Forty-first

ANNUAL PRESERVATION AWARDS

Wednesday

May 15th, 2019

Presented by

Delaware County Council

and the

Heritage Commission of Delaware County

Delaware County Council

John P. McBlain, Chairman

Colleen P. Morrone, Vice Chairman

Michael F. Culp

Kevin Madden

Brian Zidek

Delaware County Executive Director

Marianne Grace

Heritage Commission of Delaware County

A. Richard Paul, Chairman

Cyndi Charney, Vice Chairman

Barbara Marinelli, Secretary

Judith Anastasi

Jane Carroll

Laurie Grant

Doug Humes

Elizabeth McCarrick

Karen Micka

Francis Murnaghan The Heritage Commission is a volunteer body appointed by County Council with a mission to encourage historical and cultural awareness and preservation within the

County. It has been recognizing worthy preservation projects and individuals throughout Delaware County for over forty-one years.

41st ANNUAL PRESERVATION AWARDS

The Heritage Commission has been presenting these awards with County Council since 1978 to highlight National Preservation Month. Preservation Month is in May and this year the National Trust for Historic Preservation is remembering their “This Place Matters” campaign.

The Commission selects the award recipients from nominations submitted by residents and organizations throughout the County. They are selected for outstanding contributions to the preservation of our County’s heritage in the following categories: Site Preservation, Publications, Special Programs/Projects, Individual Achievement, Historic Preservation Planning, Youth, and the Leedom B. Morrison Heritage Award.

SITE PRESERVATION Residential Rehabilitation

Smedley D. Butler Estate

David and Melissa Clark, Brett Hand,

Mark Janiczek This residence was the home of USMC General Smedley Darlington Butler and his wife Edith. General Butler resided at the home from his retirement in 1931 until his death in 1940. While in active service in the Marine Corps, Smedley Butler received 16 medals, five for heroism. He is one of 19 to be twice awarded the Medal of Honor, one of three to be awarded both the USMC Brevet Medal of Honor and the only person to be awarded the Brevet Medal and two Medals of Honor all for separate actions. When purchased in 2014 from the estate of General Butler’s granddaughter, the house was in disrepair and overgrown. Renovations preserved the integrity of the original house while making it more efficient for 21st century living.

SITE PRESERVATION Non-residential Rehabilitation

Brinton 1704 House

John Milner Architects, Inc Griffiths Construction, Inc.

Brinton Association of America Following the 1950s restoration of the Brinton 1704 House by Edwin Brumbaugh, and its 1967 designation as a National Historic Landmark, the Brinton 1704 House has required yearly minor maintenance and upkeep. In 2016, the board of directors recognized that a more intensive conservation effort was needed to maintain this historic building. John Milner Architects and Griffiths Construction were hired to complete the work, which included repointing of stone and brick elements of the 1704 House and outbuildings, repair and replacement of woodwork and the roof, repair of windows, and addressing drainage concerns. A key concern of this conservation project was maintaining the existing structure and character of the building as established by Edwin Brumbaugh’s research and restoration in the 1950s, while modernizing exterior elements to ensure the building is equipped to meet the next 60 years of weathering and use.

PUBLICATION

“The History of the Darby Library Company 1743-2018 The First 275 Years”

Susan Borders, Jan Haigis, Darby

Library Company “The History of the Darby Library Company 1743-2018 The First 275 Years” is a narrative booklet developed for the celebrations of the Darby Library Company’s 275 Anniversary in 2018. The publication includes the story of the Darby Library Company’s development from a members-only library, modeled after “The Philadelphia Library Company” to the Darby Free Library, a public library. It also includes information on the community for which it served. The basic information for this project was searched and compiled through years of Darby Library Company Minute Records, some hand written and from the Darby Library archives collection.

PUBLICATION

“HALLISSEY! The Incredible Life and Times of Haverford Township’s First Chief

of Police”

A. Matthew Hufnal “Hallissey!” is equal parts local history, police procedural, and human drama. It chronicles the rise and fall of Edward T. Hallissey, a larger-than-life lawman appointed to form the Haverford Township Police Department in 1916. Peppered with period photos, newspaper articles, and maps, this book documents and preserves Haverford Township’s development through the life of its First Chief of Police. “Hallissey- the Incredible Life and Times of Haverford Township’s First Chief of Police” shows that local history can be fun, and drama can often be found where you least expect it.

SPECIAL PROGRAM/PROJECT

Haverford Slide Project

Kathleen Case and Jacques Catudal Kathy Case is on the Haverford Township Historical Commission and is in the process of writing a book on the history of Haverford Township with Rich Kerr and other members of the Haverford Township Historical Society. To assist both groups, Kathy and her husband, Jacques, took over 4000 slides from the HTHS collection to re-scan and organize them. The slides were taken by the late Margaret Johnston and Hilda Lucas. The slides were organized, digitally scanned, corrected and enhanced for brightness and color balance, then catalogued and placed into archival storage containers. They will eventually replace the slides that are currently on the HTHS website. Many of the slides feature buildings that were razed, and/or on the Historic Resource Survey, which are invaluable to both groups and all of the residents of Haverford Township.

SPECIAL PROGRAM/PROJECT

Scouting in Middletown

John W. “Mac” MacFarland

Middletown Township Historical Society is always looking for ways to add interesting historical materials and information to our museum, especially Middletown history. An exhibit on Scouting in Middletown Township would be a great way to celebrate Boy Scout Month in February and Girl Scouts in March. John W. MacFarland, "Mac," had a life-long involvement with Boys Scouts that started out with Lima (Middletown) BSA Troop 1 in 1957 and spans 60+ years at all levels.

The displays included over 40 uniforms, over 20 manuals/handbooks, vintage equipment, and over 20 framed photographs of Middletown Scouts. Scouts of all ages and levels were invited to share their experiences during the exhibit, especially on the two open days. Some Scout groups came to visit by special appointment.

SPECIAL PROGRAM/PROJECT

Governor Earle Historical Marker

George Earle V, Earle Family, Ashley Wilson

George V. Earle, III (1890-1974) was the governor of Pennsylvania during the Depression years. He was raised at Broadacres, a 1,000-acre country home in Newtown Square. As governor, his administration known as the “Little New Deal” created more than 200,000 new jobs and established the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Civil rights, labor and unemployment compensation laws were enacted. A decorated WWI and WWII veteran, Earle served President Franklin D. Roosevelt as American minister to Austria and then Bulgaria. The family home in Newtown was demolished and the land sold off in the 1970s for a town home community. Traces of the Earles remain- in Earle’s Lane, and Earle’s Lake. In 2018, through the efforts of the Earle family and neighbor Ashley Wilson, a Pennsylvania historical marker was dedicated on the Lane, near the Lake, to honor Governor George V. Earle, III.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT

George Sharretts George Sharretts is a volunteer with the Newtown Square Railroad Museum, located at Drexel Lodge Park on West Chester Pike in Newtown Square. He has been involved with the restoration of 1949 Red Arrow Trolley Car #23 since the museum first had the opportunity to save it and bring it to become a static display just feet from where it used to run. He helped prepare the car for transportation and delivery, and since 2016 has taken the lead in not only repair and restoration to its 1949 appearance but also in the significant research needed to facilitate that restoration. He has worked with volunteers and local Delaware County businesses who have been coming together to complete this piece of local history “coming home” after so many years away.

YOUTH

Chester Heights Camp Meeting Eagle Scout Project

Ryan Hayes

This was an Eagle Scout Project done by Ryan Hayes, Troop 292, Mt Hope UMC, Aston, PA. Cottage #17 is an 1898 1-story cottage. He scraped, painted, and repaired all exterior wood, including shutters; measured for paint requirements; handed in all scout paperwork in a timely fashion for approval; purchased supplies; got co-workers (scouts) and leaders to help; supervised project and cleaned up the ground all around.

LEEDOM B. MORRISON HERITAGE AWARD

Andrew Turner Museum

Michael Gray, Sr.

The Andrew Turner Museum, owned and operated by Michael Gray Sr., exists as a place to preserve the history and physical works of Andrew Turner and other great artists of Chester and Delaware County. The preservation and renovation of Andrew Turner’s family home, and the last place he painted in Chester, gives witness to the fact that out of this humble edifice came greatness, in the form of art works created by one of Chester’s native sons. In 2006 the facility was transformed into a place for community gardening, the arts, and small business ventures, under the non-profit he established, I Can I Will, Incorporated. As the program grew and additional space for gardening and an art center for the children were provided by PennDOT, Michael went to work, in 2015, transforming the house into his vision for an Andrew Turner Museum.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

J. Mervyn Harris J. Mervyn Harris, “Merv”, is a man who believes in giving back to his community. Upon completion of his studies at PMC, Merv served as a second lieutenant in the United States Army and as major in the United States Army Reserves. Upon his return to civilian life, he became a commissioner for Nether Providence Township and served as chair of the Nether Providence Township Republican Executive Committee. He was also appointed the judge of elections for the township. In 1964, Merv was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He is the founder of the Nether Providence Historical Society; a member of the Nether Providence Historical Commission; and authored the book, "A Brief History of Nether Providence," which was published in 2010. Merv was a very dedicated and active member of Delaware County Historical Society (DCHS). He served as president in 2002 and initiated and led a working collaborative group named "Council of Local Historical Societies." In 2000, Merv was appointed to the Heritage Commission of Delaware County and until his recent retirement, served as Vice Chairman. In addition to his political and history-related activities, Merv served on the board of COSA, March of Dimes, and the Center for Resolution. We are truly privileged to know an individual who is so willing to give his time and effort for the public good.

Heritage Commission of Delaware County

What We Do The Delaware County Heritage is made up of 11

historically minded residents who are appointed by Delaware County Council to make recommendations to the Council on preservation issues in the County.

Have a seminar annually on some aspect of historic

preservation, we present awards to groups and individuals for their preservation efforts each May at a Council meeting.

Oversee and make recommendations on County owned

historic properties. Make recommendations to County Council on

applications from historic sites for Community Development Block Grants.

Act as a liaison between County Council and historic

organizations in the County. Information on seminars and awards are available at: https://www.delcopa.gov/planning/programsandinitiatives/HeritageCommission/whatwedo.html To get in touch with a member of the Heritage Commission, contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.