T h •

r o n 1 c e C h e I A Publication of The Historical Society

February 2007 of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc. Volume :XXXVI No. 1

WWII Aviation

Our Quarterly Meeting on Thursday, March 29th, will welcome WWil Naval Aviation Historian Jim Krombach of Royersford, whose topic will be "The First Team: Our Naval Air Force upon Entering WWII."

Cutbacks in funding to the U. S. Navy and especially its air force during the depression had caused us to be most unprepared for war when Pearl Harbor was attacked. We lacked sufficient numbers of pilots and aircraft, and the aircraft we

had was inferior in most cases to what we would be up against. Jim's talk will be centered on how we used our training, tactics, ingenuity, and luck to hold the line for almost two years until more and

better aircraft could be built and pilots trained. Jim has been an Elementary School Teacher for

35 years at Marshall Street School, Norristown Area School District. In addition to having pub­lished two articles, he collects WWII Navy-Marine flight and survival gear, some of which will be displayed on March 29th.

He is Leader (CO) of "VF- 1 1 Sun Downers" a reenacting group representing a Navy fighting squadron assigned to Guadalcanal February-July 1 943. He is a member of the Mid Atlantic Air Museum, the Naval Air Station Wildwood Museum, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, and the Museum of Naval Aviation.

In addition, Jim is Coordinator of the Mid Atlantic Air Museum's "WWII Weekend" living history show. He owns a 1 945 Willys MB Navy

flight line jeep and a 1 943 BantamT-3 Y-i ton trailer. Presentation will begin at 7 :30pm at the Dewees

Museum. Reservations are required by March 27th-call 6 1 0-489-7560. Donations will be ap­preciated. Light refreshments will be served. o

From the President . . .

We ended 2006 with two very successful new events-the Military Exhibit in November and the Holiday Candlelight Tour of the Muhlenberg House in December. We had terrific attendance at both

events and will repeat these in 2007. Our annual Veterans Day Dinner was also well attended and enjoyed by all, thanks to Rev. Martha Kriebel who presented a history of the Collegeville-Trappe area accompanied by many photos.

We are opening 2007 with many plans-a Calender of Events is provided on page 4. There are still some unresolved details, but we will update you as they are confirmed. Keep these calendars handy and plan to attend as many events as possible-without you, they cannot be successful!

We welcome Pat Mancuso as our office secretary. Pat's secretarial background combined with her knowledge of the Society as a volunteer are already proving to be beneficial. Please give her a warm welcome when you call the office (Tuesday and Thursdays, 9 :00am to noon).

We thank Teresa Soffa who for four years reliably and enthusias­tically helped us through many changes. We wish her well in her new endeavors.

We hope that our upcoming Bus Trip on April 2 1 st to Mt. Vernon has a great turnout. Won't you join us in making our Historical Bus Tour Program a success so that we may plan many more trips?

March is our Annu al Membership Drive when we will be con­tacting residents and businesses and inviting new membership. We

appreciate your membership and trust that you will help us to expand our list of members by encouraging family and friends to learn about The Society.

Throughout this newsletter you will see many pleas for help-we need volunteers, we need artifacts, we need donations for maintenance and miscellaneous equipment, we need support for programs and events, and we need your feedback. We are confident that when you know of our needs you will want to help. Feel free to contact me at

6 10-489-3736 or e-mail info@trappehistoricalsociety.org. Thank you!

. . . Myrna Knaide

April Bus Tour to Mt. Vernon

On Saturday, April 2 1 , 2006, we will travel to Mt. Vernon for a walk in the footsteps of George and Martha Washington. A convenient departure from Trappe, a comfortable ride on the bus, a wonderful luncheon at the Mt. Vernon Inn Restaurant, tours of the buildings and grounds-as well

as a personal welcome by Martha Washington-elements of an memorable visit to this beautiful and historic mansion. . � ou are asked to make your reservations early because we must have a minimum of 25 passengers

by Ma�ch 14th to. guarantee this tnp. (We had to cancel the December bus tour because we were just short of the required number).

A detailed flyer 1s enclosed. Call 6 10-489-7560 if you have any questions.

A Letter from Henry M elchior M u h lenb erg

to Go tthilf A ugust Francke and

Friedrich M ichael Ziegenhagen, Ph i ladelphia

M onday, Janu ary 3 1 , 1 743: C onducted school

again today. A lso received the news that a man in

the congregation bad d ied suddenly, leaving behind

s ome five children, the o ldest o f whom is approxi­

mately twenty-four years old. Not one of them has

been confirmed and received Holy Communion. The

man came to see m e only a week ago and spoke

about instruction o f h is children. Out of sheer sorrow

o ne could die with him !

Tuesday, February 1, 1 7 4 3 : We were to bury the

man. I was taken to the house where the body was.

The house was over four miles away from the church

[New Hanover Lutheran Church]. Here they put the

b ody on the wagon and whoever is able to fo llows on

horseback through woods and bush. B ecause there

were all s orts of p eople present, I delivered an

address while the b o dy lay in the house. Afterwards

we set out fo r the church . I almost had an accident

because the people had given me a skittish young

horse. After the interment, I p re ached a funeral

s ermon, for such occasions must be seized here, since

they also have an impact on the emotions . . . .

From "The Correspondence of Herny Melchior Muhlenberg -1 740-1747" (Copyright 1 986 by Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin; available from Picton Press, P.O. Box l 1 1 1 , Camden, ME 04843-1 1 1 1 ).

And Speaking of Funerals . . .

Our Historian, Rev. Judith Meier, and The Museum

Committee are seeking funeral artifacts. If you have packed away some mementos relating to family funerals, we ask that you share them with us so they may be included in a Funeral Exhibit at the

Dewees Museum that will open in June. We also hope to arrange a tour of St. Luke' s UCC cemetery adjacent to the Dewees museum.

Please call the office (61 0-489-7560) if you can help in creating an interesting display so our visitors may learn and enjoy. o

Call for Volunteers! ! We are trying to

off er interesting programs and events-but

volunteers are the key to our success !

Greeters, hostesses, bakers, housekeepers,

etc ., could share the tasks and lighten the load.

It is a wonderful and rewarding way to make

your Society membership a meaningful

experience-and The Society will be

strengthened by your participation. Call 6 1 0-

489-7560 to talk about how you could help.

Donating Artifacts

The Society has accumulated a wealth of artifacts, thanks to the generosity of our members. Many reflect the history of the Muhlenberg family, and many reflect the history of the area.

Because the Museum Committee appreciates the need to accurately identify and evaluate each item as it is presented, they have renewed their efforts to collect as much informa­tion as possible. New forms have been developed that are to be

completed as each item arrives at the Society.

If you have an item to donate or

Wish List . . . If you can provide either of the following items , The Historical Society would be most grateful!

Sandwich Board Sign and Lettering

Track Lighting

Give us a call at 61 0-489-7560 to discuss any item(s) you may wish to donate to assure that it is an appropriate match for our needs.

If you prefer to sponsor the purchase of

an item listed above, we will research the cost and advise you .

. . . Thank you for your help!

loan, please take time to stop at the office and fiU out the form, listing as much information as you can, including a description, date of origin or acquisition, place of origin, previous owner(s), value (if possible), and any knowledge you can provide. These forms will then be filed appropriately and the items easily located as exhibits are prepared and rotated.

Your understanding will be very much appreciated and these steps will enable the Historian and the Museum Committee to offer meaningful, interesting, and educational exhibits for all to enjoy. o

Visit our Website www.tra ppe h i stori c a l s oc i ety . o rg

Sponsors : TR Insurance G roup , I nc. and Holcombe Funeral Home, Inc.

Please Help Preserve the Henry Muhlenberg House! We are still far from meeting the cost ($3,790.00) of painting the Henry Muhlenberg House. Donations have amounted to $ 1 ,490, and we are grateful for those who have responded so far. We still have more maintenance to do on the house, but we must meet this goal first. Donors will be acknowledged in a plaque that will be posted in the Visitors Center.

We ask that you please contribute whatever you can to help us maintain this historic home properly. Please fill out the form below, enclose your check, and return it to The Historical Society (address shown below). Your donation is

tax deductible-and your employer may offer matching grants that could double the value of your gift! Thank you for your help! , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ,

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

for PAINTIN G A N D CONTINUING MAINTENANCE

O F THE HENRY M UHLENBERG HOUSE

Enclosed is a check m a de p ayable to T h e Historical S ociety.

I I I I I

In the N a m e of: ----------------------- : In M e m o ry of: I

---------------------- I ---------------------------- '

Street I ----------------------------- I

City State Zip Tel. I I Q szs Qsso Q uoo Qssoo Q s1,ooo Qother 1

Mail to : The Historical Society P.O. Box 26708 Collegeville PA 19426-0708 I L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - �

wqr 1A;istnriral �nrirty P.O. B o x 26708

C ollegeville PA 1 9426-0708

Tel: 6 1 0-489-7560 of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc. Web site : www.trappehistoricalsociety.org

An Invitation to . . .

9vf ount o/ernon, o/irginia Jfome of qeorge and 9vl.artfia Wasliington

Saturday, Jlpri{ 21, 2007

Please join us in this Springtime visit to Mount Vernon, and be welcomed by Martha

Washington who will take us back in history and provide insights into the lifestyle of the

1700s. We will explore the mansion with its remarkably bright colors and original

heirlooms and enjoy the same view of the Potomac that the Washingtons enjoyed.

We will be reminded of Washington's impact at the beginning of our nation, of his

travels through Trappe and the surrounding area, and of his connections with the

Muhlenberg family. An early start is planned for a full day designed to make the most

of this opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history. Tours of the man sion, the

museum, and the grounds will follow a 30-minute film and a hearty luncheon.

6:00 A.M.

lO:OO A.M.

l l :OO A.M.

12:00 P.M.

1 :00 P.M.

2 :00 P.M.

3 :15 P.M.

7:00 P.M.

Bus Departs from the Henry Muhlenberg House, 201 W. Main Street, Trappe

Arrive at Mount Vernon and view a 30-minute fllm

Luncheon at Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant

Museum Visit and G;uided Tour

Guided Tour of Grounds

Orientation Center, Historic Area, Tomb, and Mansion Tour

Approximate Departure

Approximate Return to Trappe

Members : $80.00 per person Non-Members : $85.00 per person

* * * Reservations and Payment are Required by March 14, 2007 (not refundable after this date) * * * r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1

H istorical S ociety o f Trappe, C o llegeville, Perkiomen Valley

N a m e ---------------------

Address :

Tel. N o : -------------

Mail to: H istorical S o ciety Bus Tour

P.O. Box 26708

Collegeville, PA 1 94 2 6-0708

Bus Tour #647000 Ap ril 2 1 , 2 0 07

Entree S election : Roast Beef w/Gravy N o . __

C olonial Tu rkey Pie N o .

M em b ers :

Vegetarian Pasta M a rinara N o .

_ N o . @ $80.00 e a $ __ _

N o n-Members: _ N o. @ $85.00 ea $ __ _

Total Amount $ __ _

Check Payable to: The H istorical Society

Reservations and Payment are Required by March 14, 2007 (not refundable after this date)

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Date:

UJqJ? �stnrtrul �ntiJ?ty of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley

You are invited to attend

"The First Team" Our Naval Air Force upon Entering WWII

presented by

J im Krom bacb WWII N aval Aviation H istoria n

Cutbacks in fu nding to the l\J . S. Navy, and especial ly its a ir force, d u ring the depression had caused us to be most unprepared for war when Pearl

H a rbor was attacked . We lacked sufficient n l!l m bers of p ilots and aircraft, a n d the aircraft we had was inferior in most cases to what we would fue l!JP against. This tal k will b e centered on how we used our training, tactics, ingen uity, and luck to hold the l ine for a lmost two years u ntil more and better aircraft could be bui lt and pi lots trained .

Thursday, March 29th : About our Sp eaker . . . Location: Dewees Museum I

ii 301 W. Main Street Trappe

Time: Presentation at 7:30 P .M.

Cost: No admission fee. Donations will be appreciated to help us continue our programs a111a events

Registration: Call 6� 0-489-7560 Deadline March 27th

Light refreshments wil l be served.

I

J i m Kro m b a c h is a M e m b er ofthe M id

Atlantic Air M u s e u m , the N aval Air

Station W ildwood M u se u m , the

M i l i t a ry V e h i c l e P r e s e rv a t i o n

Associati o n , a n d the M u s e u m of

N aval Aviati o n . J:ll e is, C o o rd i n ator of

M i d Atla ntic Air M u s eu m 's "WW II

Weeke n d " living h istory s h ow.

J i m is Leader (c;o) o f "VF-1 1 S u n

D ow n e rs " a re e n acti n g g r o uTp

r e p r ets e,n t i n g a N avy fii'g h t l n g

s g u a d ro n assigned to G u ad a l c a n a l

Febru a ry-J u ly 1 943. I n a d d itio n , h e i s

a n a u t h o r a n d the o w n e r o f tw o

resto red m ilitary vehicles.

On d isplay wil l be J i m K r.om bach's collectio n of WWII N avy-M arine flight and s u rviva l g e a r.

Are You a Scrapbooker? I f Scrapbooking is your hobby, perhaps you can help us. If you could provide the

m aterials and the knowledge to organize and preserve our photos and articles, your

skills are very much needed at The Society. If your hobby is also history, this will

be a win-win-win opportunity.

We hope to categorize and put together scrapbooks that will reflect the history

of the area-p eople, organizations, events. If you are interested, please give Pat

M ancuso a call at The Society o ffice ( 6 1 0-489-7560). You will be putting your

talents to work on a very important project! 0

Reunion of Past Residents The Society is p lanning a Fall reunion of past residents of both the Dewees

M useum and the Henry Muhlenberg House. If you ever lived in one of these

homes, or know someone who did, please give us a call (61 0-489-75 60).

Bringing these individuals together for a step into the past will create a unique

event that everyone can appreciate ! 0

Holiday Candlelight Tou r

a t the Henry Muhlenberg House

Teachers and 5th grade students from South Elementary decorate Christmas tree at Visitors Center.

On Sunday afternoon, December 3 , 2006, we hosted a

Holiday Candlelight Tour of the Henry Muhlenberg House.

Tours, refreshments,

and much Christmas

Spirit abounded.

Many thanks to our

Docents who cheerfully

and graciously led our

visitors through history.

The Historical Society of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc., is a Pennsylvania non-profit

corporation, a 50 1(c)(3), exempt organization under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and is registered

with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Charitable Organizations. Official registration and

financial information may be obtained by calling toll-free (within Pennsylvania) 1 -800-732-0999.

Registration does not imply endorsement. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 During our Annual March Membership Drive

encourage your friends and neigh bors to join . . .

0 Student $ 1 0.00

0 Individual $25 .00

0 Family $ 50.00

0 S upporting $ 1 00.00 - $249 .00

0 Patron $250.00 - $499.00

0 Sustaining $500.00 - $999.00

0 Benefactor $ 1 000.00 and up

N ame:

Address:

Tel No.

e-mail address:

Checks Payable to: The Historical Society

Mail to: Richard Holcombe

The Historical Society

P.O. Box 26708

Collegeville, PA 1 9426-0708

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U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

Mar 29 World War II Aviation Speaker: Jim Krombach (flyer enclosed)

Dewees Museum 7:30pm Light Refreshments

Apr 2 1 Bus Tour: Mt. Vernon, Virginia

Leave Muhlenberg House 6 :00am

Luncheon and Tours of Mansion, Museum, and Grounds A special welcome by Martha Washington

Reservations required by March 14th

(see enclosed flyer for details)

Apr 27 Arbor Day Planting at Henry Muhlenberg House

by Norristown Garden Club

Apr 29 Annual Clean-Up Day at both sites

l O:OOarn to noon (rain date May 6th)

May 12 Yard Sale at Muhlenberg House (rain date May 1 9th)

Group Tours by Appointment

4-person minimum Contribution of $2. 00 per person is requested

Call Office 6 1 0-489-7560

Henry Muhlenberg House 201 W. Main Street

'Dewees Museum 301 W. Main Street

Th e C h ro n i c l e a publication af

The Historical Society of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc.

P.O. B ox 26708 Collegeville PA 19426-0708

Tel: 6 1 0 -4 8 9 - 75 6 0 Fax: 6 1 0 - 4 8 9 - 5 1 2 1

Website: www. trapp e h istoricalsociety. o rg e-mail: info@trappehisto ricalsociety. org

Board of Directors

Myrna Knaide, President

The Rev. Robert A. Meschke, Vice President

Patricia A. Quinty, Treasurer Ruth T. Daller, Secretary

The Rev. Judith A. Meier, Historian

The Rev. William A. Fluck, Chaplain

The Rev. Dr. Herbert H. Michel, Past President

Lawrence G. DiPiano

Ivan W. Hess, M.D.

Richard A. Holcombe

Phyllis V. Parsons

Marie Shetler

Raymond Spaid

Stacey A. Swigart

Dona M. McDermott, Administrative Advisor Richard B. McDowell, Webmaster

James L. Hollinger, Esquire, Solicitor

Myrna Knaide, Editor 610-489-3736

Printed by Pro Copy Trappe, PA

N O N-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S POSTAGE PAID

COLLEGEVILLE PA J 9426

PERMIT NO. 9

FEBRUARY 2007 NEWSLETTER

Timely Information - Please, Do Not Delay!

The Historical Society of Trappe, Colleg eville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc. 2007 C alendar of Events

JANUARY 17 Museum Committee Meeting 30 Reorganization Meeting

MAY 12 Yard Sale (Rain Date 19th)

at Muhlenberg House 16 Museum Committee Meeting 29 Board Meeting

Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 15 Trappe Community Day

Booth (Rain Date 29th) 19 Museum Committee Meeting 22 Heritage Day Celebration

at Henry Muhlenberg House 5 Board Meeting

FEBRUARY 21 Museum Committee Meeting 27 Board Meeting

Newsletter

JUNE 3 Sunday Tours 1 :30 - 4:00pm

Both Museums New Exhibit at Dewees

JO Sunday Tours 14 Annual Flag Day Dinner 17 Sunday Tours 20 Museum Committee Meeting 24 Sunday Tours 26 Board Meeting (Visitors Center)

OCTOBER 17 Museum Committee Meeting ?? Quarterly Meeting (TDD) 30 Board Meeting ?? Bus Trip (TBD) ?? Fundraislng Event (TBD) ?? Historic Plaque Workshop

Newsletter

MARCH Annual Membership Drive

21 Museum Committee Meeting 27 Board Meeting 29 Quarterly Meeting at Dewees

WWII Aviation I Jim Krombach

JULY 1 Sunday Tours 8 Sunday Tours

1 5 Sunday Tours 1 8 Museum Committee Meeting 22 Sunday Tours 28 Grange Fair Booth 29 Sunday Tours 3 1 Board Meeting (Visitors Center)

NOVEMBER 4 Military Room E:xbibit

11 Annual Veterans Day Dinner 21 Museum Committee Meeting 27 Board Meeting

APRIL 15 Docent Training 1 8 Museum Committee Meeting 21 Bus Trip (Mt. Vernon) 24 Board Meeting 27 Arbor Day Planting at

Henry Muhlenberg House by Norristown Garden Club

29 Clean-Up Day (Rain Date 516)

AUGUST 5 Sunday Tours

12 Sunday Tours I 5 Museum Committee Meeting 19 Sunday Tours 26 Sunday Tours (end) 28 No Board Meeting

Newsletter

DECEMBER ?? Tree Decoration - South Elem

at Visitors Center 9 Holiday Candlelight Tour

at Muhlenberg House 19 Museum Committee Meeting 25 No Board Meeting

Board Meetings: Last Tuesday of the Month at Dewees (unless otherwise noted) Museum Committee Meetings - Third Wednesday of the Month at Dewees at 9:00 AM. Note: Some dates are tentative and may be subject to rescheduling. To confirm, visit website (www.trappehistoricalsociety.org) or call 610-489-7560.