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Cheltenham Township Historical Commission

December 2021

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The Wall House will not be open in December on our regular date, due to the holiday. Private tours may still be scheduled. See below.

A Moment in History


The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 1, 1906.
 
CHELTENHAM MANSIONS RELICS OF PENNSYLVANIA’S EARLY DAYS
Toby Leech and William Penn Homes - Landmarks of Late Seventeenth Century

CHELTENHAM, Pa. - Standing among the many modern mansions below Jenkintown there are two widely known landmarks on the Old Church road to the right of York road, in Cheltenham.

These historic mansions - although one is now sadly demolished - were considered wonderful achievements of architecture in their day. One is still known as the Toby Leech mansion, and the other as the William Penn house. They are within a few hundred feet of each other, on opposite sides of the road.

The Toby Leech homestead stands on the right side of Church road, while a little further on, the Penn house stands on the left, on high ground. The former is down in the hollow on the bank of the creek that in Revolutionary days turned the great wheels of the Toby Leech Mills.

Both of the old mansions are closely associated with the days of Penn’s sea voyages as the sea biscuits that Penn used on these voyages were said to have been manufactured in the great ovens of the Leech homestead and the old mill.

Tobias, or “Toby” Leech, as he was affectionately called, not only owned the largest grist mill in the place, but carried on the manufacture of sea biscuits in an immense oven built in the back portion of his mansion. Until quite recently, traces of this great oven could still be noticed in the desolate old mansion - which is now slowly falling into ruin; the back portion, where the oven stood, having crumbled completely away. 

The flour was brought from the grist mill on the banks of the Tacony, just above the homestead, and from the old oven, the sea biscuits were hauled to Philadelphia and sold to the shippers.

It is said that the original deeds were signed by William Penn who then lived in his country residence, on the Old Church road, near the homestead.

Upcoming Historical Commission Meeting


The next meeting of the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission will be December 9th at 7:30 PM via ZoomHere is the agenda.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77850013516?pwd=T2dEbDZHTGovZlVrUjNnV0VKU0JiUT09
 
  • Meeting ID: 778 5001 3516
  • Passcode: 053493

DVDs for Sale


Longtime friend of the Historical Commission, Patricia Miller, is selling a DVD about the Elkins Estate: "A Story of the Dominican Retreat Property and Tyler School of Art in Cheltenham Township." Copies are $20 each. Please contact Patricia Miller, mpatmaida7@aol.com, 215-436-7449 to order copies. Proceeds are shared with Patricia and the Historical Commission.

Community

Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library

“Happy Holidays: American Holiday Traditions”

December 5, 2021, at 11:00am
Presented by Historian Herb Kaufman

Ever wonder who is known in history as the “Mother of Thanksgiving,” or “Santa Claus’ Father.”  Have you ever thought about why Hanukkah involves eating donuts? or why Santa started living in department stores?  These and many other interesting questions are explored in this timely holiday program.

Starting with the real story of the Pilgrims, we explore the myths and traditions of Thanksgiving. We tell the tale of which president began the tradition of pardoning the turkey, how the Thanksgiving parades began, and which President decided to change the day of the holiday.

We look at the interesting Hanukkah traditions of eating donuts, and the real story behind the spinning dreidel.

We also take an enjoyable look at how many of Christmas traditions actually began. Many of our traditions were started by authors in their poems and books, and cartoonists with a holiday idea; “who really was Santa Claus? why does he live in the North Pole? and how was Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer created?”

Please send a request to reserve a virtual seat for this outstanding presentation by  contacting garmuslib1866@gmail.com.

You will be sent a link with a password that will enable you to access the program within 24 hours of the start of the presentation. 
 

First Sunday Zoom Programs


Join us the first Sunday of each month. Programs begin at 1:00 PM. These are FREE virtual programs online - Please RSVP to garmuslib1866@gmail.com.
 
Requests to reserve a virtual seat that are sent the day of the Program may not arrive in time. We will make every effort to reply, but Gmail may be slow, and our volunteer may be called away. You will be sent a link with a password that will enable you to access the program within 24 hours of the start of the presentation. 

As a lover of history, you know how critical it is to keep history alive, especially today! We very much appreciate your continued support for the GAR Civil War Museum. Details and Updates on Upcoming Programs will be available on the Museum website: https://garmuslib.org.

Northeast Philadelphia History Network

 

The Philadelphia County Fair at Somerton/Byberry

 

Philadelphia County Fairgrounds ca 1912

 
Wednesday, December 1, 7:00 p.m.

For five to seven days every September from 1912 to 1925 the Somerton/Byberry area of Northeast Philadelphia was home to The Philadelphia County Fair.  From wealthy aristocrats to simple farmers, tens of thousands of local residents came to the Fair to see the attractions and enjoy a day of thrills.  Join us as local historian Patty McCarthy shares how The Philadelphia County Fair came to be, the sights to be seen, and why it ended.

Patty was recently acknowledged in a Hidden City Philadelphia article for her discovery that noted architect Frank Furness designed the building that is now the clubhouse of the Baker’s Bay condominium community in Torresdale, a fact that was previously unknown  to architectural historians: https://hiddencityphila.org/2021/11/finding-frank-furness-in-northeast-philadelphia/.

Due to the potential Covid resurgence, Patty’s presentation will be virtual only.  We are hoping to resume live presentations at Pennepack Baptist Meetinghouse - hybrid, with a zoom option - in the near future.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89462981955?pwd=TFk5VmI2K2UyOGljVy8zZkRPSWtQQT09
 
Meeting ID: 894 6298 1955
Passcode: 512013

Note:  You Tube video recording of the NEPHN Byberry Friends at a Crossroads presentation on November 3, 2021 is viewable at https://youtu.be/p64Y2i8RYYw

The Wall Paper

A Publication of the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission


 

The fall 2021 publication of The Wall Paper is now available - click here. Back issues of The Wall Paper are available on the Cheltenham Township website. The edition features:
 
  • The Richard Wall House Museum Is Back
  • Chairman's Chatter
  • Our Legacy Visitors
  • Upcoming Events
  • A Moment in History

The Richard Wall House

The Richard Wall House is open on the fourth Sunday of every month and upon request. To arrange for a tour, either private or for a group, either call the Township at 215-887-1000, ext. 227 during business hours, or send an email to wallhouse@cheltenham-township.org.

Learn more about the Wall House on the Cheltenham Township website.
 

Friends of the Wall House

Be a Friend of the Wall House and help preserve the rich history of Cheltenham Township. The suggested donation levels are:
 
  • Benefactor: $100
  • Sponsor: $50
  • Patron: $20


Jack Washington Memorial Fund

In honor of the late Jack Washington, longtime Historical Commission member and chair, the Historical Commission created the Jack Washington Gallery in the Richard Wall House. This gallery serves as a starting point for the local history of Cheltenham Township. We are accepting donations to help pay for the new exhibits.


Send Donations

Mail a piece of paper with your name, address, email address, and "Friend of the Wall House" or "Jack Washington Fund" written on it, along with your check made payable to "Cheltenham Township Historical Commission" to:
 
Cheltenham Township Historical Commission
c/o Cheltenham Township
8230 Old York Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027-1589
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