academy of the New Church and was neglected for a period of time. The present owners purchased the house from the Academy and over the years have restored and enlarged it.
Invitations will be mailed to all 2011 Patron and above members in mid-April. Invitations will allow for two tickets
to the party. Directions will be provided with the invitation. In order to receive an invitation, you must be a current
2011 Patron member or higher, a donor to the Annual Fund, or a donor of archival materials to the Society’s collections. Please consider an extra bit of support to help the Society and receive an invitation.
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